What you can expect
Stunning Tuscan Scenery
Visit Florence and Lucca
Join us to discover some of the finest scenery and landscapes Italy has to offer. With four included walks we can seek out the breath-taking Tuscan landscape overlooking fascinating renaissance towns and monasteries – all in all a magical experience. We will see the “home of the Renaissance” and have the chance to sample the delicious food and for which the region is renowned – a truly gastronomic delight.
Grade: Easy to Medium
Extras
We arrive in to Pisa and transfer to our hotel in Montecatini where we can meet each other and enjoy a welcome drink.
After breakfast we meet with Joey, our local walking guide, and departure to Vinci, the birthplace of the great Leonardo da Vinci, by bus. The beginning of our walking tour is through vineyards and olive trees to reach a country house where an excellent wine is produced, here we will have a tour of the vineyards and visit of the wine cellar tasting of some wines accompanied by Tuscan snacks such as local cold cuts and cheeses .
We then move on to Vinci where we visit the old village and museum and can admire the prototypes of Leonardo’s most important inventions. After the visit to the museum of the Genius we will go by bus to Anchiano where we will visit the house where Leonardo lived his childhood
We depart to Monsummano Terme by bus where we meet with our local guide who takes us to the quarries of the spa Grotta Giusti on foot. Afterwards we will walk to the small village of Monsummano Alto, where you can admire the Rocca, a pentagonal fort which, together with a part of the walls and a gate, represents the last remains of an ancient Castle made to be built in the XI century. The medieval Church, too, which is located at the top of the hill, is a sight to be seen. Afterwards we head back to the Grotta Giusti Spa where we can have a spot of lunch and can relax in the spa swimming pool with underwater hydromassages of the “Terme” Grotta Giusti or enjoy other treatments at pleasure and at own cost.
We have breakfast this morning and then around 08.30 we will meet the guide and depart by bus to reach the most beautiful hills and villages of the Valdinievole: Buggiano, Colle di Buggiano, Buggiano Castle, here time seems having stopped, you will walk among the paths travelled by the knights of the past to reach fairy-tale castles, enjoying an incredible panorama and treating yourself a memorable experience. Take time to pause and smell the scents of wild herbs and our olive trees.
Late morning we arrive on foot to the place where we will have a cooking demonstration of typical Tuscan food, this is a special place, an ancient stable for animals that now houses this restaurant. The visit will begin with an English explanation of the place and after this, they will begin the cooking for us. At the end of the course we will have lunch with the freshly prepared meals. After, we will transfer by bus back to the hotel.
After breakfast we depart by train to Florence, the city of the Renaissance, followed by a guided walking tour in which we will learn the artistic peculiarities of this unique city from Piazza della Signoria to Ponte Vecchio, from Santa Maria del Fiore (the Cathedral) to the Piazza della Repubblica and so on . We then visit the covered Florentine Central Market, which dates back to the period in which Florence was Italy’s capital (XIX century). We return back by train and dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast we will meet our guide and walk to the volta of Montecatini Alto, the old part of Montecatini, which is a medieval village perched on the hill that overlooks the thermal city. The walk will take place on an old paved road through olive trees and forests. Thanks to the circumnavigation of the hilltop village of Montecatini Alto, we will be able to enjoy the view of the thermal city and nearby areas of the provinces of Lucca and Pistoia. Montecatini Alto was a castel of Roman origins at 299 meters (981 ft.) of altitude and was the seat of the municipality until 1905. This antique castle gave life to the Montecatini we know today. In the heart of this village lies the splendid small square that offers its visitors a view of the past and also a place to stop at a typical Tuscan restaurant for lunch.
We will then have time here to spend as we wish before heading back to the city on the cable railway, a small train with old wooden benches dating back to 1898 which connects the antique village to the modern thermal city.
Today we depart towards Lucca, birth location of the great Giacomo Puccini and considered one of the most beautiful artistic cities in Tuscany. Lucca preserves 4 km (2.49 mi) of intact city walls that surround the city and enclose an immense artistic and architectural patrimony. We will walk through the striking Via Fillungo, the center’s main axis, accompanied alongside by antique houses and towers. Tangent to Via Fillungo, in the area of the roman amphitheatre, the Piazza del Mercato was opened in 1830: it is a series of medieval constructions that overlap the theatre closing the piazza in a ring and creating a striking architectural frame. The visit ends on Lucca’s city walls, a splendid pedestrian area, immersed in the green secular plants.
Today we check out of our hotel and say goodbye before transferring back to the Airport for our flight home.
Situated in a prime location under the Tuscan hills, the hotel is a 20 minute walk from the centre of Montecatini Terme, and with the most beautiful Tuscan cities such as Florence, Pisa and Lucca just an hour or less away via driving or public transport. The Hotel is able to guarantee a pleasant and relaxing stay in Tuscany. It offers a traditional restaurant and bedrooms with free Wi-Fi.
The hotel has a pool (weather dependent), a lift and air conditioning throughout. There is a bar, Spa, gym and free Wifi.
All the hotel’s comfortable rooms are equipped with an en-suite bathroom, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer, television, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi.
Frequently Asked Questions
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:
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.
If you are travelling to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.
Your passport must be:
You must check if your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
Check with your transport provider or travel company that your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.
At Italian border control, you may need to:
Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Italy as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.
You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:
If you are travelling to Italy and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Italy, including the Alps and the Dolomites. More information about altitude sickness is available from TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre).
Euro
Tourist Tax €1.40 per night (payable locally)
Average Temperatures
| 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’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”
“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
“I’ve been on loads of trips with Solos over the years and can honestly say you will not regret booking your 1st one!”
“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”
