Florence to San Gimignano & Volterra – Independent
This route runs through the central part of Tuscany – a landscape characterised by medieval hilltop villages and scattered cypress trees, undulating vineyards and olive groves. Its gently rolling hills are familiar as the classic backdrop of Renaissance art. Its charm is its changelessness, which merges medieval and modern worlds.
The route takes you from the heart of Florence, art capital of the Western world, via the Via Volterrana (salt route to Volterra) along quiet lanes, dirt tracks and ancient paths, past Tuscan farms and vineyards, culminating in the magnificent Etruscan city of Volterra.
Spring is prime time for flowers and birds and late September is the time to see the vendemmia, or grape harvest, in action.
Duration: 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 days
Itinerary
World-class sightseeing (and shopping!) in Florence. 3* family-run hotel or luxury 4* central hotel (upgrade).
Florence is the world’s foremost ‘Art City’ with museums and art galleries galore, most notably the Uffizi, containing the world’s greatest collection of Italian Renaissance painting. The Duomo (cathedral) and numerous churches across the city also house outstanding art and architecture.
Family-run hotel in historic building, a short walk from city centre
Breathtakingly central location!
Time to visit the key sights and explore the city on foot following ATG's self-guided circular city walk. 3* family-run hotel or luxury 4* central hotel (upgrade).
In addition to sightseeing, there is also an exceptional variety of shops, bars and restaurants. Our Route Book provides a handy guide to our top pick of sights, boutiques and eateries.
Family-run hotel in historic building, a short walk from city centre
Breathtakingly central location!
From the Ponte Vecchio, follow roads and ancient lanes to La Certosa, the Cistercian monastery at Galluzzo, from where quiet lanes lead up through vineyards and olive groves to medieval San Casciano, with churches and museums containing 14C works by Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Simone Martini. Stay in a 3* bed & breakfast in town or 4* countryside hotel just outside (upgrade). 14.5 miles, 7.5 hrs or 12.7 miles, 6.5 hrs if you stay in the Upgrade accommodation.
Inhabited since Etruscan times and situated on a bluff high above the River Pesa, the town was a strategic military outpost protecting medieval Florence from invasion by the Sienese to the south. Today, the town is known for its quality wine and olive oil. One of Italy’s most famous wine producers, the Florentine noble family of Antinori, have their main cellars just outside the town.
Welcoming B&B in converted 12th century building
Historical house with garden and pool
Paths lead down into the fertile Pesa Valley, then up through olive groves and vineyards (6.4 miles, 3 hrs). From the wine estate where you stay there is a 10-minute walk to the 9th century Pieve di San Pancrazio.
Renowned for the 10th-century Pieve di San Pancrazio. Works of art inside the church include a 14th-century Madonna and Child by Cenni di Francesco and a Crucifixion by Santi di Tito of 1590, as well as portraits of Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarch, Sophocles, Socrates and Virgil.
Farm and wine estate in lovely setting, with pool
Paths with some inspiring panoramic views lead across picturesque hills and valleys to the Elsa Valley and the small, walled medieval hill town of Certaldo, with its fine brick ramparts, and house of Giovanni Boccaccio, where in 1349 he wrote The Decameron (11.6 miles, 6 hrs). Charming 3* B&B with garden and views.
A classic Tuscan hilltop town with Etruscan roots and once a prominent stop on the Via Francigena pilgrim route. It is divided into the quieter medieval upper town, steeped in history, culture and art, and the more modern lower town, bustling with everyday life. The Italian poet and writer Giovanni Boccaccio, lived and died in Certaldo. Visit his former house and his tombstone in the church of Santi Jacopo e Filippo.
Charming ‘castle’ in very central location, with garden and wonderful views
Strade bianche (unpaved gravel roads) lined with cypress trees and paths through vineyards, olive groves and woods lead to San Gimignano, ‘the medieval Manhattan’ (10.2 miles, 5 hrs). Comfortable 3* hotel in the old centre.
The ‘city of the towers’ is irresistibly charming and perfectly preserved. Highlights include the Collegiata (former cathedral) with wonderful frescoes, the Museum of Modern Art, Museo Civico (Civic Museum, which includes a chance to climb the Torre Grossa, the city’s tallest tower) and Museum of Torture.
