Riviera Travel Walk & Discover: Florence & Tuscany

• 7 nights in 4-star accommodation
•  Return flights & transfers
•  Daily breakfast & 4 dinners
•  Programme of daily tours & walks
•  Expert tour manager/walking guide
•  Checked Luggage

– Discover the less visited side of Florence on an urban trek
– Explore the renowned wine region of Chianti
– Marvel at medieval Siena

Day 1: Arrive in Florence 

Arrive at the airport for your flight to Pisa. On arrival, transfer by coach to Florence, where you stay for three nights, with breakfast, at the four-star Grand Hotel Mediterraneo. 

Day 2: Walk Florence 

Discover Oltrarno, a charming and less-explored side of Florence south of the Arno River. Cross the Ponte Vecchio, the landmark bridge over the river, and walk through the medieval quarter of San Niccolò. Before long you reach Piazzale Michelangelo, where you are rewarded with panoramic views of Florence and the rolling hills beyond. The descent takes you through leafy streets to Porta Romana, the best-preserved gate of the city’s ancient walls. From this imposing gate, Via Romana leads straight to the historic centre of Florence.

Duration: 3 hours (3.5 to 4.5 miles)
Altitude gain: 500 feet
Terrain: urban

Day 3: Discover Lucca & Pisa

After breakfast, leave for the delightful city of Lucca, birthplace of composer Puccini. Be sure to visit the ancient cathedral and its venerated wooden crucifix, known as the Holy Face of Lucca. It’s an easy walk that’s just 2.5 miles long. Then take the short drive to Pisa, whose most famous gems are on display in the Piazza dei Miracoli – the ‘Square of Miracles’.

Day 4: Walk Chianti

After breakfast explore the rural Tuscany made famous by Renaissance paintings, literature, films and travel posters – a truly memorable landscape of undulating hillsides, vineyards, ochre-coloured valleys, terracotta-tiled farmhouses and pencil pines.

Easy walk
Duration: 2 hours (3 miles)
Altitude gain: 490 feet
Terrain: country roads

Moderate walk
Duration: 3 hours (5 miles)
Altitude gain: 820 feet
Terrain: country roads

Day 5: Discover Siena

After breakfast take the short drive to glorious Siena for an enriching guided tour of its treasures.

Day 6: Walk San Gimignano

During today’s walks, you’ll discover the enchanting area around picturesque San Gimignano. You have a choice of an easy or a moderate walk.

Easy walk
Duration: 2 hours (3.5 miles)
Altitude gain: 655 feet
Terrain: country paths

The easy walk follows part of the ancient Via Francigena pilgrim route, which in medieval times connected Canterbury to Rome.

Moderate walk
Duration: 3 hours (5.5 miles)
Altitude gain: 620 feet
Terrain: country paths

The longer walk takes you around San Gimignano, with the impressive skyline of its towers in front of us. Hug the ridges of the gentle Tuscan hills, pausing to admire the spectacular views.

Day 7: Free Day

Today you have a free day to do as you please. Just a few miles away are two utterly charming hilltop settlements, Monteriggioni and Colle Val d’Elsa.

Day 8: Return Home

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, Florence
The Grand Hotel Mediterraneo is four-star rated and enjoys an enviable position on the banks of the river Arno, close to the Piazza Santa Croce.

Hotel Il Piccolo Castello
The Hotel ll Piccolo Castello is situated in its own grounds close to the walled hilltop town of Monteriggioni.

Walking equipment
Good quality walking shoes or boots are a must. Riviera also recommend a waterproof jacket, comfortable rucksack, hat, sunglasses, sun cream, water bottle and clothes that can be layered easily. Hiking poles are not necessary, but you may wish to take them.

Walking difficulty
There is often a choice between a ‘green’ and ‘blue’ option. A reasonable level of fitness is essential for all walks – while the green walk should suit most travellers, the blue option is perfect for those who prefer a bit more of a challenge.

Routes
While guides will always try to adhere to the route as advertised, they may be required to modify the itinerary due to local conditions. Our guides may also make minor changes to tailor the walk to the group.

*All transfer times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic