The Trip

Learn about the fascinating natural and human history of Tuscany while hiking its rolling hills and touring its charming towns. We’ll enjoy Italian hospitality and walk centuries-old footpaths that take us through vineyards, chestnut forests, and quiet abbeys.

We will visit ancient hill towns, enjoy fabulous Tuscan food and wine, and experience firsthand why Italy is so famous for art, architecture, and the good life! At the end of each day, we will relax in our quiet and comfortable accommodations to enjoy a delicious dinner of regional specialties.

Itinerary

Day 0 – September 9: Departure for Italy – or consider flying a day earlier to enjoy an optional pre-night in Florence!

Day 1- September 10:
We will meet midafternoon at the Florence Airport, where our private bus will pick us up and take us through the gorgeous Tuscan hills to our lodging at an agriturismo near San Gimignano. We'll be staying at a working farm that grows crops typical of this area, such as wine grapes and olives. Agriturismos help small farmers augment their income, and allow us to enjoy the bounty of rural life in Italy. This agriturismo will be our home for the next six nights. Sleep in the Tuscan Country side

Day 2 – September 11:
Today we will visit San Gimignano, the famous city of towers. In the 14th century San Gimigano had 70 towers, and although only a few still remain the town center is well preserved. We’ll hike through the surrounding vineyards and forests, and enjoy a picnic lunch before our city tour. This medieval town is especially beautiful as we sit in the piazza enjoying a glass of local Vernaccia wine or a delicious gelato. Sleep in the Tuscan Country side

Day 3 – September 12:
Historically an Etruscan town and a Roman settlement, Siena is famous for its red-brown brick buildings. It is also famous for the Palio horse race run twice a year on the Campo (central piazza). We will tour the town with our guide, then enjoy lunch on our own. We’ll spend the afternoon in the famous Chianti Classico area, tasting wine and walking through a wine estate that grows Sangiovese grapes for its own Chianti wines. Sleep in the Tuscan Country side

Day 4 – September 13:
  Today we will visit the ancient Etruscan city of Volterra, founded at the very top of a steep hill. Volterra is well known for its alabaster workshops and artisan galleries. Our lunch will be typical local foods in an historic grotto. On our afternoon hike we’ll enjoy spectacular views of the fields and forests surrounding Volterra. Sleep in the Tuscan Country side

Day 5 – September 14:
We depart today along the old Via Cassia, an important road in Roman times, to Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey. We will visit the gorgeous Benedictine Abbey, built in 1313 and resplendent with medieval murals, before we stop in Montalcino for lunch on our own. After a guided nature walk, we’ll enjoy dinner in a small trattoria on our way back to our agriturismo. Sleep in the Tuscan Country side

Day 6 – September 15:
We will meet our guide at the small village of Chiusdino to hike to the breathtaking San Galgano Abbey. In the quietude of nature we’ll eat a picnic lunch, then visit the Abbey and its Montesiepi Hermitage. Afterward, we'll traverse the Merse River Valley, an historically rich agricultural land filled with forests, villages, and country churches. This evening we'll enjoy dinner at our agriturismo before packing for our departure to Lucca. Sleep in the Tuscan Country side

Day 7 – September 16:
Lucca, the birthplace of composer Giacomo Puccini, is surrounded by impressive stone walls constructed in the 1500s. Planted with trees and gardens, the wall tops provide an extensive boulevard with a bird's-eye view of Lucca. We will explore the Piazza Napoleone, the Roman amphitheater, and other parts of the historic town center with our guide, before eating lunch on our own and enjoying free time to explore this compact and interesting town. Dinner tonight will be at a restaurant in town, and Lucca will be our home for tonight and tomorrow night. Sleep in Lucca

Day 8 – September 17:
Today we head for Pisa and San Rossore Natural Park, a wetland where several major rivers empty into the sea, providing habitat for waterfowl, deer, and wild boars. We will enjoy a hike with a naturalist and a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we’ll have a guided tour of Pisa’s Field of Miracles, with its four impressive marble buildings -- cathedral, baptistery, university, and bell tower (the leaning tower of Pisa!). Built more than 1,000 years ago, they combine Moorish, Gothic, and Romanesque architecture. We will return to Lucca for dinner and pack for tomorrow’s departure to our next agriturismo. Sleep in Lucca

Day 9 – September 18:
The Garfagnana area is famous throughout Tuscany for its dramatic mountains and fertile valleys that produce local delicacies like porcini mushrooms and rich cheeses. We’ll hike with our naturalist guide, and then have lunch at a local restaurant to enjoy some of the special products of this area. In the afternoon we will travel to our second agriturismo, which will be our home for the next three nights. Sleep in the Tuscan Country side

Day 10 – September 19:
Today we'll travel up a mountain ridge, passing tiny hamlets on our way to Vallombrosa, a nature preserve and the headquarters of the Vallombrosan Order. Our path winds uphill through well-managed forests to a spectacular overlook where, if it's clear, we will see Brunelleschi's famous dome on the Florence Duomo, far below. After enjoying a picnic lunch, we'll return to our villa's kitchen to find our Tuscan chef ready for our cooking lesson. We'll prepare our own dinner: antipasti, insalata, pasta, and dolci from exquisite Tuscan recipes. You will be the cuoco! Sleep in the Tuscan Country side

Day 11 – September 20:
This is our day to enjoy Florence, the captivating city of Michelangelo. After a guided tour we’ll have free time for lunch and explorations on our own. A great city for walking, Florence is blessed with world-famous art, culture, history, and architecture -- all of which can be enjoyed by simply roaming its streets and public places. Enjoy a gelato as you stroll the famous Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River! Sleep in the Tuscan Country side

Day 12 – September 21: After breakfast our bus will take us to the Florence Airport for flights home, or to the train station for those traveling to another part of Italy. Participants leaving today should make their flight reservations for the afternoon, or stay another few days in Florence and Bella Toscana!

12 days, 11 nights
$4,325 per person in double room (land only)

Itinerary details:
6 nights in the Tuscan Country side
2 nights in Lucca
3 nights in Tuscan countryside resort

Sierra Club "A Taste of Tuscany"