Classic Tuscany Short Break
Classic Tuscany Short Break
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In a short but nurtured tour, you can discover the beauty of the Tuscan region and its exquisite gastronomy. You will walk through the ancient and charming towns of Volterra, San Gimignano, Colle di Val D'Elsa and Siena. You will enjoy the incredible view of the green hills, vineyards and Etruscan olive groves.
- You'll walk through cobblestoned streets, medieval, Romanesque and Gothic churches and palaces.
- You will delight in the best of Tuscan cuisine.
- You will taste traditional drinks such as Chianti or Vernaccia.
- You will discover forests, vineyards and incredible medieval villages.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Volterra
After your arrival at Pontedera or Poggibonsi train station, you will be transferred to Volterra, a beautiful hilltop town and surrounded by magnificent medieval walls, from which you can observe the charming Tuscan landscape.
The perfect plan to close the first day can be to enjoy the delicious local cuisine in an authentic "trattoria".
The perfect plan to close the first day can be to enjoy the delicious local cuisine in an authentic "trattoria".
Overnight in Volterra
Albergo Etruria
Dating back to 1700, this hotel is located in the historic centre of Volterra, on the main shopping street and just 100 metres from the famous Piazza dei Priori.
Its 18 rooms have a private bathroom, TV and free internet access. It features a beautiful garden, ideal for relaxing in.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Its 18 rooms have a private bathroom, TV and free internet access. It features a beautiful garden, ideal for relaxing in.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 2 - Volterra to San Gimignano 13,1 miles | 21,2 km
After a short transfer to Ulignano, near the Montenero Nature Reserve, you will begin your walk through the forest until you reach another fascinating nature reserve at Castelvecchio.
Later, you will pass through the green, traditional hills of the Tuscan landscape to the small medieval village of San Donato.
From here you can contemplate the next destination: San Gimignano, a charming walled village, whose historic centre was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
There you can visit the Palazzo Comunale, the Collegiate Church and the Church of Sant'Agostino, which houses frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Ascent: 583m (1,913ft) / Descent: 672m (2,205ft)
Later, you will pass through the green, traditional hills of the Tuscan landscape to the small medieval village of San Donato.
From here you can contemplate the next destination: San Gimignano, a charming walled village, whose historic centre was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
There you can visit the Palazzo Comunale, the Collegiate Church and the Church of Sant'Agostino, which houses frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Ascent: 583m (1,913ft) / Descent: 672m (2,205ft)
Overnight in San Gimignano
Hotel La Cisterna
In the old days, it used to be a place that received pilgrims arriving in San Gimignano. Now it is a comfortable hotel that has everything you need to have a great night.
It features a restaurant offering exquisite and traditional regional dishes, a spa, a library and a cosy reading room.
Its location, in the Piazza della Cisterna, is ideal to discover the beautiful streets of San Gimignano,when tourists are gone.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
It features a restaurant offering exquisite and traditional regional dishes, a spa, a library and a cosy reading room.
Its location, in the Piazza della Cisterna, is ideal to discover the beautiful streets of San Gimignano,when tourists are gone.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 3 - San Gimignano to Colle di Val d'Elsa 15,5 miles | 25,1 km
This will be a day to discover the charming Via Francigena, the ancient route that pilgrims travelled from the English town of Canterbury to Rome. If you do not want to complete the full walk, you can take a bus for the last stretch.
To reach Palazzo Campana and the castle, you will tour beautiful vineyards and stone villages, cross the old Porta Nova and pass near the stately houses from the 16th and 17th centuries.
In Colle di Val d'Elsa, the so-called "The City of Glass", you will be able to know the process of making glass and, why not, take home a souvenir from this place.
Ascent: 387m (1,270ft) / Descent: 574m (1,883ft)
To reach Palazzo Campana and the castle, you will tour beautiful vineyards and stone villages, cross the old Porta Nova and pass near the stately houses from the 16th and 17th centuries.
In Colle di Val d'Elsa, the so-called "The City of Glass", you will be able to know the process of making glass and, why not, take home a souvenir from this place.
Ascent: 387m (1,270ft) / Descent: 574m (1,883ft)
Overnight in Colle di Val d’Elsa
Arnolfo B&B
This bed and breakfast hotel is divided into three apartments with a total of 10 rooms, each equipped with its own bathroom, satellite TV and Wi-Fi.
It features a reading lounge and a small garden.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
It features a reading lounge and a small garden.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 4 - Colle di Val d'Elsa to Siena 12,4 miles | 20 km
After a short transfer, you will arrive in Monteriggioni, a small and particular medieval village located in the middle of the green hills of Siena and which has served as the location for several films.
You will leave Monteriggioni behind to follow in the footsteps of pilgrims along Via Francigena towards Siena, the last destination on this charming walking holiday through Tuscany.
In Siena, a splendid city where time seems to have stopped, and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, you can explore its magnificent Piazza del Campo and contemplate the Palazzo Sansedoni, Palazzo Pubblico and the incredible 102-metre (334-foot) Tower of Mangia.
