Tuscany & Siena

What sort of weather can I expect?

Meteorological records for the area, taken over a period of more than 10 years, are represented in the Weather Chart provided
with each itinerary. In April the air is fresh, the sun warm, and there are likely to be (occasionally heavy) showers; evenings can be a bit nippy. In May the temperatures warm considerably. Daytime temperatures from mid May through June will feel hot if you are travelling from more temperate climes.
If you are fit and can cope with very hot, sunny conditions, you may wish to consider July and August in order to enjoy the benefits of a quiet period as many other tourists and locals head for the mountains or coast; stamina and heat/sun resistance, sun cream and hat will be required. Early September is still hot and dry. Throughout these summer months, the periods of hot, sunny days are punctuated by brief but dramatic thunderstorms demanding proper waterproofs. Mid-late September offers increasingly pleasant temperatures and in October the air becomes fresher, the views longer, while returning rains turn the fields green again.

What sort of walking can I expect?

The fitness level of this trip is Grade 2+, higher than 2 as the walks to Monteriggioni and Siena are longer. The walking is mostly gentle hills with the occasional short, steep ascent thrown in (notably into Monteriggioni). The paths are mostly well-made farm and woodland tracks with some stony dirt roads (strade bianche, the ‘white tracks' typical of this area). One or two muddy
sections after rain (April/October in particular); a brief but challenging section of ploughed field (about 500m); some narrow woodland paths. There are no vertiginous patches. For the final day of walking into Siena, in high summer we recommend an early start to avoid heat on open sections on the final approach to Siena. Bus times and locations of bus stops near the route can be provided by the Route Manager if you would like to walk only part of the way that day.

8-day: Walks are offered on 5 days (plus a city walk in Siena). 5-day: Walks are offered on 3 days (plus a city walk in Siena). The walk lengths vary from 2.5 hours to a maximum of 6 hours walking.

Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing or rests. On certain days the walk takes you into the hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain – please make sure that your foot­wear provides sufficient ankle support.

What if I don't want to walk?

You don’t have to! You can get a lift with the Route Manager to the next hotel when your bags are moved on, or we can arrange taxis and advise you of local transport options to facilitate shortening the walks.

How do I get to the start of the route?

TRAVEL TO ITALY

The recommended destination airports for this route are Pisa and Florence.

TRAVEL TO THE FIRST HOTEL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT 

The journey from Pisa or Florence to Certaldo (or San Gimignano-5 day route) is straightforward.

From Pisa airport by train

This journey comprises a 1 hour 20 minute journey to Certaldo (tickets cost approximately €14).

NB: To get from the airport to Pisa Centrale station there is a high-speed People Mover train available every day from 0430 to 0130 at 5/8 minute intervals -  cost €5. Train tickets can be bought at the far right-hand end of the arrivals hall as you come out of baggage reclaim into the hall. You should be able to buy a combined PisaMover and train ticket to avoid queuing for a train ticket at Pisa Centrale.

You can also catch a taxi from the airport to Pisa Centrale station – journey time 5 minutes. 

Frome Pisa Centrale take the train (usually destined for Florence) that stops at Empoli.  At Empoli change onto a train to Siena (often an almost immediate connection). Alight at Certaldo. 

For the 5-day route, then take a taxi to San Gimignano (journey time 20 mins, approx €40). 

Taxis are not always waiting at the station and it is therefore recommended that you ask us to book a taxi for you in advance, once you have an idea of your arrival time at Certaldo. 

If it is not possible for you to anticipate your arrival time in Certaldo in advance, your ATG Route Manager may still be able to help organise a taxi for you, even if given as little as an hour’s warning of your arrival, thereby saving you this inconvenience and speeding up the final leg of your journey! 

Please check train times at the station or at www.trenitalia.com

Please remember to validate any train ticket you purchase in Italy before you board the train by stamping it in the green and white machine at the entrance to the platform; your ticket is not valid for travel unless you do this and you can be fined if you fail to do so.

From Pisa airport by train and bus, via Poggibonsi (for San Gimignano, 5-day route only):

Follow the directions as above, but alight from the train at Poggibonsi instead, which is about 12 minutes beyond Certaldo. 

