DAY 1: Arrive Florence
We recommend flying to Florence (30 min) or Pisa (2 hours).
Settle into your accommodation and then throw yourself into the delights of Florence. Priceless renaissance art, magnificent piazzas, narrow streets, the Ponte Vecchio over the River Arno and the designer shops, will have you wishing you had more time to explore.
Overnight: Hotel Park Palace, Florence (4 Star)
Minutes away, and enjoying wonderful views of, the historic centre of Florence. The Hotel Park Palace is your Florentine Villa. Website: www.parkpalace.com
DAY 2 Settignano to Fiesole
A 25 minute local bus ride brings you to the village of Settignano, where your walk begins. A typical Tuscan landscape of olive groves, cypress trees and renaissance villas unrolls before you, with the city of Florence at your feet.
Fiesole, founded in the 7th century BC, boasts Etruscan ruins, Roman baths and amphitheatres, a Franciscan Monastery, Tuscan Renaissance art and outstanding restaurants.
Walk: 7 km | 300m Ascent 100m Descent | 2.5 Hrs
Overnight: Florence
DAY 3 Greve in Chianti Circular Walk
After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to Greve in Chianti, a rustic market village in the heart of the Chianti wine producing region.
Check into your hotel and head over to Le Cantine di Greve where you can taste over 50 different Chianti wines.
In the afternoon, enjoy a circular walk through a picture perfect Tuscan landscape north of the town.
Overnight: Albergo del Chianti, Greve in Chianti (3 Star).
Located in an old tower on the main square in Chianti the Albergo del Chianti is perfectly situated. The 16 rooms are located at the rear of the building and overlook a quiet courtyard swimming pool. Website: www.albergodelchianti.it
Walk: 11 km | 300m Ascent/Descent | 3.5 Hours
DAY 4 Walk from Greve to Panzano
Todays walk is to the fortified village of Panzano. Walking in a near perfect landscape of medieval castles, fortified hamlets and Tuscan farmhouses surrounded by cascading vineyards.
Walk: 6km | 250m Ascent 30m Descent | 2 Hrs
Overnight: Greve in Chianti
DAY 5 Walk from Badiaccia Montemuro to Radda in Chianti
After breakfast, a short car transfer takes you to the highest of the Chianti hills, Monte San Michele. From Badiaccia you descend through a forested valley of century old chestnut trees and to the medieval hamlet of Volpaia, situated amongst vineyards and castles.Stop in for a glass of red at a fine Enoteca, and then continue on to Radda in Chianti.
Radda is perched atop a high hill in a comparatively rugged part of Tuscany. The Capital of the old League of Chianti, its concentric streets still surround the historic Piazza Ferrucci, where you will find the shield encrusted Palazzo Comunale.
Walk: 11km | 450m Ascent 350 Descent | 4.5Hrs
Overnight: Hotel Palazzo San Niccolò, Radda.
Located in the heart of Radda, on the Piazza Ferrucci, the Hotel Palazzo San Nicolo is a converted medieval palace dating back to 1400. Large authentically decorated rooms with a sense of place and sophisticated commuanal areas envelop you in a sense of place. This will be a highlight of your trip. Website: www.hotelsanniccolo.com
DAY 6 Radda in Chianti Circular Walk
A quiet, relaxing day awaits you. Bask under the Tuscan sun, go for a scenic walk around the old centre of Radda in Chianti. Wind along the narrow alleyways and visit the church of Santa Maria Novella. Treat yourself by visiting a wine cellar and tasting the wine from the celebrated local vineyards.
Walk: 7km | 250m Ascent/Descent | 2.5 Hours
Overnight: Hotel Palazzo San Niccolò, Radda
DAY 7 Siena
After breakfast, a prearranged private transfer will take you to Siena. Siena is famous for its biannual “Palio” horse race, held in the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo.
History comes alive as you meander through the narrow streets of this enchanting city.
Overnight: Hotel Villa Liberty (3 Star), Siena.
The recently restored Hotel Villa Liberty offers comfortable and elegant rooms only a few minutes walk from the historic centre of Siena. Website: www. villaliberty.it
DAY 8
Onward Travel
Extensions & Extra Nights
Florence and Siena both warrant additional nights. Just ask at the time of booking and we would be happy to arrange this.
Accommodation
We specifically choose our hotels for comfort, location and authenticity. All are three star and four star hotels, which are centrally located and offer a genuinely warm Italian welcome and real sense of place.
Accommodation Details
We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in the brochure, but because of limited availability we may have to accommodate you at an alternative location of the same or better standard. We will confirm your accommodation details on confirming your reservation.
Single Rooms
Single rooms are available but attract a single supplement.
Solo Walkers
This is a great holiday for solo walkers. If you are travelling solo the holiday is slightly more expensive as some costs are not shared.
Meals
The delicious Italian food and wine available locally is undoubtedly a highlight of this holiday. The price of your holiday includes breakfast each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options.
Baggage Transfer
When required your bags will be transferred from your hotel and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
Equipment
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, waterproofs, comfortable walking clothes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
Walking Grade
This holiday is graded easy because the walks are relatively short and you can choose to shorten or skip them as you wish. Tuscany is hilly and there are some steep descents and ascents so you should have suitable fitness. You will walk on city streets, dirt tracks, mule tracks and footpaths.
Navigation
The walks are generally not way marked. We supply very detailed route notes and maps so navigation is straightforward.
We are often asked the following questions and I hope that you will find the answers useful. Don't hesitate to contact one of our Italy specialists if you have any further queries.
How fit do I need to be?
This walking holiday is graded easy and involves between two and five hours of walking each day. Most of the walks can be shortened or extended as required. Some walks are totally optional. There are some steeper ascents and descents so you should enjoy a reasonable level of fitness to get the most from this holiday.
When is the best time of year?
May and June are absolutely lovely and spring and early summer is a great time in Tuscany. September & October are also lovely as the vineyards change to a pallet of reds and golds.
July and August can be very hot so you will have to start early to miss the heat of the day, although the towns and villages are buzzing which is great.
How far in advance do I need to book?
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this area is extremely popular. You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans so just ask.
What personal equipment do I need?
You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc.
Which is the best airport?
Pisa and Florence are the best airports to fly into. Rome is also a possibility, but transfer times are longer.
