Medieval Hilltowns of Tuscany
Siena, San Gimignano, and the Isle of Elba
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $4795 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 9 days |
| Arrive: | Florence, Italy |
| Depart: | Florence, Italy |
| Lodging: | 2 nights restored palazzo, 4 nights fine hotels, 2 nights country estates describe |
| Meals: | All meals included except 3 dinners |
| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures |
| Trip Level: |
A mix of easy to moderate walks and hikes, 3-6 hours a day, van support
|
Highlights
- Siena, with its lovely renaissance piazza
- Hike to jewel-like hilltowns and on the enchanting isle of Elba
- Etruscan Volterra and the perfectly preserved town of San Gimignano
- Charming hotels, from a restored palazzo to a delightful seaside hotel
- Wine tastings, picnics of southern Tuscan culinary treats, cooking lesson
I loved this trip—my 4th with WT. Extremely well planned and wonderfully executed. The Trip Leaders were terrific.Diana E.—Washington, DC
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
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Resources
Tuscany beckons the traveler with exquisite landscapes unchanged in centuries, towns still held within their medieval walls, and a cuisine and wines renowned throughout the world. Our insider’s journey brings you the best of Tuscany, walking in Siena’s Renaissance-era piazza and the hidden gem of hilltop Sovana, with its Etruscan tombs, hiking along the coast and in the mountains of dreamy Elba, the island of Napoleon’s first exile, and climbing the towers of San Gimignano, the most revered of Tuscany’s enchanting medieval hilltowns. With memorable trailside picnics of Tuscan specialties, visits with wine and cheese-makers and sampling their delicious wares, and a cooking class in the art of Tuscan cuisine, this is the ultimate cultural and hiking journey through Italy’s most treasured realm.
Itinerary at a Glance
For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary
Days 1-2
Florence / Siena / San Quirico d’Orcia
From Florence, we head out for a walking tour of glorious Siena, with its shell-shaped piazza, the famous Campo. Country walks bring us to cinnamon brick Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany’s grandest monastery, and through forests and vineyards with marvelous views. We also sample the wares in Montalcino, Tuscany’s most important wine town.
Days 3-4
Pienza / Pitigliano / Sovana
We explore medieval Pienza, a perfect window into 15th century Italy, and from the ancient town of Pitigliano, hike to the undiscovered hilltown of Sovana, with its marvelous Etruscan tombs.
Days 5-6
Elba
A ferry brings us to Elba for breathtaking hikes on this magical island surrounded by the wide, blue Tyrrhenian Sea. After a hike on the “Via Crucis,” a path leading to the shrine of Madonna del Monte, we enjoy a wonderful cooking class.
Days 7-9
Volterra / San Gimignano
Back on the mainland, we head to Volterra, the ancient Etruscan city of Velathri. In this walled medieval town we visit the Etruscan Museum, see how pecorino is made at an artisanal farm (and sample it, of course), and explore the abandoned medieval village of Castelvecchio. In charming San Gimignano, we climb the tower in the town hall for views over the countryside, and hike to a castle for a picnic with fantastic views of San Gimignano’s towers soaring on the horizon. Depart on Day 9 from Florence.
For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate. The hikes vary from 2 to 6 miles on moderate to steep trails. Although you carry only a daypack on the hikes, there are a few steep ascents and descents, and some of the trails are on rocky terrain, so we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear well-broken-in hiking boots for maximum comfort on the trail. Our van usually meets us at midday, bringing a wonderful picnic lunch of local breads, cheeses, fruits, and wines. On "town" days we will have lunch at local cafes. Our luggage is transported for us by van, so it is always possible to ride in the van if you wish to opt out of a day's hiking. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 PM.
Departures & Leaders
May 21-29, 2013
Oct 1- 9, 2013
Trip Cost
Prices are for 2013
$4795 (13-15 members)
$5095 (10-12 members)
$5395 (6-9 members)
Single supplement: $695
Forced single supplement: $495
more on pricing
Trip Cost Includes:
- Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
- Accommodations in small comfortable inns
- All meals included except 3 dinners
- Land transportation, airport transfers as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
Trip Cost Does Not Include:
International airfare, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, wine at dinner (except at welcome and farewell dinners), airport departure taxes, individual arrival or departure transfers, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors; pre-trip expense of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance or passports; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).San Quirico D'Orcia Hotel
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), San Quirico D'Orcia, Italy
In San Quirico D'Orcia we stay at one of the following properties:
Sovana Hotel
Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Sovana, Italy
In Sovana we stay at one of the following properties:
Hotel Sant'Andrea
Days 5 to 6 (2 nights), Sant’Andrea Marciana, Elba, Italy
Some of the best things about this charming family-run hotel are the spectacular views from the garden overlooking the sea (they’ll leave you ...
