Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines

Name: Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 5 (7 reviews)

7 reviews

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

Share the beauty of Tuscany with new-found friends on vineyard walks and expertly led wine tastings

The intoxicating beauty of Tuscany is there for all to see. But that’s just the start on this gentle small-group hiking adventure. Guided by an expert tour leader, we experience the Garden of Italy through the eyes of a local, staying in the small village of Pancole, where we’re treated to classic Italian hospitality by the Sabatini family. Our walks take us through beautiful vineyards and we explore the Renaissance cities of Siena and Florence with expert local guides. Of course, we also sample several varieties of the local chianti together, forging friendships that could last a lifetime.

Key Information

Trip Code: TDC2
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Italy
Carbon Footprint: 25.3kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 7 Classic nights (Hotel Le Renaie)
All breakfasts, five dinners, three wine tastings
Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. On this trip local taxes (approx. €10) are not included.

5 days of Walking & Trekking

Pace:

Leisurely/Moderate

Terrain:

Paved tracks, forest trails and gravel

Day 2: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Day 3: 8 km / 5 miles
Day 4: 8 km / 5 miles
Day 6: 4 km / 2.5 miles
Day 7: 10 km / 6.2 miles

Highlights

Experience classic Tuscany on foot: rolling vineyards, Renaissance cities and medieval villages
Sip chianti and other local wines on three separate tasting experiences
See Siena through the eyes of local on a history and culture tour with a local guide
Discover magnificent Florence on a walking tour with a local guide
Feel like one of the family with a stay in the Tuscan hills at Hotel Le Renaie

Itinerary

First Destination: Pancole
Next Destination: Pancole

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Pancole
Next Destination: Pancole

Start at Hotel Le Renaie, our welcoming family-run hotel 4mi (6.5km) from San Gimignano.

Around 6pm, say ciao to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over a group dinner.

If you have extra days at hand and wish to extend your adventure, consider booking additional nights in Pisa or Florence. Speak to your sales representative for more information.

Meals included:Dinner

Get ready for a day full of history and nature as we explore one of the most popular sections of the Via Francigena, which links the villages of Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano. The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrimage route that links Canterbury in the UK to Rome; the full trip takes well over 90 days, but our section is far gentler, cutting through olive groves and vineyards.

Later in the afternoon, we head to Azienda Agricola Pietralta, a picturesque farmhouse in the heart of the countryside, where we enjoy three glasses of wine, a trio of cheeses and a tour around the farm.

Dinner this evening is back at the hotel, where we have time to relax, perhaps with a game of billiards or another glass of local wine on the garden-view terrace.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we enjoy local history in the heart of the Chianti area, covering a scenic circular route. We cut through woodlands, where we can admire the emerald vineyard valleys. In the afternoon, you have some free time to wander around and maybe join an optional tasting of the much-acclaimed chianti classico at one of the many local wineries.

Meals included:Breakfast

Head to Certaldo station and catch a train to Siena (approximately 45 minutes). This medieval city is dominated by impressive gothic monuments and is divided into 17 contrade (districts), each of which goes head-to-head in the twice-annual Palio, a thunderous horse race around the central square for which the whole city turns out.

We join a local guide on a tailor-made tour of the city, stopping at the landmarks, plus captivating sites most tourists normally pass by. Our tour includes a visit to a contrada museum, which is typically closed to the public, and dips into botteghe (small, traditional shops) to sample traditional local sweets. You may also opt to visit the medieval Siena Cathedral.

In the afternoon, learn about Tuscan wines during a one-hour lecture in the courtyard of Palazzo delle Papesse. Unlike traditional wine tastings, this expert-led experience is more educational, offering in-depth insights into Tuscany’s most important wines.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free to rest by the poolside. Alternatively, your tour leader can advise on local chianti wine-tasting tours, cooking classes, e-bike and vespa hire or offer assistance for unguided walks or daytrips.

Meals included:Breakfast

Our destination today is Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. We reach Florence from Certaldo by train, approximately a one-hour journey. Most of the greats from the movement lived or passed through here: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli and more. Learn all about it by joining a guided exploration, which your tour leader can help to organise.

