Tuscan Via Francigena Walking Holidays

Duration

8 nights

Length

79 mls (km)

Location

Europe

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Season

Apr to Oct

Price from

£890

A Medieval Pilgrimage Through Classic Tuscan Scenery

Highlights

Follow in the steps of medieval pilgrims, visiting the various 12^th century churches and abbeys that housed pilgrims along the way – known as Submansiones
Visit some of Tuscany’s most picturesque and historic towns, including Buonconvento, Siena and San Gimignano
Travel through a landscape where time seems to have stood still, as you walk through the rolling hills of Tuscany, a landscape dotted with farmhouses, castles (Monteriggioni and Chiocciola castle among them), old churches and medieval walled, hilltop towns – places of extraordinary beauty
A region famous for its gastronomy, with a myriad of fine restaurants, as well as prestigious regional wines and the famous white truffle of San Miniato Alto

Why this walk?

The Via Francigena traces a course through the heart of Tuscany, linking the picturesque medieval towns of the region with some of the area’s lesser known castles and ancient sanctuaries with the most quintessential Tuscan scenery. Here, your surrounding have changed little since the time of the ancient pilgrimages, where your journey mirrors exactly the road taken by travellers from every strata, be it labourer, knight or archbishop. The hiking experience on the Via Francigena is worth the trip alone as you follow the rolling hills of Tuscany through vineyards and orchards, with far-reaching, panoramic views over Italy’s classical, rural heartland.

Tuscan Via Francigena Map — Our linear route from San Minato Alto to Buonconvento

The Path

A route steeped in history on the most popular pilgrimage route to Rome, its origins stretching as far back as the 8^th century. Unlike more common Roman roads across Europe, the Via Francigena connects important Abbeys, rather than cities. Waymarking on the route was originally confined to scholars and local enthusiasts, although in recent history, the route has attracted far greater funding as well as recognition in Europe for its cultural and historical significance, as well as its low environmental impact.Though the Via Francigena originated as a way of pilgrimage, it was also a convenient way through the formidable Alps and Apennines. This leg of the trip, through the heart of the Tuscan countryside, follows old mule tracks and rural paths through fields and tracks shaded by a border of pine and cypress.

The Accommodation

Historic buildings with artistic interiors and terraces in larger towns, rustic farmhouses in smaller villages. We use 3* and 4* hotel and agriturismo, some with swimming pools and restaurants.The places you stay have been carefully renovated from their original structure, with neoclassical villas within towns and stone-walled country retreats with gardens in the more rural areas. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, breakfast included, evening meals included on 2 nights.

Our Tuscan Via Francigena Itineraries

San Miniato Alto to Buonconvento

Distance: 78.6 miles (126km)

ITA-TVF1

8 Nights, 7 Days

from £890 pp

ITA-TVF1 ~ San Miniato Alto to Buonconvento ~ 8 / 7 classic

Day 1
Arrival in San Miniato Alto

Arrival by train from Florence or Pisa.
Day 2
San Miniato Alto to Gambassi
15 miles/24km

From San Miniato, a paved road takes you through onto a spectacular route through to the typical countryside of the Val d’Elsa. On your way, you’ll meet two of the original ‘Submansiones’ – two of the original churches that housed travellers on the pilgrimage, dating back to the thirteenth century.
Day 3
Gambassi to San Gimignano
11.2 miles/18km

Monuments from the middle ages are dotted along the path between the two charming medieval towns, stopping off at the villages of Collemuccioli and Pieve di Cellole, with time to visit the sanctuary in Pancole. Dinner is in the famous medieval town of San Gimignano.
Day 4
San Gimignano to Colle Val d’Elsa
8.9 miles/14.4 km

Today’s walk features some of the most memorable of the gorgeous, pastoral you can typically find in Tuscany. Vineyards, olive groves, field and woods make up your route to your overnight stay in Gracciano. There is also an optional detour to the fascinating Abbey of Santa Maria a Coneo, an important artistic and architectural heritage site dating back from the 11th century.
Day 5
Colle Val d’Elsa to Monteriggioni
11.6 miles/18.7 km

A continuation of the classical Tuscan countryside scenery, one of the most famous wine and olive oil producing regions. From the Pieve (rural, middle ages church) at Elsa, continue on to the ancient Etruscan Thermae (thermal baths) Caldone. Upon reaching the picturesque Romanesque church at Strove, continue your route along the complex of Abbadia a Isola to Monteriggioni, a medieval town encircled by its curious style of turrets and towers
Day 6
Monteriggioni to Siena
12.5 miles/20km

Time seems to have stood still in the Montagnola senese, an area of hills where the empty structures of farmhouses, medieval villages (cerbaia) and even castles (Chiocciola) are dotted across the landscape. From Poggio di Riciano, the route descends alongside the river of Piano del lago (there is also an option to forgo a visit to Poggio di Riciano and walk directly from Chiocciola to Pian del Lago). Following the route through the Renai forest, you will end today’s walk in the beautiful town of Siena. Arriving into the town via the Pilgrim's access point of Porta Camollia.
Day 7
Siena to Lucignano
13 miles/21km

