Via Francigena 990

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?

This is an 8-day walking holiday, with walks of 4-8 hours on 6 days plus sightseeing. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas. The fitness level for this trip is Grade 3. 

The walking is along established paths across  hills, dirt roads and woodland tracks and vineyards, strade bianche (white gravel roads) and some asphalt on approach to towns. . Please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support. You will need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the full itinerary: Each day offers a full schedule of walking.

The route lies through unspoilt agricultural land, wooded narrow valleys ,and through an ancient volcanic area with Italy’s largest volcanic lakes: Vico, Bracciano and Bolsena. 

In Tuscany the landscape is characterised by medieval hilltop villages and scattered cypress trees, undulating vineyards and olive groves. Its gently rolling hills are disarmingly familiar as the classical backdrop of Renaissance art and its charm is a changelessness, which merges medieval and modern worlds.

Some of our walks are weather sensitive. If it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.

What if I don't want to walk?

This trip is geared towards those who want plenty of (moderately challenging) walking. We routinely offer alternative drop-off and pick-up points for those who wish to shorten walks.

If you wish to opt out of the daily guided walks and/or excursions altogether, you can travel with the Tour Manager in the minibus. Once at Pieve a Castello you can simply relax - as there are many comfortable places to read, listen to music, enjoy the environs....

Where do I meet the group at the start of the trip?

The destination airports for this walking holiday are Rome Fiumicino (arrival) and Pisa/Florence (departure). There will be a set meeting time for the arrival transfer  and a set time for the return transfer at the end of the trip. 

Please check transfer times with the Reservations Team before booking your flights if you would like to take advantage of the transfers. Your flight should arrive at the airport at least 1 hour before the meeting time, to allow sufficient time to pass through customs and collect your luggage.

Please ensure that you inform us of your arrival time at Rome Fiumicino, whether arriving by air or otherwise. If by air, please advise us of your flight number.

The Tour Leader and Tour Manager will meet the group in the arrivals area at the designated time. They will be wearing green polo shirts bearing the ATG logo. The minibus transfer will depart shortly thereafter. 

If you arrive late and find that the group has left (there is no sign of them in the arrivals hall or our minibuses with the ATG logo outside the terminal building), please check for a message at the information desk and make your own way to the first hotel, letting the ATG office know you’re on your way. The ATG office number is +44 1865 315 678 or outside office hours please call the emergency number which is +44 1865 315 600.

Meeting at the first hotel

You are of course welcome to travel independently and meet the group at the first hotel:

Relais Sans Souci and Spa 

Via dei Noccioleti, 18, 

01037 Ronciglione (VT)

Tel: +39 0761 612014

If you are meeting the group at the first hotel the Tour Manager will contact you upon their arrival. 

Please indicate your intention during the booking procedure.

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.
Most trips tend to include some quite distinguished hotels and restaurants, for which you may wish to ‘dress up’. 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?

On our escorted walking holidays all meals are included.

Breakfast

Most of the hotels we use offer a buffet-style breakfast with a 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 ‘contenental’ affair – e.g bread, croissant, juice, coffee. If a breakfast needs ‘topping up’ to meet the needs of those with a
full morning of walking ahead, the Tour Manager will ensure this happens. The breakfast at Pieve a Castello is buffet-style, with a range of cereals, croissants, fruits, yoghurts, breads etc. There is also a daily 'hot' option.

ATG Picnic lunches

ATG picnic lunches in Europe are renowned! ‘Happening upon’ an ATG picnic in an idyllic location punctuates each day’s walk. Picnics are colourful, varied and nutritious. Buffet-style, there is a choice of meats, cheeses, salads and fruits. Many salads are ‘exclusive’ to ATG and some of these original recipes are in the ATG ‘Table of Moveable Feasts’.

After being greeted with mineral water, followed by wine and an abundant lunch of local organic produce and specialities, there’s usually time for a siesta!

On some days the group has lunch at Pieve, and there is always this option for those who prefer to stay at Pieve for the day.

Dinner

Dinner is usually at about 8.00pm. We tend to eat in the best and most interesting restaurants available, which serve traditional local dishes as well as regional classics and excellent regional wines. To ensure that we enjoy the best that the area has to offer, the Tour Manager, with his/her specialist knowledge and experience, will have worked closely with the chef in advance, selecting the most interesting and characteristic menu possible. This not only ensures that we eat far better than people who ‘come in off the street’, but enables us to enjoy a very wide range of local specialities during the trip, and also to cater imaginatively for those with special dietary needs.

At the start of dinner each evening, it is ATG ‘style’ to tell you about the menus and wines for that evening. If there’s anything different that you would prefer, you have only to ask.

What sort of food can I expect on this trip?

A combination of Umbrian and Tuscan influences. The cuisine of Umbria has much in common with that of Tuscany, as both share the same hilly, wooded and pastoral
landscape which gives rise to such produce as lamb, sheep’s cheeses (pecorino), cured meats (usually pork) and game – wild pigeon, partridge and pheasant being the most common. Umbria is landlocked, so its supply of fish comes from its volcanic lakes. 

The basis of Tuscan cooking is excellent, fresh ingredients cooked simply – ingredients which can be found in the fields and on the hillsides through which you will be walking: wheat, olives and vines. Added to this is a plentiful and changing supply of vegetables and fruit grown in small allotments and back gardens, meats cured at home or cooked on open fires, and locally-made cheeses.

And wines?

During the course of the trip you will be walking through the vineyards of Italy’s most famous wine, Chianti. 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. We will also try a further selection of local wines including Vernaccia, a rare white wine of Tuscany for which San Gimignano is famous, and the delicious local dessert wine Vin Santo; prized red wines of Montepulciano (Vino Nobile) and Montalcino (Brunello).

We aim to match the wines to the style of the restaurant and the cuisine provided, and to sample local wines whenever possible. Local wines are provided with the picnic lunch but you will probably find that in view of the walking you will appreciate the water more than the wine, and therefore the better wines will be served in the evening.

What if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?

When you book, let us know about any restrictions. This will give the Tour Manager the opportunity to shop and prepare menus
accordingly prior to your trip. At the start of the trip the Tour Manager will meet with you to discuss in more detail your requirements.

What should I bring to wear in the evenings?

There is a certain ambience at Pieve to which our guests respond by changing into something reasonably smart for dinner – but there is no strict dress code, and of course when it is hot, the simpler the better.

Does Pieve have WIFI, hairdryers, laundry service?

The hotels all have hairdryers and WIFI. At Pieve a Castello there are two computers with good internet connection available for guests to use. Your laundry can be
done by a local lavanderia while you are staying at Pieve, though these tend to offer serviced washes with drying and ironing, and are quite expensive.

How much should I budget for items not included?

On escorted trips everything is included (per the published itinerary) apart from travel to/from the destination airport, items of a personal nature, snacks and drinks outside of the set meals.

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