Florence, the city of Leonardo, Giotto, Dante and Brunelleschi, and Siena, native land of the "Palio". These two jewels have in common the fact that they belong to one of the most famous areas of the Tuscany: "the wine road", that you will cross leaving Radda in Chianti and walking along paths and roads surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The typical Chianti landscape is a hilly, varied and colorful landscape: here is where the famous wine - produced since Etruscan age - is born. The last part of the trek takes you to Colle Val d'Elsa, a lovely medieval village and then, along the Francigena way, up to Saint Gimignano. Its hill has an unmistakable shape, and dominates the beautiful surrounding landscape.
Itineray
Day 1 - Florence
Individual arrival in Florence; meeting with the Guide at the hotel in the first afternoon. Dinner in a typical restaurant and overnight in hotel
Day 2 – Florence and the sunset og San Gimignano
After breakfast visit of the historical Centre of Florence, from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, until the Battistero of S. Giovanni and the amazing Palazzo della Signoria. Transfer by public bus (1h30) to S. Gimignano (with own luggage). San Gimignano is known as the “New York” of the Middle Age, because its several towers surrounding the historical centre. The village is considered worldwide one of the best medieval architecture example present in Italy. Thanks to a gentle walk in the fields and vineyards we’ll admire the sunset on the towers of the town. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 3 – San Gimignano and the countryside
Today we’ll discover the amazing landscape that surround S. Gimignano. Following ancient paths and the typical “white roads”, our walk we’ll lead us between little Romanic churches and chapels, lush forest of chestnut and spectacular fields and vineyards. The wild boar, the noble pheasant and the roe, habit this country area, close to small villages built with local stone and wood. At the end of the hike, a special olive oil tasting will be served. The olive oil is one of the speciality of Tuscany, known worldwide
Day 4 – The via Francigena to Colle Val d’Elsa
The Francigena Way is a journey of history, a road which led from Canterbury to Rome, travelled in the past by thousands of pilgrims. A gentle hilly trail will take us to Colle Val d’Elsa, an interesting town located in the heart of Tuscany, in a strategic position, close to the cities of Siena, Florence and Volterra. The main activity of Colle Val D'Elsa, described as "the Bohemia of Italy", is marked by the manufacture of glass and the production of lead-crystal glass. Private transfer (30 min) to Radda in Chianti, the heart of the superb Chianti wine region. Dinner and overnight stay in Agriturismo.
Day 5 – The Chianti region
The "Chianti" is a land of ancient winemaking traditions of which there are Etruscan and Roman remains. But the first documents in which the name identifies an area of Chianti wine production (and the wine) date back to the thirteenth century, and refer to the Chianti League founded in Florence. Starting from our Agriturismo thanks to a circular hike, we’ll see the ancient vineyards and the cultivation techniques. At the end of the walk, a wine tasting of the typical Chianti wines. Dinner and overnight stay in Agriturismo
Day 6 – From Monteriggioni to Piazza del Campo
After breakfast short transfer to Monteriggioni. This village with its walls with 14 towers perfectly preserved, dominates the countryside from he top of the hill. Following again the ancient direction of the Via Francigena, the last part of our travel is considered one the best hike in the Italian countryside. The arrival as pilgrim in the Piazza del Campo in Siena, is just unforgettable. Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel
Day 7 – Arrivederci Italia!
Technical organization:
Passamontagna Viaggi - Via Madonna del Sasso Bianco, 10 – 62035 Fiastra (MC)
Info and reservations: info@passamontagnaviaggi.it – Tel. +39.333.4310165 (Marta)