Tip: Trains in Italy tend to be very punctual so if you know your arrival time, you will know where to alight even if you can’t see the station name-board on pulling in to a station.

Buses to San Gimignano (journey time 25 mins) leave from just outside Poggibonsi station. Buy your ticket (€1.70) in the station bar, or if it is closed then at the tabacchi which is just outside the station on the right. Buses run every hour on weekdays and Saturdays, and approximately every 2 hrs on Sundays and bank holidays. The bus will drop you at Porta San Giovanni, one of the main entrances to San Gimignano (which is pedestrianised). From there it is only a few minutes’ walk to your hotel (although the route is uphill on a cobbled street). 

If you are arriving on a Sunday or bank holiday it’s probably best to take the Certaldo + taxi option to save yourself a potentially long wait for a bus. 

From Florence airport by public transport: 

Just outside the terminal to the left you will find the T2 Vespucci tram with regular services to the Piazza dell'Unità Italiana station, which is adjacent to the Santa Maria Novella train station in the heart of Florence. The T2 service operates from approximately 5am to midnight every day, every 4-5 minutes. Journey time 20 minutes. Cost €1.50 for a single ticket.

Buy your ticket from the automatic ticket machines on the platform (look for the ‘ATAF’ logo) that accept cash, cards (including contactless cards), Apple Pay and Google Pay. There is also a ticket machine inside the airport in the baggage claim area.

Stamping your ticket: Once on board, don’t forget to validate your ticket in the little yellow box!.

Note: Unless you are travelling light you must buy a ticket (s) for your luggage! Small suitcases or bags of not more than 10 kg (22 lbs), 55x40x20 cm (22x16x8 inches) are allowed free of charge. You must buy and validate an extra ticket for each larger bag (max. 80X45X25 cm, 20 Kg or 31x18x10 inches/44 lbs); limit of two pieces per passenger. Outsize bags are not allowed.

From Santa Maria Novella station you can take a train on the Siena line to Certaldo (approx. €7),  and then a taxi to San Gimignano for the 5-day route. For San Gimignano you could also alight instead at   Poggibonsi (and then take a bus, as per above). Alternatively there is an hourly bus service from Florence to Poggibonsi (50-90 mins). About half of these meet up with the connecting bus to San Gimignano. Buses run hourly on weekdays and Saturdays; less frequently on Sundays and bank holidays.

Timetables: www.tiemmespa.it . Buy bus tickets at the bus station – they are not available on the bus.

Car Parking

The Hotel Athena in Siena offers secure car parking spaces (you will need to request this). Hotels within Siena’s city walls will not have the space or facilities to offer car parking. There are several public car parks in Siena where you can leave your car for as long as you like. The closest is ‘Parcheggio Il Duomo’ (entrance through Porta Tufi) which has a special price for Siena hotel guests of a maximum €35 per day or €140 per week (the ticket must be stamped by your hotel before paying). There are regular bus services between Siena and San Gimignano.

Travel by Taxi

We can book you a taxi to the first hotel. The taxi from Pisa airport holds 3-4 passengers (depending on luggage), takes 2 hrs and costs approximately €150. A taxi from Florence airport takes 1.5 hrs and costs approx €140. Prices may alter at weekends, Bank Holidays or late at night. 

Please place your booking with the ATG office at least two weeks before departure. The cost of the taxi will be confirmed to you once the booking is secured. Payment of the taxi fare should be made locally, not to ATG. The driver will have your flight details and will be waiting in Arrivals with a sign showing your name or ATG.

•If you change your flight please notify us on 01865 315678 so we can contact the taxi company to reschedule the taxi for you. 

•If, on the day of departure, your flight is cancelled or you miss or change it, please immediately contact the ATG emergency number 01865 315600 so we can contact the taxi company to reschedule or cancel the taxi for you. 

•If your flight is delayed and you have arranged for the taxi to meet you at the destination airport, your taxi driver will wait for you.

•If you are delayed and you have arranged for a taxi to meet you at a non airport location (e.g. a train station) it is essential that you contact your Route Manager or call the ATG emergency line to notify us at the earliest possible moment, so we can contact the taxi company to re-schedule or cancel the taxi for you. 

•Please note that failure to advise ATG that you cannot meet the taxi booked for you may result in the taxi costs being passed back to you.

