A Taste of Tuscany Self-Guided Walking
Tour Overview
Embark on a self-guided walking tour through the heart of Tuscany, where traditional life, exquisite cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes await. This journey offers a fabulous insight into Tuscan culture, with varied walks through the UNESCO-listed Val d'Orcia and visits to the wine and cheese towns of Montepulciano and Pienza. Stay at the welcoming Agriturismo La Pietricca, where the passionate owner, Stefano, will introduce you to local artisan products and the joys of 'km 0' cooking. Enjoy delicious meals made from the farm's own produce, and unwind in the serene surroundings. Highlights include wine, olive oil, and local produce tastings, as well as a thermal spa experience. With routes mapped out for you, explore charming villages, ancient spa towns, and stunning natural reserves at your own pace, all while indulging in the best of Italian hospitality. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Chianciano Terme
Location: Chianciano Terme
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo La Pietriccia
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive at the Agriturismo La Pietriccia and enjoy a stroll to the old town, before your evening briefing by the owner, Stefano, and the first of many home cooked dinners. (Staying at the Agriturismo La Pietriccia for 7 nights, Half Board)
Day 2 : Chianciano circular walk
Location: Chianciano Terme
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo La Pietriccia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today's walk takes you over the hills around la Pietriccia, with stunning views over Monte Marzolana and Chianciano Terme itself. The walk will finish in Chianciano's medieval centre, from where you can make your way back to the hotel or spend more time exploring this ancient spa town.
Day 3 : A Walk to Lake Chiusi
Location: Chiusi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo La Pietriccia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
As you descend into the Valdichiana, a mix of quiet lanes and gravel tracks provide perfect views of the vineyards and over to Monte Rufeno. Passing pretty farmhouses you make your way to the small town of Montallese, and from here you pick up the Sentiero della Bonifica, a long-distance path between Chiusi and Arezzo. This leads you to the charming Lake Chiusi, where you can enjoy the birdlife and perhaps lunch at the lakeside restaurant. You will be transferred back to the hotel.
Day 4 : Castiglioncello to the Hotel
Location: Castiglioncello, Pietraporciana Nature Reserve, Chianchiano Terme
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo La Pietriccia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A short transfer takes you to the charming village of Castiglioncello; once abandoned it is now restored with a hotel, a cafe and the interesting Etruscan burial site. From the village you follow a trail through the forest to pass wonderful viewpoints of the area, dropping down to Poggio Pietraporciana, a Nazi gun point in the war. Continuing through the Pietraporciana Nature Reserve you pass the Rifugio Pietraporciana, once owned by the Marchesa of Val d'Orcia, Iris Origo, who, during the war, cordoned off this area to create a neutral zone, which the allies, Nazis and partisans all obeyed. From here, a forest track takes you past a charming argiturismo before a trail along a dried up river alongside rocky cliffs and on to the outskirts of Chianchiano stopping at the Dopolavoro La Foce where an optional transfer back to the hotel awaits you. Alternative carry on walking along a narrow trail with wonderful views and past a model of an Etruscan farm, before arriving in Chianchiano Terme and a choice of following the white gravel roads passing farms or through the town to return to the agriturismo.
Day 5 : Free day
Location: Chianciano Terme
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo La Pietriccia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you have time to yourself, maybe walk into Chianciano Vecchia and visit the Etruscan Museum of Chianciano Terme, enjoy olive oil tasting at the agriturismo or use your voucher for the Thermal Spa and relax in the healing waters or treat yourself to one of their many treatments.
Day 6 : Walk to the Wine Town of Montepulciano
Location: Montepulciano
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo La Pietriccia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you walk to the wine town of Montepulciano, where you will be rewarded with stunning views across the Valdichiana. Follow a chestnut-laden track to meet the forest road, before following a track around the vines and farmlands up to Montepulciano. You will be picked up here, but before this, take time to explore the town, which is full of wine bars and shops and has plenty of tasting opportunities.
Day 7 : Pienza to Bagno Vignoni
Location: Pienza, Bagno Vignoni
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo La Pietriccia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After a short transfer to Pienza, take time to explore the town, it is one of the cheese capitals of Italy, and a beautiful mediaeval historic centre. Perhaps pick up a sandwich filled with porchetta or a slab of rich and creamy pecorino cheese. The walk takes you downhill from Pienza, crossing the stunning Val d’Orcia. It is an easy walk following a well-marked trail, giving you the chance to take in the views of mediaeval towns, rolling hills and rows of cypress trees. You will reach Bagno Vignoni then follow the river Orcia before climbing up to the town passing the spring baths and the old mill, before arriving in the Roman town, with its large baths in the centre of town. Perhaps treat yourself to the hot waters of the Hotel Posta Marcucci, where the baths come with a view! We transfer you back to the hotel for your final night of Stefano’s lovely food.
