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Start at Villa Casalta, our beautiful villa 2km from Castellina in Chianti. In the evening our guide will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the local area and answer any questions.
Today we head to the mediaeval market town of Greve in Chianti walking through a magnificent setting of olive groves and vineyards. On the way, we will stop in the fortified hilltop village of Montefioralle, considered the most ancient 'borgo' in Chianti. After lunch we enjoy a wine tasting in a local winery before heading back to our farmhouse for dinner.
Distance in Km: 9
Distance in Miles: 5
This morning we will set out for a local history walk to the heart of the Chianti area, covering the route from Villa Casalta to Radda in Chianti. We will take a walk through local woodlands where we can admire the so famous emerald vineyards valleys. In the afternoon we will have the chance to taste the much acclaimed Chianti Classico wine at a local winery.
Distance in Km: 12
Distance in Miles: 7
After breakfast we make our way to the centre of Siena for a day exploring this fascinating city. We have time to visit the numerous museums and stunning Duomo and to relax in one of the many outdoor cafés in Piazza del Campo, home of the world famous Palio horse race. Please note that shoulders should be covered for entering the Duomo. You may also like to visit the many boutiques specializing in local products and cutting edge Italian fashion. In the afternoon we also have the opportunity to learn about Tuscan wines on a 1-hour fun interactive course at the Tuscan Wine School.
Distance in Km: 8
Distance in Miles: 4
Today is free to rest any tired legs at the poolside. Alternatively, your leader can advise on local Chianti wine tasting tours and cooking classes or offer assistance for unguided walks or daytrips.
Our destination today is the magnificent city of Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance with an enormous wealth of historical sites, museums, galleries, churches and architectural delights. Most of the great artists, thinkers and builders from Renaissance history passed through or lived in Florence when it was under the rule of the Medici family, the most famous patrons of the 16th century. But Florence is not just a Renaissance showpiece: once you have had your fill of the historical trail there are many other things to see and do. The city has not ceased to be a centre of learning, and there is a university, many art and language schools and a large student population to liven up the café-bars, restaurants and nightclubs. There are also some great markets and chic boutiques. From April to July, Florence also holds one of Europe's major cultural events, a festival of opera and classical music called the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. There are no guided tours organised for the day but there's an option to join one of the free walking tours in the morning. This will then leave you enough time to visit the Uffizi galleries. If you wish to do so we recommend that you prebook your ticket online to avoid lengthy queues. An ideal slot time would be around 2 pm. it can be earlier if you're not interested in joining the morning free walking tour. Tickets can be purchased through https://webshop.b-ticket.com/webshop/webticket/eventlist?production=1.
Distance in Km: 4
Distance in Miles: 3
After a transfer to the quaint hamlet of San Donato, we walk through the farm grounds following the pathway to Montauto and on up to the picturesque mediaeval town of San Gimignano. The walk is not long and should take approximately 3 hours. The afternoon is spent exploring this beautiful town including visits to the Palazzo Comunale, Pinacoteca and Torre Grossa and there is some free time to wander and soak up the atmosphere.
Distance in Km: 10
Distance in Miles: 6
7 nights renovated farmhouse with panoramic swimming pool5 days gentle
walking and sightseeingLow altitude throughoutCentre-based holiday
All breakfasts, 5 dinners and 3 wine tastings are included.Breakfast is
usually a continental-style buffet. The five included dinners are taken at
Villa Casalta (drinks not included). Vegetarian choices are available -
please advise us of dietary requirements on booking.
7 nights renovated farmhouse with panoramic swimming pool5 days gentle
walking and sightseeingLow altitude throughoutCentre-based holiday
This trip offers a good mix of city and countryside walks. During the days
with walking included, the terrain and type of path will vary from manmade
paved tracks, tarmac, forest trails to gravel. The walks are not technically
difficult although some ascents and descents should be expected, so a
reasonable amount of fitness is required. Please be aware that the Radda
walk, on day 3 can be challenging due to the length and the hilliness of the
walk.The area is quite hilly and the majority of drives, although short,
follow twisty mountain roads through wooden areas. Summer monthsTuscany can
be very hot during summer months, especially from June to August but
heatwaves can happen also in April and May. During summer months temperatures
can possibly reach high 30s (degC). We will try and start our walks earlier
to avoid the hottest hours of the day but please be aware that temperatures
and humidity will be high. You should feel comfortable and be used to walk in
the heat. Agriturismo type of accommodations, as based in the countryside,
are not normally equipped with air conditioning therefore rooms can be quite
warm at times. Presence of mosquitos in summer may increase (significantly),
we recommend taking mosquito repellent with you.Please note that at times,
especially during summer months, the inbound flight can be late in the
evening. In this instance you will have additional time to spend in Pisa.
