Self-guided walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 2
Moderate
15.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
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Free £150 National Trust gift card when you book by 17 September. Find out more.
This is not just a walking holiday it is a full immersion into local Tuscan life, from meeting local produce providers to wine-tasting, and a chance to bathe in sulphur-rich healing waters. You'll walk through ancient chestnut forests, vineyards and olive groves, passing lakes and freshwater ponds alive with the sounds of frog chorus. Visit medieval, Roman and Etruscan towns and villages, sample the Vino Nobile of Montepulciano, rich Pecorino cheese in Pienza or take a bath in Roman Bagno Vignoni.
Arrive at the Agriturismo La Pietriccia. In the evening, there's a briefing by the owner, Stefano, and then the first of many home cooked dinners. (Staying at the Agriturismo La Pietriccia for 7 nights, Half Board)
You stay at Agriturismo la Pietriccia.
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Visa
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Aircon
Safe
Tea/coffee
The Agriturismo La Pietriccia is a wonderful place sitting across a small valley from the old town of Chianciano, rewarding you with wonderful views. The large rooms have a simple, rustic decor and some offer balconies or terraces. You will be given a warm welcome by the owner Stefano, who is extremely passionate about the produce of the local area and the nature.
The agriturismo has a lovely pool and terrace; there is also a shady garden area where in warm summer weather, you can relax reading a book. The food prepared by Stefano, his brother Simone and Katia, is cooked using the mainly organic produce grown or reared on site or by one of the local producers offering traditional Tuscan cuisine at its best.
Please note that if you have booked one of the agriturismo's apartments, these are located 100m from the main agriturismo.
Today's walk takes you over the hills around la Pietriccia, with stunning views over Monte Marzolana and Chianciano Terme itself. The walk will finish in Chianciano's medieval centre, from where you can make your way back to the hotel or spend more time exploring this ancient spa town.
As you descend into the Valdichiana, a mix of quiet lanes and gravel tracks provide perfect views of the vineyards and over to Monte Rufeno. Passing pretty farmhouses you make your way to the small town of Montallese, and from here you pick up the Sentiero della Bonifica, a long-distance path between Chiusi and Arezzo. This leads you to the charming Lake Chiusi, where you can enjoy the birdlife and perhaps lunch at the lakeside restaurant. You will be transferred back to the hotel.
A short transfer takes you to the charming village of Castiglioncello; once abandoned it is now restored with a hotel, a cafe and the interesting Etruscan burial site. From the village you follow a trail through the forest to pass wonderful viewpoints of the area, dropping down to Poggio Pietraporciana, a Nazi gun point in the war. Continuing through the Pietraporciana Nature Reserve you pass the Rifugio Pietraporciana, once owned by the Marchesa of Val d'Orcia, Iris Origo, who, during the war, cordoned off this area to create a neutral zone, which the allies, Nazis and partisans all obeyed. From here, a forest track takes you past a charming agriturismo before a trail along a dried up river alongside rocky cliffs and on to the outskirts of Chianchiano stopping at the Dopolavoro La Foce where an optional transfer back to the hotel awaits you. Alternative carry on walking along a narrow trail with wonderful views and past a model of an Etruscan farm, before arriving in Chianchiano Terme and a choice of following the white gravel roads passing farms or through the town to return to the agriturismo.
Today you have time to yourself, maybe walk into Chianciano Vecchia and visit the Etruscan Museum of Chianciano Terme, enjoy olive oil tasting at the agriturismo or use your voucher for the Thermal Spa and relax in the healing waters or treat yourself to one of their many treatments.
Today you walk to the wine town of Montepulciano, where you will be rewarded with stunning views across the Valdichiana. Follow a chestnut-laden track to meet the forest road, before following a track around the vines and farmlands up to Montepulciano. You will be picked up here, but before this, take time to explore the town, which is full of wine bars and shops and has plenty of tasting opportunities.
After a short transfer to Pienza, take time to explore the town, it is one of the cheese capitals of Italy and a beautiful medieval historic centre. Perhaps pick up a sandwich filled with porchetta or a slab of rich and creamy pecorino cheese. The walk takes you downhill from Pienza, crossing the stunning Val d'Orcia. It is an easy walk following a well-marked trail, giving you the chance to take in the views of medieval towns, rolling hills and rows of cypress trees. You will reach Bagno Vignoni then follow the river Orcia before climbing up to the town passing the spring baths and the old mill, before arriving in the Roman town, with its large baths in the centre of town. Perhaps treat yourself to the hot waters of the Hotel Posta Marcucci, where the baths come with a view! We transfer you back to the hotel for your final night of Stefano's lovely food.
Leave Chianciano Terme.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel Canada Roma, Rome.
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Market
Bank
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AmExHairdryerWiFiTVAirconSafeTea/coffee
The 3 star Hotel Canada Roma is centrally located near the main railway station, making it an excellent base from which to explore Rome. Each room is ensuite and has been lovingly decorated in an elegant Italian style complete with vintage furniture. Rooms come with tea and coffee maker as well as air conditioning and safe.
This well appointed hotel also boasts a bar for pre dinner drinks and nibbles, as well as an external courtyard where you can savour a drink under the stars.
Room upgrades: Deluxe and junior suite
Deluxe rooms are larger with a more stately decor.
Junior suites have a separate living room.
These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £279.
These flight inclusive prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £279.
Our aim is to provide holidays that are unbeatable for choice and flexibility. We've listed our most popular travel options below, however you aren't limited to these - we can tailor-make virtually any holiday to suit.
Air-rail prices include our standard flights, onward rail and station transfers
British Airways Heathrow to Rome Fiumicino, then rail Rome Termini to Chiusi, and transfer to hotel 25 minutes.
Return: Transfer to Chiusi station 25 minutes then rail Chiusi to Rome Termini, then British Airways Rome Fiumicino to Heathrow
Business/club/first class seats are available on request.
First class rail is available at £25 per person return.
Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
To find out more about the travel options available call our sales team on 01606 720199, use our live webchat (we're open from 9.30am today) or email sales@headwater.com
Should you require overnight airport accommodation, airport parking or even a uniformed chauffeur to take your car from your departure terminal and park it for you, we can arrange this for you through Holiday Extras. You can book airport parking, airport hotels and executive lounges through their website or contact us for further details. Early booking is recommended to obtain the best availability and prices.
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 2
Moderate
15.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
