Adventure Travel by Big Earth Adventure

Europe

With each country's diverse history, archeology, culture and languages make it very appealling and rewarding to visit - and visit more than once - many times. You now have the opportunity to experience many different travel styles. Take guided or self-guided trips through Italy, France, Germany. Take the Eurorail from Zurich to Munich, walk the Danube Canal. Whether you want to stay in a villa in France, bike the Loire Valley or take a guided walk through Tuscany.
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Walking through Tuscany

Trip code:

 ex-ty

Trip length:

 15 days

Group size:

 Maximum 16

Transportation:

 Walking, mini-bus, train.

Trip Overview

After a day to enjoy a first taster of Florence, we move on to the old walled town of Volterra, with its cobbled streets, stone palazzi and fabulous views from the town’s eroded cliffs. There’s also time to visit some Etruscan tombs nearby, before hiking on - via the ruins of Castelvecchio - through the undulating countryside that leads to San Gimignano.

We’ll spend a day in and around historic San Gimignano delle Belle Torri: its famed skyline of thirteen towers is the result of medieval (but still rife!) family rivalries. Continuing via the vineyards of Casale and Sovicille village, our trail leads us into a landscape of oak, olive and poplar groves - so reminiscent of paintings by Piero della Francesca when the sun casts long shadows across the ’Siena-red’ soil.

Its twisting alleys barely wide enough for cars, the walled city of Siena is the archetypal Italian medieval town. Amongst its glories are the soaring Torre del Mangia and the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo - where the bitterly fought equestrian Palio is staged every year. Finally, we return to the city that for many is synonymous with art itself: Florence - still a living centre of artisan crafts, with bustling workshops carved into the celebrated walls and palazzi of the Renaissance. There’s also a chance to visit Pisa, with its legendary (and now firmly anchored!) Leaning Tower.

An easy-paced walking tour with plenty of free time built in to explore the cultural wonders of Tuscany. Many of the walks are optional day walks.

Itinerary & Departure Dates

Day 1 Join Florence.
Day 2 In Florence, walking tour.
Day 3 Bus to Volterra.
Day 4 In Volterra; half-day walk and visit Etruscan tombs.
Day 5 In Volterra; full-day walk following Roman road.
Day 6 Walk via ruins of Castelvecchio to San Gimignano.
Day 7 In San Gimignano; explore on foot.
Day 8 Walk to Casale; evening wine tasting.
Day 9 In Casale; local walk.

Day 10 Walk to Sovicille.
Day 11 In Sovicille; walk through countryside.
Day 12 Bus to Siena; walking tour
Day 13 In Siena; optional excursion to Pisa.
Day 14 Train to Florence.
Day 15 End Florence.

Look below for departure dates.

Accommodations

Camping.

Meals

14 breakfasts, 7 picnic lunches and 8 dinners. Local payment 165EUR.

Departure Dates

14 Aug - 28 Aug
28 Aug - 11 Sep
Please contact us for 2005 departures.

Please contact us for a detailed trip dossier, free brochure, availability and prices.