Day 8 : Leave Chianciano Terme
Location: Chianciano Terme
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leave Chianciano Terme
What's Included
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All accommodation
All accommodation is included in the tour package.
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All buffet breakfasts and 4-course evening meals
Buffet breakfasts and 4-course evening meals are included in the tour package.
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Management by local hotelier
The tour is managed by a local hotelier.
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Route directions and maps
Route directions and maps are provided for the tour.
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Wine, olive oil and local produce tasting
Tasting of wine, olive oil, and local produce is included.
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One thermal spa entrance
Entrance to one thermal spa is included in the tour.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included in the tour package.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas or vaccinations are not included in the tour package.
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Arrival & departure transfers for land only bookings
Arrival and departure transfers for land-only bookings are not included but available on request at a supplement.
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Single accommodation
Single accommodation is not included and requires a compulsory supplement.
Food
Tuscan food is based on the Italian idea of 'cucina povera' (poor cooking); simple inexpensive meals that can be made for large groups. Whilst this was once dictated by the economy and expense of the produce, the tradition has remained. The cuisine of this region doesn't use complicated seasonings or elaborate recipes, and instead focuses on fresh, high quality ingredients that allow the natural flavours in each dish to shine through. Typical dishes include fagioli con salsiccia (cannellini beans with sausage), tagliatelle al tartufo (pasta in a truffle sauce), bistecca alla Fiorentina (a T-bone steak which is only cooked blue
are and often large enough to share!), pici (a fat, handmade spaghetti, often served with tomato and garlic sauce or game meat). Don't miss the local cacio and pecorino cheeses and sample the famous wines: Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino.
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Accommodation
Your base for the week is the modest but comfortable Agriturismo La Pietricca, which stands on a hill with great views of Chianciano Vecchia. Stefano, who runs the agriturismo, will welcome you with his enthusiasm for everything to do with nature in the surrounding area and will also teach you all about the artisan products in the local area. The hotel produces 65% of what it serves on your table, and is surrounded by its own farm and orchards. There is a lovely terrace and swimming pool and lovely shady grassy area that looks out across the valley, where in the heat of summer you can take your dinner outside. ...more ...less
Mode of Transport
The tour includes transfers to and from various walking locations, such as Castiglioncello and Pienza, as well as a transfer back to the hotel after certain walks. There is also an optional transfer back to the hotel from Dopolavoro La Foce.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The accommodation is at Agriturismo La Pietricca, a modest but comfortable farmhouse with great views of Chianciano Vecchia. It features a terrace, swimming pool, and a shady grassy area for outdoor dining in the summer.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour includes all buffet breakfasts and 4-course evening meals.
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Is there any opportunity for wine and local produce tasting during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes wine, olive oil, and local produce tasting.
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What activities are available on the free day of the tour?
On the free day, you can walk into Chianciano Vecchia to visit the Etruscan Museum, enjoy olive oil tasting at the agriturismo, or use your voucher for the Thermal Spa to relax in the healing waters or enjoy various treatments.
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What is the focus of the cuisine during the tour?
The cuisine focuses on traditional Tuscan 'cucina povera', which emphasizes simple, inexpensive meals made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Dishes include fagioli con salsiccia, tagliatelle al tartufo, bistecca alla Fiorentina, and pici pasta, along with local cheeses and wines. ...more ...less
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What is the highlight of the walk from Pienza to Bagno Vignoni?
The walk from Pienza to Bagno Vignoni offers stunning views of the Val d’Orcia, a chance to explore the medieval town of Pienza, and the opportunity to visit the spring baths and the old mill in Bagno Vignoni.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Enquire for Extra Savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.
A Taste of Tuscany Self-Guided Walking
8 Days Starting and ending in Chianciano Terme, Italy
Visiting: Chianciano Terme, Chiusi, Castiglioncello, Pietraporciana Nature Reserve, Chianchiano Terme, Montepulciano, Pienza, Bagno Vignoni ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W07ST
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
13-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