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Hotel la Cisterna
Days 7 to 8 (2 nights), San Gimignano, Italy
Set on the main piazza in the heart of the medieval town of San Gimignano, the historic Hotel La Cisterna is well located for exploratory walks of ...
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Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Our Trip Leaders
Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).
Giuseppe Aruta, born in Naples, earned his undergraduate degree in geology from the University of Naples and completed his studies in Florence, where he also worked for 10 years at the university. Giuseppe speaks English and Spanish along with his native Italian, plays the guitar, and loves to ...
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Lisa Halderman experienced Italy in 1973 as a high school exchange student. She earned her degree in Italian Literature, completing her final year at the University of Padua. Her studies have immersed her in the world of Italian art, architecture, politics, and history. An avid gardener, Lisa also ...
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Sergio Mastroberardino was born in the town of Avellino in southern Italy. He is a Certified Alpine Ski Instructor and during the winter season works full time with various ski schools and as a professional ski guide. Sergio has lived and taught skiing in Aspen, Colorado, Val D'Isere, France, and ...
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Ellen Santucci-Masi was born and raised in New Jersey, but always knew she would travel someday, and she did. She studied French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Latin, knowing that languages would allow her gather insights into different cultures. She eventually settled in Florence, Italy, where ...
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Client Comments
I loved this trip—my 4th with WT. Extremely well planned and wonderfully executed. The Trip Leaders were terrific.Diana E., Washington, DC
Each day was a new and wonderful surprise. I can’t say what was my favorite because it was all so great.Sally W., Atlanta, GA
I just loved it. Every day we said “can it get any better than this?” and every day it did.Alice S., Shaker Heights, OH
This was our third WT trip and we really had a great time. The Trip Leaders made the trip.Kathleen H., Boxford, MA
Loved the variety—art, history, food, wine, and walking. The cooking “class” was great fun.Carol I., Medford, OR
A great balanced trip with lots of variety—hiking, town tours, wine tasting, history, and architecture, all in the wonderful scenic beauty of Tuscany.Diane V., Washington, DC
The secret to this trip is not only a great itinerary but also two Trip Leaders who work well with each other. Their combined personalities and vast knowledge were outstanding.Karen M., Gainesville, GA
My friends are really getting tired of hearing about how wonderful it was!Carol D., Portland, OR
The trip was absolutely great and we had a wonderful time—I enjoyed every day. Between the two Trip Leaders, we were spoiled rotten. The two of them made the trip informative, fun, and every day was a treat.Peter V., Sandy MABX, Bermuda
The trip ran incredibly smoothly. Accommodations were fantastic, picnic lunches, dinners, and itinerary were all excellent. First time I’ve used Wilderness Travel, and I had a first-class experience!Michael F., Westlake Village, CA
I couldn't wait to write to tell you what a wonderful trip I've just had. The trip was memory-making in so many ways and much of that was due to the excellence of the three trip leaders.Ruth F., Washington, DC
A fabulous trip with a fabulous Trip Leader.Frank C., Ontario, Canada
This was the most amazing trip I have ever been on. I look forward to vacationing with WT again.Carrie O., Alexandria, VA
I liked it so much I’m going on another WT trip as soon as I can!Leila H., Eastford, CT
My sister and I had the time of our lives. We ate like queens, enjoyed the company of our guides and fellow travelers, and really relaxed for the whole trip.Patty B., Freeport, ME
Outstanding cuisine adventures...picnics and most dinners. Hikes were varied and most interesting, and we enjoyed being 4 different locations, away from the touristed, overpopulated spots.Linda R., Darnestown, MD
The itinerary was superb, the guides the best, the hikes varied and interesting, the fellow travelers fully compatible, the picnics wonderful, and the local guides terrific. The combination of these features and the wine tastings, cooking lesson, and interesting conversations made for an excellent trip.Michael R., Darnestown, MD
I was so impressed with this trip. It was really top quality in all ways: the itinerary, the hotels, the food, the size of the group, and especially the guides. And the picnics on the trip were outstanding!Jean G., Redondo Beach, CA
Our expectations were high going into the trip, but were nonetheless exceeded. We have been looking for an active and intelligent tour company for areas in which we don't wish to travel independently, and believe we have found it!David M., Friendswood, TX
I really enjoyed this trip, my first to Europe. Italy was my dream come true, thanks to WT!Christy O., Aromas, CA
This was a great trip. The rhythm of the days was so pleasing, and having all of the logistics handled by Wilderness leaves you open to truly experience the people and places you visit. It is a guilty pleasure that we hope to repeat.Jack M., Santa Fe, NM
A great mixture of hiking, art, history, local culture, food, wine and laughter, shared with ten other wonderful new friends. All this in exquisite surroundings.Toby K., Grantham, NH
A magical Italian adventure: great hiking trails, beautiful venues for overnight stays, and many amazing cultural/historical sites.John M., Woodbridge, VA





