Italy

Trip Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrival Day

  Arrive in Italy and transfer to hotel in Colle Val D'Elsa. Welcome dinner at 6pm at the hotel that evening.

  * please note that the transfer from the airport to the hotel is not included in the package price.

  Location

  Colle Val D'Elsa

  Accommodations

  Meals

  Breakfast

  On Your Own

  Lunch

  On Your Own

  Dinner

  Welcome dinner at 6pm at the hotel

• Day 2

  Urban trekking in Florence and lunch at the Central Market.

  We reach Florence by coach. We walk across the Ponte Vecchio and pass into the district of San Nicolo. This is one of the oldest districts in Florence, and it still maintains its medieval atmosphere thanks to its ancient 13th century walls and narrow alleys. It reminds one of a small Tuscan village. We walk through the narrow streets where we find the craft shops and taverns of Bohemian Florence. Through the Garden of Roses our route climbs up to Piazzale Michelangelo. From here we enjoy breath-taking views across the whole city.

  Our walk continues on to the Church of San Miniato al Monte, a hidden jewel located in a panoramic position. From here we return via a different route to Porta Romana and end the tour in the district of Oltrarno, where you will see traditional crafts. the walking tour ends at the Central Market for a foodie experience; together with our guide we enjoy a light lunch with tasting of several products and discover the secrets of these delicious dishes made by artisans. Afternoon at leisure to discover this wonderful city on your own. Back to the hotel by coach.

  Walking time: about 3 hours (6km)

  Difference in altitude: about 150m

  Level: easy

  Location

  Florence

  Accommodations

  Meals

  Breakfast

  Provided

  Lunch

  Central Market for a Foodie Experience

  Dinner

  Provided

• Day 3

  Soft hike to San Gimignano, tasting Italy's best ice cream.

  OPTIONAL COOKING CLASS:

  Learn how to make authentic Italian pasta. the chosen location offers a relaxed environment that fosters a true understanding of Tuscan culinary secrets. After the class, enjoy your wonderful creations featuring three varieties of pasta for lunch. This is paired with a tasting of hand-crafted products including wines, truffle oils and balsamic vinegar. A professional chef will assist you as you learn everything there is to know about fresh homemade pastas. The recipes focus on fresh, high-quality and local ingredients adhering to Tuscan tradition and making this the quintessential Italian dish a memorable experience for all.

  The guests who are not taking part in the cooking class can be taken by coach to the small town Certaldo for time at leisure and then picked up at the end of the cooking lesson to join the walking tour to San Gimignano. After lunch we take a walk among the vineyards and olive trees and reach the so-called Medieval Manhattan and admire the town's unforgettable skyline whilst enjoying a break with a delicious ice cream from the Gelateria Dondoli, one of Italy's very best.

  Walking time: about 1.5 hours (5km)

  Difference in altitude: about 100m

  Level: easy

  Location

  San Gimignano

  Accommodations

  Meals

  Breakfast

  Provided

  Lunch

  TBD

  Dinner

  At the hotel

• Day 4

  Chianti Valley and truffle hunt!

  Today we discover the Chianti Valley. This hilly landscape interspersed with olive groves, cypresses, vineyards and palaces, fascinates all visitors. You will experience the harmony of the colors that only the hills in this region have to offer, with your own eyes. Our hike starts in Greve, one of the small jewels of Chianti Valley. The town is famous for being the birthplace of Giovanni da Verrazzano, Italian explorer who discovered the Hudson Bay. The impressive Verrazzano Bridge in New York City, is dedicated to him.

  ​The hike takes us on the gentle hills of Chianti through vineyards and olive trees. We finish the hike in the small center of Greve, where we can enjoy a short break before heading to lunch at a lovely estate. Guests will be greeted with a welcome drink served in the garden, while the staff will present the program of the day. We enjoy a light lunch and a tasting of truffle made products paired with a good glass of wine. after lunch we head for the truffle hunt with our dog. We will have access to a protected area to start the truffle hunt. The area is easily practical and does not require special clothing.