Join one of the morning tours and you’ll have time to visit the Uffizi, an art gallery housing works by Renaissance masters, including The Birth of Venus by Botticelli and the gruesome Medusa by Caravaggio. If you do wish to visit, we recommend prebooking your ticket online to avoid lengthy queues. An ideal time is around 2pm if you’re joining the morning walking tour. Tickets can be purchased at www.uffizi.it/en/tickets.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Take a short transfer to the medieval town of San Gimignano, where we can visit the Palazzo Comunale, a 13th-century stone palace that’s home to the Pinacoteca (Art Gallery) and 177ft (54m) tall medieval Torre Grossa (you can purchase the €15 entrance ticket locally). There’s free time to wander and soak up the atmosphere. Before your farewell dinner, we visit the family-run Cesani estate, which produces some of the finest wines in the region. Here we enjoy an expertly led tasting, sampling three glasses accompanied by bruschetta, extra-virgin olive oil and a selection of Tuscan cheeses and charcuterie.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

You’ve walked some of the most scenic trails in Tuscany and explored the local wine scene, but now it’s time to bid Hotel Le Renaie a fond farewell and begin your return journey home.

Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to extend your adventure and spend more time exploring the Renaissance flair of Florence.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 462 4317

Your Group, Your Adventure

Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

View Details

Accommodation

Hotel Le Renaie, a family-run albergo in Pancole

Surrounded by Tuscan hills, Le Renaie occupies a privileged spot in the little village of Pancole, just 4mi (6.5km) from San Gimignano. Here, the Sabatini family has created an intimate, friendly retreat with 25 air-conditioned rooms and plenty of places to mingle.

Under the Italian summer sun, the swimming pool area (which has a separate hot tub) is the perfect place to cool down; alternatively, find a shady spot in the flower-filled gardens to sit, chat or read a book. Come evening, gather in the bar-restaurant for delicious Tuscan cuisine and a glass or two of local wine. It’s a popular stop for Pancole residents, so you know it’s good. There are also games tables to keep the entertainment going or you can take your drinks onto the bar terrace for views over the garden, which is filled with hydrangeas and citrus plants.

Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines

Amenities

Swimming pool (usually open May to mid-October)
Restaurant serving traditional Tuscan meals
Bar/cafeteria for light snacks and lunches (open every day)
Games tables

Worth knowing

Upgrade to a room with a balcony (facing the pool or garden) – speak to your sales representative for more details
Our hotel is in a quiet area with just a couple of wineries and agriturismos nearby. If you did want to explore, San Gimignano is a short taxi ride away
Pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements; cooler months may not be suitable for swimming

Extend Your Trip

Exclusive Add-ons

Florence Hotels

Extend your love affair with Italy and discover Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Marvel at Michelangelo’s David, and climb the Duomo for sweeping views. With every cobbled corner tempting you to linger, and pit stops for carpaccio, ribollita or creamy gelato all but essential, it’s time to lean in and live your best dolce vita. Here are a few of our favourite hotels to inspire your stay:

Cellai Boutique Hotel: A charming boutique hotel set in a historic building near to Florence’s main sights. With individually styled rooms, cosy lounges and a welcoming atmosphere, it offers a warm base for exploring the city.

Spadai: Located just 100m from the Duomo, this contemporary hotel combines sleek design with excellent comfort and service. Its central location, modern rooms and thoughtful touches make it ideal for travellers wanting to be right in the heart of Florence.

Balestri: Overlooking the Arno River near Ponte Vecchio, Hotel Balestri blends classic Florentine style with modern amenities. With river views, refined rooms and easy access to the historic centre, it’s a relaxing and well-placed option for extending your stay.

This is just a glimpse of what’s possible. Speak to your sales representative, who can guide you through the options and arrange everything for you.

Essential Information

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Walking profile: This trip offers a good mix of city and countryside walks. The terrain and path type include paved tracks, forest trails and gravel. The walks are not technically difficult, although there are some ascents and descents, so a reasonable amount of fitness is required. Please be aware, the Radda walk on Day 3 can be challenging due to the length and hilliness of the route. The area is quite hilly and most drives, although short, follow twisty mountain roads through wooden areas.

Climate: Tuscany can be very hot in summer, especially from June to August but heatwaves can also happen in April and May. Temperatures can reach the high 30Cs (around 100F). We try to start our hikes earlier to avoid the hottest hours of the day but temperatures and humidity will be high. You should feel comfortable walking in the heat. The number of mosquitos may increase (significantly) in summer, so we recommend bringing repellent.

