Tuscany & Umbria: A Curated Walk from Florence to Rome

Golden Hour in Florence

Arrival in Florence is handled by a private transfer from the airport directly to your hotel. The first evening is for settling in. As the sun sets, the city's stone facades take on a warm glow, and an initial orientation walk is the best way to get your bearings. The route ends with dinner at a Florentine restaurant, followed by a stop for gelato—the pistachio and fiordilatte are local standards.

Duomo and Ponte Vecchio

The most efficient way to see Florence's dense core is with a local guide. A morning walking tour covers the essential landmarks: the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo), the political hub of Piazza della Signoria, and the jewel-box shops of the Ponte Vecchio. The tour concludes near a local market, a good place to find lunch. The afternoon is unscheduled. A classic option is the walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for its commanding city view, best enjoyed with a drink as the sun lowers. Note that major museums are typically closed on Mondays.

Walking the Via Francigena

The day begins with a private transfer from Florence into the Tuscan countryside, with luggage forwarded separately to the next hotel. The first stop is San Gimignano, where a guided walk helps decode the medieval architecture before lunch. The afternoon is dedicated to the first proper trek. From the village of Strove, the route follows an 8-kilometer section of the Via Francigena pilgrim trail. The path leads to the Elsa River, where a shallow crossing in the cool blue water provides a brief respite before the final stretch into the historic town of Colle Val d'Elsa.