  Walking time: about 2 hours

  ​Difference in altitude: about 150m

  ​Level: easy

  Location

  Chianti Valley

  Accommodations

  Provided

  Meals

  Breakfast

  Provided

  Lunch

  Group lunch provided at garden estate.

  Dinner

  At lesiure, on your own.

• Day 5

  Urban trekking in Siena, with an optional Medieval lunch

  Driving through the hilly landscape we reach Siena, where a guided tour of the Old Town awaits us. The highlight is the Piazza del Campo, the seashell-shaped square on which the famous horse race, the Palio, takes place each year. At the end of the tour we head to one of the most Medieval restaurants of Siena. Here we will enjoy a typical lunch directly from the Middle Ages with the most popular ingredients used in those days.

  The evening will feature time at leisure before we move to our hotel in Pienza.

  Location

  Siena

  Accommodations

  Provided

  Meals

  Breakfast

  provided

  Lunch

  Enjoy an optional group lunch at a Medieval inspired restaurant

  Dinner

  Dinner at the hotel in Pienza

• Day 6

  Enjoy a relaxing day of Leisure

  After a group breakfast, you'll enjoy an entire day at leisure in the beautiful village of Pienza.

  We are looking for an optional opportunity to give back to the local community.

  Location

  Pienza

  Accommodations

  Hotel in Pienza's City Center

  Meals

  Breakfast

  Provided

  Lunch

  On your own

  Dinner

  On your own

• Day 7

  Hiking & sightseeing with a visit to a cheese factory

  Today we start from the hotel and we hike among the beautiful landscape of the Val d'Orcia, Unesco World Heritage. Along the way, among the green waves of the beautiful hills, stands the chapel of Our Lady of Vitaleta, one of the most iconic places in the province of Sienna. She stands there alone, in the company of only two rows of cypresses, one on the left and one on the right. This place is famous because of it has been the set of the colossal movie "The Gladiator". We reach San Quirico, beautiful town with a lovely square and surrounded by medieval walls.

  After a visit we head to a cheese factory where we learn everything about this delicacy and enjoy a late lunch with tasting of several typical products and local wine.

  Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Pienza (our hotel is in the city center).

  Walking time: about 3 hours (8 Km)

  Difference in altitude: about 250 m

  Level: easy to medium

  Location

  San Quirico, Italy

  Accommodations

  Hotel in Pienza's City Center

  Meals

  Breakfast

  Provided

  Lunch

  Provided

  Dinner

  Provided at the hotel

• Day 8

  Hiking then a coach ride to a winery for music and wine

  We travel by coach through the area surrounding the abbey. We start our hike with stunning views of the entire Orcia Valley and Monte Amiata until we reach the abbey. This track allows a beautiful outlook onto the impressive building, probably Tuscany's prettiest Romanesque country church. The church dates back to the 12th century.

  After a brief visit we go on to Montalcino by coach, where we enjoy a typical lunch at a restaurant on the old town. The day continues to a traditional farmhouse in Montalcino, where you will enjoy a multi-sensory experience: music and wine! 4 wines matched with 4 music tracks selected by the intellectual, eclectic and transgressive sommelier Igor Vazzaz.

  Walking time: about 2.5 hours

  ​Difference in altitude: about 250m

  ​Level: easy

  Location

  Montalcino, Italy

  Accommodations

  Provided

  Meals

  Breakfast

  Provided

  Lunch

  Restaurant in the old town of Montalcino

  Dinner

  Provided at the hotel

• Day 9

  Departure Day

  Please note that the transfer from the hotel to the airport is not included in the package price, since we don't know the airport the groups will fly from.

  Location

  Accommodations

  Meals

  Breakfast

  On your own

  Lunch

  On your own

  Dinner

  On your own

Trip Leader:

Michele Holbrook

Michele is celebrating 40 years in the travel industry. She started as a tour guide with Ambassadair Travel Club and has continued to work with group travel throughout her career. Michele grew up in Hawaii and spent time in Europe growing up. Since then she has worked on all sides of the travel industry.

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