Leisurely Walks
Our leisurely walks will take us through the region’s stunning landscapes.
Step Back in Time
Step back in time to see medieval villages, and walk through ancient vineyards and olive groves.
Culinary Richness
Discover the fine culinary richness of Tuscany and visit the covered Florentine Central Market.
Visit Florence
Visit Florence, the city of the Renaissance.
Join us to discover some of the finest walking, food and wine Italy has to offer. With four included walks, we can breathe in the spectacular Tuscan landscape made up of fascinating renaissance towns, monasteries, rolling hills, vineyards and olive trees.
Drenched in history and boundless natural beauty, Tuscany is the perfect place to explore on foot. We’ll be based in Montecatini Terme, a spa town famous for its thermal waters, and it’s from here that we’ll enjoy one full-day and three-half day walks around the area.
Extras
Arrive at Pisa Airport and transfer to our hotel in Montecatini – Tuscany.
After breakfast we’ll meet our local guide and depart by bus to Vinci, the birthplace of the great Leonardo da Vinci. We’ll visit the old village and the museum where you can admire the prototypes of Leonardo’s most important inventions. Later we’ll walk through the Dark Valley, also called the Valley of the water-mills, where you can see four old mills dating back to the third century. We’ll then continue onwards to Fonte del Romito, a spring which is famous for its organoleptic properties and for the quality of its water. After a break for a packed lunch, provided by the hotel, we’ll walk to the Montalbano hills which are covered in large part by olive trees and grapevines. Finally, we will return to Leonardo’s birthplace and catch a transfer back to Montecatini.
This morning we’ll meet our local guide and walk to the small village of Monsummano Alto, where we can admire the Rocca, a pentagonal fort which, together with a part of the old walls, represents the last remains of an ancient Castle built in the eleventh century. Your afternoon is then at leisure where you might want to take advantage of the leisure facilities in our hotel.
In the morning we can enjoy some free time; why not do some shopping or sightseeing in the centre of Montecatini Terme? After lunch we’ll transfer to Artimino (approximately one hour). Once an old post of Etruscan origin, Artimino is a medieval village which has been rebuilt around Villa La Ferdinanda (known as the Villa of the 100 chimneys). After visiting the Roman parish church of San Leonardo, we will walk for about two hours across vineyards and olive groves, reaching finally the walls of the “Barco Reale”, an old hunting reserve where we might see some wild pigs or porcupines. Returning to the Villa, we will visit to the old cellars for some wine tasting.
After breakfast we’ll leave by train to Florence, followed by a guided walking tour of this unique city. Here we will also discover the culinary richness of Florence and pay a visit to the covered Florentine Central Market, to sample cheese, meat, fish, and typical local products of Tuscany.
Today we’ll meet our guide and walk to the volta of Montecatini Alto, the old part of Montecatini, which is a medieval village perched on the hills that overlook the thermal city. The walk will take place along an old paved road through olives and forests, after which we’ll arrive at the old village. Here we have views of the thermal city and of the provinces of Lucca and Pistoia. At Montecatini Alto, we will be able to relax in a restaurant, enjoying a typical Tuscan lunch. Afterwards we will head back to the city on the cable railway, dating back to 1898, which connects the old village to the modern thermal city. Afterwards we leave for Lucca, birthplace of Giacomo Puccini and one of the most beautiful places in Tuscany. At Lucca we walk through the striking Via Fillungo, the centre’s main axis with its old houses and towers. The Piazza del Mercato was opened in 1830: it is a series of medieval constructions that overlap the theatre enclosing the piazza in a circle and thereby creating a striking architectural frame. The visit ends on Lucca’s city walls, a splendid pedestrian area immersed in the green secular plants. Then it’s back to the hotel for dinner.
Spend a day at leisure. Perhaps make use of the hotel’s spa facilities or enjoy wandering around Montecatini before meeting back at the hotel for our farewell dinner.
It’s time to say “Arrivederci”! After transferring to the airport, we will board our flight home.
Located in a quiet area in Montecatini Terme, our hotel has easy access to Florence, Lucca and Pisa. It offers a traditional restaurant and bedrooms with free Wi-Fi.
The hotel has a spa and wellness centre, including a Turkish bath, sauna, hot tub with water jets, sensory showers and beauty treatments. Room service is available and there is a bar on-site.
All the hotel’s comfortable rooms are equipped with an en-suite bathroom, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer, safe, television, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi.
The transfer time from Pisa Airport to our hotel is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on weather and traffic.
One full-day and three half-day guided walks are included in the programme. Your walking guide will advise you in resort of the daily programme. The walking programme is graded as Easy to Medium with some ascents/descents and rough underfoot terrain.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.
You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
It is important that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive.
The weather, even in summer, is unpredictable – particularly in mountainous areas. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
Euro
We suggest a Group Collection to cover transfer drivers, and hotel staff of €15.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate add on.
A full 10-year passport is required, valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay.
A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Italy Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements. Alternatively, you can apply for your Visa with our preferred partner the Travel Visa company by selecting the following link; Travel Visa Company.
Compulsory vaccinations: None.
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Italy
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11 °C | 2 °C |
| February | 2 °C | 3 °C |
| March | 16 °C | 5 °C |
| April | 19 °C | 8 °C |
| May | 24 °C | 12 °C |
| June | 29 °C | 16 °C |
| July - August | 32 °C | 18 °C |
| September | 27 °C | 15 °C |
| October | 21 °C | 11 °C |
| November | 15 °C | 6 °C |
| December | 11 °C | 3 °C |
I was so nervous about embarking on my first Solos Holiday, but I shouldn’t have been – it was the best thing I have ever done!
Wow! Got to see the famous shipwreck beach in Zakynthos with Solos. Can’t wait to discover more of their destinations!
Our tour leader Monica was exceptional! Had such a good time and will be rebooking with Solos. Thanks for a great holiday!
Had the best time with Solos! Discovered beautiful destinations and met some lifelong friends.
