Overview
Stroll through the fabulous Chianti countryside, with opportunities to visit
the world-famous cities of Florence and Siena.
On this self-guided 10-night walking holiday, you explore the timeless
countryside between picturesque Volterra and the soaring towers of San
Gimignano. You’ll feel as though you’re strolling through history as you
discover sleepy hilltop hamlets crowning sun-dappled hills, verdant vineyards
and panoramic picnic spots in fields ablaze with sunflowers. There’s the
option too to visit the eternal cities of Siena and Florence – Tuscan
favourites right on your doorstep!
Highlights
* Quintessential Italian landscapes: rolling hills, sunflowers, endless
vines and hilltop hamlets
* Scenic walking on Etruscan trails and pilgrims’ paths; wildlife in
abundance
* Exceptionally friendly hotels, family-run, with gorgeous swimming pools
* Mouth-watering local cuisine; world famous wines
* Possible trips to the ‘Super Tuscans’: Florence, Siena and Pisa
Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVE IN VOLTERRA
We meet you at Pisa airport, and take you to your hotel (75 mins) just
outside Volterra’s mediaeval gates, where you have time to relax in the pool
before dinner.*(Staying at Park Hotel Le Fonti)*
Day 2
VOLTERRA TO CASOLE D’ELSA
A short transfer (30 mins) this morning to the start of your walk. Forest
trails lead east through the Berignone Nature Reserve where you may be lucky
enough to see wild boar, deer and fox. As you leave the forest, the ridge
opens up giving wonderful valley views out towards Casole d’Elsa where you’ll
spend the next two nights.*(Staying at Hotel Terre di Casole, Half Board)*
Day 3
AT CASOLE D’ELSA
Casole d’Elsa is a picture perfect etruscan village atop a panoramic ridge.
From the vermillion hued 14th century castle, views stretch as far as Monte
Amiata in the south of Tuscany. A leisurely lunch maybe in the medieval
piazza, before visiting the small but intact amphitheatre and Etruscan
tombs.*(Staying at Hotel Terre di Casole, Half Board)*
Day 4
CASOLE D’ELSA TO COLLE DI VAL D’ELSA
Today’s walk takes you down to the valley floor passing fields of sunflowers
and orchid-sprinkled paths, before coming to the small hamlet of Quartaia, a
good lunch stop. Continue through the woods along the famous pilgrim’s path,
the Via Francigena, where the fossils in the stones beneath your feet bear
witness to the time when this area was covered by the sea. A final easy
stroll takes you along the milky-blue, limestone-rich river d’Elsa and to
your stunning hotel, a beautifully converted 12th century Benedictine Abbey
with garden and pool.*(Staying at Relais Della Rovere, Half Board)*
Day 5
AT COLLE DI VAL D’ELSA
Regular buses to Siena (30 mins) and Florence (1hr) leave from just outside
the hotel grounds so you can easily explore Il Campo, the Duomo, and the
treasures of the world-famous Uffizi. The historic town of Colle di Val
d’Elsa dates back to Etruscan times with cathedral, museums and fine
Renaissance buildings. Back at the hotel, you can relax in the pleasant
gardens surrounding the sparkling outdoor pool.*(Staying at Relais Della
Rovere, 1st night Half Board, following days Breakfast only)*
Day 6-7
AT COLLE DI VAL D’ELSA
Regular buses to Siena (30 mins) and Florence (1hr) leave from just outside
the hotel grounds so you can easily explore Il Campo, the Duomo, and the
treasures of the world-famous Uffizi. The historic town of Colle di Val
d’Elsa dates back to Etruscan times with cathedral, museums and fine
Renaissance buildings. Back at the hotel, you can relax in the pleasant
gardens surrounding the sparkling outdoor pool.*(Staying at Relais Della
Rovere*)
Day 8
COLLE DI VAL D’ELSA TO SAN GIMIGNANO
Today you follow in pilgrims’ footsteps along the Via Francigena. Bright with
sunflowers and fragrant apple orchards, this historic path skirts tiny
hamlets and lonely chapels towards the lazy Foci River. You may like to make
a short detour to take in a wine-tasting at Montauto, before retracing your
steps to rejoin the Via Francigena up to San Gimignano. Time for a swim in
the pool before dinner.*(Staying at Relais Santa Chiara, Breakfast only)*
Day 9
AT SAN GIMIGNANO
Visit San Gimignano’s mystical towers this morning built by warring
neighbours in the 12th century to out-do one another! Or for a longer day
out, hop on a local bus to Siena (30 mins), a perfectly preserved medieval
gem with a stunning striped 14th century Gothic Cathedral and beautiful
square.*(Staying at Relais Santa Chiara, Breakfast only)*
Day 10
SAN GIMIGNANO TO VOLTERRA
A short taxi ride (10 mins) from your hotel takes you to the start of the
walk at the Castelvecchio Nature Reserve. From here you follow a woodland
trail dotted with rock roses and wild strawberry plants to reach a panoramic
strada bianca, where hawks soar overhead. With open views across cypress
studded ochre fields to Monte Voltraio, you pass through the villages of
Sensano and Ulignano, historic hamlets with 16th century villas. Perhaps
picnic by the Era Valley before ascending an ancient mule track back to
Volterra.*(Staying at Park Hotel Le Fonti, Half Board)*
Day 11
LEAVE VOLTERRA
Return home after breakfast.
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