Chianti: Walking & Wine

8 days - from $1580

Experience beautiful San Gimignano, Siena and Italy's most famous wine
When looking to know more of European art and society, there is no better place to start than Tuscany, thanks to its fine Renaissance cities, beautiful rolling countryside and outstanding Chianti wine. The landscape of southern Tuscany fulfils all expectations, with mediaeval hilltop villages and cypress-lined avenues snaking through vineyards. We spend the week in a beautiful family-run Tuscan farmhouse, which has provided outstanding country hospitality for over twenty years. Only a short distance from the well-preserved hilltop town of San Gimignano, Voltrona continues to produce its own wine, which we taste over the week. There is also plenty of time to relax, wander amid the seductive countryside, explore ancient hill forts, take in the landmarks of Siena and sample some of the best Chianti around.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start Fattoria Voltrona. 2 Relaxing circular walk to picturesque San Gimignano, with free time to explore Palazzo Comunale, Pinacoteca and Torre Grossa; wine tasting at Fattoria Voltrona. 3 Travel to Siena and visit the famous Campo, Museo Civico, Duomo and Pinacoteca Nazionale. Learn about Tuscan and Italian wines at the Tuscan Wine School in Siena. 4 Walk to the ruins of an old castle at Castelvecchio and stop for an optional wine tasting before returning to the Fattoria. 5 Today is free to choose from a variety of options including visiting Florence, visiting another winery, or simply relaxing by the pool. 6 Discover the beautiful town of Volterra; afternoon visit mediaeval Colle di Val d'Elsa to absorb captivating history. 7 Visit the mediaeval market town of Greve in Chianti and the hilltop village of Montefioralle; afternoon wine tour and tasting. 8 End Fattoria Voltrona.

Mode of travel: 4 days centre-based walking; low altitude throughout.
Group size: Normally 6 to 15 plus leader and local staff.
Accommodation: 7 nights renovated farmhouse with swimming pool.
Food: All breakfasts, 5 dinners and 3 wine tastings included.
Trip Reference: TDC
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.
Trip Reference: TDC