9 Day Tuscany, Italy Walking Tour

9-Day Tuscany Hiking & Cultural Experience | Montecatini Base

DAY 1 – Saturday: Depart for Italy

Start your unforgettable Italian adventure with a flight to Florence. Prepare for an immersive journey through Tuscany’s rolling hills, medieval villages, and scenic trails.

DAY 2 – Sunday: Arrival in Florence & Transfer to Montecatini

Arrive in Florence and transfer to your hotel in Montecatini Terme, renowned for its rejuvenating thermal baths. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the charming town or unwind at the spa.

• Orientation & Dinner: Meet your Tour Manager at 6 PM for a welcome briefing, followed by a delicious dinner of local specialties.

• Overnight: Montecatini

• Meals: Dinner

DAY 3 – Monday: Montecarlo Querciona Trail & Lucca

Discover the medieval village of Montecarlo on the Querciona Nature Trail. Immerse yourself in Tuscany’s serene countryside, dotted with olive and fig trees. Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at a traditional Fattoria before continuing to Lucca.

• Highlights: Walk Lucca’s historic Roman grid streets, visit the Church of San Michele, and admire centuries of medieval architecture.

• Hike Details: Easy – 3.5 miles / 3 hours / ±495 ft elevation

• Overnight: Montecatini

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4 – Tuesday: Apuan Alps & Pietrasanta

Venture into the breathtaking Apuan Alps, famous for their marble quarries. Hike scenic trails past ancient chestnut groves and historic marble mills. Enjoy rustic lunch at a hilltop hamlet with panoramic views. End the day exploring Pietrasanta, a town celebrated for its sculptors since the time of Michelangelo.

• Hike Details: Moderate – 3 miles / 4 hours / ±925 ft elevation

• Overnight: Montecatini

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5 – Wednesday: Free Day in Montecatini or Optional Chianti Hike

Spend the day exploring Montecatini at your leisure or embark on an optional guided hike through the Chianti countryside. Wander from Greve to Montefioralle, passing vineyards, olive groves, and picturesque villages. Complete the experience with a lunch paired with exquisite local wines.

• Optional Hike Details: Moderate – 3.5 miles / 3.5 hours / ±750 ft elevation

• Overnight: Montecatini

• Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6 – Thursday: Vinci & Leonardo da Vinci’s Landscapes

Step into Leonardo da Vinci’s world with a hike through the Montalbano hills. Visit Carmignano, where young Leonardo explored sculpture and ceramics. Hike along the Medici Route, through vineyards and olive groves, ending in Anchiano and the town of Vinci. Discover Leonardo’s birthplace and museum, then enjoy a farewell dinner featuring Tuscan specialties and wine.

• Hike Details: Moderate – 3.5 miles / 3 hours / +377/-815 ft elevation

• Overnight: Montecatini

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 – Friday: Via Francigena to San Gimignano

Follow a historic section of the Via Francigena pilgrimage route from the Monastery of Pancole to Collemuccioli, surrounded by beautiful Tuscan landscapes. Conclude your hike in San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its medieval towers and charming alleyways.

• Hike Details: Moderate – 5 miles / 4 hours / ±1000 ft elevation

• Overnight: Montecatini

• Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 – Saturday: Valleriana Appennine Valley

Explore the hidden Valleriana Valley, once the strategic border between Pisa, Lucca, and Florence. Walk through ancient chestnut forests, medieval villages, and panoramic vistas. Visit hamlets such as San Quirico and Castelvecchio, and experience the authentic rural charm of Tuscany. Enjoy a farewell lunch before returning to Montecatini.

• Hike Details: Moderate – 3 miles / 2.5 hours / ±460 ft elevation

• Overnight: Montecatini

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9 – Sunday: Departure from Italy

Transfer to Florence Airport for your return flight home, taking with you memories of Tuscany’s breathtaking landscapes, historic villages, and authentic cultural experiences.

• Meals: Breakfast

Included in Your Tuscany Hiking Tour Package:

• Small groups (max 20 travelers)

• Round-trip flights: New York ↔ Florence (other departure cities available)

• 7 nights in Montecatini hotel (3–4 star)

• Hotel taxes, fees & service charges

• Porterage at hotels

• All transfers (with airfare purchase)

• 13 meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

• Guided sightseeing in modern air-conditioned vehicles

• English-speaking hiking guide throughout; additional guide for groups of 11–20

• Tips for porters, wait staff, and local guides included

• Active hiking itinerary with cultural immersion