Arrive in beautiful Florence and settle in to your hotel. Arrival time depending, you will have the opportunity to explore this enchanting city, its narrow cobbled streets, its breath taking cathedral and elegant palazzi (palaces). It may be compact but Florence is oozing romantic Renaissance architecture and magnificent marble basilicas with paintings by famous artists including Michelangelo himself. Not only does the city offer an abundance of sights to explore, when your day draws to an end, its location in the heart of Tuscany means you will be spoilt for choice for excellent cuisine and world reputable wines.

In the evening, before you head out to enjoy the culinary delights, a representative will host a short welcome meeting at your hotel and will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Today begins catching the public bus to Gabbiano, a quaint little hamlet in the hills of the Chianti region, and home to Castello di Gabbiano, producers of award winning Chianti wines. Hopping off the bus your route today is a real introduction to Tuscany and the Chianti region as you make your way through meadows and along famous gravel covered 'strade bianche' backroads as they weave between vineyards and olive groves. The true picture perfect Tuscan landscape. Your route continues, taking you through fragrant woodland and past old stone villages with high rising cypresses to the town of Greave in Chianti, the gateway to the Chianti region. You will have time to explore and inhale the small town atmosphere. In the evening, you can enjoy a glass of the local produce, Chianti, over dinner in the town's triangular shaped main square.

Your route today begins along beautiful remote forest paths past numerous wine growing estates towards the little town of Panzano where you can stop for a coffee and an explore. This historical town has had something of a turbulent past being half way between Florence and Siena as the two cities fought for power. Rebuilding itself four times between the 13th and 16th Century what remains of the medieval centre is incorporated in the bell tower of the church in Panzano Alto. More recently, this lovely hilltop town was put on the map by local butcher Dario Cecchini, an extrovert dubbed the world's best butcher and his restaurant attracting food connoisseurs from around the world.

Leaving Panzano your route continues through golden cornfields and more vineyards to the pretty hamlet of Lucarelli, home to just a few houses, a church and a welcoming restaurant. From here you take a short bus ride to your home for the evening in Castellina in Chianti. Castellina is a little known hilltop town amongst visitors to Tuscany yet it is a major centre of the wine industry boasting huge silos of Chianti Classico. You will have time to settle in to your hotel and perhaps enjoy a glass of this fine produce too.

PANZANO FESTIVALS: Panzano hosts several festivities throughout the year celebrating the regions fine wine producing skills. On 25th April each year Festa della Stagion Bona brings the town alive as locals don their historic dress, play music and celebrate the beginning of a good season of crops. After all the hard work of the season, Vino al Vino festival is held on the third weekend and proceeding two days of September in the main square of the town. The festival showcases the produce of the wineries and an opportunity to sample them. Definitely worth a visit!

Feeling refreshed, today you will walk along the Via Romea, also known as the Eurovelo 5. This popular Pilgrim route stretches some 2,200km from Strade, Germany, to Rome. You will be pleased to know you will only be walking as far as Siena today!

Following the marked route you will meander south through olive groves, across vineyards and under the shade of forests. Today's route is one of peace, as you will encounter just one tiny village along your route to Siena, home to the traditional Palio horse race which sees ten horses ridden bareback around the Piazza del Campo. Arriving in Siena you will have time to enjoy a stroll around Siena's Piazza del Campo which is ordinarily bustling with cafes, along the narrow streets and perhaps stop for a taste of Panforte in one of the many local shops. In the evening you can delight in dinner in one of the many restaurants the city has to offer.

After breakfast, you will take the local bus to Colle Val d'Elsa, a charming crystal glass producing town to the northwest of Siena where there will be time to explore before beginning your walk. Your route will take you out of town towards the small medieval village of Quartaia and perhaps a morning coffee before continuing through the rolling hills to Coneo Abbey, a Romanesque abbey founded by the Benedictines and restored in the 1920's when it was opened to the public. After a visit to the abbey you continue, soon walking on a section of the Via Francigena. Similar to the Caminos leading to Spain's Santiago de Compostela the Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrimage route connecting Canterbury, England to Rome. You may meet some pilgrims on their way to Rome as you make your way to Molino d'Aiano. Upon reaching Molino d'Aiano the peaceful panorama is already dominated by your final goal for the day, San Gimignano and its distinctive towers. Encircled by 13th century walls this delightful town is centred on the Piazza della Cristerna and is recognised from afar by its medieval towers, which interrupt the skyline. You can roam San Gimignano and soak up the atmosphere and explore the many little alleyways.

Today's walk is a contrast to the typical Tuscan landscape you have experienced earlier in the week, as you explore the Alpine like landscapes of the Monte Nero Nature Reserve and follow the ancient Via del Sale to Volterra. Your day begins with a transfer to the nearby Monte Nero Nature Reserve from where your route will take you through the lush green forests to unveil the Cascate della Strolla, a picturesque waterfall with clear blue waters. The perfect spot to stop for a drink and cool your feet before ascending and crossing the waterfall to a rewarding viewpoint (a head for heights and some surefootedness is recommended). Leaving the shade of the forest behind you soon join the ancient Via del Sale leading you to your final goal, Volterra. This once vital route for transporting salt from the lakes of Volterra to San Gimignano, the main sources of income into the area, is today it used as a popular walking and cycling trail.

Arriving in Volterra, through the city gate, you will have time to discover its enchanting alleyways and cosy cafes. This medieval walled village, perched atop the hill overlooking the picturesque landscape below, has a rich Etruscan heritage and is bursting with charm which will soon capture your heart. We recommend taking time to explore the village walls, the impressive Teatro Romano built in 1st century AD and the Cathedral, which may seem unassuming from the outside, is a highlight inside. In the evening, enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants at Palazzo dei Priori where Twilight fans may recognise the bell tower from the novel and film New Moon.

We have split today's route into three parts to offer you ultimate flexibility. You can choose whether to linger a little longer in Volterra, work up an appetite with a full day walking, make the most of your time on the coast or if you cannot choose, why not enjoy a mixture of all three!
The first part of your route follows a disused historic railway line which was once the main transportation route of goods between Saline and Volterra. Today this section of railway offers a fantastic route for walkers as it leads you through sparse and wild hillside with fantastic views back to Volterra. Arriving at Saline railway station, you can hop on the train to Cecina where your choices for the day continue.

The second part of your route begins in Cecina and follows the river towards the coastal town of Cecina Mare where you explore the Tomboli de Cecina Nature Reserve, one of the most beautiful woods in Italy, full of thick varied vegetation and scattered with tranquil picnic areas for you to enjoy. Alternatively, you may wish to arrive in Cecina Mare, grab your book and relax on the sandy beach.

In the evening take a stroll to the Marina and dine in one of the many restaurants serving freshly caught seafood and toast to a great week in Tuscany as you watch the turquoise glistening of the Tyrrhenian Sea, whist the two islands Elba, Caparia and La Gorgona sink into the sea beneath the crimson evening sun.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a stroll along the coast before making your onward journey.