Chianti: Tuscany from Florence to Siena
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationItaly / Tuscany
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AgeFrom 16 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions101 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
Italian
In a few words
A fascinating immersion awaits you in the heart of the Renaissance , discovering the iconic landscapes that inspired the greatest Italian masters. Between Florence and Siena , two prestigious cities that bear witness to Tuscan architectural and artistic genius, this historical tour is presented in an exclusive version.
Your itinerary takes you through Chianti , a succession of perfectly harmonious panoramas where vineyards , ancient olive groves , and majestic cypress trees stand side by side. Along the way, magic unfolds in fortified villages , lively squares, and secluded gardens that invite contemplation. To complete this unique experience, you will stay in quality hotels with swimming pools , offering perfect moments of relaxation after your days of exploration. An exceptional journey where art and the art of living come together at every turn.
The highlights
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Crossing hills, fortified villages and pretty squares
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Charming hotels (2 nights with pool, 2 nights with spa)
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Guided outdoor tours of Florence and Siena
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average daily elevation gain: 365 m
- Average daily descent: 329 m
Management
French
Italian
Qualified mountain guide with extensive knowledge of Italy.
Program
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Florence
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 50 m
- Negative elevation 50 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Meet at 9:30 am at Florence Santa Maria Novella train station. A later arrival is possible, depending on your travel schedule, if it allows you to avoid an extra night before your stay.
Optional guided exterior tour of Florence's historic center (depending on your itinerary). During the day, our guide will suggest sites to visit if you wish to extend your stay in the city. Dinner is at your own expense (our guide will reserve a restaurant for you to gather and get to know each other; optional). Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in the heart of Florence.
Day 1 -
Florence - Mercatale - Greve
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Transfer by public bus (30 min) to Mercatale, the starting point for exploring Tuscany. We hike through woods and vineyards, admiring the grand patrician houses of Vignano and Colognole, until we reach Greve in Chianti, the capital of the Chianti Classico wine region. Its beautiful triangular piazza is lined with charming arcaded houses. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.
Day 2 -
Greve - Chianti mountains
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A loop trail starting from Greve in Chianti. We climb to wooded ridges offering panoramic views of the entire region. We admire the Val di Greve and the Chianti hills, with their endless rolling landscapes covered in olive groves and vineyards. On the return, we pass through the small hamlet of Convertoie before returning to Greve in Chianti.
Day 3 -
Greve - Montefiorale - Radda in Chianti
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 350 m
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We ascend to the charming hilltop village of Montefiorale, listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy and one of the oldest in the Chianti region, protected by its original walls. We then continue to the Val di Cecione and its magnificent estates. Our journey continues to Panzano and its castle, perched on a ridge separating the Val di Greve from the Val di Pesa, precisely halfway between Florence and Siena. We enjoy a picnic lunch in the enchanting setting of the Pieve di Panzano, before descending to Lucarelli. A short transfer by public bus (15 minutes) takes us to the village of Radda in Chianti. Overnight stay in a charming hotel in the heart of the village.
Day 4 -
Radda in Chianti - Volpaia - Castelvecchio castle - Radda
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, the route passes opposite the village of Radda and its vineyards, through the beautiful Colle Beretto estate, before arriving at the charming medieval village of Volpaia for a picnic. The return journey takes in Castelvecchio Castle and the delightful little church of Santa Maria Novella.
Night in Radda.
Day 5 -
Radda in Chianti - Vagliali - Siena
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, the hike is strikingly reminiscent of the landscapes depicted in Sienese frescoes. Passing through the magnificent Pieve di San Polo, we reach the small village of Vagliali for a picnic lunch. A 30-minute transfer by city bus takes us from Vagliali to Siena, the city of the Palio. We arrive in the mid-afternoon and enjoy an exterior tour of Siena, a city divided into 17 contrade (districts). Dinner is at a restaurant, and we spend the night in a hotel located in the heart of the city.
Day 6 -
Siena - San Gimignano - Siena and end of stay
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Departure from Siena by public bus (1 hour) to San Gimignano, one of the most beautiful villages in Tuscany, which has preserved its medieval charm and atmosphere with its numerous towers. To fully appreciate the beauty of its medieval towers against the sky, we begin our hike through the vineyards of the famous white wine. We'll visit San Gimignano, including the Church of Sant'Agostino and its remarkable frescoes. We'll have a picnic lunch in the Rocca gardens, then take a public bus back to Siena (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, as there are no direct buses after 2 pm on Saturdays). We'll return to the hotel around 4 pm.
Bus service available to Florence or Pisa (not included).
