Florence to San Gimignano & Volterra

Day 1 (1)* • Arrive in Florence World-Class sightseeing (& shopping!).

HHH Hotel Silla (std) HHHH Degli Orafi (sup)

If you would prefer to start at San Casciano in Val di Pesa, a taxi from Florence airport takes 25 minutes and costs €50-€60 Regular buses between San Casciano and central Florence take 25 mins and cost €2-€4

Day 2 (2) • Florence to San Casciano in Val di Pesa

From the Ponte Vecchio, follow roads and ancient lanes to La Certosa, the Cistercian monastery at Galluzzo, from where quiet lanes lead up through vineyards and olive groves to medieval San Casciano, with churches and museums containing 14C works by Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Simone Martini (13.7 or 11 miles, 6.5 or 5.5 hrs).

B&B Art (std) HHHH Villa Il Fedino (sup)

Day 3 (3) • San Casciano in Val di Pesa to San Pancrazio

Paths lead down into the fertile Pesa Valley, then up through olive groves and vineyards (6 4 miles, 3 hrs)

From the wine estate where you stay there is a 10 minute walk to the 9th century Pieve di San Pancrazio.

HHHH Agriturismo Tenuta Il Cor no

Day 4 (4) • San Pancrazio to Certaldo

Paths with some inspiring panoramic views lead across picturesque hills and valleys to the Elsa Valley and the small, walled medieval hill town of Certaldo, with its fine brick ramparts, and house of Giovanni Boccaccio, where in 1349 he wrote The Decameron (10 6 miles, 5 5 hrs)

HHH Osteria del Vicario (std & sup rooms)

Day 5 (5) • Certaldo to San Gimignano

Strade bianchi lined with cypress trees and paths through vineyards, olive groves and woods lead to San Gimignano, ‘the medieval Manhattan’ (9 7 miles, 5 hrs)

HHH Leon Bianco (std & sup rooms)

Day 6 • San Gimignano to Volterra

Paths lead down across a valley and then through forest before climbing to a ridge with views to Volterra After following a strada bianca down into the Era Valley, an ancient path leads up (and up!) to the great Etruscan city of Volterra (15.2 or 12.1 miles, 7.5 or 6 hrs).

HHH Hotel Etruria (std) HHHH San Lino (sup)

Day 7 • Volterra

Free day to explore its three miles of Etruscan walls, Etruscan tombs and excellent Etruscan museum, cathedral and medieval town Optional circular walk (3 miles, 2 hrs)

HHH Hotel Etruria (std) HHHH San Lino (sup)

Day 8 (6) • Departure day

*Days in brackets refer to 6-day itinerary

Route open:

April-Jun; Sept-Oct

Airports to first hotel: u Florence (4 miles)

Airport tram: 20 mins - €1.5

Taxi: 20 mins - ~€25 u Pisa (50 miles)

Train: 1 5 hrs - ~€15

Taxi: 1 hr 10 - €130

Route Manager: ATG-trained, lives locally and speaks fluent English and Italian

Route Book: Detailed walking directions, maps, comprehensive local and background information

Walking: Moderate to challenging (Grade 3 – 3+) See p 8

Terrain: Paths and tracks through vineyards, olive groves and forest. Some gravel roads; some asphalt.