Comfortable hotel in medieval centre
Upgrade rooms are larger
Time to explore San Gimignano plus the option of a circular walk offering superb views of San Gimignano from a different side of the valley. The walk is mostly on gravel tracks with the last part on tarmac leading back to the town centre (5.5 miles, 2.5 hours). Comfortable 3* hotel in the old centre.
San Gimignano is also the place to do your shopping – local wines, wild boar products, olivewood, pottery and leather goods!
Comfortable hotel in medieval centre
Upgrade rooms are larger
Paths lead down across a valley and then through forest before climbing to a ridge with views to Volterra. After following a strada bianca down into the Era Valley, an ancient path leads up (and up!) to the great Etruscan city of Volterra (15.2 miles, 8 hrs). Friendly 3 * hotel with terrace or 4* hotel with pool (upgrade).
Volterra lacks the hordes of tourists of other Tuscan hilltop towns. One of the largest and most important of the 12 Etruscan city states, it still features the remains of Etruscan walls, gateways, and circular tombs from the 6th century BC, as well as a well-preserved Roman theatre and baths. Make sure to visit one of the workshops where you can see alabastrai, at work. This soft, white rock is perfect for carving.
Friendly, centrally located hotel. Outdoor terrace with panoramic views
In historical centre, with pool, garden and panoramic terrace
Free day to explore its three miles of Etruscan walls, Etruscan tombs and excellent Etruscan museum, cathedral and medieval town. Optional circular ATG town walk, taking you past the major attractions as well as the quieter streets (3 miles, 2 hrs).
Friendly, centrally located hotel. Outdoor terrace with panoramic views
In historical centre, with pool, garden and panoramic terrace
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Moderate to challenging. The length of walks vary from 2.5 hours to a maximum 9 hours. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.
Terrain: The hiking is in forested limestone hills. There are some reasonably tough ascents. The paths are farm and forest paths, strade bianche (small gravel roads) and some surfaced roads in and around towns. On certain days the paths cross more rugged terrain – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support.There are no vertiginous sections.
All ATG trips include facilities and options so that you can arrange to walk as much or as little as you like – or not at all - and your Route Manager will be able to advise you on public transport or taxi options.
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Moderate to challenging. The length of walks vary from 2.5 hours to a maximum 9 hours. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.
Terrain: The hiking is in forested limestone hills. There are some reasonably tough ascents. The paths are farm and forest paths, strade bianche (small gravel roads) and some surfaced roads in and around towns. On certain days the paths cross more rugged terrain – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support.There are no vertiginous sections.
All ATG trips include facilities and options so that you can arrange to walk as much or as little as you like – or not at all - and your Route Manager will be able to advise you on public transport or taxi options.
Additional activities available locally
This is a wonderful area offering additional local experiences - and you may wish to customise your trip to have an extra leisurely day or two to enjoy.
Additional activities are paid for locally and can be booked via your Route Manager who will contact you 2 weeks prior to departure.
In San Gimignano, ATG offers a self-guided circular walk which can include a local wine tasting with lunch or Truffle hunting.
Wine tasting - 40€/person
Lunch and wine tasting - 55€/person
Truffle hunting and wine tasting (weekends in the Autumn only) - 110€/person
Your Personal ATG Route Manager
I was born in Romania but have lived in Florence since 1998. Since then I have travelled all over Italy but, for me, Tuscany has it all – the marvellous art and architecture of the cities, the wonderful landscapes, profound peace, and delicious food and wine. I have worked for ATG since 2012 and absolutely love helping people get the most out of their holiday to this beautiful region.
“Maria (Route Manager) was delightful – friendly, extremely helpful and she spoke excellent English. ATG Route Managers are always first class and Maria was no exception.”
“Maria was absolutely delightful, very informative and obviously knows the route inside out. She really added to our overall holiday experience.”
Route Book
The ATG Route Book is a detailed, day-to-day guide. The book anticipates your needs with easy-to-follow instructions, maps, plans and other information that will guide you to discover the best that the area has to offer and is the key to the success of an independent holiday with us.
Walking App
Your Route Manager can provide you with a link to download an app to your smartphone. This app provides the GPS track for your route on your phone. You can use this digital support to find your position and navigate the route, even without an internet connection or mobile phone reception.
