CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

8 days from GBP999 to GBP1,149 including flights
Tripcode: TDC

Countries Visited: Italy

Review your Exodus adventure now

Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 8 reviews.

Yvonne NEGUS

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written October 2011
As on a previous Exodus holiday,the very disparate group 'bonded' well and quickly and we had a lot of fun .
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking through the beautiful, peaceful countryside to Greve on a bright sunny autumn day , with the vine leaves just turning and the wonderful light . Just as I imagined Tuscany to be .The 'local' market was something of a disapointment but watching the post -market clear- up (which revealed a very pretty square) was revelatory (you had to be there!). Apparently the wine- tasting in Greve was quite an experience (we stuck to a very long lunch......).
San Gimignano was also truly lovely .Local guide gave us a good sense of its history and importance . Also had three great meals there.
What did you think of your group leader?
He had apparently not done this trip before . Our visits to Siena and Volterra would have been much enhanced by having a local/experienced guide. We had one in San Gimignano on our first day, as he was indisposed, and it really made a difference. Any group really interested in the history/culture (as well as the wine/walking) might be advised to club together to engage a local guide in these circumstances .
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If travelling in mid- Oct be prepared for the mornings and evenings to be quite cold . The wind at (hill- top) Volterra was also cutting . I had taken a fleece but I could have done with more long trousers.
No problem with mosquitos or other insects, to my relief.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Fatorria Voltrona was really nice.Plenty of hot water, powerful shower and the heating came on at night .Big, very simple rooms,with tiled floors. We were lucky enough to be at the front with a fabulous view over the countryside. Food was variable but plentiful-4 courses- and the wine supply was more than generous . Staff were very helpful and pleasant .
Annabel Fearnley

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written April 2011
An absolutely gorgeous part of Italy, and great for the novice wine taster. The three walks were fairly easy and we had plenty of time to discover Siena, as well as Florence on our day off. Our guide, Merv, was extremely chilled and great company, and really accomodating (took me out for an extra walk one afternoon). He even took as back to Pisa a little early so we could swing by the leaning tower! Not much private time due to sharing a room, but I didn't mind!
Read full review
Nicki Parker

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE - SEPT 2010

Written August 2010
This was our first Exodus trip and it didn't disappoint. We went in September so the number of tourists at key places would be less and it was a good decision! The group was varied so there was always someone different to talk to, the walking was not strenuous, the range of activities on offer was excellent and there was no pressure to do anything we didn't want to do - we even took a day off to laze by the pool at the lovely Agri-tourisme farmhouse Fattoria Voltrona, surrounded by nothing but rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards. Bliss!
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Just being able to see for miles around when on the walks in beautiful Tuscan countryside. The wine tasting was pretty inspirational too!
The ancient town of Colle Val D'Elsa was my favourite historical place to visit as it was peaceful and unspoiled (maybe also something to do with the beautiful crystal shops and the glass of Prosecco in the fabulous bar in the old town square!).
We were also lucky enough to visit Greve when the wine tasting festival was taking place and have kept our special wine glasses as momentos for years to come!
What did you think of your group leader?
Liz was excellent, really knew her stuff. She dealt with the usual holiday ups and downs in the group with great humour and patience. She had maps and info books ready, and lots of stories to tell and advice to give! Even the bus breaking down at the end of the trip didn't phase her and she sorted it all out calmly despite Italian garages causing many problems for her. Luckily we were fine - we weren't far from the next wine-tasting venue!!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try and do a bit of walking before you go or raise your fitness level a little, so that you can fully appreciate the beautiful surroundings as you walk without suffering too much!
Early September is a great time to go as it's not too hot to walk (yet still lovely and warm) but don't leave it any later than mid-September as the thunder clouds started to roll into the hilly regions by the end of our stay.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This holiday is perfect for those who want to see lovely scenery, enjoy a bit of walking with some hills, experience some key cities (Siena, Florence) and medieval towns (San Gimignano, Greve, Volterra, Colle Val D'Elsa) and really immerse themselves in the delicious wine and food that Tuscany has to offer!
Thank you Liz and Exodus!
Brenda Smithwhite

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written April 2010
I had a really good time on this trip back in May - all was good - leader, accommodation, food, company and most importantly the wine and walking
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Crossing the "stream" in barefeet, getting drenched, unexpected wine tasting long lunch at Montefiorelle
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent, looked after us really well
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
take earplugs
Is there anything else you would like to add?
a fab trip and the right mix of activities
Susan Ball

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written November 2009
A good and undemanding mix of walking, wine, sight-seeing and shopping in a lovely location.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
One day gave us a ridge walk and picnic followed by a relaxed wine tasting in beautiful surroundings. I loved it - even if we subsequently ruined our "serious walker" image by weaving our way home carrying clunking bags of the produce we'd been trying. And the "wine petrol station" at another winery; probably my ideal job. If you're curious - go on the trip!
What did you think of your group leader?
Loved him. Rudi should be cloned and made available on the NHS so that every home has one.  He was knowledgeable, kind, friendly and gave us a varied programme.  He was always looking for ways to improve our experience - often going out of his way to do so - and he didn't show any irritation with our varied walking abilities or shopping and food demands. Add his super-efficiency (must be the Swiss) and it's a great package.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just relax.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I was disappointed with the agritourismo. Perhaps I'd been spoilt with a previous Tuscan holiday, but I thought that there were flaws. There were hot water problems which were quickly solved. They cater for quite large numbers and so there was one dinner sitting with one menu.  I didn't think that the food was good. It takes a special kind of skill to make Italian food unappetising and sadly the chef had it. And we ate in an unheated annex to the main dining area which didn't enhance the experience. There was nowhere to chill out on a downtime day; no comfy chairs to relax in and read or chat, only hard benches inside and hard chairs outside. It's probably fine in summer when the pool's open and you can laze around in the grounds, but on drizzly autumn mornings it's not so appealing.
Gail Madeley

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written April 2009
Wine, walking, wonderful weather! The beautiful scenary of Tuscany, the wealth of architecture in the towns and buildings we visited, the views from the top of the towers and the company of the other members of the group made this holiday one of the best I have had.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too difficult to pick out one single episode - it was all inspirational.
What did you think of your group leader?
Liz was our group leader and she tailored the walks to suit all levels of walkers - no-one was left behind! Liz also added a few other visits not included in the itinerary, which made the holiday more fulfilling.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you eat a good meal on the day you leave for the holiday, as you arrive too late to have a meal. There are a few steep gradients to climb, but it's well worth it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The food and hospitality at Fattoria Voltrona was excellent and we even had a visit by a fox at dinner! If I ever repeated a holiday (which I don't tend to, as there are so many more places I want to visit) this would be one and I wouldn't have changed a thing.
Chris Wardle

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written April 2008
Good location. Good walking & wine. Great Leader.
Read full review
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent. Very helpful and his enthusiasm and knowledge made the trip.