Itinerary
- Day 1
Florence to San Gimignano
You'll meet at Florence Villa Costanza at 2:00 PM and then travel through Vernaccia wine country, taking a scenic walk before reaching San Gimignano in the late afternoon. After settling into your hotel, you'll stroll through town at dusk when most tourists have moved on. The day wraps up with a welcome dinner where you'll meet the rest of the group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Panoramic walk through Vernaccia wine country
- Evening stroll through San Gimignano old town
- Welcome dinner with group
Landmarks/POIs San Gimignano - Day 2
San Gimignano to Volterra
Starting early, you'll walk across open countryside past olive groves and vineyards with San Gimignano visible on the skyline behind you. Lunch happens at a small family-run winery, then you'll follow a shaded wooded trail along an ancient path to abandoned medieval village ruins. From there, you pass through a national park on your way to Volterra, arriving in time to grab gelato before evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local fare at small family-run winery), Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk across gravel roads through countryside with olive groves and vineyards
- Lunch at family-run winery
- Walk through wooded trail to abandoned medieval village ruins
- National park passage to Volterra
Optional Activities
- Optional to return to hotel after lunch instead of completing full walk to Volterra
Landmarks/POIs Volterra - Day 3
Volterra to Lucca
A short scenic drive takes you to Volterra for a guided walking tour through the historical center of this ancient town. You'll have free time to check out art galleries and alabaster workshops at your own pace. After a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant, you'll continue to the walled city of Lucca to check in and explore on your own for the rest of the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Walking tour of historical Volterra
- Free time to visit art galleries and alabaster workshops
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Volterra Lucca - Day 4
Lucca
This morning is yours to explore Lucca at whatever pace suits you. The graceful Tuscan city is encircled by a 4 km ring of Renaissance walls that form an elevated garden boulevard perfect for walking or cycling. You'll find pedestrian streets, Romanesque churches, local boutiques, and handmade products to discover throughout the day. In the evening, you'll gather for an aperitif, an opera music performance, and dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Aperitif, opera music and dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Free morning exploration of Lucca
- Optional walk or bike ride on Renaissance city walls
- Evening aperitif with opera music and dinner
Landmarks/POIs Lucca Renaissance Walls - Day 5
Lucca to Monterosso
You'll leave the Lucca valley and head into the mountains to tour the Fantiscritti marble caves and museum, where Michelangelo sourced the white marble for his David statue. These active quarries sit at 1,000 meters elevation. That afternoon, you climb from the coastal town of Levanto over a magnificent headland with panoramic views, then descend into Monterosso, the northernmost Cinque Terre village. You can cool off in the sea, change at your hotel, and relax with gelato or local Sciacchetra wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Fantiscritti marble caves and museum
- Trail climb from Levanto over headland to Monterosso
- Swimming or cooling off in the sea at Monterosso
Landmarks/POIs Fantiscritti Marble Caves Levanto Monterosso - Day 6
Monterosso and Cinque Terre
Today you'll experience Cinque Terre with its succession of land and sea shaped by thousands of years of history. You'll walk from Monterosso to Vernazzo, exploring this bustling town before lunch. In the afternoon, you'll reach other villages by train: Manarola with its narrow streets and fishing boats, and Corniglia perched on a high promontory with Roman origins. You'll return to Monterosso's charming old town for the evening with options to relax or head out for dinner at local restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Walk from Monterosso to Vernazzo
- Lunch in Vernazzo
- Train access to explore Manarola and Corniglia
- Evening free in Monterosso old town
Landmarks/POIs Monterosso Vernazzo Manarola Corniglia - Day 7
Monterosso to Portovenere
You'll walk a beautiful section of the high trail above Cinque Terre through pine, oak and chestnut woods with remote villages and churches overlooking the sea. The trail winds along the contours before descending steeply with incredible views to reach the Roman-Byzantine town of Portovenere, where you can stroll around at your own pace. In the evening, you'll join the group for a farewell dinner party.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner party)
Included Activities
- Walk high trail above Cinque Terre through woodland
- Descent to Portovenere
- Exploration of Portovenere
- Farewell dinner party
Optional Activities
- Optional ferry to Portovenere (weather permitting)
- Optional minibus transport with scenic views instead of walking
Landmarks/POIs Portovenere - Day 8
Portovenere to Departure
You'll depart at 9:00 AM for La Spezia train station with connections available to Pisa, Genova, Milano, and Rome. If you prefer, alternative drop-off can be arranged at Villa Costanza Tramway T1 in Florence. For other early departures and destinations, the tour operator can help arrange travel, though this isn't included in the tour price.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Alternative transport arrangements to destinations other than La Spezia, Pisa, Genova, Milano, Rome or Florence
Landmarks/POIs La Spezia Train Station