Accommodation & Meals
You can expect each hotel to be one of the most characteristic, comfortable and best located for travellers on foot, with the character and sometimes the standard varying from place to place.
Star ratings indicate official classification, although many delightful places have no star rating. In more remote areas hotels may be of a generally lower standard in relation to their ‘star ratings’.
Single travellers are accommodated in double rooms for single occupancy for a supplemental charge.
On this route, upgraded accommodation is available at some overnight stops, as specified on the itinerary.
Breakfast is included and there are suggestions in the Route Book about where to buy provisions for a picnic lunch, as well as restaurant recommendations. Dining options often include a choice of restaurants that can be pre-booked for you by your Route Manager.
Food & Wine
Tuscan food is simple and earthy. Menus feature rich bean soups, bread served alongside salamis and tangy sheep cheeses, slow-cooked wild boar or rabbit stews and spiced cakes full of candied fruits and nuts. This all complements the robust wines of the region. You will be walking through the vineyards of Italy’s most famous wine, Chianti. You may also like to try a further selection of local wines including Vernaccia, a white wine of Tuscany for which nearby San Gimignano is famous, and the delicious local ‘passito’ dessert wine, Vin Santo. The Route Book contains a section on the cuisine and wines of the region, and a list of recommended restaurants en route. The Route Manager will be pleased to help you with any queries, requests or advice.
History
The history of Tuscany has been one of invasion and conquest from earliest times. Yet interspersed within these periods of war and rivalry were times of great cultural, political and economic brilliance. These were most notably during the Etruscan period from the 8th century BC, and then from the 12th century when many Tuscan cities prospered finding great wealth through new-found trades. You will be walking the Via Volterrana, an ancient trade route along which salt was transported from Volterra, where it was mined, to Florence, where merchants sold this ‘white gold’. Our Route Book provides further detailed pages on the history of Tuscany.
Flora & Fauna
There are woodland and wayside flowers in spring and autumn and plenty of birdlife, particularly in the Spring. In May and June you can enjoy poppy fields and fireflies! In late June to July there are good displays of sunflowers and butterflies. Autumn sees cyclamen flowering again in the woods and the vendemmia or grape harvest. Our Route Book provides further detail while apps such as ‘LeafSnap’, ‘Flora Incognita’, ‘ChirpOMatic’ and child-friendly ‘Seek by iNaturalist’ can identify the flora and fauna en route.
Travel Arrangements
Travel arrangements, including flights, for ATG Independent Footloose trips should be made independently.
Outward travel to Florence/San Casciano in Val di Pesa:
From Pisa airport, connect to the central railway station using the ‘People Mover’ shuttle train. There are regular trains from here to Florence.
From Florence airport, take the T2 tram line into central Florence and then a taxi. Alternatively, take a taxi direct from the airport.
If you are starting in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, a taxi from Florence airport takes 25 minutes. Regular buses between San Casciano and central Florence take 25 mins.
Return travel from San Gimignano:
There are trains from Poggibonsi (a short taxi ride from San Gimignano) to Pisa (with a change at Empoli) and Florence (some trains are direct, some with a change at Empoli).
Return travel from Volterra:
To return to Pisa airport, there are trains from Pontedera (reached by bus from Volterra). At Pisa central station, change onto the ‘People Mover’ shuttle train to the airport.
To return to Florence airport you can catch a train from either Certaldo (reached by taxi from Volterra) or Pontedera (reached by bus from Volterra). At Florence central station, change onto the onward T2 tram line to the airport.
