Italian Highlights Hiking Tour

Highlights

begin in Rome and see the highlights on a guided city tour
stay two nights in the lovely hilltop town of Orvieto and learn about the mysterious Etruscan civilization
see San Gimignano, the “city of the towers”
dip your toes (or more!) into open-air thermal pools and the Mediterranean Sea
tour Siena with a local city guide
see iconic landscapes of rolling wheat fields dotted with solitary cypress trees
try some of the best local wines at a tasting lunch
enjoy easy to challenging walks and hikes in the countryside
visit the town of Bolsena and its beautiful lake
hike the five villages of the Cinque Terre
relax at the end of the day in charming accommodations
sample Ligurian cuisine like pesto, focaccia and lemoncello
end your tour with an easy transfer to Florence or Pisa (which both have airports)

Trip price includes

11 nights accommodation in 3* and 4* hotels in Rome, Orvieto, Pienza, San Gimignano, and Monterosso a Mare
6 dinners and 4 lunches (including winery lunch and cheese farm lunch)
all transfers as per itinerary
hikes each day except the day in Rome and the day in Siena
visits as per itinerary
guided visit of Rome and Siena
Cinque Terre 2-day pass
tips at included meals and for drivers
at least 1 bilingual guide throughout the tour

Not included

5 dinners and 6 lunches
drinks other than water at group meals
tips at not included meals and guided visits
anything not listed in the inclusions

ITINERARY

Days 1-2: The Splendors of Rome

Make your way independently to Rome and relax this afternoon before meeting your group for a welcome drink followed by dinner together. See the highlights of Rome with our favorite city guide, who will take you to the Pantheon, Colosseum, Forum, Trevi fountain, the Capitol hill and more on a 4-hour walking tour. Total walking about 4 km (2.5 mi.). After lunch and a full day of exploring “the Eternal City,” depart at 4:30 pm for a 2-hour drive into Umbria.
One overnight in Rome.

Days 2-3: The Rolling Hills of Umbria and Orvieto

Spend the next two nights in the beautiful hilltop town of Orvieto, which was founded by the Etruscans over 2,500 years ago. You can still see their traces in the dramatically-perched town which sits on a pedestal of volcanic tufa stone. Also admire the spectacular cathedral, considered to be one of the most beautiful in Italy. We also have a lovely walk to the shores of the Lago di Bolsena, the largest lake of volcanic origin in Europe. Dip your feet in the cool water and then explore the Medieval streets of Bolsena town, featuring a castle and ancient alleyways. Return to Orvieto to explore on your own the city’s mysteries, like the winding underground Pozzo di San Patrizio.
Two nights in Orvieto.

Days 4-5: The Val d’Orcia featuring Montepulciano, Pienza and Bagno Vignoni

Leave Orvieto and head to the world-famous Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its iconic cultural landscapes. Enjoy two days of walking through the magical landscape of rolling wheatfields and solitary cypress trees. Taste the delicious local pecorino (sheep’s milk) cheese and see how it’s made then transfer to the picture-perfect town of Pienza. It was the birthplace of Pope Pius II, who commissioned a brand-new town to be a “touchstone of Renaissance urbanism” in the 15th century. Another walk takes you past the famous chapel of Vitaleta before reaching San Quirico and the thermal spa town of Bagno Vignoni. Marvel at its “main square,” which is a bubbling pool of hot water (52º C/125ºF) that has attracted visitors from around Tuscany, including the Medici rulers of Florence!
Two nights in Pienza.

Days 6-8: The Tuscan Hills around San Gimignano and Siena

Say Arrivederci to the Val d’Orcia and drive (1 hr) to Siena, a marvelous Medieval city that rivaled Florence for centuries in the control of banking and trade in Tuscany. We’ll have a guided visit of the historic center, including the distinctive “Il Campo” square, where a wild bareback horse race takes place twice a year. We also see the opulent cathedral and can lead you on a 1.5 hr “urban trek” after lunch if you still want to get in more steps. Depart mid-afternoon for a short drive to San Gimignano, where we stay three nights. You’ll see why it’s called “the city of the towers” as you walk beneath a dozen Medieval towers, built long ago for defense and then prestige by local warring families. Continue with a beautiful walk in the hills to one of our favorite family-run, organic wineries. In your free time you may want to climb one of the towers to get a bird’s eye view down over the town, or visit one of the many fascinating museums, or indulge your taste buds at an award-winning gelateria!
Three nights in San Gimignano.

Days 9-11: The Cinque Terre and the Ligurian Coast

Go from Tuscany to Liguria as we drive 3 hours to Levanto, the town just north of the five villages of the Cinque Terre. Stroll through the quiet streets and stop to sample some delicious focaccia or a farinata di ceci (a chick-pea flour crepe), then begin a climb along the rocky coast to Monterosso, the largest of the towns and our home for the next three nights. Over the next two days you can hike as much (or as little!) as you like as we spend our time between the villages of the Cinque Terre National Park. You’ll love Vernazza, the most picture-perfect town, and quieter Corniglia, which sits high on a bluff. Over in Manarola you have spectacular photo-ops on a trail that curves around the coast, and you can enjoy a gelato or a tasty lunch before taking a train or ferry back to your hotel.
Three nights Monterosso.

Day 12: End of Tour

The tour ends in Monterosso after breakfast. The train station is 10 minutes walk from your hotel, and we can help you figure out your train tickets to wherever is your next destination.

CONTACT US FOR A MORE DETAILED ITINERARY

For walking tours that focus on just one of these areas, see our Tuscany Classic Walking tour, Cinque Terre Hiking tour, or Tuscany and Umbria walking tour.