Experience Overview
It’s never been hard to fall under the spell of Italy’s romantic atmosphere. On this 10-day adventure there’s no doubt you’ll fall deeper in love as you wine and dine through the Tuscan countryside, encounter medieval towns, sprawling vineyards, and the historic city centres and grand piazzas of some of the most charming towns in the country. Hike along scenic pilgrim routes through quaint villages like Greve, Montefioralle, and Panzano, and stop for visits to wine cellars paired with cheese, and wine tastings along the way. Finally, a perfect blend of invigorating scenic walks and complete immersion into the historic food culture of Italy, combining for the ultimate rejuvenating and inspiring experience.
Highlights
- Visit the historic centre of Pienza a Renaissance city commissioned by Pope Pius II
- Explore San Gimignano and Montepulciano
- Savour Gelato in Florence on an orientation walk through the city
- Tour the cellar and vineyard with a farmhouse lunch overlooking the rows of grapes
- Hike from the tiny village of Strove along the ancient Via Fancigena
- Walk through medieval towns like Greve Montefioralle and Panzano
- Sample local cuisines directly from its sources in the many vineyards dotting the hills of Tuscany’s Chianti Region
- Enjoy the sites and sounds of Rome and Umbria.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2257
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle, walking.
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: EIFR
Starts: Florence, Italy
Finishes: Rome, Italy
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Average
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Molino di Grace Visit & Lunch, Panzano Your Foodie Moment: Wine Pairing Dinner Your Foodie Moment: Pecorino Cheese Tasting Your OMG Day: Rome Walking Tour or Fully Guided Vespa Tour, Rome
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Welcome and Farewell dinner
- Guided walking tour of Florence
- Lunch at an agriturismo
- Guided walking tour of San Gimignano
- Guided walking tour of Montepulciano
- Guided walking tour of Siena
- Guided walking tour of Città della Pieve
- Cooking class in Umbria
- Walk Strove to Colle Val d'Elsa
- Walk Monteriggioni to Siena
- Walk Montefioralle to Panzano
- Walk Volpaia to Lamole
- Walk the Gladiator Trail
- Pecorino Cheese Tasting
- Visits to towns in the Italian countryside like Montefioralle, Greve in Chianti, and Montepuliciano
- Picnic lunches in vineyards
- Free time in Rome
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- All tips for meals and activities, except for CEO and porterage
Accommodation
- Hotels (7nts). Agriturismos (2nts).
- 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
- Private vehicle, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and local guides throughout.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 7429 (CAD 743 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Florence: A Golden Stroll
As the sun sets in Florence, the city centre becomes bathed in a golden hue as the lights come on, welcoming locals and travellers alike to head out into the city, to dine together and celebrate life's simplest pleasures. The birthplace of the renaissance, Florence remains a fashion and culture icon in the modern world. With so much art, history, and architecture to take in, there is no time to waste. Welcome to Florence, and to Italy, and we invite you to explore the old and the new, the grand and the simple, all in one of the world's most beautiful countries.
After an informative welcome briefing with your CEO and a delicious dinner in the heart of Florence, stretch your legs on an evening walk to get some photos of that beautiful golden Florence glow. Speaking of simple pleasures- your evening stroll includes a stop for a gelato at a famous gelateria. Try the pistachio flavour or the fiordilatte. Or both. It's your first day in Italy, after all. Time to celebrate.
Day 2: Florence: From the Duomo to the Ponte Vecchio
Standing before the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo, is one of those moments in life where you feel truly small. To take in the magnitude of what the cathedral represents is to transport yourself back in time to the 13th century. Could the people who began to build this magnificent structure have ever imagined that 800 years later people would still come to marvel at its beauty. This morning join your expert guide for a walking tour and see the Duomo, Signoria Square and then head over to the Ponte Vecchio, you will only just be scratching the surface of what there is to see.
The only way to truly appreciate Florence is by walking the streets and plazas. After your walking tour, end the morning at a local market where you can enjoy Italian specialties. During the afternoon, choose to join you CEO at the Piazzale Michelangelo for a delicious view of the city and a well earned refreshing drink. There is plenty to do in Florence, so ask your CEO and make sure you make the most of your afternoon.
Day 3: Tuscany: San Gimignano and Colle Val d'Elsa
The Tuscan countryside is calling. Over the course of the next 5 days, move through Tuscany and Umbria by walking from village to village. The pace here is intentional-many stops are made along the way to ensure you see and experience the true essence of these beautiful places. Your first day sees you begin the trek in the village of Strove walking the Via Fancigena until you reach the Elsa River. Cross the river on foot, wading ankle deep in the blue water.
Leave Florence and travel southeast, but before you begin to trek, get your body moving by a morning visit to San Gimignano. With the insights of a local guide, 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.
Day 4: 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.
Day 5: 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.
Day 6: 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.
Day 7: 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.
Day 8: 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.
Day 9: 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.
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 back of a Vespa with a professional driver and whiz through Rome from Trastevere to the Colosseum and lots more.
Day 10: Rome
Your adventure has come to an end, and you can depart at any time.
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Linda - Traveled, August 2024
Luca our tour guide was a wonderful fun guy who made sure we saw everything on our itinerary and more.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/25/2024
Donna - Traveled, August 2024
Amazing quaint family owned accommodation, delicious meals, tranquil views. Comfortable unique rooms, areas to snuggle in and read a book. Phenomenal access to Capri and Sorrento. My only suggestion include transportation Island of Capri and other activities following the end of the path of Gods hike; it was annoying that we were constantly asked to contribute another 10 euro for transportation I otherwise would have brought more cash rather than seeking out ATM's. The initial tour in Naples was in my opinion not well curated, the market was terrible, would have preferred the charming street we discovered on route back to the hotel. Our Pompeii guide Amazing and well worth the stop.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/23/2024
Emily - Traveled, August 2024
A great range of activities and local living made it a very relaxing experience. Enjoyed the hospitality of our host family and the shared meals each night.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/17/2024
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