ItalyItaly: Tuscany and Umbria Vineyard Walks
With golden light stretching across the rolling green hills, the Tuscan countryside is calling. The pace here is slower, coinciding with the wine produced in the region which is meant to be savoured rather than gulped. Your first day sees you begin the trek in the historic village of Abbadia a Isola, following the Via Francigena through the rolling Tuscan countryside. Walk past ancient stone farmhouses, cypress-lined paths, and picturesque landscapes as you make your way toward Colle Val d'Elsa. Welcome to Tuscany, and to Italy we invite you inner serenity in the countryside. After an informative morning welcome briefing with your CEO you will travel to San Gimignano for a visit before today's trek. Discover one of the most well preserved Italian medieval sites by marvelling at both the Gothic and Romanesque architecture of the historical centre, and by sampling some of the regional delights at lunch in town. Your trek begins after lunch, heading to the final destination of Colle Val d'Elsa.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
San Gimignano Guided Tour
Today enjoy the walled town of San Gimignano on a guided visit. Feel yourself be lured by the palpable sense of history and medieval streetscapes in this enchanting rural setting.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Walk Abbadia a Isola to Colle Val d'Elsa
Begin in the medieval village of Abbadia a Isola and follow the historic Via Francigena. Walk through peaceful countryside, past vineyards and olive groves, and take in the beauty of rural Tuscany on your way to Colle Val d'Elsa. Length - 3h Duration - 8km Elevation - 300 meters
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Palazzo Pacini
Monteriggioni is your quintessential Tuscan medieval walled village. Follow part of the ancient Francigena way; step back in time as you walk past donkeys in green pastures and lush bushes as the Tuscan countryside unfolds before you. After the hike, explore Monteriggioni’s charming streets and well-preserved medieval walls. Then, relax and enjoy a well-earned lunch with local flavors before heading back to Colle di Val d’Elsa, where you will have some free time to explore this historic town at your own pace.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Hike to Monteriggioni
Begin at the Chiocciola and Villa Castles and make your way through the dense bush, heading toward the enchanting Monteriggioni. Walk on dirt paths, gravel roads, and narrow trails. Elevation: 150m
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
There is plenty to see and do; now is your chance to explore however you wish. Head out to explore more of the local hiking trails or enjoy the unique architecture.
Accommodation
Hotel Palazzo Pacini
Chianti, recognized for its namesake red wine, lies between Florence and Siena in the very centre of Tuscany. Begin the trek from Montefioralle- a small town forming the perimeter around an historic castle. Start the day with a scenic walk through the rolling Chianti countryside, soaking in the breathtaking views of vineyards and olive groves. After working up an appetite, enjoy a delicious, rustic lunch at a traditional farmhouse, where you’ll savour local Tuscan flavours in a relaxed setting. After a decadent and leisurely lunch, continue on to Greve in Chianti, considered the "gateway" to the Chianti region. Greve in Chianti is formed around a beautiful triangular piazza, at the centre of which is a statue of the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, one of the town’s most illustrious sons, who went down in history for discovering the bay of New York. End the day relaxing with a cold drink at your Tuscan Villa perched above the vineyards.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Stroll around Montefioralle
Montefioralle is one of the gems of the Chianti region and sits atop a high plain. The houses in the small town surround the historic castle. In some places the town is still protected by the original defense walls. Spend some time walking around and stretching those legs after breakfast.
Walk from Montefioralle to Panzano
Start in the rolling hills of the Chianti region and continue along a dusty, dirt road winding through vineyard rows and enjoy this storybook setting all the way to the hamlet of Panzano. Distance: 6km Duration: 2.5 hours Elevation: 150-200m
Your Foodie Moment: Molino di Grace Visit & Lunch
Enjoy a guided tour of the Molino di Grace vineyard and cellar with an included private farmhouse lunch.
Greve In Chianti Visit
Known as the gate to the Chianti region, Greve in Chianti is a town dating back to the Middle Ages.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Borgo Casa al Vento
Start the day with a scenic transfer to Siena, one of Tuscany’s most beautiful medieval cities. Upon arrival, join a local guide for a walking tour through its historic streets, exploring highlights like Piazza del Campo and the stunning Duomo. After the tour, sit down for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, enjoying authentic Tuscan flavors. Take some free time to soak in the atmosphere or browse local shops before heading back to your hotel. Tonight enjoy a special wine pairing dinner. After lunch, sample four varieties from the local Tuscan estates, continuing to learn not only about the process of wine making in Tuscany, but about the people who make their life here in Chianti. Tonight enjoy a special wine pairing dinner.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Siena Walking Tour
Set out on a short walking tour of Siena with your CEO to gain a sense of Italy's loveliest medieval city.
Free Time
Enjoy free time to explore more of Siena.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Foodie Moment: Wine Pairing Dinner
Relax and enjoy an apertivo along with views of the Italian countryside on a panoramic terrace before a wine and dinner experience. Sit down together and pair 4 wines with 4 local dishes and sip an apertivo and fully immerse yourself in the Chianti region.
