Walking In Tuscany 

Day Three: Monsummano Alto

We depart to Monsummano Terme by bus where we meet with our local guide who takes us to the quarries of the spa Grotta Giusti on foot. Afterwards we will walk to the small village of Monsummano Alto, where you can admire the Rocca, a pentagonal fort which, together with a part of the walls and a gate, represents the last remains of an ancient Castle made to be built in the XI century. The medieval Church, too, which is located at the top of the hill, is a sight to be seen. Afterwards we head back to the Grotta Giusti Spa where we can have a spot of lunch and can relax in the spa swimming pool with underwater hydromassages of the “Terme” Grotta Giusti or enjoy other treatments at pleasure and at own cost.

Day Four: Cooking demonstration and trekking among villages and castles

We have breakfast this morning and then around 08.30 we will meet the guide and depart by bus to reach the most beautiful hills and villages of the Valdinievole: Buggiano, Colle di Buggiano, Buggiano Castle, here time seems having stopped, you will walk among the paths travelled by the knights of the past to reach fairy-tale castles, enjoying an incredible panorama and treating yourself a memorable experience. Take time to pause and smell the scents of wild herbs and our olive trees. Late morning we arrive on foot to the place where we will have a cooking demonstration of typical Tuscan food, this is a special place, an ancient stable for animals that now houses this restaurant. The visit will begin with an English explanation of the place and after this, they will begin the cooking for us. At the end of the course we will have lunch with the freshly prepared meals. After, we will transfer by bus back to the hotel.

Day Five: Florence

After breakfast we depart by train to Florence, the city of the Renaissance, followed by a guided walking tour in which we will learn the artistic peculiarities of this unique city from Piazza della Signoria to Ponte Vecchio, from Santa Maria del Fiore (the Cathedral) to the Piazza della Repubblica and so on . We then visit the covered Florentine Central Market, which dates back to the period in which Florence was Italy’s capital (XIX century). We return back by train and dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.  

Day Six: Montecatini Alto

After breakfast we will meet our guide and walk to the volta of Montecatini Alto, the old part of Montecatini, which is a medieval village perched on the hill that overlooks the thermal city. The walk will take place on an old paved road through olive trees and forests. Thanks to the circumna­vigation of the hilltop village of Mon­tecatini Alto, we will be able to enjoy the view of the thermal city and nearby areas of the provinces of Lucca and Pistoia. Montecatini Alto was a castel of Roman origins at 299 meters (981 ft.) of altitude and was the seat of the municipality until 1905. This antique castle gave life to the Montecatini we know today. In the heart of this village lies the splendid small square that offers its visitors a view of the past and also a place to stop at a typical Tuscan restaurant for lunch. 

Day Seven: Lucca

Today we depart towards Lucca, birth location of the great Giacomo Puccini and considered one of the most beautiful artistic cities in Tuscany. Lucca preserves 4 km (2.49 mi) of intact city walls that sur­round the city and enclose an immense artistic and architectural patrimony.  We will walk through the striking Via Fil­lungo, the center’s main axis, accom­panied alongside by antique houses and towers. Tangent to Via Fillungo, in the area of the roman amphitheatre, the Piazza del Mercato was opened in 1830: it is a series of medieval con­structions that overlap the theatre clo­sing the piazza in a ring and creating a striking architectural frame. The visit ends on Lucca’s city walls, a splendid pedestrian area, immersed in the green secular plants.

• Breakfast & Dinner Included

Day Eight: “Arrivederci”

Today we check out of our hotel and say goodbye before transferring back to the Airport for our flight home.

• Breakfast Included