A Taste of Tuscany Self-Guided Walking

A Taste of Tuscany Self-Guided Walking

217 Views
8 Days From

$1955

$1896

A Taste of Tuscany Self-Guided Walking

8 Days Starting and ending in Chianciano Terme

Visiting: Chianciano Terme, Strada Vecchia Senese, Cantina Canaio, Valdichiana Outlet Village, Monte Rufeno, Chiusi, Montallese, Province of Arezzo, Sentiero della bonifica, Castiglioncello, Etruscan Museum "Claudio Faina", Montepulciano, Val d'Orcia, Pienza

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

W07ST

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 6

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

13-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Wine Tasting

From: $1955 $1896 Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$59

NB: Prices correct on 06-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

This is not just a walking holiday it is a full immersion into local Tuscan life, from a guided walk passing the local produce providers to wine-tasting and a chance to bathe in sulphur-rich healing waters. You'll walk through ancient chestnut forests, vineyards and olive groves, passing lakes and freshwater ponds alive with the sounds of frog chorus. Visit medieval, Roman and Etruscan towns and villages, sample the Vino Nobile of Montepulciano, rich Pecorino cheese in Pienza or take a bath in Roman Bagno Vignoni.

Highlights

  • Fabulous insight into traditional Tuscan life: the food, the wine, the culture

  • Wonderfully varied walking, including the beautiful UNESCO Val d'Orcia

  • Delicious classic Tuscan cuisine 'km 0' cooking (all local food)

  • The wine and cheese towns of Montepulciano and Pienza

  • Warm and welcoming agriturismo (farmhouse accommodation) with a passionate owner - the best of Italian hospitality

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive In Chianciano Terme

Location: Chianciano Terme

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Arrive at the Agriturismo La Pietriccia and enjoy a stroll to the old town, before your evening briefing by the owner, Stefano, and the first of many home cooked dinners. (Staying at the Agriturismo La Pietriccia for 7 nights, Half Board)

Day 2 : Visit The Farms

Location: Strada Vecchia Senese, Cantina Canaio, Valdichiana Outlet Village

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

You'll start this morning with a guided walk of a local oil mill, then visiting the Cinta Senese pigs followed by an area set up to allow truffles to grow and finishing off in Chianciano Vecchia, with great views of the Valdichiana valley before enjoying wine and local produce tasting in a charming cantina in the old town.

Day 3 : A Walk To Lake Chiusi

Location: Monte Rufeno, Chiusi, Montallese, Province of Arezzo, Sentiero della bonifica

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

As you descend into the Valdichiana, a mix of quiet lanes and gravel tracks provide perfect views of the vineyards and over to Monte Rufeno. Passing pretty farmhouses you make your way to the small town of Montallese, and from here you pick up the Sentiero della Bonifica, a long-distance path between Chiusi and Arezzo. This leads you to the charming Lake Chiusi, where you can enjoy the birdlife and perhaps lunch at the lakeside restaurant. You will be transferred back to the hotel.

Day 4 : Castiglioncello To The Hotel

Location: Castiglioncello

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A short transfer takes you to the charming village of Castiglioncello; once abandoned it is now restored with a hotel, a cafe and the interesting Etruscan burial site. From the village you follow a trail through the forest to pass wonderful viewpoints of the area, dropping down to Poggio Pietraporciana, a Nazi gun point in the war. Continuing through the Pietraporciana Nature Reserve you pass the Rifugio Pietraporciana, once owned by the Marchesa of Val d'Orcia, Iris Origo, who, during the war, cordoned off this area to create a neutral zone, which the allies, Nazis and partisans all obeyed. From here, a forest track takes you past a charming argiturismo before a trail along a dried up river alongside rocky cliffs and on to the outskirts of Chianchiano stopping at the Dopolavoro La Foce where an optional transfer back to the hotel awaits you. Alternative carry on walking along a narrow trail with wonderful views and past a model of an Etruscan farm, before arriving in Chianchiano Terme and a choice of following the white gravel roads passing farms or through the town to return to the agriturismo.

Day 5 : Free Day

Location: Strada Vecchia Senese, Etruscan Museum "Claudio Faina"

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today you have time to yourself, maybe walk into Chianciano Vecchia and visit the Etruscan Museum of Chianciano Terme, enjoy olive oil tasting at the agriturismo or use your voucher for the Thermal Spa and relax in the healing waters or treat yourself to one of their many treatments.

