| |
| MAGNIFICENT
WALKING TOUR OF TUSCANY |
Guided
Tour 7 days/6 nights
An
enchanting walk that will lead you to castles, vineyards and picturesque
towns followed by excellent toscane dining.
|
Florence/Castellina
in Chianti |
|
| We
will meet at the airport in Florence and transfer to our hotel in
the southern Chianti Classico zone. For centuries the site of wars
between the banking centres of Florence and Siena, this area is dotted
with ancient hilltop villages surrounded by vineyards, olive groves
and forests. We will have time to stretch our legs with a short walk
while our bags are being delivered to our rooms, before we meet for
a welcome drink, featuring the famous Chianti Classico and wonderful
Tuscan dinner. (D) |
|
Fonterutoli/Lilliano |
|
| A
short ride out of Castellina will take us to the ancient farm estate
of Fonterutoli, one of the oldest wine-producing estates in the Chianti
district, where we will begin our walk, with exceptional views over
valleys filled with vineyards. We will end then at the historical
estate of Lilliano where we will have a guided tour of the cellars,
wine tasting and lunch. We will continue our route and enjoying panoramic
views of the northern part of the territory. Tonight we dine in Castellina.
(B, L, D) |
|
Abbadia
Isola/Monteriggioni/San Gimignano |
|
| It's
time to explore the 1,000-year-old pilgrim road to Rome, and we will
begin our morning walk in the valley below Castellina, travelling
through forests that open to amazing views, and on to the abbey of
Abbadia Isola. The last stop before Siena on the main pilgrim route,
this 11th century construction is now being restored to its original
splendour. We will lunch (not included) in the crown-shaped village
of Monteriggioni (mentioned by Dante in The Divine Comedy) before
continuing on to our afternoon destination, the magical village of
San Gimignano. Famous for its numerous medieval towers, that we will
see in profile along our route, we will have time to visit the town,
and maybe try some of the best home-made gelato in Tuscany, before
returning to Castellina for dinner. (B, D) |
|
Siena |
|
| Today
we ride north to Siena, world-famous as the largest and most well-preserved
medieval town centre in Europe, for a guided tour. Our guide will
explain Siena's annual festival, the Palio, a bareback horserace
run twice a year around the fan-shaped main square in a hotly-contested
battle between the seventeen districts of the town. We will have time
to explore, and lunch is on our own. Before we return to Castellina,
we will take a short walk. Tonight we will dine on local specialties
in a fine restaurant just outside the town walls. (B, D) |
|
Castelnuovo/Barardegna/Lucignano |
|
| This
morning we will take a short ride to Bossi Castle, where we will begin
our walk past the famous wine producing estate of San Felice and on
to Brolio Castle, home of the “Iron Duke” Ricasoli who
invented the recipe for Chianti and where we will visit the formal
gardens. Lunch will be a special treat, at a family-style restaurant
where everything is prepared according to grandmother's original
recipes, with the freshest local ingredients. In the afternoon we
will walk past vineyards and fields, along a farming road, to Lucignano
Castle, where we will have a guided tasting of their excellent vintages.
Tonight we will dine at the hotel. ( B, L, D) |
|
Montebenichi/San
Gusme |
|
| After
breakfast, we will walk along farm paths, through the forest and bordering
on fields, with exceptional views of the hills to the south. Our walk
will end at an ancient monastery, now privately owned, and beautifully
maintained by tenant farmers, where we can sample the wine and olive
oil produced on the property. After your lunch, we will walk from
the charming village of Montebenichi, with its exquisitely restored
castle, along the undulating ridge roads, to San Gusmè. We
will have time to enjoy the views from the town walls before walking
(or riding in the van!) back to our hotel. Our farewell dinner will
be a very special celebration of the discoveries and the new friends
that we have made along the way. (B, D) |
|
Florence |
|
| After
breakfast, we will return to Florence for homebound flights or if
you prefer, you can extend your vacation in artistic Florence. (B) |
|
Departures
2003
July
12
September 8
| Price
per person
Land only |
| Simple |
Double |
Triple |
4289 |
3299 |
3219 |
Package
Includes
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-
-
-
-
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Transfer
to and from airport
-
Visits
specified in the itinerary
-
French/English
speaking tour guide
-
French/English
local guides
-
4
to 6 hours walk per day
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-
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