8 days tour

Southern Tuscany Walking And Wine

$ 2,620 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $2,620.00

Southern Tuscany Walking And Wine

This tour includes:

Guide

Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader's ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour.

Meals

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options 7 Breakfasts 2 Lunches

Others

All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.

Optional

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract. Montalcino - Wine tasting โ‚ฌ10.

Transport

Minibus, Train

Accommodation

3 nights standard guesthouse 4 nights standard hotel

Not included:

Others

Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price. You can also book extra nightsโ€™ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately.

Flights

International flights not included in the tour cost

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Southern Tuscany Walking And Wine

  • Day 1 Day 1: Trip Starts Today In Pisa
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Trip Starts Today In Pisa

      The trip starts today in Pisa. The city's famous leaning tower and beautiful Campo del Miracoli are stunning testaments to a time when Pisa was one of the Mediterranean's major maritime powers. The Leader plans to meet everyone at the hotel for a welcome meeting today at 6.30 pm and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner afterwards. Should you miss the meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Pisa at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA). Your driver will greet you on arrival at the airport (look for your name or an Explore signboard) and take you on to our hotel on the banks of the Arno River, a short journey of around 10 minutes. If your flight arrives earlier in the day and you wish to explore this compact city on foot, the central area is less than a kilometre's walk from our hotel.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Walk To San Gimignano; Wine Tasting
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Walk To San Gimignano; Wine Tasting

      This morning we drive towards San Gimignano, parking our bus in the rolling countryside outside of the town. We set off on a hike along part of the Via Francigena (an ancient pilgrimage route running all the way from Canterbury to Rome) along a wide gravel track past vineyards and rural houses. The thirteen medieval towers of San Gimignano are often in sight in the near distance. San Gimignano is a beautifully preserved example of a classic Tuscan medieval town. It prospered during the 12th and 13th centuries, until a combination of local aristocratic rivalry and the arrival of the Black death devastated trade. We will have some free time to explore the town, have a relaxing lunch in one of many cafes and perhaps walk up to the Torre Grossa, or visit the Duomo. In the early afternoon we'll head back on foot to the bus along a scenic route via Santa Lucia. En route we'll stop to visit the Sovestro winery for a tasting of some of the local San Gimignano white wine. We then continue to Monteriggioni, a beautifully preserved fortified hill-top village, where we can walk around the walls. Our base for the next two nights is Castellina in Chianti, a country town with Etruscan and Roman origins. Castellina lies at an altitude of around 580m in the heart of the Chianti Hills, an area famous for its wine. Note: Depending on the size of the group we may be accommodated across two properties 5 minutes walk apart. Today's gently undulating ten kilometre walk is expected to take around three-and-a-half hours.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Walk In The Heart Of Chianti Country
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Walk In The Heart Of Chianti Country

      After breakfast we drive close to the town of Volpaia, near to Radda in Chianti. Our walk heads out from the small chapel of Santa Maria Novella and slowly climbs through vineyards and along marked trails up into the hills of Chianti to the picture perfect village of Volpaia. We then follow local village paths and old drovers' roads, cutting through the vineyards and fields of the villa of Castelvecchi. Finally, we descend back to Santa Maria Novella for a well-earned rest in the olive groves of the church and our picnic lunch. A short bus ride takes us to Radda for some time to explore and look around and perhaps have a gelato. Once back in Castellina there's the option to head out to a wine tour and tasting at the Rocca della Macie wine estate where the famous Chianti Classico is produced. Today's seven kilometre walk is expected to take around four hours with a total ascent and descent of 150 metres.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Visit Medieval Siena; Drive To Pienza In Southern Tuscany
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Visit Medieval Siena; Drive To Pienza In Southern Tuscany

