Sep.21 - Meet at Rome Airport for transfer to Montepulciano, the biggest and the highest of southern Tuscany's hill towns. It is among the Renaissance Palazzi and medieval alleyways of Montepulciano that you will be able to savour the 'violet' scented, orange- speckled ruby wine 'Vino Nobile di Montepulciano' referred to as the 'King of all wines'.
Included, Dinner
Sep. 22 - We will spend a short time going over the tour with you and answering any questions you may have. We will then proceed to the San Biagio church, which is on the outskirts of town, and certainly worth a visit. We will then take the dirt road to Montichiello, a nice little village immersed in the "Crete". Here we can stop for lunch and a cup of cappuccino before continuing across the beautiful rolling farmland of Tuscany's Val d'Orcia to Pienza. At the height of the 13th century, the humanist Pope PiusII, with the help of architect Bernardo Rossellino, converted this tiny village into the" Ideal Renaissance City". It is now an agricultural center well known for Pecorino cheese and truffle production.
(5 hours walking time.)
Included, Breakfast & Dinner
Sep. 23 - Today we will be walking across a beautiful region of rolling hills, oak woods and picturesque villages. We will visit the rambling, partly walled village of San Quirico d'Orcia, which overlooks the Orcia and Asso valleys. We will then head west to the little hamlet of Bagno Vignoni. The square in Bagno Vignoni features an arcaded Renaissance piscina built by the Medici who took the sulphur cure here. The hot springs still bubble away and you can bathe in the pool where they emerge from the hillside or simply soak your feet in the steaming brook.
(5 hours walking time)
Included, Breakfast & Dinner
Sep. 24 - We have a hard day of walking today (5 hours walking time) along dry riverbeds, in a rather wild environment, to reach the Cistercian Abbey of Sant'Antimo. This stunning Romanesque temple of yellow/white stone rises amid olive groves in a setting that makes you want to sit and contemplate. If we pick the right time, we may hear the Gregorian chant of the resident monks. From this pastoral landscape there is a steep 10Km. ascending trail, so the luggage transport will pick us up here to take us to Montalcino. This is one of our favourite towns with its 14th century fortress from which you can see the entire countryside. There is an excellent Enoteca inside the fortress, where you can savour Tuscany's 'Big Red' - the Brunello di Montalcino. Take a stroll through the town for a look at how people of the 21st century live and work in the very soul of these ancient streets and buildings.
Included, Breakfast & Dinner
Sep.25 - Since this is wine country, today we will be walking through vineyards and olive trees before entering again into the eerie landscape of the Crete Senese. As we walk through the Crete, you will see lonely cypresses crowded along eroded, sun-baked clay hills, and here and there farmhouses, perched atop deep washed-out gullies - until we reach Buonconvento. In its day Buonconvento used to be one of Siena's key outer defences, and is still a perfectly walled medieval Village. (4 hours walking time)
Included, Breakfast & Dinner
Sep. 26 - This evening we will be spending a 2nd night in a charming agriturismo near Buonconvento, so today you have some choices. You can spend a lazy day soaking up the warm Tuscan sun by the Inn's swimming pool, or you can join us on a 3 1/2 walk to Monte Oliveto Maggiore. We will climb through forests of pine, oak and cypress and then go through the olive groves that enclose this 13th century Abbey. Here you will be able to feast your eyes on some impressive frescoes by Signorelli and Sodoma. We can have some refreshments at a little cafe just under the watchtower before heading back to Buonconvento. If the walk back feels too much, we can ask the owner of the Agriturismo to pick us up. -
Included, Breakfast & Dinner
Sep. 27 - Today we will have a lovely 5-hour walk on a nice country road winding amongst hills and oak woods. We will reach the tiny medieval borgo of Murlo, whose ring of houses forms its defensive walls, which enclose the town hall and the church. This is the oldest settlement in the area and it was originally inhabited by the Etruscans. From here we will continue to Radi where an agreeable Inn offers superb food. After a brief stop, we will be going to Monteroni d'Arbia where we can catch a train to Siena to avoid the asphalt road.
Included, Breakfast & Dinner
Sep. 28 - Today after breakfast, our bus will take us back to Florence to our hotel in the historical centre of the city. Today you can enjoy Florence at leisure. You can see the David, visit the Uffizi gallery, shop at the leather market, or just sit and relax at one of the many cafes and people watch.
Included, Breakfast & Dinner
Sep. 29 - After breakfast, transportation will be available today to Florence airport for those of you who will be returning home.
Cost –
Based on sharing twin accommodation $1989.00 Canadian Funds per person
(Single supplement - $689.00 Canadian Funds )
Cost Includes –
- Meeting at Rome Airport and transportation to accommodation in Montepulciano
- 8 nights accommodation with private facilities
- Breakfast daily
- 8 dinners
- Transport of luggage between accommodations
- Transportation to Florence
- Transportation from Florence to Airport on September 29
- Escorted by Canadian Woman Travel Club tour co-ordinator Rose Tomassini
- All taxes
