UNDER THE TOSCAN SUN

Programme au jour le jour

The Florentine countryside

Collection from Florence central station. Transfer to the hostel close to the town centre and first walk on the heights of Florence. (3h). Evening in florence. Night on the hills.

Florence

The morning will be devoted to a guided visit to the historic town, craddle of Italian Renaissance. We will admire its most famous monuments : the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Seignerie...After lunch break you will be free to wander in the streets.

Medieval villages of Chianti

We will start our day's walk from Greve in Chianti. It is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy covered with vines and strewn with castles. On the way we will visit the village of Montefiorale and its pastoral landscapes which inspired the greatest Renaissance painters. 4 hour-hike. Night in the Chianti.

The Mounts Chianti

One day hike in Monte San Michele nature reserve (1000m) which dominates Greve in Chianti. The chestnut forests and the pastures overlook the famous terraced vineyards on the south slopes. 5-hour hike.
In late afternoon transfer to the Crete Senesi by minibus. Evening and night in a farm near Asciano.

The Crete Senesi

To the south-west of Sienna Tuscany displays different colours, undulating and wild landscapes dotted with cypresses. Ochre is infinite under the clear blue of the Tuscan skies. The hike will leave from Chiusure, small village hanging on the hill which overlooks the famous Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey. We will admire its magnificent frescoes of Sodoma in the cloister. Evening and night in a farm.

Land of Sienna

The land of Sienna swarms with spa baths. Since the Etruscans and the Romans, the hot springs have kept supplying the large natural pools still very popular among the Tuscans. 3-hour hike in this strange area which once was the granary of Italy. In the afternoon transfer to Sienna. Visit to the historic town. Evening and night there.

San Gimignano

Transfer to San Gimignano, the most famous village in Tuscany for its medieval defensive architecture (towers and walls). The surrounding landscape is gorgeous and worth a walk, just to see the famous towers standing in the middle of hills covered with the local vine : Vernaccia. Visit to the village in the morning. 3-hour hike in the afternoon.Then transfer to Volterra.
Evening and night inside the town.

Volterra

To the west of Tuscany the region of Volterra does not look like any other. the town - former Etruscan capital - hanging on a clay cliff is most beautiful. It is called "the city of the wind". Around, wheat fields, pastures and forests spread out infinitely and the sea sends its breeze over the town. After visiting the town we will walk in Berignone nature reserve where we will discover a deep pine forest and a few unexpected remains (3h). Evening and night in Volterra.

Pise and the sea

We will have a morning hike along the sea, and visit Pisa in the mild afternoon.
On the mouth of the Arno the former glorious seaside Republic displays its palaces and churches.
Evening in the old town and night on the riviera.

Lucca

Last swim in the sea and transfer to Lucca. It is the most attractive town in Tuscany all the more so since cars are not allowed in.
Free visit to the town. Back to florence in late afternoon and parting at the station at 19.30.