Day 7
Note
The durations of our hikes are approximate. They may vary depending on several factors during our trip (participants' skill level, weather, trail conditions, etc.). Transfer times may also fluctuate depending on weather conditions and road conditions.
The program was established based on the latest information available at the time of writing and may be subject to change in the interest of quality. Furthermore, circumstances beyond our control may alter the course of your trip (weather, road closures, canceled or delayed flights, strikes, local festivals, etc.). Our guides will do their best to adapt to these unforeseen events, drawing on their experience and professionalism. Your satisfaction and safety are the primary considerations in any decisions regarding changes.
Accommodation
Access
APPOINTMENT :
At 9:30 am at the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence opposite platform No. 5 (not to be confused with the bus station, located a few meters away).
If you arrive after the scheduled meeting time, you will call your guide to arrange a meeting point during the Florence tour (it's fairly easy to join the group throughout the day, although this will shorten your visit). This may allow you to avoid having to book an extra night, depending on your travel schedule.
You will have previously left your luggage at the hotel (located a 5-minute walk from the train station).
For arrivals the day before, the hotel booked for the additional nights is a 5-minute walk from the train station.
You will receive an email invitation approximately 2 weeks before your departure: it summarizes the information you need to get to the meeting point (contact details of your first accommodation, first name and phone number of your guide, our emergency mobile number, plane tickets / e-ticket for stays with flights, etc...).
DISPERSION:
Around 4pm at the hotel in Siena. Possibility of reaching Florence by train.
Go to the starting point
- Access station : Florence Santa Maria Novella.
- Dispersal station : Siena
In Siena, the train station is a 1.5 km walk from the city center. You can take a bus from the Stufa Secca stop (via della Stufa Secca), a 2-minute walk from the hotel. The journey to the station takes approximately 15 minutes (buses run every half hour). Please check the timetable with the hotel upon arrival.
Paris / Florence: Paris - Florence : Florence is a small airport, we recommend booking a flight to Pisa instead (prices are generally more attractive).
Numerous direct flights to Florence operated by Air France, ITA Airways and Vueling (www.airfrance.com, www.itaspa.com/fr_fr, www.vueling.com).
There are many shuttle buses from Florence airport that will drop you off at the bus station (which is opposite the FS Santa Maria Novella train station).
Paris/Pisa : Pisa has more flight options than Florence. The journey to Florence takes approximately one hour. From Pisa, there are direct shuttle buses from the airport to Florence's bus station (€6 one way or €10 round trip). Florence's bus station is located opposite the Santa Maria Novella train station (FS). Check the timetables at: www.pisa-airport.com (select: How to arrive, Buses, and Pisa Airport – Florence).
Two companies operate this route: Terravision (€10 return) or Servizio Autostradale (€12 return). There are also trains to Florence from Pisa Airport with a change at Pisa Centrale (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, approximately €8).
If you are coming by car, we strongly advise you to park your car in Siena and take the train or bus to Florence.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION : Some cities in Italy, such as Florence and Siena, are served by a ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zone) in which vehicle access and parking are limited and regulated. To access these zones with your personal vehicle, please ensure you check compliance and entry requirements on the website: www.disabledmotorists.eu/en/about_reciprocity/
The ZTL entry gates are marked by signs and monitored by cameras. Vehicle access is monitored 24/7 by an electronic border control system that provides immediate automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) and verifies whether vehicles are authorized. Unauthorized vehicles receive a warning.
BY SHUTTLE / BUS:
We would like to inform you that the Eurolines bus company serves the city of Florence from several cities in the south of France. These buses often travel overnight and arrive on Sunday morning at Florence Santa Maria Novella train station. (Check timetables, fares and availability at www.eurolines.fr).
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be supervised by a qualified mountain guide with extensive knowledge of Italy.
- Accommodation in hotels with half-board (except for dinner on Day 1), wine and drinks not included
- Tourist taxes
- Picnics at lunchtime (except on Day 1)
- Luggage transport
- The transfers scheduled by local transport
The price does not include
- Transportation to and from the meeting point.
- Drinks; Note that in restaurants, bottled mineral water (at an extra cost) replaces carafes of water.
- Day 1 meals in Florence
- Entrance fees for the tours (approximately €10)
- Personal expenses
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Single room : CHF292.74 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
During your stay, you must have your valid identity card or passport, your health insurance card, your personal insurance policy number and phone number (if you are not covered by our insurance), and for stays in Europe, your European Health Insurance Card. This card is very useful if you have any issues paying upfront for medical care in European countries; you must apply for it at least 15 days in advance at your social security office.
It is possible to travel to this European Union country without a passport, using only a national identity card. If your identity card was issued between January 2, 2004, and December 31, 2013, and you were an adult at the time of issuance, its validity has been automatically extended by 5 years (formalized agreement between France and your destination country).
