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Departures 2008 :
May 17
September 27 | Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Departing from: Orvieto train station
Tour finishes: Orvieto train station
Regular price: €2,100 per person (£1,500) based on double occupancy. Single supplement €300 (£215).
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Carved path, typical of the area
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The village of Pitigliano
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Sorano - The Porta dei Merli
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There's nothing like a
fresh tomato!
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Sovana: the main piazza
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The village of Sorano
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Main church of Sovana
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You will see hills like this...
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The medieval village of Montisi
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And of course, there's the wine...
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Tuscany Walk NEW |
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Tuscany Walk NEW Itinerary
Preview - This trip was created last year when a group of enthusiastic hikers on our Amalfi Coast Walk decided that they wanted to return to Tuscany but had already done our classic Tuscany Walking tour. We liked the idea, and put together a new itinerary which explores two lesser-known areas of Tuscany: the Val d'Orcia and La Maremma. This unique trip will be led by our favorite Tuscan resident and expert guide, Emanuela (Manu) Angelini.
This is a great trip for anyone who has already "done" Tuscany, since it offers the same beautiful scenery, fabulous food and wine, and gorgeous walks as the Classic Tuscany trip, but takes you into totally new areas. Please let us know if you are interested in this trip and we will put you on our list.
We begin our special adventure in the quintessential Tuscan landscapes of the Val d'Orcia, with its sweeping wheat fields and majestic cypress trees. This area is now considered a UNESCO World Heritage site for its beauty and cultural importance. We first stay two nights within the city walls of beautiful Montepulciano. Our walks traverse the romantic landscapes so beautifully portrayed in "The English Patient" -- much of which was filmed in this area.
We then move to the village of Sorano in the Maremma region of southwestern Tuscany to stay three nights at the Hotel della Fortezza, a beautifully renovated 12th century castle. From here we explore a unique area rich with Etruscan ruins and breathtaking landscapes. Some of our day hikes take us along the famous "Vie Cave," where we actually wind our way through ancient trails carved out of the tufo (volcanic) rock. Along the way, we'll explore Etruscan burial sites as well as the flora and fauna of the Maremma (some which are found only within this very small micro-climate). After hiking through the "vie cave," enjoy a late-afternoon soak in the open thermal springs of nearby Saturnia. And for those of you who are keen on Italian wines, you should know that the Maremma region is now producing some of Tuscany's most exciting and renowned wines!
If you are interested, please let us know and we will help you set up a private departure for you and your friends!
Day 1 - Saturday: Independent arrival in the beautiful hilltop town of Orvieto (a direct one-hour train ride from Rome). Meet your guide at 7:00 p.m. in the foyer of the hotel and then go out for a dinner of local specialties. Overnight at the Hotel Filippeschi in Orvieto. Hotel included. Dinner not included.
Day 2 - Sunday: Meet your group in the hotel lobby at 9:00 a.m. Van transfer to the medieval hilltop town of Montepulciano, then we set off for a beautiful walk departing from the renowned Villa La Foce. Set amidst 3,500 acres of farmland in the countryside near Pienza, La Foce was the home of the writer Marchesa Iris Origo. Her wartime diaries, "War in the Val D'Orcia," are a fascinating (and devastating) first-hand account of life during the Second World War in Tuscany. She recounts in calm detail of how she sheltered Italian orphans, foreign soldiers, and Italian partisans from the violence just outside (and sometimes within!) her gates. We then transfer back to our hotel within the city walls of Montepulciano. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 - Monday: A short van ride takes us to the start of our walk. From a high point we have a vast and breathtaking vista that takes in the hilltop towns of Montefollonico, Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino. We crest the brow of a hill and glimpse the spires of the village of Petroio, only recently linked by paved roads to the rest of the area and still retaining the atmosphere of centuries past. We walk into Montisi, a beautiful village famous for its wonderful extra-virgin olive oil. We have lunch here with our friend Roberto, who has a small Osteria inside a medieval granary. Weather permitting, we lunch beneath the shady canopy of an enormous fig tree. Return to Montepulciano by van. For those who want an afternoon walk we can walk from the walled village of Montefollonico to Montepulciano for unforgettable views of Montepulciano's ramparts. Before dinner we have a wine tasting at the Avignonesi Winery, one of the finest producers of not only Vino Nobile di Montepulciano but of other “Super Tuscan” reds. Dinner tonight at the excellent Logge del Vignola. Overnight in Montepulciano. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 - Tuesday: This morning we have a 30-minute transfer to Montalcino, a small village famous for its Brunello red wine. We stop to explore the town and buy supplies for a picnic lunch, then begin our walk toward the Abbey of Sant'Antimo. The walk takes us through Brunello vineyards, verdant woods, and rustic farming villages before reaching the abbey, one of the most important and famous examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy. We have a late afternoon walk to the small town of Castelnuovo dell'Abate where we will have the chance to visit the cellars of a local winery and taste a variety of aged Brunello wines. Van transfer back to Montalcino with free time to visit the town. Rendez-vous near the Piazza Grande at one of our favourite cafés to enjoy an aperitif and watch the sunset then we walk down to the Osteria Acquacheta for a memorable meal. Famous for its bistecca Fiorentina this unpretentious and busy local place is always humming. We are seated (shunted actually!) at long tables next to whoever is already there, invariably a local already animated with good food and wine, and the meal begins! Overnight in Montepulciano at the Hotel Marzocco. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5 - Wednesday: Today we move south to the Maremma region where we will spend the second half of our trip. We will be joined by a local guide, Carlo, whose vast knowledge of his home area will add to your experience. During the 7th century BC the Etruscans inhabited this area, leaving impressive necropoli (cemeteries) and the "vie cave," Etruscan roads carved from the rock. Our walk today takes us from the abandoned medieval town of Vitozza through one of the most famous "vie cave" of the area to the Necropolis of San Rocco. After a short visit we will walk to Sorano and its medieval fortress, which has been converted into a hotel and which will be our home for the next few days. Overnight stay in Sorano at Hotel della Fortezza. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6 - Thursday: Quick transfer to the nearby town of Sovana, considered "one of the most beautiful towns in Italy." We spend some time here to buy our picnic lunch and to visit the wonderful cathedral there. Our walk today includes a visit to the famous Etruscan tombs of Ildebrando and La Sirena. We then walk to Pitigliano (if time allows, we will see the Jewish Ghetto) and have some free time to visit this charming hilltop village. Heading back to Sorano, we'll stop to visit th e Sassotondo winery to taste the typical wines of this region. We end our day's walk along the famous Via Cava di San Giuseppe, considered by many the most beautiful cava in the area. Tonight is a "free night" for dinner, so you can enjoy a romantic night alone or stay with your new friends. Overnight stay in Sorano at Hotel della Fortezza. Hotel and breakfast included.
Day 7 - Friday: Our walk today takes us to Saturnia, famous for its thermal springs, offering wonderful views, centuries-old olive groves and a section of the 2000-year-old Roman road, the "Via Clodia." After stopping in the beautiful village of Montemerano, we will continue towards the elusive natural waterfalls of Saturnia - an isolated rocky outcrop of white travertine where we will soak our tired feet as a relaxing end to today's walk. Overnight stay in Sorano at Hotel della Fortezza. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8 - Saturday: Transfer to Orvieto train station. You may choose to spend more time in Orvieto or continue on to Rome or beyond. Please let us know if you would like us to book you accommodations in Orvieto for the end of your trip. Breakfast and transfer included.
Useful Links -
The Val d'Orcia: informative site about this national park, with links on history, hot springs, and more
Iris Origo and Villa la Foce: basic information about this amazing woman and her beautiful villa
The Etruscans: everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask!
Siena Tourism Authority: informative site from the Province of Siena, including links to areas like the Val d'Orcia, the Crete Senesi, etc.
Brunello di Montalcino: official site of the Consortium of Brunello producers
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Italy has more sites in the list than any other country!
General Information
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Trip Cost Includes: All accommodations (1
night Orvieto, 3 nights Montepulciano, 3 nights Sorano); 7 breakfasts and 6
dinners; bilingual guide or guides; all van transfers and luggage transfers;
Etruscan tombs and necropoli, winery visits, Saturnia thermal baths; pick-up
and drop-off in Orvieto.
Not Included: Round-trip airfare; airport/hotel transfers; lunches; travel insurance; gratuities; alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature. Reservations and payment: In order to reserve a space on the
trip, a non-refundable deposit of $200 USD or €200 (depending on
the trip) is required. Please contact us at info@customwalks.com or go to the Reservations page
on our website for more information. We will send you a trip agreement
that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation.
Trip Cancellation Insurance: Should you have to cancel your trip because of illness, injury or death to you or a family member, trip-cancellation insurance protects most of your deposits and payment for both air and land cost. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip-Cancellation Insurance. If you wish, you can purchase this insurance through Customwalks when you book your trip. Contact us for more details.
Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate to easy. Some prior hiking experience is beneficial but anyone in good physical condition will have no problems with the walks. We usually walk between 10-16 kms a day (6-10 miles), which translates into about 3-4 hours of walking a day, more or less equally divided between morning and afternoon. This may sound like a lot, but there are lots of opportunities for breaks to take pictures or simply stop and admire the view. However, a regular conditioning program consisting of walking/running and a daily stretching regimen is recommended, beginning at least 2 months prior to departure. This will get you in shape and ensure that you are able to enjoy fully all that this wonderful trip has to offer.
Van Support and luggage transfers: When required and indicated in the itinerary, we use van transfers to shuttle you from the beginning and end of the hikes. Your luggage is moved by van from hotel to hotel.
Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page)
General Information: This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the CustomWalks Ltd. reservation information and trip agreement. Please read this information carefully and e-mail us (or use the "Contact Us" page) if you have any questions. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance which you can do through CustomWalks Ltd or by clicking on the logo below (another window will open up on your screen).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited. Send us an email or fax to reserve your trip. Full trip details including detailed pre-departure information, train timetables, and a gear list are sent upon receipt of deposit.
Come join us! |
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