Departing from Siena, your journey continues through the farmland routes, passing the antiquated structures of Grancia di Cuna and the town of Monteroni d’Arbia to the fortified village of Lucignano and its beautiful San Francesco church.
Day 8
Lucignano to Pieva a Salti (Buonconvento)
8.6 miles/13.8km

Buonconvento to accommodation + 1.9 miles/+3km.
Forests and rivers, historical landmarks and isolated monuments make up the rolling hillsides of the Valle dell’Ombrone. This valley is rich in wildlife, and there are two large nature reserves across its place at the heart of the province of Grosseto. Follow the route to the gates of Buonconvento, a picturesque old town that directly translates as "Happy, fortunate place". The town is home to many examples of fine artwork, with some of the most revered of the Sienese paintings housed in the Museum of Sacred Art of the Val d’Arbia.
Day 9
Depart Buonconvento – transfer to train station

Departure by train to Florence or Pisa airports.

or ask us a question

What's Included:

7 walking days

8 nights accommodation

8 breakfasts,
2 dinners

+ all our usuals

Prices

	Two sharing pp	Solo walker	Single person (in a group)
01/04/2022 - 10/04/2022	£860	£1,285	£1,145
11/04/2022 - 22/05/2022	£870	£1,310	£1,170
23/05/2022 - 25/06/2022	£890	£1,350	£1,210
26/06/2022 - 17/07/2022	£900	£1,395	£1,255
18/07/2022 - 31/07/2022	£915	£1,405	£1,265
01/08/2022 - 23/08/2022	£900	£1,395	£1,255
24/08/2022 - 08/09/2022	£925	£1,410	£1,270
09/09/2022 - 30/09/2022	£915	£1,405	£1,265
01/10/2022 - 15/10/2022	£870	£1,310	£1,170
16/10/2022 - 31/10/2022	£860	£1,285	£1,145

Extras

<~ Go back to all itineraries

What's included

8 nights bed and breakfast
2 evening meals (nights 2 & 8)
Luggage transfers and personal transfers to/from the path where necessary during the walking programme.
Destination Manual and Road Book (route notes) showing directions to your accommodations and local map.

Price Does Not Include

City taxes (per person) only payable direct to accommodations – The prices below indicates the total to pay per person, rather than per night.
Please consider city tax can vary during the year and new taxes can be introduced (Gambassi Terme 1€, San Gimignano 2.5€, Colle Val d’Elsa 1€, Monteriggioni 1€, Siena 2,5€, Buonconvento 1€)

Packed lunches (own arrangements)
Evening meals (except where stated above)
Travel to San Miniato Alto / from Buonconvento

When to go

You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.

Our Tuscan Via Francigena holidays are available to walk April to October.

Visitors will get the most out of the Tuscan region visiting either side of summer. Spring and autumn offer a better climate for walking as well as a chance to experience the countryside coming into flower, or the harvest at the end of the summer. Although the area around Siena is not typically as crowded as the Chianti region, visitors will find a much quieter side of Tuscany outside of summer.

How to get there?

Nearest airports are

Florence “A Vespucci” (FLR) http://www.aeroporto.firenze.it/en/

Pisa “Galileo Galilei” (PSA) http://www.pisa-airport.com/en/

You are responsible for booking your air travel to airports and onward travel to your first accommodation and from your accommodation on departure.

Train timetables - http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

Customise your trip? Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. Call one of our helpful team on +44 (0)1291 689774 or e-mail us here.

Home » Europe » Italy » Tuscan Via Francigena

Booking Request - Tuscan Via Francigena

Which itinerary would you like to book?*
Name*
Prefix First Last
E-mail*
Phone
Preferred arrival date*
DD slash MM slash YYYY

Minimum 4 weeks out
Do you wish to include any rest days?
Are your dates flexible?*
If so, by what range?
Hidden
Number of walkers in party
Name(s) of other walkers in party*
Room requirements*
Any other requests
Country of Residence
Opt-in
I would you like to receive further information on offers, updates and new destinations (can be stopped at any time).
T&Cs*
I agree to Celtic Trails' Terms & Conditions*
Hidden
GCLID Field
Comments
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

What Happens Next?

We will check your details and come back to you within two working days with a personalised estimate based on your requirements. We will then formally request a deposit of £150 per person (£100 per person for a single centre break) and book all your arrangements - find out about our full booking process here.

Please note this does not constitute a booking confirmation, we kindly ask you to refrain from booking any travel until we have confirmed all your arrangements.

Still Have Questions?

If you are still unsure on any of your requirements, please do enquire with us first and one of our friendly team will be happy to help you with any queries you have.

Enquire About Tuscan Via Francigena

+44 (0)1291 689 774
Our lines are open: 9am to 5pm (GMT), Monday to Friday

E-mail

Sample Accommodations

Please note: exact accommodation booked will depend on availability.