Important: Taxi prices quoted apply to the local firm used regularly by ATG – and are guaranteed only if you book through the office in advance. If you get a taxi off a taxi rank please ask the driver to confirm the price for you. 

AT THE END OF YOUR TRIP

Siena is very well served by public transport, with frequent train and bus connections for onward travel.

Florence/Florence airport: Please check timetables at www.trenitalia.com.  A tram service runs from Piazza dell'Unità Italiana station, which is adjacent to the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence, every 4-5 minutes. Journey time 20 minutes. 

To Pisa/Pisa airport: Please check timetables at www.trenitalia.com.  At Pisa Centrale change onto the airport People Mover.  

Siena to Rome: Buses provide the most direct route to Rome. Buses leave from Piazza Gramsci/Viale Tozzi in the centre of Siena (or 10 mins later from the train station) and arrive at Roma Tiburtina bus station. The journey takes approx. 3 hrs and costs €15- €35 per person. Check times with Route Manager

BY TAXI

A taxi holding 3-4 passengers plus luggage will cost approx: 

Siena to Pisa airport: €250

Siena to Florence airport: €200 

If you need a taxi at the end of your trip, please ask your Route Manager to book it for you, and pay the taxi fare locally, not to ATG.

If you wish to travel by bus please check timetables with your Route Manager.

NOTE

Whilst ATG provides travel information that is accurate at the time of publication this may be subject to change, international flights may be delayed, national and regional transport systems may be subject to expedient alterations (whether timetables, or local engineering works). Information regarding such changes is available online.

Apart from flights or taxis booked through ATG, the Company has little or no knowledge of clients’ independent plans and arrangements prior to their arrival. 

Please check flight, train or bus timetables for the most up-to-date information prior to departure.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The following may be of use in helping you plan your journey:

Rail Europe: www.raileurope.co.uk

International Rail: www.internationalrail.com

Italian train timetables: www.trenitalia.com

All European train timetables: www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml 

NB:  Timetables change twice yearly in Italy, with many trains running between the last week of May and the end of September than during the rest of the year. 

Where can I leave my car if I drive to the route?

It is possible to arrange free parking in Certaldo via the Albergo Castello. Please contact the office for detail. It is not possible to leave a car in San Gimignano, as the town is pedestrianised and visitor parking is extremely limited. The Hotel Athena in Siena offers secure car parking spaces (you will need to request this). Hotels within Siena’s city walls will not have the space or facilities to offer car parking. There are several public car parks in Siena where you can leave your car for as long as
you like. The closest is ‘Parcheggio Il Duomo’ (entrance through Porta Tufi) which has a special price for Siena hotel guests of a maximum €25 per day (the ticket must be stamped by your hotel before paying). There are regular bus services between Siena and San Gimignano.

What should I bring?

Bring whatever clothes and footwear you find most comfortable for everyday wear, and a change or two for the evenings – smart/casual.
Some trips include quite distinguished hotels and restaurants, for which you may wish to ‘dress up’ in the evening, however on Independent trips you have more flexibility in determining how casual you wish to be. For walking we recommend lightweight walking boots with firm ankle support (make sure you wear them in before the trip!), a small daypack for your lightweight waterproof clothing, camera, fleece etc. An increasing number of people bring telescopic walking poles. For a comprehensive packing list click here: what to bring

What sort of food can I expect?

Tuscan food is simple and uses good local ingredients which complement the excellent robust wines of the region. It is seasonal food usually prepared with home grown ingredients. Although the Tuscans are called ‘bean eaters’ (mangiafagioli)
the main staple of their diet, apart from pasta, is bread which is
traditionally unsalted to complement the salted prosciutto, salami and strong sheep’s cheeses.

Whilst it is a traditional cuisine, it is not a poor one, and meat and game feature strongly, preferably cooked on an open fire. The Tuscans are less interested in the presentation of the food than
in the excellence of the ingredients, and even the most elegant restaurants serve rustic terracotta bowls of rich vegetable and bean soups. The Tuscans also have a sweet tooth,
producing a variety of rich spicy cakes full of candied fruit and nuts, and light biscuits.

