Night 1: Near Monteriggioni
Pieve a Castello
Residenza d'Epoca
Day 1
After arrival at Pieve a Castello and time to relax, a tour of the 8th century buildings is followed by a presentation of what to expect from the week.
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Night 1: Near Monteriggioni
Pieve a Castello
Residenza d'Epoca
After arrival at Pieve a Castello and time to relax, a tour of the 8th century buildings is followed by a presentation of what to expect from the week.
Night 2: Near Monteriggioni
Pieve a Castello
Residenza d'Epoca
Morning Italian lessons. After lunch at Pieve a Castello, an optional afternoon walk explores the surrounding countryside (2 hours), before returning for afternoon tea. Time to relax before dinner.
Night 3: Near Monteriggioni
Pieve a Castello
Residenza d'Epoca
Morning Italian lessons. After lunch we visit the nearby iconic, hilltop village of Monteriggioni, with an optional walk (3.5 hours) back to Pieve a Castello.
Night 4: Near Monteriggioni
Pieve a Castello
Residenza d'Epoca
Morning visit to Siena, visiting the astonishing 15th century frescoes in the Santa Maria della Scala hospital, followed by a guided tour (in Italian!) of the Duomo (cathedral) crypt. After lunch, enjoy a free afternoon in Siena, or an optional walk, following the route of the early medieval Via Francigena (3 hours), back to Pieve a Castello.
Night 5: Near Monteriggioni
Pieve a Castello
Residenza d'Epoca
Morning Italian lessons. Afternoon walk and visit to San Gimignano , the 'medieval Manhattan', with its famous towers. We later enjoy a private concert in the Pieve a Castello church before dinner.
Night 6: Near Monteriggioni
Pieve a Castello
Residenza d'Epoca
Morning Italian lessons. Late morning visit to Colle Val d’Elsa, and exploration of the ancient town’s fascinating, medieval tunnel streets, returning to Pieve a Castello for lunch. Afternoon free, with optional walk (1-2 hours). Before dinner we enjoy a wine tasting, sampling a range of interesting local wines.
Night 7: Near Monteriggioni
Pieve a Castello
Residenza d'Epoca
Morning Italian lessons. In the afternoon, time to relax and enjoy Pieve a Castello. Optional walk. In the evening we enjoy a farewell gala dinner.
Morning transfer to Pisa or Florence airport. If you would like to extend in Siena, Florence or Pisa please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
Walking in the Tuscan countryside around Pieve a Castello is along established farm and forest tracks, vineyards and quiet country lanes. Some tarmac on approach to towns. The fitness level of this trip ranges from Grade 1-2+, depending on chosen walking options.
A wide range of traditional Tuscan cooking using inspirations from earliest times to the present day, together with local ingredients, and vegetables from the organic garden. An interesting variety of wines from various areas of Chianti, as well as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello. White: Vernaccia di San Gimignano and interesting 'new whites' from elsewhere in Tuscany. We also try Vin Santo, the local dessert wine.
Meteorological records for the area, taken over a period of more than 10 years, are represented in the Weather Chart provided
with each itinerary. In April the air is fresh, the sun warm, and there are likely to be (occasionally heavy) showers; evenings can be a bit nippy. In May the temperatures warm considerably. Daytime temperatures from mid May through June will feel hot if you are travelling from more temperate climes.
If you are fit and can cope with very hot, sunny conditions, you may wish to consider July and August in order to enjoy the benefits of a quiet period as many other tourists and locals head for the mountains or coast; stamina and heat/sun resistance, sun cream and hat will be required. Early September is still hot and dry. Throughout these summer months, the periods of hot, sunny days are punctuated by brief but dramatic thunderstorms demanding proper waterproofs. Mid-late September offers increasingly pleasant temperatures and in October the air becomes fresher, the views longer, while returning rains turn the fields green again.
This is an 8-day walking tour in Tusany, with walks of 1-3.5 hours on 6 days plus sightseeing. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas. The fitness level for this trip ranges from Grade 2-3 , and depends on which options you choose.
The walking is gentle, along established paths across the Tuscan hills, dirt roads and woodland tracks. Please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support. We recommend you also bring lighter shoes for sightseeing.
