5 Days & 4 Nights

4.7

Classic Tuscany Short Break

3 Days of walking in Tuscany; Volterra, San Gimignano, Colle Val D’Elsa, Siena
Rolling landscapes of vineyards, villas, woodland and medieval hilltop towns
Gourmet Tuscany— local olive oils, hand-made pasta, pecorino cheeses
Cobbled streets with medieval, Romanesque & Gothic churches & palazzos
Robust Chianti Colli Senesi, Sangiovese, chilled Vernaccia San Gimignano

Spend 4 nights exploring Tuscany on foot, walking between atmospheric ancient hilltop towns of Volterra, San Gimignano, Colle di Val D’ Elsa and Siena. Soak up the views as you wander between Etruscan olive groves, vineyards and over rolling green hills. The sunlight casts impressive shadows over the undulating landscape. Foodies are in for a real treat; sweet vin santo, flavoured grappas, chilled Vernaccia from the sandstone vineyards of San Gimignano, castagnaccio chestnut cake and fruity Siena torte; it’s a good job we’ve planned out some great walks, allowing you to spoil yourself!

From £579.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Poggibonsi/Pontedera, transfer to Volterra

Slow down and savour a week of walking through quintessential Tuscany—starting in the classic Etruscan city of Volterra, perched 1770ft above sea level, with its 1120 Duomo (cathedral), and fascinating ruins.

Arriving at either Poggibonsi or Pontedera train station (both an easy train ride from Florence or Pisa), meet your taxi driver and transfer to Volterra.

Overnight Volterra

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

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Albergo Etruria | 3 Star | Hotel

Albergo Etruria is found in the historic center of Volterra, just 100m from the famous Piazza dei Priori. The property dates from 1700 and has 18 hotel rooms. There is a lovely garden for guests to relax. This Etruria is run by the owners who can suggest excursions, museum trips and the best restaurants nearby. The buffet breakfast is made with fresh, high quality ingredients.

Villa Nencini | 3 Star | Hotel

You can admire beautiful views across the Tuscan hills at Albergo Villa Nencini, located just 550 yards from the centre of Volterra. It offers a large garden with swimming pool. The grand dining room at Villa Nencini is used for banquets but is also where a breakfast is served each morning.

Hotel La Locanda | Hotel

Located within the historic hilltown of Volterra. The Roman Theatre and Porta Fiorentina Gate are a short walk away. Breakfast is buffet style, with a selection of cold meats, cheeses and cakes. The property's restaurant is 100 metres away, and serves local food and wines.

This accommodation can be booked as an upgrade. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Day 2 Transfer to Riserva Naturale Montenero, walk to San Gimignano 12 miles / 20 km

After breakfast your driver will transfer you to the tiny hamlet of Ulignano, close to the Riserva Natural Montenero. Wander eastwards along rural woodland tracks to reach the nature reserve of Castelvecchio.

Pass through the tiny medieval village of San Donato set amidst classic green hills, and glimpse your first view of San Gimignano’s magnificent towers.

Soaring on a hilltop overlooking Valdelsa, San Gimignano once boasted 72 towers (around a dozen remain today). The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting fine examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Visit the Palazzo Comunale, the Collegiate Church and Church of Sant Agostino to see their 14th and 15th century frescoes.

Ascent/Descent: 450m/510m

Overnight San Gimignano

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel La Cisterna | 3 Star | Hotel

Centrally located in Piazza Cisterna the hotel is ideal for exploring the winding streets of San Gimignano in the evening. The hotel used to welcome pilgrims to San Gimignano. The hotel has all the modern amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay and an evening menu bursting with traditional Tuscan options. There is also a private library and reading room to relax in and a selection of spa treatments.

Hotel Villa Belvedere | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Villa Belvedere is a splendid late 19th century property, surrounded by a verdant garden. The building has been renovated internally to provide comfortable bedrooms while still keeping in harmony with the elegance of the external structure. The Hotel Villa Belvedere offers you peace and relaxation. There is also an outdoor swimming pool. Ideal for cooling off on the warm Tuscan days.

Palazzo al Torrione | Bed and breakfast

Palazzo al Torrione is a 100 year old building that has been carefully restored with rooms using original materials to keep the unique characteristics. It is located along the wall of San Gimignano and one side faces the panorama of the city and the other the gentle rolling hills around San Gimignano. The property is managed by Vanna Poli and Francesco Indiani, who come from a family of the Bed & Breakfast owners.

Day 3 Walk to Colle di Val D’Elsa 14 miles / 23 km

Ahead lies a long but enjoyable day of walking along the famous Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route which stretches from Canterbury to Rome.

