Tuscany Highlights

Individual arrival in Florence, one of the most famous art cities in the world. This Renaissance city is a large open-air museum with its Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and countless palazzos. Walk in the footsteps of the Medici through beautiful alleys to Piazza della Signoria - the centre and heart of the historic old town. Visit Santa Maria Novella, this Gothic-style church has a monastic pharmacy, Antica Farmacia Santa Maria Novella. Inside you imagine yourself 800 years back in time, old recipes are still sold here. After a busy day, you can relax on one of the many terraces of Piazza della Repubblica, also known as the living room of Florence, also very popular with Florentines. Famous drinking places are Gilli, Paszkovski and Caffè Le Giube Rosse.

Your first hiking stage will delight the heart of you as a hiker with all that Tuscany has to offer in a classic dream landscape. Forests, olive groves and vineyards, historic walled towns and winding roads with tall cypresses cross your path, Tuscany like out of a picture book. The gateway to Chianti, Greve in Chianti, invites you to explore the arcades in the lively square. This lively town is famous for its specially shaped pizzas and the market square with its large porticos and the bronze statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano; discoverer of New York harbour. In the large porticos, you will find wine bars, restaurants and the wine museum.

A serene silence accompanies you along deserted forest paths, vines and grapes as far as the eye can see. You will pass numerous wineries as you walk towards Panzano in Chianti, a popular small village from the Etruscan period with the castle of Panzano and the Pieve di San Leolino church which are well worth a visit. Take a short break and stroll through the medieval streets, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a glass of Chianti wine in one of the bars in the square. Would you like something tasty for the road? Then drop by Antica Macelleria Cecchini; a butcher's shop known for its Florentine steak. During the ministry, passages from Dante's Divine Comedy are recited.

Through golden wheat fields and vineyards to the tiny village of Lucarelli, before a short bus ride to your destination of today, medieval Castellina with its historic city wall. Strategically located in the middle of the region, with the castle Rocca and the impressive tunnel; Via delle Volte offers you breathtaking views. In Castellina, you can enjoy a glass of Chianti wine in one of the many wine bars and also taste the unforgettable taste of salami and other cold cuts at one of the butchers.

Following in the footsteps of the pilgrims, the road leads you along the Via Romea pilgrimage route, just a short part of the route to the Eternal City. Your final destination today is the enchanting city of Siena, famous for the traditional Palio horse race between the seventeen districts and the famous circular square Piazza del Campo. The countless fantastically preserved city gates from the Middle Ages, are the historic centre of Unesco's World Heritage List. Famous movies like Letters to Juliet and James Bond's Quantum of Solace have scenes shot here. The Duomo di Siena is home to many cultural treasures including a life-size copy of The Last Supper in stained glass. After all those impressions it is wonderful to take a breather in the park Orto dei Tolomei, this higher garden offers an incredibly beautiful view over Siena. 

Today we head to the unusual but beautifully built town of Valle Col d´Elsa. Explore the historic fortress and admire the medieval architecture of Colle. Stroll through rolling vineyards and olive groves, with the occasional hamlet or farm with an imposing cypress avenue. Stunning views guide you along rushing rivers to the distinctive towers of San Gimignano, nicknamed "Manhattan of Tuscany" for its skyline-like silhouette. Fourteen towers remain of the seventy-two that were once built in the Middle Ages. Stroll through the many small alleys and admire the seemingly endless towers and eat ice cream at Gelato World Champion, Dondoli in Piazza della Sisterna.

In the Montenero Reserve, you will discover green forests and the Strolla River which crosses the Nature Reserve creating a series of charming waterfalls with lush vegetation including the "Cascate della Strolla", a small waterfall with crystal clear waters. The ancient salt trade route Via del Sale leads you to the perfectly preserved city wall “Porta Etrusca” of Volterra. The 7 km long city wall from the 4th century BC houses numerous Etruscan tombs and urns. There are no more beautiful Tuscan towns than Volterra, situated on top of a hill and surrounded by impressive cliffs and rolling green hills. Explore the Roman theatre and the medieval bell tower Palazzo dei Priori, the panoramic view over the old town will reward you for it.

Tip: Dine at Ristorante da Beppino for the best pasta experience in all of Tuscany. They even have a small pastificio (pasta factory) next to the restaurant where they make all the pasta, gnocchi and ravioli themselves.

At the end of your hiking week, the Tuscan coast awaits you with an extended walk through the Pineta of Cecina, a huge pine forest with countless winding paths and paths, ending in a long line of dunes over many kilometres of beautiful sandy beaches. Enjoy your last evening in Tuscany with a glass of Chianti overlooking the turquoise glitter of the Tyrrhenian Sea, while the twin islands of Elba and La Gorgona sink gently into the red of the evening sun on the horizon.

Your walking holiday ends after breakfast, but you can of course postpone the farewell and make more wine memories by extending your trip.