The area we visit is the central part of Tuscany – a landscape characterised by medieval hilltop villages and scattered cypress trees, undulating vineyards and olive groves. Its gently rolling hills are disarmingly familiar as the classical backdrop of Renaissance art and its charm is a changelessness, which merges medieval and modern worlds.
Some of our walks are weather sensitive. If it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.
For keen walkers, in addition to walks in the itinerary, there are a further 200 miles of ATG walks from Pieve a Castello in an ATG ‘Footloose’-style booklet, with walking directions and measurements, maps, GPS coordinates, and a wealth
of other information.
The destination airports for this walking holiday in Tuscany are Pisa and Florence. There will be a set meeting time for the transfer to Pieve a Castello and a set time for the return transfer at the end of the trip.
Please check transfer times with the Reservations Team before booking your flights if you would like to take advantage of the transfers. Your flight should arrive at the airport at least 1 hour before the meeting time, to allow sufficient time to pass through customs and collect your luggage.
Please ensure that you inform us of your arrival time at Pisa or Florence airport, whether arriving by air or otherwise. If by air, please advise us of your flight number.
The Tour Leader and Tour Manager will meet the group in the arrivals area at the designated time. They will be wearing green polo shirts bearing the ATG logo. The minibus transfer to Pieve a Castello will depart shortly thereafter.
If you arrive late and find that the group has left (there is no sign of them in the arrivals hall or our minibuses with the ATG logo outside the terminal building), please check for a message at the information desk and make your own way to the first hotel, letting the ATG office know you’re on your way. The ATG office number is +44 1865 315 678 or outside office hours please call the emergency number which is +44 1865 315 600.
Meeting at Pieve a Castello
You are of course welcome to travel independently and meet the group at Pieve a Castello:
Strada di Pieve a Castello, Near Monteriggioni, 53035 (SI).
Tel: +39 0577 301034
If you are meeting the group at the first hotel, please aim to arrive after 4pm, the time the Tour Consultants will arrive with those taking the group transfer.
Please indicate your intention during the booking procedure.
Bring whatever clothes and footwear you find most comfortable for everyday wear, and a change or two for the evenings – smart/casual.
Most trips tend to include some quite distinguished hotels and restaurants, for which you may wish to ‘dress up’. For walking we recommend lightweight walking boots with firm ankle support (make sure you wear them in before the trip!), a small daypack for your
lightweight waterproof clothing, camera, fleece etc. An increasing number of people bring telescopic walking poles. For a comprehensive packing list click here:what to bring
On our escorted walking holidays in Tuscany all meals are included.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Pieve a Castello is buffet-style, with a range of cereals, croissants, fruits, yoghurts, breads etc. There is also a daily 'hot' option.
ATG Picnic lunches
ATG picnic lunches in Europe are renowned! ‘Happening upon’ an ATG picnic in an idyllic location punctuates each day’s walk. Picnics are colourful, varied and nutritious. Buffet-style, there is a choice of meats, cheeses, salads and fruits. Many salads are ‘exclusive’ to ATG and some of these original recipes are in the ATG ‘Table of Moveable Feasts’.
After being greeted with mineral water, followed by wine and an abundant lunch of local organic produce and specialities, there’s usually time for a siesta!
On some days the group has lunch at Pieve, and there is always this option for those who prefer to stay at Pieve for the day.
Dinner
Pre-dinner drinks are served on one of the terraces at 730, and are accompanied by a brief presentation by the Tour Leader. Dinner is taken at Pieve a Castello, either in the courtyard or the 8th century octagonal baptistery. On one evening, dinner will be at a local restaurant. . At the start of dinner each evening, it is ATG ‘style’ to tell you about the menus and wines for that evening. If there’s anything different that you would prefer, you have only to ask. There is a certain ambience at Pieve to which our guests respond by changing into something reasonably smart for dinner – but there is no strict dress code, and of course when it is hot, the simpler the better.
What sort of food can I expect in this area?
Tuscan food is simple and uses good local ingredients. Although the Tuscans are called ‘bean eaters’ (mangiafagioli) the main staple of their diet, apart from pasta, is bread which is traditionally unsalted to complement the salted prosciutto, salami and strong sheep’s cheeses. Whilst it is a traditional cuisine, it is not a poor one, and meat and game feature strongly, preferably cooked on an open fire. The Tuscans are less interested in the
presentation of the food than in the excellence of the ingredients, and even the most elegant restaurants serve rustic terracotta bowls of rich vegetable and bean soups. The Tuscans also have a sweet tooth, producing a variety of rich spicy cakes full of candied fruit and nuts, and light biscuits.