Pass by vineyards and honey-hued stone hamlets to approach Colle di Val D’Elsa through the ancient Porta Nova, passing fine 16th- and 17th-century noble houses to arrive at the Palazzo Campana, and the castle.

Colle di Val D’Elsa retains a proud history of creating exquisite crystal glassware and you can browse the artisan workshops and pick up a memento to take home.

Longer option, 23km Ascent/Descent: 330m/490m

Shorter option, 13km Ascent/Descent: 270m/380m

Overnight Colle di Val d'Elsa

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Arnolfo B&B | 3 Star | Bed and breakfast

The Arnolfo B&B, next to the ponte di Campana, is a comfortable B&B, divided into three apartments wth a total of 10 rooms. Rooms come either with wood-beamed ceilings or bare-stone walls. There is a guest lounge/reading room with internet access and a small garden. Breakfast is available every morning and, during summer, it can be served in the furnished garden.

Hotel la Vecchia Cartiera | 3 Star | Hotel

In Colle Val D’Elsa, in the heart of Tuscany, La Vecchia Cartiera Hotel with its 38 rooms welcomes you in a discreet and familiar atmosphere. Set in the centre of Colle Val d'Elsa, La Vecchia Cartiera was once a paper mill. Now it offers air-conditioned rooms and a fine restaurant specialising in traditional Tuscan cuisine for lunch and dinner. Each morning at La Vecchia Cartiera a large continental breakfast is available buffet style.

Palazzo Pacini | 4 Star | Hotel

Situated in the old part of Colle Val d'Elsa, the Hotel Palazzo Pacini Residence offers a welcoming atmosphere of elegant grace and charm, in the peace and quiet of Colle's “Borgo” neighbourhood. Guests can enjoy a complimentary 1-hour wine tasting at Enoteca Il Salotto in Colle Val D’Elsa. The area is popular for hiking and cycling, in addition, bike hire is available at this hotel.

Day 4 Transfer to Monteriggioni, walk to Siena 12 miles / 20 km

Monteriggioni is a short transfer away, set amidst the gentle Sienese hills and a rare example of medieval military architecture, with its 14 square towers.

Leaving Monteriggigoni on foot, follow in the pilgrims footsteps along the Via Francigena to Siena. Siena’s layout is still as it was in its heyday of the 14th century, when Sienese art and economy rivalled that of Florence. With so much to see, this is the ideal spot to spend your final 2 nights in Tuscany.

Ascent/Descent: 280m/220m

Overnight Siena

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

La Chicca B&B | Bed and breakfast

La Chicca B&B is run by the Garavini family. The accommodation is situated in an old villa in the San Prospero area, just outside of the historic Siena’s walls. Offering a garden and a terrace, La Chicca Siena is located in Siena, a 5 mins walk from the Piazza Campo and a 15-minute walk from the Cathedral.

Hotel Alma Domus | Hotel

Set in a 13th-century building, Hotel Alma Domus offers rooms in the historic centre of Siena, a 2-minute walk from Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico Church. Many of the rooms have balconies offering city views and they are all stylishly decorated.

Hotel Athena | 4 Star | Hotel

Located inside Siena's historic walls, this family-run hotel has a restaurant, bar, and terrace with views over the city and the surrounding valley. They follow the philosophy of the GoGreen brand of environmental sustainability and low-energy impact. Their energy comes from 100% renewable sources. Their spacious bedrooms are decorated in a traditional style with warm colour schemes and tiled floors.

Day 5 Onward travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 17kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 17kg is equivalent to 100 cans of coke. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

A 4-night break to recharge your batteries: 3 days of exploring Tuscany on foot, walking between classic hill-top towns and villages brimming with atmosphere. Explore Volterra, San Gimignano, Colle Val D’ Elsa and Siena by night, with plenty of opportunities to indulge in Chianti wine, organic aged pecorino cheese and home-made pasta.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie

Wine

Short Break

Grade & Terrain

This trip is graded ‘moderate’ overall, as the terrain is hilly. Most of the route follows gravel and farm tracks and trails, and you will be following minor roads only occasionally. You’ll be walking up to 22km each day. Should you wish to skip a walk between towns then (with prior notice) you can travel in the taxi (luggage transfer).

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

4 Nights in traditional B&Bs and guesthouses (3-star standard)
4 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers between accommodation
Taxi transfers as per itinerary (days 1, 2, 4)
Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure app
All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
24-7 Emergency telephone support

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Pontedera/Poggibonsi and from Siena
Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Supplement to upgrade to 4-star properties
Transfers from Pisa/Florence/Rome

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.