Italy: Tuscany and Umbria Vineyard Walks

Day 1 : Tuscany: San Gimignano, and Walk Strove to Colle Val d'Elsa

With golden light stretching across the rolling green hills, the Tuscan countryside is calling. The pace here is slower, coinciding with the wine produced in the region which is meant to be savoured rather than gulped. Throughout this picturesque adventure, move through Tuscany and Umbria by walking from village to village. Your first day sees you begin the trek in the village of Strove walking the Via Fancigena until you cross the Elsa River on foot, wading ankle deep in the blue water. Welcome to Tuscany, and to Italy, we invite you to find you inner serenity in the countryside.

After an informative morning welcome briefing with your CEO you will travel to San Gimignano for a visit before today's trek. Discover one of the most well preserved Italian medieval sites by marvelling at both the Gothic and Romanesque architecture of the historical centre, and by sampling some of the regional delights at lunch in town. Your trek begins after lunch, heading to the final destination of Colle Val d'Elsa.

We recommend that you book a pre-night at our hotel or nearby for the night prior so that you don't miss the group transfer.

Acommodation

Hotel Palazzo Pacini

Day 2 : Tuscany: Walk Monteriggioni to Siena

Monteriggioni is your quintessential Tuscan medieval walled village. Follow part of the ancient Francigena way; step back in time as you walk past donkeys in green pastures and lush bushes as the Tuscan countryside unfolds before you.

After hiking toward the village of Monteriggioni, enjoy lunch at La dama nella Vigna with some well-deserved wine. Once satisfied, visit Monteriggioni before continuing your journey to Siena where you’ll explore with your guide. From Siena, take the bus back to your hotel for a free evening.

Acommodation

Hotel Palazzo Pacini

Day 3 : Tuscany: Exploring the Chianti Region

Chianti, recognized for its namesake red wine, lies between Florence and Siena in the very centre of Tuscany. Begin the trek from Montefioralle- a small town forming the perimeter around an historic castle. Trek from the wavy hills of the Chianti region, along the dusty dirt road that winds through rows of vineyards and the silvery foliage of olive groves, before reaching the provincial road that leads to the hamlet of Panzano. Your reward for another beautiful walk? Lunch at a local winery with a pairing of local wines of course.

After a decadent and leisurely lunch, continue on to Greve in Chianti, considered the "gateway" to the Chianti region. Greve in Chianti is formed around a beautiful triangular piazza, at the centre of which is a statue of the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, one of the town’s most illustrious sons, who went down in history for discovering the bay of New York. End the day relaxing with a cold drink at your Tuscan Villa perched above the vineyards.

Acommodation

Borgo Casa al Vento

Day 4 : Tuscany: Volpaia to Lamole

From medieval village to medieval village, through the vineyards of Chianti, your walking today sees you leaving Volpaia walking up towards Monte Querciabella, the highest point of the day. Carry on to Poggio del Quercetino and then downhill to Lamole, famous for its terraced vineyards, where you take a luscious rest in the form of a picnic lunch among the vines.

After lunch, sample four varieties from the local Tuscan estates, continuing to learn not only about the process of wine making in Tuscany, but about the people who make their life here in Chianti. Tonight enjoy a special wine pairing dinner.

Acommodation

Borgo Casa al Vento

Day 5 : Tuscany: Visit Montepulciano and Walk the Gladiator Trail

UNESCO World Heritage site Val d'Orcia extends from the provinces of Siena to Grosseto, offering up some of Tuscany's most picturesque vistas. The Pienza loop trail begins in historic Pienza, a Renaissance city commissioned by Pope Pius II. From Pienza, pass the Romanesque parish church of Corsignano as you make your way through the green and gold undulating hillside dotted with cypress trees. After a short time, enter the Strada dei Gladiatori, the exact setting of the panoramic countryside scene from Ridley Scott's film 'Gladiator'.

Your morning walk concludes just in time to sample another Tuscan favourite, pecorino cheese. A tasting of locally produced pecorino and ricotta cheeses is served with a glass of Montepulciano wine. After indulging in a glass of Montepulciano wine, it's only fitting to visit the town itself. A local guide welcomes you to this ancient hilltop town and provides an in depth walking tour of the old centre. Here we leave Tuscany and head into Umbria to Città della Pieve.

Acommodation

Hotel Vannucci

Day 6 : Umbria: Cooking with a Local Chef

Walking the Italian countryside is the ultimate gift to yourself. Taking the time to step away from the hustle of your everyday life to intentionally move at a slower pace. Italy is about living and eating well. Speaking of eating, it's time to spend the morning with a local chef learning to prepare some of Italy's most loved dishes. A tagliatelle with ragù perhaps, or a creamy tiramisú. Buon Appetito!

After you devour the fruits of your cooking labor, alongside a few glasses of delicious wine, the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure. A local guide will lead a walking tour of Città della Pieve, our home while in Umbria, known as the birthplace of renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci.

Acommodation

Hotel Vannucci

Day 7 : Rome: Your OMG Day

Admittedly, Rome is one of those cities that is pretty OMG worthy on its own. If you have an entire week, its a great city to get lost in, wandering from neighbourhood to neighbourhood. To make the most of your time in Rome, you get to choose between a walking tour or a fully guided Vespa tour. No matter which way you choose to explore Rome, you will experience the very best the city has to offer.

Take a short orientation walk of Rome after arriving to the hotel. If you are up for more walking, join your local Roman guide and walk the historical centre, visiting Piazza Barberini and Piazza di Spagna. Drop a coin into the Trevi Fountain and sip a cappuccino in Piazza Navona. If you are ready for less walking, more adrenaline, hop on the back of a Vespa with a professional driver and whiz through Rome from Trastevere to the Colosseum and lots more.

Acommodation

Mama Shelter Roma

Day 8 : Rome

Your adventure has come to an end, and you can depart at any time.