Leader will take care of all arrangements in terms of transport from/to the
airport and the city centre and luggage storage. It may also happen that, for
logistical reasons, on return we will have to be at the airport earlier than
normally scheduled. This will mean a longer waiting time before checking
in.
Villa CasaltaYou will spend 7 nights at Villa Casalta, a renovated farmhouse with swimming
pool and en suite facilities. The villa is family-run and known for the fine
home-made food prepared with traditional ingredients and locally produced
wines and olive oil. Free Wi-Fi available. Please note that on some of the
earliest departures (in April) and latest departures in October, we may use
an alternative accommodation: Albergo Il Colombaio - located within a short
walking distance to the town of Castellina in Chianti and it offers the same
facilities and standards as Villa Casalta. We have used this property on
previous trips and received very positive feedback.
The leader will accompany the group on all programmed activities, with the
exception of your free day and your walk on day 4, which will be led by a
local guide.
All breakfasts, 5 dinners and 3 wine tastings are included.Breakfast is
usually a continental-style buffet. The five included dinners are taken at
Villa Casalta (drinks not included). Vegetarian choices are available -
please advise us of dietary requirements on booking.
We use a private minibus for airport transfers and the majority of excursions
plus the local train/bus services on certain days. Transfers are no longer
than 45 minutes and road conditions are good.
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 daysThe group flight from London
is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary.Flights from
LondonWe normally use the scheduled services of British Airways (depending
on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we
recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to
confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later
date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before
departure.Travelling land only: 8 days starting and ending in CastellinaYour
trip normally starts at our accommodation in Castellina in the afternoon of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.If you require airport transfers, you may (by
prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are
arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight ‐ please
check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take
this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point
at your own expense.Please note that due to parking restrictions at Pisa
airport, the group transfer includes a 5-minute journey on the Pisamover from
the airport to the railway station, where the vehicle will be waiting. The
guide will meet you at the airport on arrival and accompany you on the
Pisamover.It is possible to reach Villa Casalta from Pisa airport by public
transport but it can be very time consuming. Firstly you catch the train from
Pisa airport to Siena. You will have to change in Empoli and sometimes in
Pisa Centrale. It takes approximately 2 hours to reach Siena. The cost will
vary between €10 and €15. Please visit the following website for more
information: http://www.trenitalia.com. Once in Siena, exit the station and
find the stop for bus no. 125 Siena-Castellina - Radda Lucarelli, going in
the direction of Castellina Chianti. For more information about prices and
timetables, please visit http://www.sienamobilita.it/EN/index.html. The
hotel can offer a pick-up service from Castellina.Alternatively, you can
pre-order a taxi through Exodus. This will take you from Pisa airport
directly to Villa Casalta. It will take 1.5 - 2 hours to reach the
accommodation and the cost will be approximately €200, paid locally.
April and May departures can expect warm days and although rain is possible,
it seldom lasts long. Nights may still be rather cool. We strongly recommend
a fleece-lined jacket or warm sweater in these months. June sees the start of
summer and July and August can become quite hot by mid afternoon, so this
time is kept free for lunch. Although rain is unusual, torrential cloudbursts
are not unknown. September and October are cooler and wetter, yet visibility
is often better. Swimming is usually still possible at this time.
Light walking boots (a pair of good walking trainers will suffice)Small
daypack for cameraRefillable water bottle (1-2 litres capacity at least)Sun
CreamSwimwearHatSunglassesWaterproofs and warm clothesPlease note that tap
water is safe to drink in the area which means all you need to do is bring a
bottle to re-fill at the hotel. Please add this to your packing list as this
will save on wasteful plastic bottles.
Small umbrella in case of unexpected showersTorch (useful for walking to the
village in the evening)Walking polesPool towels
For the dinner not included allow €20 for a good meal and extra for wine.
Lunches are not included but there is always somewhere to buy lunch (a café
lunch costs approx €10) or provisions to make a picnic if this is
preferred. You will also need to allow for tips at restaurants.LOCAL TAXES:
many Italian cities have recently introduced a tourist tax for non-residents.
The local administration is in charge of the tax, which will be collected by
the accommodation provider at check-in or check-out. This fee varies
depending on the hotel category, the season and number of days of stay. It is
usually between €2.00 and €3.00 per person per night. For this trip,
please allow between €10 and €15, depending on the season, for the week.
In some cities, children and people aged 75 or over are exempt from this
tax.Optional activities and excursionsOptional wine tasting: €5-10
depending on the number of wines tested.The Boboli Gardens in Florence:
€10Uffizi Gallery in Florence: €24 (including €4.00 booking
fee)Accademia Gallery in Florence: €18 (including €6.50 booking fee)
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. Most of
our clients wish to give a tip to their guides in appreciation of their help
and friendliness. This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the
service received. For this trip we recommend to allow approx. €15 - 20 per
leader per week.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Visas or
vaccinationsLocal taxes (approx. EUR 14 per person, see Trip Notes)
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.