Italy - Chianti Trek holiday with Hooked on Walking

Italy - Chianti Trek holiday with Hooked on Walking.

Welcome to Hooked on Walking holidays and our walking holiday in the Chianti region of Tuscany.

Needless to say this walking holiday takes you through some great scenery, a major wine region of Chianti and also through some of Tuscany’s very historic towns and cities in particular Florence and Siena.

This walking holiday is available as a four and seven night self led walking tour.

This hiking vacation in Tuscany really is what you imagined Tuscany to be Between the artistic masterpieces of Florence and Siena we find the “Chianti Classico” hills, covered with vineyards producing world famous wines, as well as excellent olive oil. Walking along the Chianti’s footpaths, cypress lined roads and strade bianche that cross forest of oak, beech and chestnut you will feel as if you have just walked in to a renaissance painting, dotted with well preserved towns and villages, imposing Renaissance villas and picturesque stone farmhouses where the locals maintain age-long traditions.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Florence.
Arrival in Florence. If you arrive in the morning, you can make a city walk. The city walk passes by the most beautiful streets and squares and the most important sights. The walk starts and ends at the Piazza della Signoria, it is 8 kilometres long and takes about 3,5 hours

Day 2 Settignano to Fiesole
A 25 minute city bus ride takes you to Settignanoe where the walk starts. The walk leads you through the characteristic Tuscan countryside to the remarkable town of Fiesole, walking through cypress forests and olive groves that offer magnificent views of the city and the Duomo. In Fiesole, this beautiful Etruscan-come-Roman town there are many things to visit: the Roman Theatre and Baths, a Romanic church, the Franciscan monastery, as well as the remains of the Etruscan civilisation. Return to Florence with the local city bus. 9 km, up 300m, down 100m, 4 hours

Day 3 Hills and vineyards north of Greve in Chianti
After breakfast take the local bus to Greve in Chianti and check into the hotel where you will spend 2 nights. Visit Greve, capital of the Chianti wine producing region, discovering this unique and charming market village. Then walk along a ridge overlooking a quintessential Tuscan view of Renaissance villas, charming farmhouses and cascading vineyards to the fortified ancient village of Montefioralle, the birthplace of Amerigo Vespucci, who gave America its name 8 km, up 250 m, down 250 m, 3 hours

Day 4 Greve Circular walk
Todays walk takes you to Panzano , a small village a few kilometres south of Greve. Walk along a ridge over looking the Val di Greve and Val di Pesa valleys you will have a great Tuscan view of the Renaissance villas , charming farmhouses and cascading vineyards . 9 km up 350 m, down 450 m, 4 hours.

Day 5 San Michele to Radda in Chianti
First a transfer to San Michelle and the highest hills of the Chianti region. Walking to Radda in Chianti you descend through a forested valley full of century old chestnut trees till you reach the vineyards surrounding the hamlet of Volpaia, one of the most beautiful and nicest situated villages of the Chianti. A fine ‘enoteca’ will make you pause here. The last part of today is through the typical Chianti landscape woods and vineyards, passing by the church of Santa Maria Novella, on the other side of the valley you can already see Radda. 13.6 km, up 450 m, down 450 m, 5.5 hours.

Day 6 Circular walk
Today is an easy, relaxing day. A short circular walk in the neighbourhood of Radda in Chianti leaves you plenty of time to explore the town that has remained practically unchanged since the Middle Ages. You can also stop the wine cellars and try some Chianti wine 8.6 km, up 250 m, down 250 m, 4 hours.

Day 7 Siena
After breakfast, take the local bus to Siena and spend the day discovering this town famous for its “Palio” horse race held twice yearly in one of the most beautiful squares of Europe (judges say). Don’t’ miss and the black and white marbled Duomo and meandering through the narrow streets and alleys. In short this is one of the most perfectly preserved middle age cities in Italy.

Day 8
Tour complete after breakfast. The day is at your leisure to explore this beautiful city more with its innumerable masterpieces.

For more information visit www.inspiringholidays.com