Walk into the Heart of Italy

Arrive this afternoon in Rome at our hotel on Aventine Hill, one of the seven hills in the heart of Ancient Rome. Our hotel is near the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, so we recommend a short walk to visit them this afternoon. We'll enjoy a welcome dinner together this evening.

Today, we will shuttle to the Appian Way for a walk amid the 'Pines of Rome!' Grab your picnic supplies along the way, and we'll enjoy a picnic on this old Roman road. Later in the afternoon we’ll meet our guide for a wonderful walk through Baroque Rome. Dinner on your own this evening. Today’s walk: 3-5 km (2-3 miles).

We head into Tuscany this morning and the Renaissance town of Pienza, just south of Siena. Our shuttle will drop us off at the Renaissance baths at Bagno Vignoni, and we’ll enjoy a short 8 km walk to the charming village of San Quirico d’Orcia before shuttling to Pienza where we’ll stay the next two nights. Dinner together this evening. Today’s walk: 8 km (5 miles).

Our walk today will take us to the medieval hilltop village of Monticchiello where we'll stop for lunch together. In the afternoon we’ll continue walking to Montepulciano where we’ll taste the famous “Nobile di Montepulciano” wine before shuttling back to Pienza. Dinner on your on this evening. Today’s walk: 8-18 km (5-11 miles).

We shuttle to Siena this morning where you’ll have time to stroll through one of Tuscany’s best-preserved medieval towns. Enjoy lunch on your own and then we’ll head on to San Gimignano. Those preferring a hearty end to the day can join a walk through the countryside into San Gimignano, while others may want to shuttle on directly to the hotel! Dinner together this evening. Today’s walk: up to 8 km (5 miles).

Take your time this morning to continue enjoying medieval San Gimignano. In the afternoon we’ll lead a walk in the hills around town. We'll be back in San Gimignano this evening where we'll suggest some of our favorite restaurants for dinner on your own. Today’s walk: 5-8 km (3-5 miles).

We head to Pisa this morning for a day of walking near the leaning tower! Explore one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, famous for its baptistery, cathedral, the tower and 'campo santo' (or ancient cemetery). Take a walk in the medieval district and along the Arno river, where you can enjoy an ice cream! Then we’ll shuttle to nearby Lucca and explore its 17th-century Renaissance wall, one of the best preserved in Europe. This evening, we'll enjoy a traditional Tuscan dinner together. Today’s walk: 4 km (2.5 miles).

After breakfast in our hotel, we’ll walk to the top of Lucca's Guinigi Tower for an introduction to this fascinating city. From the tower, you can see the grid pattern of this ancient Roman city, the dominance of its late medieval churches, and the great ring of its 17th-century wall, still perfectly preserved and encircling the city. Spend the afternoon walking in this unique town and what about a cappuccino at the historical café “De Simo”, where Puccini would meet with friends. Dinner on your own this evening. Today’s walk: Your choice.

After breakfast we travel east to Vinci, the town where Leonardo was born. Take time to visit the Leonardo Museum before we walk to the small farmhouse -- set amid olive groves on the slopes of Mount Albano -- where Leonardo was born in 1452. We shuttle on to Florence this afternoon, where we’ll enjoy dinner together this evening. Today’s walk: 8-16 km (5-10 miles).

Today is a sightseeing day in Florence! Our hotel is located on the Arno River, close to the Uffizi Gallery and the Piazza della Signoria, so you’ll have easy access to this fabulous Renaissance city. Dinner on your own this evening. Today’s walk: your choice.

We shuttle north this morning to the hills of Romagna, Italy's most famous pasta region. We stop in Rocca San Casciano for lunch together and enjoy a pasta making demonstration. After lunch we’ll shuttle to the village of Terra del Sole, built in the 16th Century by the Medici family and from there, we walk to the nearby castle of Montepoggiolo and into the Po Valley to visit the farm - it's been in Paola's family for more than 100 years! Our hotel this evening is in the ceramics town of Faenza. Tonight dinner is on your own. Today’s walk: 10-12 km (6-8 miles).

Take time to visit Faenza’s International Ceramics Museum or some of the local shops this morning before we head to Ravenna. We stop to visit the church of San Apollinare in Classe , then we shuttle to the “ Riserva Naturale di Punte Alberete” to explore this rare example of a Po Valley wood. After a picnic lunch we shuttle to our hotel in Ravenna. We'll suggest some of our favorite osteria for dinner on your own. Today’s walk: 4 km (2.5 miles).

In the morning you’ll have time to visit Dante’s tomb and Ravenna’s famous mosaics – only Istanbul is home to more early Christian art!- in the churches of San Vitale, Santa Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.

We’ll take an orientation walk this morning so you’ll know what Venice has to offer. Then, take the afternoon to visit Venice, wander its medieval streets, and see what life was like without automobiles in the 14th Century! We'll suggest museums to visit for those who want to dive into that part of the city. We’ll enjoy a great final dinner together this evening! Today’s walk: 3 hours in the morning, your choice during the afternoon.

After breakfast together, you are on your own! But we’re betting that by now Italy has captivated your heart for life. Ciao!