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"Tour Tuscany with Elba Island "

Tour Tuscany with Elba Island

Duration: 7 nights/ 8 days

1st day: Join Florence; transfer to Montepulciano
Arrival to Florence and transfer to Montepulciano, our first night stop, where we will have a chance to look around the town and its flamboyant main Square. This afternoon we have the option to take a walk to the medieval village of Montichiello, before settling down to enjoy our first night in this beautiful region. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

2nd day: Pienza - San Quirico - Bagno Vignoni
Today we head towards the town of Pienza, an extravagant labor of love (or vanity) by Pope Pius II, who spent a considerable sum on turning his hometown into a sumptuous testament to papal excess. The grandiose architecture of its cathedral, palaces and town centre were the work of Bernardo Rossellino and the town’s impressive Duomo can boast one of the earliest Renaissance exteriors in Tuscany. We will then continue through vineyards, fields of wheat and woodlands to the town of San Quirico, stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch on the way. We finish our day’s walk by following an old trail that snakes down to the village of Bagno Vignoni. This ancient spa town has been famed since Roman times for its thermal baths and therapeutic waters, which have refreshed the weary bones of nobility and pilgrims alike, providing relief to the noble houses of Florence and Siena, as well as Christian devotees en route to Rome. The original Roman piscine is no longer in use, but the springs still pour forth and this afternoon there may be an opportunity to avail yourselves of these refreshing thermal pools (optional). Total hours walking approx 6 hrs. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

3rd day: Walk to Montalcino
After breakfast you enjoy a landscape that is pure Tuscany, passing beneath forest of chestnut and green-black cypress trees, through vineyards and wheat fields. We will stop for a picnic lunch along the way, before crossing the rolling clay hills towards the classic Tuscan hill-town of Montalcino. The town is set within a stunning landscape of vineyards and orchards that is quintessentially Tuscany. Surrounded by walls and occupying the heights of the hills overlooking the Asso, Ombrone and Arbia valleys of southern Tuscany, the town presents us with some stunning views across the surrounding countryside and some of the finest grape growing regions in Italy. Its location along the main highway between France and Florence saw the town’s fortunes grow during the late Middle Ages. Unfortunately this double edged sword also saw it attract the attentions of the powerful city of Siena, an "honour" that saw it become embroiled in the protracted struggles between Siena and Florence, that eventually resulted in the town falling to the forces of the Medicis in 1555. The region is famous for its Brunello vines and in an area renowned for its superb wine its Brunello di Montalcino vintage is considered to be amongst the finest the country has to offer. This afternoon you can relax in these beautiful surroundings and you maybe enjoy the hotel swimming pool! Total hours walking approx 4 hrs. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

4th day: Siena - Elba
Early start as we should transfer by bus to Siena. The centre of this city is traffic free, making it ideal to wander around on foot, soaking up the many intriguing sights. The focal point is the Piazza del Campo, a semicircular area surrounded by ancient buildings and overlooked by the 100m belltower (Torre del Mangia). The Piazza is also used for a horse race twice a year – the famous Palio, when horses and their riders hurtle dangerously around the square to the delight of the crowds. The Duomo, the Pinacoteca gallery and many other fine buildings and sights provide ample to occupy our visit here before we continue on to Piombino via San Galgano Monastery and Massa Marittima. We then take a short ferry ride to the town of Cavo on the island of Elba. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

5th day: Walk along the Elbana Trail (Grande Traversata)
After breakfast we head out along the Grande Traversata Elbana today, following a trail that takes us up through a lush blanket of wild herbs and lavender fields towards Monte Grosso (384m). Passing the remains of old lookout posts from the Second World War we are treated to some spectacular views out across Cavo and the outlying islands of Topi, Palmarola and Cerboli, while to the west we can see the craggy contours of Elba’s wild coastline. Descending to the west of Monte Grosso we then pass through a valley of abundant fig trees, before climbing the valley slopes towards Monte Strega (425m), where we are treated to some wonderful views of the old iron mines that litter the island. From here we follow a track that undulates across the rolling hills towards Monte Capannello, taking in the views of the 13th century Pisan fortress of Volterraio and the beautiful bay of Porto Ferraio on the north coast The trail eventually leads us down towards Porto Azzurro, affording us some majestic views of the old fort of San Giacomo, built by Philip III of Spain at the beginning of the 17th century. Total hours walking approx 7 hrs. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

6th day: Hiking from Porto Azzurro to Procchio
After breakfast we leave Porto Azzurro and head out on trail 77 passing through wine estates and olive groves of the House of Marchetti. Onwards we climb slowly through wild brooms and rosemary to the top of Monte Orello 377m, where once again we are able to see the old 2nd world war fortifications as well as a magnificent view of the island. From the peak we cross through some old cork forests and then pass through some great chalk quarries at Colle Reciso at 200m. From here we are back onto the backbone of the island passing by old mills as we walk the path on the main ridge line of the island, crossing over many small peaks as we go before final descending to Procchio and its long sandy beach and glistening waters. Total hours walking approx 7 hrs. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

7th day: Ferry and bus to Florence; free time
After breakfast we return to the mainland by ferry, stopping off in Pisa to admire the Leaning Tower before continuing to the city of Florence, the spiritual home of the Renaissance and considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. After checking into our hotel and dropping off our bags, the rest of the day is free to enjoy this sumptuous city at your leisure. Florence is a city of superlatives, and relatively compact, making it an ideal location to wander on foot, with an abundance of treasures at seemingly every turn. You may wish to visit the Gothic Church of Santa Croce, with its magnificent frescoes by Giotto and the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, or perhaps the spectacular Piazza della Signoria, with its stunning outdoor sculpture gallery and the impressive Palazzo Vecchio. For art lovers, the Uffizi Gallery contains some of the greatest Renaissance paintings in the world, including works by Leonardo, Botticelli and Michelangelo, whilst the Ponte Vecchio presents us with the oldest and most famous bridge in Florence. The present construction dates back to 1345 and was once brimming with workshops and traders, until the more anti-social traders, such as butchers, tanners and blacksmiths were banned from using the bridge in the 16th century, due to the excessive noise and stench they generated. Today it is an engaging clutter of goldsmiths' shops. In the religious centre of the city you can find the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its giant dome or "Duomo". Completed in 1436, it took 14 years to build and, even today, the dome dominates the city skyline, while close by are a wealth of other artistic wonders, including the Baptistry, the East door, which was called the Gate of Paradise by Michelangelo, and Giotto's famous bell tower. Then certainly after your tour, the way to relax and enjoy the ambience of this most beautiful city is to go into one of the many cafes that line the streets. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

8th day: Tour ends Florence
Today is free for you to enjoy the beautiful city of Florence before our transfer to the airport.

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