Key information

Start hotel: Hotel Le Renaie, Località Pancole, 53037 San Gimignano (SI)
Phone: +39 0577 1607452
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm in the evening.
Airport: Pisa (PSA)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 1hr 20min drive from the airport. We provide one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

The usual meeting point for the group transfer is Pisa Airport, where the guide will be waiting for you. Occasionally, unpredictable parking restrictions at the airport mean the group transfer includes a five-minute journey on the Pisamover from the airport to the railway station. In this case, the guide will still meet you at the airport on arrival and accompany you on the Pisamover.

Make your own way
It’s possible to reach the start hotel by public transport, but the journey is complicated. We therefore recommend joining the group transfer where possible. If not, you can pre-order a taxi through Exodus. This will take you from Pisa Airport directly to Hotel Le Renaie. It will take approximately 1hr 20min to reach the accommodation and costs approximately €200, paid locally.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Note on the group flights

The inbound flight can sometimes be late in the evening, especially during summer. In this instance, you will have additional time to spend in Pisa. The tour leader will take care of all arrangements in terms of transport from/to the airport and the city centre and luggage storage. It may also happen that, for logistical reasons, we must be at the airport earlier than normally scheduled on return. This will mean a longer waiting time before checking in.

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

All breakfasts, five dinners and three wine tastings are included.

Breakfast is usually a continental-style buffet.

The five included dinners are taken at Hotel Le Renaie. Four meals consist of three courses, dessert and a glass of wine. On Tuesday evening, when the restaurant is closed to the public, you will be treated to a special pizza feast.

All meals are homemade and prepared using locally sourced ingredients and following traditional Tuscan recipes. For this reason, the menu doesn’t include fish-based options.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free choices are available – please advise us of dietary requirements on booking.

Expect warm days in April and May. Although rain is possible, it seldom lasts long. Nights may be cool. We strongly recommend a fleece-lined jacket or warm sweater in these months.

June sees the start of summer and July and August can become quite hot by mid-afternoon, so this time is kept free for lunch. Although rain is unusual, torrential cloudbursts are not unknown. September and October are cooler and wetter, yet visibility is often better. Swimming is usually still possible.

Revisiting Siena

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy!

Suggestions

The hotel was rather isolated so there were no options for eating elsewhere as taxis are scarce.

Joe Figueiredo

Added May 2024

A wonderful trip from beginning to end!

I had a brilliant experience walking and wine tasting in Tuscany, led by our fantastic guide, Jordan. This trip has a good balance of picturesque walks, wine tasting and city days and offers a great introduction to one of Italy's most beautiful and historic regions. Our itinerary ran seamlessly and...

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Florence - a city steeped in history and culture!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic - Jordan went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed our holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Plan ahead for the free day. There are activities you can book through the hotel but availability can be limited.

Suggestions

Take a multi-plug adapter as there aren't many sockets in the hotel rooms.

Debbie Palmer

Added April 2024

Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines is set in a beautiful rural location.

A very relaxed but full itinerary walking holiday. Challenging walks at times with lots to do but well balanced with down time to enjoy the surroundings and wine.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to pick one moment as the scenery is beautiful. We were inspired by the views every day, the countryside, the villages, Siena and Florence. Not to mention the local wines!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was amazing, it was all about the groups needs and keeping us safe, doing her utmost to ensure we had the best possible experiences. Liz's knowledge of the region was impeccable. Liz was friendly and a great part of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hotel is quite rural, be prepared for the lack of a convenient shop!

Suggestions

As with previous Exodus holidays, we have met a lovely group of people, group leader and staff.

Read all reviews

Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

Share the beauty of Tuscany with new-found friends on vineyard walks and expertly led wine tastings

Key Information

What's Included

Don't Forget To

5 days of Walking & Trekking

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

Hotel Le Renaie, a family-run albergo in Pancole

Extend Your Trip

Florence Hotels

Essential Information

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Italy

Reviews

Beautiful Tuscan countryside, good wine, delicious food, and history

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tuscany Walks &amp; Chianti Wines

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's Not Just About the Wine

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A fabulous week in Tuscany

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tuscany Kevin

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

A wonderful trip from beginning to end!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Tuscany Walks &amp; Chianti Wines is set in a beautiful rural location.

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

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