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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 . ">https://webshop.b-ticket.com/webshop/webticket/eventlist?production=1">h...
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 pool
* 5 days gentle walking and sightseeing
* Low altitude throughout
* Centre-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 pool
* 5 days gentle walking and sightseeing
* Low altitude throughout
* Centre-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 months*
Tuscany 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 Casalta
You 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 days*
The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the
itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We 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 Castellina*
Your 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 [1]. 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
The"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.
[1] http://www.trenitalia.com
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 camera
Refillable water bottle (1-2 litres capacity at least)
Sun Cream
Swimwear
Hat
Sunglasses
Waterproofs and warm clothes
Electrolyte sachets (to put in water during summer months)
Insects repellent (in summer months there might be lots of mosquitoes, horse
fly and wasps).
Long trousers for some walks as ticks may be present in the woodland.
Please 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 showers
Torch (useful for walking to the village in the evening)
Walking poles
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 excursions*
Optional wine tasting: €5-10 depending on the number of wines tested.
The Boboli Gardens in Florence: €10
Uffizi 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 insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
* /Local 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.