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Tuscany, Lucca & the Cinque Terre
offered by supplier M18955 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 8
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 10
people
Destination(s):
Italy
Specialty Categories:
Walking Tours
Season: June - September
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 2500 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2500 Euro (EUR)
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Our journey follows the leisurely footpaths and undulating hills of Tuscany, enters the walled medieval city of Lucca and ends with spectacular coastal hiking in the five tiny villages of the breathtaking Cinque Terre. It is a week of diversity between land and sea: historic hill-towns, Etruscan tombs, fresco paintings in original settings, skylines of medieval towers, fishing villages snuggled into coves, churches clinging to the rocks, an ancient system of footpaths through terraced vineyards, lemon orchards and olive groves.
The beautiful land of Tuscany is rich in culture and heritage and a man made garden of vineyards and olive groves. Etruscans, Romans and Medieval peoples have left indelible marks on the architecture of towns like San Gimignano, Volterra and Lucca.
The Cinque Terre is like a balcony with an endless view of the Mediterranean Sea, running along a narrow curved stretch of coastline of northwest Italy, known as Liguria. Faced by the sea and protected by the Maritime Alps, this region includes gems like Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso and Portovenere and is fondly known as the Golfo dei Poeti.
This adventure will expose you to the diversity of the two regions and also introduce you to a wonderful variety of gourmet delights. Having started our journey with traditional country cooking and fine red wines of Tuscany, we turn to the coastal cuisine of Liguria for fish, pesto and crisp white wine.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Florence – San Gimignano
We meet at 12.00 at Florence airport and travel to the hills of Chianti for a picnic lunch. Afterwards we take a panoramic walk through Vernaccia wine country to arrive in San Gimignano, perhaps the most picturesque medieval hill town in Tuscany with 14 medieval towers silhouetted on the skyline. (2hrs/4miles)
Day 2: Etruscan Volterra
We follow gravel roads across open country on a full days walk along an ancient path to reach Volterra, stopping half way for a relaxing picnic lunch in the countryside. In the afternoon you have free time to visit Volterra’s archeology museum, art gallery, alabaster workshops, medieval streets and fine Etruscan walls or relax and enjoy the local atmosphere over a refreshing aperitif. (5hrs/10miles)
Day 3: In the heart of Chianti
We travel to the abbey of Passignano a fortified monastic complex, beautifully located amongst Chianti Classico vineyards. Its refectory hides a fresco of the last supper by Ghirlandaio. We explore the medieval hamlet of Montefioralle where, according to the tradition, the explorer Amerigo Vespucci was born. We continue to the charming town of Greve to browse in the wine and food boutiques. Scenic journey back through Panzano and Castellina in Chianti. (2hrs/4miles)
Day 4: Lucca
A graceful Tuscan city of intriguing and discrete charm – one of our favorites. Lucca is a city of music and the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924). Encircled by a 4 kilometer ring of renaissance walls which act as an elevated garden boulevard for locals and tourists, you can stroll or bicycle among trees and grassy banks with a bird’s eye view all around. The streets and squares are pedestrian and there are many Romanesque churches, hand-made products and locally produced specialties and classy boutiques to enjoy. Free Day.
Day 5: Walk to Portovenere
We walk a beautiful section of a high trail above the Cinque Terre with pine, oak and chestnut woods, remote villages and churches overlooking the sea. The trail descends to the Roman-Byzantine town of Portovenere, a delightful place to stroll in. This is a magic strip of land and seascape, where man and nature have blended together for thousands of years. (4hrs, miles; Elev.-1450ft)
Day 6: Le Cinque Terre
An exhilarating walk along a famous path ascending and descending ancient stone stair cases and crossing high terraced vineyards.We begin in Riomaggiore a beautiful village of quaint brightly painted houses nestled into the hillsides; Manarola has a long narrow street with fishing boats on the pavements; Corniglia is a village of Roman origin set on a high promontory overlooking the sea; Vernazza is a picturesque, bustling town where you can wander narrow alleys and sit in the cafe's around the harbour looking out to sea. We end in Monterosso the largest of the 5 towns, time to take off your boots cool your feet in the sea, sit and a enjoy a gelato or a glass local Sciachetra wine. (6hrs; 10miles; Elev. +/- 830ft)
Day 7: Free day in Portovenere
This is a day for you to relax & enjoy in Portovenere or take a boat trip to Portofino. For the avid walkers we lead an optional walk on the island of Palmaria. In the evening we get together to enjoy a farewell dinner party. (2.5hrs, 4.5miles optional)
Day 8: Departure from La Spezia – Pisa airport - Florence airport
We make convenient arrangements to help you get to one of the above departure points to catch trains or meet flights. If you wish, we can help to extend your stay or help you make other independent departure arrangements.
Walking level: moderate w. many ups & downs!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Walking Tours
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, ext: 18955