Accommodation
Borgo Casa al Vento
UNESCO World Heritage site Val d'Orcia extends from the provinces of Siena to Grosseto, offering up some of Tuscany's most picturesque vistas. The Pienza loop trail begins in historic Pienza, a Renaissance city commissioned by Pope Pius II. From Pienza, pass the Romanesque parish church of Corsignano as you make your way through the green and gold undulating hillside dotted with cypress trees. After a short time, enter the Strada dei Gladiatori, the exact setting of the panoramic countryside scene from Ridley Scott's film 'Gladiator'. Your morning walk concludes just in time to sample another Tuscan favourite, pecorino cheese. A tasting of locally produced pecorino and ricotta cheeses is served with a glass of Montepulciano wine. After indulging in a glass of Montepulciano wine, it's only fitting to visit the town itself. A local guide welcomes you to this ancient hilltop town and provides an in depth walking tour of the old centre. Here we leave Tuscany and head into Umbria to Città della Pieve.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Walk The Pienza loop
Begin in the historic center of Pienza before hiking to the Romanesque parish church of Corsignano and ending up at an old film location for "The Gladiator" before returning to Pienza. Elevation gain: 225m Distance: 6km Duration: 2 hours
Your Foodie Moment: Pecorino Cheese Tasting
Taste a variety of pecorino cheeses in Pienza. The cheeses will be accompied by fruit compotes and samples of ricotta cheese. Wine and water will be provided. Learn about each of the cheeses and the production process as you sample.
Montepuliciano Visit
Enjoy a visit to Montepuliciano with a local guide. Nestled between the Val D'Orcia and Val di Chiana this quintessential Tuscan medieval village is a must-see. Think glowing green landscape, hills unraveling for miles, and castle ramparts to explore.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Vannucci
Walking the Italian countryside is the ultimate gift to yourself. Taking the time to step away from the hustle of your everyday life to intentionally move at a slower pace. Italy is about living and eating well. Speaking of eating, it's time to spend the morning with a local chef learning to prepare some of Italy's most loved dishes. A tagliatelle with ragù perhaps, or a creamy tiramisú. Buon Appetito! After you devour the fruits of your cooking labor, alongside a few glasses of delicious wine, the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure. A local guide will lead a walking tour of Città della Pieve, our home while in Umbria, known as the birthplace of renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci.
Guided Walking Tour of Città della Pieve
See Città della Pieve on a walking tour led by a local guide. The city is considered a historic medieval centre and was built of bricks in different shades of dark pink. A distinguishing marker from other Umbrian towns which are mainly made of stone. The best feature of this town are its many winding, maze-like alleys which acted as a defensive system, making the town impenetrable to enemies. The narrow streets also helped shield the town from the heat of the summer sun and the winter winds.
Cooking Class - Città della Pieve
Take part in a cooking class surrounding by breathtaking views of the Italian countryside. Learn from a professional chef and cook handmade pasta using traditional Umbrian recipes and pair your creations with local wines.
Accommodation
Hotel Vannucci
Admittedly, Rome is one of those cities that is pretty OMG worthy on its own. If you have an entire week, its a great city to get lost in, wandering from neighbourhood to neighbourhood. To make the most of your time in Rome, you get to choose between a walking tour or a fully guided Vespa tour. No matter which way you choose to explore Rome, you will experience the very best the city has to offer. Take a short orientation walk of Rome after arriving to the hotel. If you are up for more walking, join your local Roman guide and walk the historical centre, visiting Piazza Barberini and Piazza di Spagna. Drop a coin into the Trevi Fountain and sip a cappuccino in Piazza Navona. If you are ready for less walking, more adrenaline, hop on the back of a Vespa with a professional driver and whiz through Rome from Trastevere to the Colosseum and lots more.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Rome Orientation Walk With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. They will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Your OMG Day: Rome Walking Tour or Fully Guided Vespa Tour
Option 1: There are many ways to see Rome, but sometimes the best way is on foot. Discover the Eternal City on walks through the squares that have marked history. Start from Piazza Barberini, become enchanted by the charm of the Spanish Steps, and get ready to turn your luck with a coin toss into the Trevi Fountain. This leisurely walk continues towards the Pantheon and Sant'Ivo della Sapienza, ending in Piazza Navona. Option 2: When in Rome... live "la dolce vita". To see the Eternal City like the locals, hop onto a Vespa! Cruise around the city and visit Rome's must-see landmarks with a local guide. Your professional driver will show you the majesty of ancient monuments such as the Colosseum, Keyhole, Trastevere District, or even the view of the Roman Forum from the top of the Capitol hill.
Free Time
Take advantage of free time in Rome and opt for a CEO-led orientation walk of the city or simply keep exploring on your own before your final group dinner tonight.
Accommodation
Mama Shelter Roma
Your adventure has come to an end, and you can depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.