And wines?
During the course of the trip you will be walking through the vineyards of Italy’s most famous wine, Chianti. Both Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi come from small, strictly delineated areas, two of the seven regions within Chianti. Alongside the more ‘serious’ Chianti Riserva are produced other, less expensive ‘quaffing’ Chianti made to be drunk within a
year or so of production – an excellent accompaniment to local dishes. We will also try a further selection of local wines including Vernaccia, a rare white wine of Tuscany for which San
Gimignano is famous, and the delicious local dessert wine Vin Santo; prized red wines of Montepulciano (Vino Nobile) and Montalcino (Brunello).
When you book, let us know about any restrictions. This will give the Tour Manager the opportunity to shop and prepare menus
accordingly prior to your trip. At the start of the trip the Tour Manager will meet with you to discuss in more detail your requirements.
There is a certain ambience at Pieve to which our guests respond by changing into something reasonably smart for dinner – but there is no strict dress code, and of course when it is hot, the simpler the better.
All rooms have hair dryers. There is WIFI but it is patchy, however there are two computers with good internet connection available for guests to use. Your laundry can be
done by a local lavanderia while you are staying at Pieve, though these tend to offer serviced washes with drying and ironing, and are quite expensive.
On escorted trips everything is included (per the published itinerary) apart from travel to/from the destination airport, items of a personal nature, snacks and drinks outside of the set meals.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
For FAQs relating to the Company and general trip questions, click here
You don’t have to! You can either get a lift with the Tour Manager to the lunch location or the next hotel, or we can suggest options
to allow you to walk for part of the day. If the itinerary does not involve a hotel change on a given day, you can simply stay in the town and explore, and join (or not join) the group for lunch. The Tour Leader will discuss the next day’s options with the group every
evening.
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I think you achieve an excellent balance and range of activities, whether of active and passive/cultural and physical or of inspirational and restful.
Mr & Mrs Russell, Buckinghamshire, UK
ATG trained Tour Leader and Tour Manager
Small, compatible groups of like-minded people (max 16)
7 nights at Pieve a Castello, ATG’s award-winning 8th century monument.
All meals and wines
Celebrated ATG picnics
Transfers
Specified excursions and visits
Five mornings of formal Italian tuition and numerous other opportunities to practice!
Mercedes minibus (es) to transport your luggage and facilitate walk pick-ups
Close WindowThe destination airports for this walking holiday in Tuscany are Pisa and Florence. There will be a set meeting time for the transfer to Pieve a Castello; and a set time for the return transfer at the end of the trip. Please check timings with the Reservations Team before booking your flights if you plan to take the transfers. You are of course welcome to travel independently and meet the group at Pieve a Castello, however please aim to arrive after 4pm, the time the Tour Consultants will arrive with those taking the group transfer.
Close WindowEach of our trips is graded according to terrain and length of walking/cycling routes, providing an indication of which grade of trip might suit you.
Gentle terrain, walking/cycling along good paths, tracks and quiet lanes, with a few short, usually gentle, ascents and/or descents.
Walking/cycling along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces, and open meadows. Ascents and/or descents up to 1 hour.
Walking/cycling along a variety of paths, some stony in places, with ascents and/or descents of 1-2 hours.
Walking/cycling along a variety of paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents and/or descents of 2-3 hours.
Challenging walking/cycling with a variety of terrain, some long days, and/or long ascents and/or descents.
Each of our trips is graded according to terrain and length of walking/cycling routes, providing an indication of which grade of trip might suit you.
Gentle terrain, walking/cycling along good paths, tracks and quiet lanes, with a few short, usually gentle, ascents and/or descents.
Walking/cycling along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces, and open meadows. Ascents and/or descents up to 1 hour.
Walking/cycling along a variety of paths, some stony in places, with ascents and/or descents of 1-2 hours.
Walking/cycling along a variety of paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents and/or descents of 2-3 hours.
Challenging walking/cycling with a variety of terrain, some long days, and/or long ascents and/or descents.
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