      Our final destination today is Pienza in southern Tuscany, but we will stop for most of the day in the fabulous medieval city of Siena where our time is free to explore the market and other sights. With its magnificent Gothic architecture, Siena was once a rival to Florence in power and trade, the city controlled the trade routes between France and Rome, as well as the southern Tuscan wool industry. Today it stands as a classic Italian city, with its magnificent central square, Il Campo, and the awe inspiring grandeur of the Duomo overlooking the Via di Citta. The city centre is traffic-free, making it ideal to wander around on foot, soaking up the many intriguing sights. The focal point is the Piazza del Campo, a semi-circular area surrounded by ancient buildings, and overlooked by a 100 metre bell tower, the Torre del Mangia. The Piazza is also used for a horse race twice a year - the famous Palio, when horses and their riders hurtle dangerously around the square to the delight of the crowds. Pienza, our base for the next three nights, is a classic hill-top town and jewel of Renaissance architecture that UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Walk To Montepulciano Via Montichiello
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Walk To Montepulciano Via Montichiello

      Our walk today heads downhill from Pienza on typical 'strade bianche', the white gravel roads of Tuscany. We head towards the village of Montichiello, a lovely medieval walled village where we will have a well earned break and admire one of the most famous cypress tree avenues in the whole of Tuscany (and the one on most of the postcards!) Retracing our steps a little way downhill, we pick up our trail heading past vineyards, enjoying some enchanting views across the surrounding countryside as we make our way towards the temple of San Biagio on the hillside below the town of Montepulciano. Founded by Antonio Sangallo the Elder in the 16th century, this glorious church was, at the time, the largest outside of Rome and is considered by many to be one of the finest Renaissance buildings in Italy. Continuing up the hill into the town, we head via the Piazza Grande, Montepulciano's flamboyant main square. Perched on a 605 m high limestone ridge and encircled by Renaissance-era walls and fortifications, Montepulciano is a major producer of food and drink; renowned for its pork, cheese, 'pici' pasta, lentils, and honey and not least its wine. Connoisseurs consider its Vino Nobile among Italy's best. Before heading back to Pienza by local bus, we will have time to explore some of the underground cellars of Montepulciano with the option of enjoying a wine tasting. Today's 12 kilometre walk is expected to take around four-and-a-half hours with a total ascent of 350 metres.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Hike In The Val D'Orcia To Hill-Top Montalcino
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Hike In The Val D'Orcia To Hill-Top Montalcino

      Today we drive from Pienza to San Quirico along a panoramic road where some of the scenes from the film 'Gladiator' were filmed. San Quirico D'Orcia is a beautiful town that lies along the Via Francigena pilgrimage route and we will have some time here, before we set out on our walk. Descending from the town we cross the Asso river and follow undulating trails with wide open views of the classic Val D'Orcia. Vineyards surround us and the towers of Siena are visible on the Horizon. Our final destination is the hill-top town of Montalcino located at just over 500m. We have some free time to explore and the chance to enjoy a wine tasting of the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine. Today's 12 kilometre walk is expected to take around five hours with a total ascent of 450 metres.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Drive To Florence; Orientation Walk
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Drive To Florence; Orientation Walk

      Leaving the rolling hills of southern Tuscany behind we head for our final destination of the holiday, the fabulous city of Florence. The spiritual home of the Renaissance, Florence is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. On arrival our leader will take us out on an orientation walk with the rest of the day left free to explore further. Highlights include the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest and most famous bridge in Florence and the only one that was not demolished during the German retreat of 1944 and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its giant dome that dominates the city skyline. Early evening is the perfect time to walk up to the Piazzale Michaelangelo for a great view over the city.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Trip Ends In Florence
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Trip Ends In Florence

      The trip ends after breakfast this morning at our hotel in Florence. There are no actvities planned for today and you are free to depart at any time. If you are departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from either Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA) or Florence Peretola Airport (FLR). If departing from Pisa Airport your trip leader will brief you and arrange the transfer , providing you with tickets for the train direct from Florence Centrale Railway Station to Pisa Centrale Station and then on to the airport on the Pisa Mover rail shuttle. A taxi transfer from our hotel to the shuttle bus departure point will also be provided for you. The total journey time is around 90 minutes. If you are departing from Florence Airport you will be transferred from our hotel to the airport by taxi, a journey of around 30 minutes.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 85

Age range allowed for this experience.

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