dossier

Secret Tuscany Walk

Day 1: Arrive at Montemerano
Drive from Rome airport to your hotel for dinner (90 mins).

Day 2: The Lost City of Vitozza 13km/8mi/4.5hr
Today’s circular walk starts and ends at the pretty village of San Quirico. It’s down first through walnut trees along the Lente River, to the eerie caves of ruined 13C Vitozza – destroyed by the Sienese to stop it falling into the hands of the Orisini family in the 15C. (Families still lived here until 1783.) After lunch in the magnificent ochre-coloured Sorano  you follow an easy valley trail back to San Quirico.

Day 3: The Argentario Peninsula  11km/7mi/3.5hr or 15km/9mi/5hr
A short drive to Monte Argentario on the Tuscan coast. Then climbing gently from the colourful port of San Stefano, azure bays open up to you as you walk through vines and eucalyptus trees to the lonely Torre d’Argentiera, watchtower left by the Sienese. Onwards through oleander and wild thyme to the old lighthouse – for incomparable views over Giglio and Elba islands, before descending through parasol pines to the sea in time for a dip.

Day 4: Vulci and the Fiora Valley  6km/4mi/2.5hr
Today’s walk combines stunning gorge scenery and fascinating archaeological discoveries. A Roman road winds through the ruined temples and market place of Etruscan Vulci. Then on through holm oaks and wild olive trees to the stunning waterfall at Lake Pellicone, look out for kingfisher at the water’s edge. After a lazy picnic lunch your walk ends at 13C Abbadia castle.

Day 5: Maremma Regional Park
For wonderful scenery, fantastic views and unspoilt beaches, you really must visit the Maremma Regional Park. Inaugurated in 1975, the park, which occupies a largely mountainous section of the coastline, protects just under 10,000 hectares of some of the wildest and most intact land in Italy. Highlights include the Macchia Mediterranea, pine forests, dunes, rocky coast and the wetlands at the mouth of the River Ombrone. You can choose from 9 marked walks within the park, ranging from 3km-12km.

Day 6: Sovana to Pitigliano 5km/3mi/2hr
Time to explore Pitigliano’s mediaeval paved streets, impressive Orsini palace and fascinating 15C Jewish quarter. Then, after lunch, it’s a 10 mins bus ride to Sovana, and its Etruscan necropolis. Maybe visit the famous tombs before following the rock-sculpted passageways of the Vie Caveback to Pitigliano – look out for wine cellars stowed inside the tufa rock.  Nearby Sovana, known as the City of Tufa, has an Etruscan necropolis where you can immerse yourself in history.

Day 7: Saturnia and the thermal waters 11km/7mi/3.5hr
The lovely Etruscan hill village is famous for it’s thermal springs. Today’s route takes you across the sweep of the rolling Tuscan hills then along a super ridge - magnificent views - to enter the village through the old Roman gate. Time to explore its Etruscan city walls and 12C church before lunch in one of its tempting trattorie. Option to bathe in the springs in the afternoon.

Day 8: Leave Villa Acquaviva