CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Day 1
Transfer to Fattoria Voltrona - 1.5 hours from Pisa airport.

Day 2
After a leisurely breakfast, 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 2 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. We return to our farmhouse in time for tasting the local wine made at Fattoria before dinner.

Day 3
Using a combination of bus and train we make our way to the centre of Siena for a day exploring this fascinating city. We have time for visits to the numerous museums and stunning Duomo, as well as a spot of relaxing in one of the many outdoor cafés in the main square, the Piazza del Campo, home of the world famous Palio horse race, and a visit to one of the many boutique shops specializing in local products and cutting edge Italian fashion. In Siena we also have the fantastic opportunity to learn about Tuscan wines on a 2-hour fun interactive course at the Tuscan Wine School.

Day 4
We leave the farm on foot and follow the path to Montauto, through classic cypress trees to the edge of the forest. Our goal today is the ruins of an old castle at Castelvecchio. We return to Voltrona walking through the lovely Tuscan countryside via the hamlet of San Donato, where there is an optional wine tasting. The walk should take approximately five hours with plenty of time to take pictures and enjoy lunch at Castelvecchio.

Day 5
Today is free to rest any potentially tired legs at the poolside. Alternatively your leader can advise on local Chianti wine tasting tours, offer assistance for unguided walks or help you plan a day trip to the Renaissance city of Florence.

Day 6
Our first destination today is the town of Volterra. A sanctuary of Etruscan, Roman, Mediaeval and Renaissance art and architecture, Volterra provides the perfect backdrop for our day, as we absorb the cultural heritage of one of Tuscany's most important centres for its monuments and traditional craftsmanship in Tuscan Alabaster. After lunch we drive to the mediaeval Colle di Val d'Elsa, which is an eclectic blend of 16th and 17th century noble houses nestled beside 13th century buildings. Famed today for its production of fine handcrafted crystal, the town is spread over three gradients, Borgo, Castello and Piano, (the Borough, Castle and Plain) and we have time to explore the Palazzo Campana, the Duomo and the picturesque Via delle Volte, the most characteristic corner of town.

Day 7
Today we head to the mediaeval market town of Greve in Chianti walking through a magnificent setting of olive groves and vineyard. On the way, we will stop in the fortified hilltop village of Montefioralle, considered the most ancient 'borgo' in Chianti. In the afternoon we will enjoy a wine tasting in the nearby Villa Il Palagetto, where the excellent Vernaccia wines are produced.

Day 8
Transfer to Pisa airport.