Ascent: 468m (1,535ft) / Descent: 407m (1,335ft)
You will leave Monteriggioni behind to follow in the footsteps of pilgrims along Via Francigena towards Siena, the last destination on this charming walking holiday through Tuscany.
In Siena, a splendid city where time seems to have stopped, and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, you can explore its magnificent Piazza del Campo and contemplate the Palazzo Sansedoni, Palazzo Pubblico and the incredible 102-metre (334-foot) Tower of Mangia.
Ascent: 468m (1,535ft) / Descent: 407m (1,335ft)
Overnight in Siena
Hotel Chiusarelli
This 3-star hotel is located in the city centre. Built around 1870 and restored in 2004, it retains its original style and beautiful halls with frescoes.
The 48 rooms in the hotel are very comfortable: hairdryer, safe, air conditioning, central heating, telephone, satellite TV and wifi.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
The 48 rooms in the hotel are very comfortable: hairdryer, safe, air conditioning, central heating, telephone, satellite TV and wifi.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 5 - Siena
After breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye to Tuscany. From Siena, you can take the train to Florence or Pisa, or perhaps continue your tour of the magical Italy.
End of our services.
End of our services.
Itinerary Map
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Services
Included
- Accommodation in en suite rooms in charming hotels
- Daily Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers between accommodations
- Transfers as specified in the itinerary (Days 1, 2 and 4)
- Information dossier with maps and routes
- 24-hour telephone support
- Sustainable travel, we compensate the CO2 emissions of your trip
- Taxes
Extras
- Travel insurance
- Cancellation insurance
- Additional nights
Accomodation
General information
The accommodations with which we collaborate have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure the best comfort available.
Our team checks in situ the quality of all the accommodations offered, so that you have an unforgettable experience during your trip.
The accommodation that we will book for your trip will be selected taking into account our commitment to you: guaranteeing comfort, calm and enjoyment throughout your trip.
We work with quality hotels and country cottages with limited capacity, so we invite you to confirm your reservation as soon as possible.
The name of each accommodation will be provided to you a few weeks before your trip begins.
Room types
It is possible to book this journey in single, double or triple rooms.
All rooms have private bathrooms.
Travel & Transfers
To get to the starting point of this walking holiday in Tuscany, the best option is to take a flight to Florence or Pisa Airport.
From there, you can go by train to Pontedera Station (approximately 45 minutes from Florence and 15 minutes from Pisa) or Poggibonsi (1h 15m from Pisa or Florence).
From Pontedera or Poggibonsi Station, you will have a transfer included to your first accommodation in Volterra.
When you finish your trip, from Siena you can head by train to Pisa (1h 45m), Florence (1h 30m) or Rome (3hrs). You can visit the Trenitaliawebsite for options.
From there, you can go by train to Pontedera Station (approximately 45 minutes from Florence and 15 minutes from Pisa) or Poggibonsi (1h 15m from Pisa or Florence).
From Pontedera or Poggibonsi Station, you will have a transfer included to your first accommodation in Volterra.
When you finish your trip, from Siena you can head by train to Pisa (1h 45m), Florence (1h 30m) or Rome (3hrs). You can visit the Trenitaliawebsite for options.
FAQs
Is luggage transfer included? What are the luggage requirements?
Absolutely! Each traveller has included 1 piece of luggage that we will transfer between your accommodations. It's important that this piece of luggage meets the following criterias:
- Maximum weight of 45 lbs (20 kg).
- Maximum dimensions 65x50x40 cm.
- Must be only 1 piece of luggage without any attachments or accessories.
- Should not contain valuables, fragile items, food or medications.
- Must be correctly identified (booking reference of your trip and the full name of the trip holder).
What is the best time of year to make this trip?
If you prefer to walk in a less hot season, May, September and October will be ideal. In addition, in autumn, the colours in Tuscany are spectacular.
Temperatures in June, July and August can be very high.
How far in advance should I book?
We suggest you book once you have decided your plans, as the Tuscany region is very popular and room reservations should be made as soon as possible.
We will do our best to live up to your expectations.
What should my physical preparation be?
We recommend you to be in good physical condition to make the most of this holiday.
This route has a medium-high level of difficulty, as the terrain is mountainous. The vast majority of the paths are rural and on gravel.
Daily walks range from 17 km to 25.5 km (10.5 to 15.8 miles) and walks are optional on two days of the itinerary.
You also have the possibility to skip a walk between cities. You only have to notify us in time so that you can make the trip by taxi.
What if I can't complete one of the stages?
With advance notice, you can take the taxi that transfers your luggage and thus avoid walking between hotels.
You can also use public transport or local taxis to continue on to the next property.
There are three days when the walks are from one hotel to another, but on the other days the walks are optional, so you can choose between exploring on foot or just relaxing.
Do I need to take out travel support insurance?
Yes, this is a requirement to book with us. It's important that this insurance covers your activities, emergency evacuation, and hospital care.
What kind of equipment do I need?
You will need good walking shoes or boots, comfortable clothes, waterproof jacket and pants, a backpack, gloves/hats, etc.
The full list will be given to you once you book your trip.
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