sawdays.co.uk/historical-walking-holidays-in-italy

Route 2. The Tuscan TrailWalled Cities • Chianti • Vineyards

Distance: 26 km | Time: 3 DaysDifficulty: Easy/Intermediate | Season: Spring/Summer

Walk a spectacular Tuscan section of the ancient pilgrim trail of Via

Francigena which literally means ‘the road that comes from France’,

but many believe it started much further away in Canterbury. It’s a

well-marked trail which you can do as much, or as little of, as you

like. Stay in one of our special Sawday’s places and travel slowly,

past citrus groves and rustic farmhouses, feeling free with just a

pack on your back. The route from Gambassi Terme to Colle Val

d’Elsa is stunning – stop here and rest or forge on to the sweet

hamlet of Monteriggioni and beyond.

ItalianW A L K I N G B R E A K S

D O N ’ T M I S S . . .

• Climb the highest tower of Palazzo Comunale in San Gimignano for gorgeous views.

• Marvel at the Duomo with its stunning frescoes, still colourful after 700 years.

• See the famous crystal glass being made in Colle Val d’Elsa.

Must eat Capocollo with bruschetta to get you started, then a hearty Tuscan plate of Bistecca alla Fiorentina – a tender steak served with roast potatoes and spinach.

Must drink You cannot go through Tuscany without sipping – or slurping – some world class Chianti!

Must see Must stayOur Special Places in Tuscany are as beautiful as the walks

and the scenery. Stay in rustic, hugely welcoming places

set into the untamed countryside. Dine on home-grown

vegetables, hunt for truffles, douse your food in fragrant

olive oil and take a dip in the pool – the perfect way to

cool off after a long walk.

Antico Borgo Pogiarello, Tuscany

Borgo Pignano, TuscanyLocana Le Boscarecce, Tuscany

sawdays.co.uk/historical-walking-holidays-in-italy

Route 2. The Tuscan TrailWalled Cities • Chianti • Vineyards

Distance: 26 km | Time: 3 Days | Difficulty: Easy / Intermediate | Season: Spring / Summer

Day 1: Fly to Florence or Pisa, and recharge your batteries

for a night. Plenty of hearty Tuscan food will fuel you for the

stunning walking.

Day 2: Catch a train or bus to Gambassi Terme to

kick-start your first day. This quaint town sits in rugged

countryside and rolling hills dating to Neolithic times.

Always a rest point for the Via Francigena over the years, this

agricultural hub champions organic produce, arts and crafts.

Stock up your pack with food for the day’s walk.

Head east out of Gambassi Terme and walk 13.5km through

the heart of Tuscany to San Gimignano. The path is marked,

but the colours and design of the sign tend to vary. The

signs usually depict a black pilgrim silhouette to indicate the

route. Taken at a slow pace it will take about 3 hours and

take you past the Sanctuary at Pancole and Pieve of Cellole -

it finishes at the World Heritage UNESCO site.

San Gimignano is famed for its medieval sky scrapers, or

preserved tower houses. See the grand Palazzo Comunale

(the highest) and climb to the top for breathtaking views

of the Valdelsa region. See the ancient castle ruins of

Castelvecchio, walk along the city walls.

Day 3: After a good night’s sleep, head back to San

Gimignano and continue on the trail - one of the most

beautiful stretches running alongside the border of Tuscany

and Chianti. You’ll hike through woods and undulating fields

before arriving at Colle Val d’Elsa and the exquisite walled

medieval part of town.

Explore narrow alleyways, visit the crystal glass museum,

toast your successful walk with heady Chianti.

ItalianW A L K I N G B R E A K S

sawdays.co.uk/historical-walking-holidays-in-italy

Route 2. The Tuscan TrailWalled Cities • Chianti • Vineyards

Distance: 26 km | Time: 3 Days | Difficulty: Easy / Intermediate | Season: Spring / Summer

ItalianW A L K I N G B R E A K S