Cradle of the Renaissance, Tuscany, with its mesmerizing landscape of rolling hills, cypress trees, hill top towns and vibrant colors, is one of the most popular destinations in Italy. Walking along the hills, serene panoramas open up like an unbroken sea. Our distinctive itinerary is the perfect blend of physical activity, culture, traditions, history, enology, gastronomy and nature. In the company of your knowledgeable hostess/trip leader, you will enjoy an unusual visit to this classis region. You’ll start in Florence, where you’ll visit the shops of artisanal masters in one of its most fascinating neighborhoods. You will hike in the Chianti hills, renown for its wines, visit the hill top towns of San Giminiano, Colle di Val d’Elsa and Montalcino. You’ll visit and overnight in the enchanting town of Lucca, and explore the Garfagnana, a remote and authentic area in the Appennini Mountains, where traditions are still a current way of life. Tuscany is a generous land and our itinerary is also designed to introduce you to its seasonal products: edible fresh herbs and flowers in spring; fields of spelt, wildberries and cheese, made in the high pastures, in summer; the grapes harvest, porcini mushrooms and chestnuts in autumn.
Accommodations will be at a Historical Residence, a Maison de Charme, and an elegant Villa, all renovated into exquisite four-star Hotels/B&B. Lunches (when not picnics) and dinners will be at local restaurants where you will taste the extraordinary, traditional Tuscan cuisine, accompanied by the renown wines of the region.
Please note that activities may vary, depending on the availability of the artisans, weather conditions, etc. Total hours of walking/hiking is approximate and based on the fitness of the participants.

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Itinerary Outline

Day 1 • Florence
Enjoy a light lunch at the mercato centrale (central market) and a two-hour tour of the most significant historical sites of this beautiful city, the heart of European life during the Renaissance. In Oltrarno, or “l’altra Firenze” (the other Florence), visit artisanal masters who blend their creativity with manual ability to create unique pieces.

Day 2, 3, 4 •Chianti Region, Crete Senesi
Explore the Chianti, from Greve, the wine capital of the region, to Siena, and from Colle di Val d’Elsa to San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk from hill town to hill town visiting fortified villages and hamlets of Etruscan and Roman origin. Hike in the mesmerizing landscape of the Crete Senesi (clay of Siena), a unique hilly area, whose ancient origins as a sea basin date back to the Pliocene period (4.5 to 2.5 million years ago). Visit Montalcino, and taste some of its renown wine:  Brunello di Montalcino.

Day 5 • Siena - Lucca's sorroundings
Explore Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a licensed tour guide, visit its most important historical sites, such as Piazza del Campo, location of the famous Palio, and the extraordinary cathedral. Transfer to Lucca, of Etruscan origins and a true gem enclosed by medieval walls. You’ll venture into this hills, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit a winery and an olive oil farm.

Day 6, 7 • Lucca's sorroundings
Hike in the Garfagnana, an authentic landscape mostly classified as a regional Nature Reserve. Visit one of its enchanting towns dating back to 740 A.D, with opportunity to shop for typical local products and wines, and a weaver, still making exquisite fabrics with a manual loom and in the true local tradition. Take an exclusive walking tour of the working marble quarry of Colonnata, already active in Roman times.

Day 8 • Departure
Transfer to the Florence airport to connect to your homeward-bound flight.