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
LUGGAGE
- One travel bag per person (or a rolling suitcase; recommended for trips with public transport included for transfers). Oversized luggage should be avoided as it would cause problems with bus capacity or logistical organization.
- One 35-40 liter backpack with a flexible frame, hip belt, and well-ventilated back panel for your comfort (to carry your personal belongings for the day: camera, packed lunch, water bottle, snacks, windbreaker, sweater, rain gear, etc.). This bag is usually placed in the cabin for any air travel (10kg maximum per person, typically).
On multi-day or semi-multi-day trips, you are asked to limit the weight of your luggage to a reasonable extent, as difficult access to some accommodations could compromise luggage delivery. We also advise you to avoid leaving fragile and/or valuable items behind.
MATERIAL
FOR PICNICKS – MIXED SALADS
- Cutlery (reusable, not disposable)
- 1 airtight plastic container with a minimum capacity of 0.5 liters. It can be used as a plate and for storage, without getting your bag dirty.
- 1 plastic or aluminum cup with an insulated handle to prevent burns from hot drinks
- 1 folding pocket knife (optional)
- One insulated or aluminum water bottle of at least 1.5 liters, or a flexible water bottle (not recommended in winter). Especially useful in winter, also bring (optional) an insulated bottle to carry tea, coffee, etc. during the hike.
OTHERS
- 1 large plastic bag to slip into your backpack to protect your belongings from the elements and/or 1 rain cover
- 1 waterproof pouch containing: your assistance contract, your identity documents, health insurance card and any other document mentioned in the formalities section
- 1 sturdy and lightweight umbrella (optional but very useful in case of rain, or even heatwave)
- 1 pair of telescopic walking poles (depending on your habits or the technical level of the hikes, refer to the "Technical Level" section of the trip's technical sheet)
- 1 pair of good quality sunglasses (protection level 3 or 4) that provide good side coverage
- Sunscreen with a good protection factor (30 minimum)
- Toiletries kit (toothbrush, deodorant, etc.)
- Earplugs made of wax or foam (against neighbors' snoring or other noise pollution)
- Tissues
- 1 headlamp or flashlight + survival blanket: these should always be in your backpack, as an unexpected delay due to an incident can occur even during an easy hike
- Spare glasses (if you wear prescription glasses)
- Camera
- Binoculars (optional)
Clothing to bring
For the upper body, the 3-layer principle allows you to manage almost all situations:
- a light and breathable layer
- a warm layer
- a waterproof and breathable layer
When hiking in calm, sunny weather, a base layer may be sufficient. In rainy or windy conditions, simply add this waterproof jacket. In very cold weather or during breaks, a fleece jacket is an essential addition.
Choose clothes that dry quickly, so avoid cotton. Opt for synthetic fibers that will keep you dry and warm for as long as possible.
Remember to dress warmly before you get cold, but especially to remove layers before you get too hot. Sweat is a hiker's enemy, as it dampens clothing that quickly becomes icy during breaks. Therefore, it's very rare to undertake a climb wearing a fleece jacket.
The complete and ideal list: (although this should be adapted depending on the hike, the season, and your habits)
- 1 sun hat or cap, or scarf
- 1 fleece hat or headband and/or a neck warmer
- 1 pair of lightweight gloves
- Short-sleeved T-shirts in breathable material preferred (1 for every 2 days of walking).
- 1 long-sleeved base layer in breathable material or a shirt (sometimes the peaks are windy and a light layer is welcome during the lunch break),
- 1 warm fleece-type jacket (or even water-repellent) or a warm and compressible type)
- 1 waterproof and breathable windproof jacket with hood
- 1 rain poncho (optional) and/or sleeping bag cover
- 1 pair of sturdy, loose-fitting, comfortable, water-repellent hiking trousers
- 1 pair of waterproof and breathable overtrousers
- 1 pair of shorts or capris, comfortable and durable
- Hiking socks (1 pair for 2 days of hiking). Opt for wool or specific hiking socks like terry cloth, which will prevent your feet from overheating prematurely.
- One pair of hiking boots that provide good ankle support and are waterproof, with a sole that offers good grip on uneven terrain and is abrasion-resistant. Remember to test new boots and those that haven't been worn for a long time beforehand. Alternatively, if you're used to hiking, a pair of low-cut trail running shoes is ideal, especially for summer trips.
- 1 swimsuit and 1 quick-drying towel (optional in case of swimming)
- 1 pair of comfortable trousers for the evening
- 1 pair of lightweight casual shoes for the evening, like sneakers, which can also be used for sightseeing or walks around town