Trip Options & Prices
Overview
This 5 day independent walking tour in Tuscany includes 3 days walking from San Casciano (outside Florence) to San Gimignano for those looking for a short break walking through archetypal Tuscan countryside with historic overnight stops en route.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in San Casciano in Val di Pesa*
Day 2: San Casciano in Val di Pesa to San Pancrazio
Day 3: San Pancrazio to Certaldo
Day 4: Certaldo to San Gimignano*
Day 5: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes upgrades at these locations
Prices (per person)
Overview
This 6 day independent walking tour in Tuscany includes everything on the 5 day itinerary but with an additional night in Florence at the start giving you a taste of this wonderful 'Art' city.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Florence*
Day 2: Florence to San Casciano in Val di Pesa*
Day 3: San Casciano in Val di Pesa to San Pancrazio
Day 4: San Pancrazio to Certaldo
Day 5: Certaldo to San Gimignano*
Day 6: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes upgrades at these locations
Prices (per person)
Overview
This 7 day independent walking tour in Tuscany includes everything on the 6 day itinerary plus additional time to explore the sights of Florence - a great trip combining a city break with scenic walking.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Florence*
Day 2: Florence* - free day
Day 3: Florence to San Casciano in Val di Pesa*
Day 4: San Casciano in Val di Pesa to San Pancrazio
Day 5: San Pancrazio to Certaldo
Day 6: Certaldo to San Gimignano*
Day 7: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes upgrades at these locations
Prices (per person)
Overview
This 8 day independent walking tour starting in San Casciano takes you beyond San Gimignano to Volterra with its Etruscan origins. This weeklong trip includes 4 days of walking through beautiful Tuscan countryside plus an optional walk on the 'free' day in San Gimignano with opportunities to discover medieval and Etruscan history of the area.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in San Casciano in Val di Pesa*
Day 2: San Casciano in Val di Pesa to San Pancrazio
Day 3: San Pancrazio to Certaldo
Day 4: Certaldo to San Gimignano*
Day 5: San Gimignano* - free day
Day 6: San Gimignano to Volterra*
Day 7: Volterra* - free day
Day 8: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes upgrades at these locations
Prices (per person)
Overview
This 9 day independent walking tour is our most in-depth visit to this area of Tuscany and includes 5 days of walking and 1 optional walk through archetypal Tuscan landscapes, taking you from Renaissance Florence to Etruscan Volterra. Overnight stays include 2 nights in San Gimignano and Volterra giving you plenty of time to explore these historic towns.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Florence*
Day 2: Florence to San Casciano in Val di Pesa*
Day 3: San Casciano in Val di Pesa to San Pancrazio
Day 4: San Pancrazio to Certaldo
Day 5: Certaldo to San Gimignano*
Day 6: San Gimignano* - free day
Day 7: San Gimignano to Volterra*
Day 8: Volterra* - free day
Day 9: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes upgrades at these locations
Prices (per person)
Our Independent Footloose itineraries have the flexibility to be customised if you would like to spend more time in any of the places en route; perhaps to incorporate some of the add-ons available locally or just to create a more relaxed pace to your holiday.
If you wish to build your own itinerary please complete our customise form and our Sales team will provide you with a bespoke quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
On each route there is an ATG Route Manager, who is there to take care of all the practicalities and ensure the success of your trip. Route Managers have all been ATG-trained, speak English and the language of the country fluently, and live in the local area. Your Route Manager will make contact with you a couple of weeks prior to departure (usually by email) and will then meet you at the start of your trip and will be available during your trip to move your luggage from hotel to hotel, provide local information, make restaurant reservations and do everything possible to ensure that you derive maximum enjoyment from your holiday.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that our Route Manager can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our trips and the Route Manager can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.
The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.
Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.
Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour. These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.
Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.
Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours. These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.
If you are planning to take an Independent trip as a single traveller, we would ask you to consider the potential dangers of walking alone before making a booking and if necessary discuss this with our Sales team.
Single travellers will be booked into a double room which will carry a single occupancy supplement.
Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently.
The trips in our Independent programme make ideal family holidays for those with children who are old enough (and keen enough!) to enjoy a walking holiday or young enough to be carried in a backpack.
You would need to consider costs for lunches (either a picnic style lunch or lunch in a café as you prefer) and evening meals. Where an evening meal is included at a hotel this is indicated on the trip page. For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. You would also need to factor in any entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs, items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to not to walk on some days.
Tourist Tax
This tax is charged per guest per night and the rate is determined by the local council based on the star rating of the accommodation. The rate usually varies from €2 up to €5 per person per night, although the rate can be higher in major cities. This tax is not included in the price of your holiday but where applicable will be payable direct to your hotel in cash.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:
Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters
Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.
Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.
Sustainability
ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.
Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.
Your Route Manager will be able to tell you about the ATG Trust project on this route involving the restoration of part of the Via del Sale (Salt route) between San Gimignano & Volterra, including the clearing of paths and vegetation, installation of wooden seating and tables, plus information panels detailing the historical, cultural and environmental information about the route.
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