Breakfast

Most of the hotels we use offer a buffet-style breakfast with a wide range of both hot and cold choices. 4- and 5-star hotels almost always offer ‘cooked’ breakfast. Occasionally, in more remote areas, or in some 2 or 3-star hotels, breakfast can be a decidedly more ‘Continental’ affair – i.e. bread, croissant, juice, coffee.

Lunch

The ATG Route Booklets and our ‘Sustainable Shopping Guides’ are filled with information about markets and shops in which to buy your lunch. From seasonal fruits, local cheeses, cured hams and freshly baked breads, you are limited only by what you can carry in your pack!

Dinner

On some routes, usually where there is no other restaurant within walking distance, half-board accommodation is included (see ‘what is included’ for this trip). In other areas where there is a selection of restaurants, ATG includes a list of recommendations in your ATG Route Booklet. Some restaurants are recommended because they have provided meals that have been regularly enjoyed by ATG clients; other restaurants are renowned internationally (e.g., within the Guide Michelin).

Restaurant bookings

Your Route Manager will be delighted to book restaurants for you if required, ensuring the places you eat at are...

•Your first choice

•The highest standard

• The best value

...and you are not disappointed by finding the restaurant full.

Wine

During the course of the trip you will be walking through the vineyards of Italy’s most famous wine, Chianti. Chianti occupies a large area of hills to the south and east of Florence. Known
originally in England as ‘Florence Red’, the wine gained renown in the 19^th century, when Barone Ricasoli (Italy’s second Prime Minister) developed the grape composition found in today’s wines. Both Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi come from small, strictly delineated areas, two of the seven regions within Chianti. Alongside the more ‘serious’ Chianti Riserva are
produced other, less expensive ‘quaffing’ Chianti made to be drunk within a year or so of production – an excellent accompaniment to local dishes. You may also like to try a further
selection of local wines including Vernaccia, a white wine of Tuscany for which San Gimignano is famous, and the delicious local dessert wine Vin Santo. Further south, there are superb local red wines, notably Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which with their full bodied character and strong tannins complement Tuscan cuisine very
well.

Several of our independent routes (including this one) pass through well-known wine producing regions. If you are particularly interested in wine you may also like to consider...

• Classic Alsace

• Provence: Vaucluse & the Lubéron

• Siena to Florence

• Southern Tuscany

• Tuscan Hills

• Ancient Volcanic Landscapes

• Roman Roads to Orvieto

• Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto

• Umbria & Assisi

• Sintra & the Portuguese Coast

What if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?

When you book, let us know about any restrictions. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our routes due to the wide variety of shops and restaurants available. Your Route Manager will provide you with advice and recommendations at your briefing.

What should I bring to wear in the evenings?

There is no need to dress up for dinner – ‘smart casual’ dress is acceptable in all but the smartest restaurants in Italy.

Do the hotels have WIFI, hair dryers, laundry service?

All have WIFI and hairdryers. The hotels in San Gimignano and Siena offer laundry service.

How much should I budget for items not included?

You can get an idea of transport costs in the ‘getting there’ section of
the trip page. For lunches, costs will depend on whether you choose to buy picnic items or eat in bars/restaurants. Dinners: some are included (see ‘what’s included’). For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. Entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs will vary considerably depending on how much you want to see and how old you are (!). Over 60s enjoy significantly reduced prices at many attractions, so it is worth carrying (safely) some form of identification showing your age. Other costs are items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to limit your walking with public transport or taxis.

City Tax (Italy only)

In March 2011, the Italian legislature passed a decree that created a new tourism tax to be paid by visitors to Italy and collected by the accommodation where they are staying. The purpose is to raise revenue that municipalities can use to maintain local facilities and infrastructure and to help in the preservation of cultural and historical treasures, all of which benefits tourists. The roll-out of the tax has been gradual, with each council determining the way in which it should be implemented. First introduced in the big cities, since 2012
the tax has been introduced by many other town councils. The tax is charged by guest per night, with an upper limit to the number of nights that can be charged. The rate (usually €1-2 Euros per person per night) is determined by the rating of the accommodation. This tax is not included in the price of independent holidays but where applicable will be payable direct to your hotel in cash.

What if I want to extend my trip?

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 booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

Where can I find general FAQs?

For FAQs relating to the Company and general trip questions, click here