HIKING HIDDEN TUSCANY ITINERARY:
DAY 1 ~ Arrive in Florence
Your trip leader will meet you at your Bed & Breakfast in
the center of town by 12 noon. We will then walk to a local
restaurant for your first experience of traditional Tuscan food.
After lunch, we will go for a casual stroll (favored by all
Italians) around town, most likely stopping in a café for a jolt
of an espresso coffee to help you recover from your air travel.
In the late afternoon we'll enjoy an instructional walking tour
of the some of the city's important sites and make Florence's
history come alive. We'll sip a nice glass of wine as an
aperitif while your guide outlines the activities of the week
for you. After a light and early meal we'll settle in for the
night. Dinner...Palazzo Galletti or comparable B&B,
Florence
DAY 2 ~ Around Florence
Because Florence was at the epicenter of European life for
centuries during the Renaissance, it has accumulated a deserved
reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. One
of its proud contributions has been in the world of art. We
begin our day with an introduction to what is considered one of
the precious and labor-intensive tasks, that of art restoration.
You will have an opportunity to meet art restorers as well as
gain access to some of the priceless works of art currently
being worked on. This is a unique opportunity to see some of
Florence's tradition and legacy.
Following this introduction, we'll visit the central market (mercato
centrale), another important hub in the life and culture of the
city. This is where Italians select and purchase their coveted
ingredients for the delectable food they are so well known for.
The market is a center of activity and buzz as vendors vie for
their customer's attention and business. We will have lunch at
one of the market's informal eateries.
As the rhythm of the city slows down in the afternoon and many
of the shops close for the traditional siesta, you can opt for
repose in our B&B or continue exploring the city on your own
before you meet with your guide again. In the afternoon, we will
walk and explore the Santo Spirito neighborhood. This part of
Florence, located on the other side of the Arno River, is known
for its artisan workshops and traditional handicrafts. With its
labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys, which can be
disorienting to those less familiar, we'll be introduced to the
labor-intensive skills of the people whose job it is to carry on
the traditional work of their forefathers. These are also
opportunities for your own perusals of valuable objects for
yourself.
Once we return to the heart of town you are free to walk around
a little bit more on your own or with your guide. Florence has
done much to reduce traffic in the city and the streets are now
primarily dedicated to pedestrians. . Dinner will be on
your own.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...Palazzo Galletti or comparable B&B,
Florence
DAY 3 ~ Florence – Castellina in Chianti
Today we transfer about 30 miles south of Florence, and ten
miles from Pisa, to Castellina in Chianti, a beautiful small
hamlet of Etruscan and Roman origins in the heart of Chianti
Classico hills. We will be based at Casa Frassi, a splendid,
restored 18th-century villa that is also a wine and olive oil
producing facility. This magical and serene area, strewn with
vineyards and olive groves, is the setting for many inspiring
stories of the region. The colors are especially vibrant in the
spring and fall, but anytime from April through October is an
ideal time to visit. On our way, we will stop in Greve, the wine
capital of the region, where we will visit the town and have a
light lunch. We may also visit the 11th-century Abbey of
Passignano before continuing on to Castellina in Chianti. Upon
arrival, you may choose to relax by the swimming pool or walk
around the small hamlet on your own. We will then take a short,
guided, walking tour (about one hour) through the vineyards of
Casa Frassi, where you will be officially introduced to the
artistry of wine making. We will then return to the Villa to
sample some of their extraordinary wines followed by a
traditional meal. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...Casa Frassi,
Castellina in Chianti
DAY 4 ~ Chianti
Today we take advantage of our location in the heart of
Chianti to explore the region. Depending on your energy level we
have a few options. We may choose to take a daylong walk or hike
punctuated with some unique visits, including learning the art
of how terra cotta pots are made and kilned; we may rent
bicycles in the morning to ride in the surrounding hills
followed by an afternoon walk; or we may walk in the morning and
enjoy a visit of Siena or Monteriggioni in the afternoon.
However we may choose to spend the day, we will be fully
immersed in the beauty of the region. The breathtaking views
here have inspired numerous well-known stories, such as Under
the Tuscan Sun and A Room with a View. Dinner tonight is on your
own either at the Villa or at a local restaurant in Castellina.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...Casa Frassi, Castellina in Chianti
DAY 5 ~ Chianti – Lucca
This morning we'll transfer through Chianti's back roads to
Lucca and we may stop in a couple of villages along the way. One
of the beauties of Tuscany, or Italy in general, is how the
character of each town is different from its neighbors. Lucca is
a distinctly attractive city deriving its considerable wealth
from traditional sources such as olive oil and wine. Surrounded
by an ancient wall and hosting a beautiful cathedral, Lucca
displays an architecture and a compact urban plan that offer
visitors exciting options, such as shopping and strolling along
its celebrated Fillungo, the notorious street where during the
early evening hours, local residents visit with each other and
the art of people-watching is at its apex. Its beauty is also
determined by its location. In fact, the town is not only
surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, but also by the
Versilian Coast and a landscape of sheer, soaring mountain
peaks, lush alpine meadows, and a vast area of semi-wilderness
where wolves are still spotted. Upon arrival, we will check into
our Bed and Breakfast and have a light lunch. The afternoon and
evening are free for you to explore the town and enjoy a dinner
on your own. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...Palazzo Busdraghi or
comparable B&B in Lucca
DAY 6 ~ Lucca's surroundings
Today we'll set out for an exploration of the region
surrounding Lucca. We will start with a hike in the Garfagnana
territory, a landscape so far removed from the traditional image
of Tuscany as to make it seem from another country. This region,
most of which is classified as a regional Nature Reserve, rises
up from the valley of the river Serchio (Lucca's river),
starting to the northwest of Lucca. The valley is flanked to the
east by the start of the Appennines and to the west by the spur
of the Apuan Alps. From this area you can enjoy a cool breeze at
the height of summer, some breathtaking views of precipitous
marble quarries, ancient chestnut forests, high alpine meadows
that are blanketed with flowers in springtime, caves,
spectacular ridges, cascading streams, and countless hilltop
villages. Other activities may include a drive to Lago di Vagli.
The construction of this large artificial lake, between 1941 and
1953, meant that the old part of Vagli di Sotto (lower Vagli)
was completely submerged. The buildings are still there but
under the water, and at low levels the church tower can be seen
beneath the surface. During a particularly dry summer, the whole
lake can run dry and the entire village is laid bare for all to
see. We may also have an opportunity to visit Villa Torrigiani
or Villa Reale. We will then return to our B&B in Lucca where
you can relax a little before meeting for our farewell dinner. .
Breakfast, Dinner...Palazzo Busdraghi or comparable B&B in Lucca
DAY 7 ~ Lucca – Florence transfer and departure
Transfer to the Florence airport and depart on
homeward-bound flights or to other destinations in Italy or
Europe. (If you prefer, a transfer to the train station can be
arranged.) B…
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