Day 6 : Walk To The Wine Town Of Montepulciano

Location: Montepulciano

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today you walk to the wine town of Montepulciano, where you will be rewarded with stunning views across the Valdichiana. Follow a chestnut-laden track to meet the forest road, before following a track around the vines and farmlands up to Montepulciano. You will be picked up here, but before this, take time to explore the town, which is full of wine bars and shops and has plenty of tasting opportunities.

Day 7 : Pienza To Bagno Vignoni

Location: Val d'Orcia, Pienza

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a short transfer to Pienza, take time to explore the town, it is one of the cheese capitals of Italy, and a beautiful mediaeval historic centre. Perhaps pick up a sandwich filled with porchetta or a slab of rich and creamy pecorino cheese. The walk takes you downhill from Pienza, crossing the stunning Val d’Orcia. It is an easy walk following a well-marked trail, giving you the chance to take in the views of mediaeval towns, rolling hills and rows of cypress trees. You will reach Bagno Vignoni then follow the river Orcia before climbing up to the town passing the spring baths and the old mill, before arriving in the Roman town, with its large baths in the centre of town. Perhaps treat yourself to the hot waters of the Hotel Posta Marcucci, where the baths come with a view! We transfer you back to the hotel for your final night of Stefano’s lovely food.

Day 8 : Leave Chianciano Terme

Location: Chianciano Terme

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave Chianciano Terme

What's Included

  • All accommodation

  • All buffet breakfasts and 4-course evening meals

  • Management by local hotelier

  • Route directions and maps

  • Wine, olive oil and local produce tasting

  • One thermal spa entrance

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Arrival & departure transfers for land only bookings (available on request and at a supplement)

  • Single accommodation (available on request)  - compulsory supplement

Accommodation

Your base for the week is the modest but comfortable Agriturismo La Pietricca, which stands on a hill with great views of Chianciano Vecchia. Stefano who runs the agriturismo will welcome you with his enthusiasm for everything to do with nature in the surrounding area and will also teach you all about the artisan products in the local area. The hotel produces 65% of what it serves on your table, and is surrounded by its own farm and orchards. There is a lovely terrace and swimming pool and lovely shady grassy area that looks out across the valley, where in the heat of summer you can take your dinner outside.

Food

Tuscan food is based on the Italian idea of 'cucina povera' (poor cooking); simple inexpensive meals that can be made for large groups. Whilst this was once dictated by the economy and expense of the produce, the tradition has remained. The cuisine of this region doesn't use complicated seasonings or elaborate recipes, and instead focuses on fresh, high quality ingredients that allow the natural flavours in each dish to shine through. Typical dishes include fagioli con salsiccia (cannellini beans with sausage), tagliatelle al tartufo (pasta in a truffle sauce), bistecca alla Fiorentina (a T-bone steak which is only cooked blue
are and often large enough to share!), pici (a fat, handmade spaghetti, often served with tomato and garlic sauce or game meat). Don't miss the local cacio and pecorino cheeses and sample the famous wines: Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino.

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    comfortable

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    There are no specific health risks.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International Flights are not included with this tour.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    This tour is self-guided; there is no tour leader.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Minimum 13 Years old people can go on this tour.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    T

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    No visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

A Taste of Tuscany- Self Guided Walking Tour

This tour was a welcome change from the fast paced touring of the big cities. We became familiar with the topography and vegetation as we hiked daily, also visiting towns known for wines and cheeses. The town of Chianciano provided a magnificent backdrop to our accomodation of Agriturismo La Pietriccia. We were awakened every morning to the rooster crowing. Stefano was an attentive and knowledgeable host. Plenty of food was served at the 4 course suppers. I feel this tour was necessary to complete my knowledge of the culture of Italy!

HEADWATERS TUSCANY WALKABOUT

The walkabout was lovely. The agritourismo, food, wine and walking were great. The problem with the walkabout is namely directions. The directions submitted by Headwaters need to be updated. Sometimes, they just DID NOT WORK. This is very frustrating when you're in a country that you are unfamiliar with, are on a walking trail that is already moderately difficult, and unsure if you are on the right trail (and sometimes we were not). In some instances street names which were available would have been useful. In other instances, it would have been nice if the directions had said, continue for 4 km or 3 miles (instead of just continue on until you get _______.). That was the biggest/only "frustration" of the trip.

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  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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