Via Francigena - week 6

Via Francigena – week 6

€780 (from) / Per person

Via Francigena – Week 6

This week-long hike along Via Francigena hits the best Tuscany has to offer. You’ll get to explore San Gimignano, UNESCO World Heritage Site with extraordinary feudal towers & early Renaissance frescoes. From there you’ll climb up to an ancient medieval city perched on a cliffside: Colle di Val d’Elsa, otherwise known as the “city of crystal.” This small town makes 95% of Italy’s glass crystal production. Then onwards through woods & past medieval fortresses to Siena, another UNESCO World Heritage Site & home to some of the most remarkable art & architecture from the 13-16th centuries. Siena is also known as a food capital, with excellent local wine & cuisine.

Your journey will begin in the town San Miniato, an easy 40-minute train from Florence, or a 30-minute train from Pisa.

Waiting for you at your hotel will be all the material you need for your trip: hotel vouchers, a detailed description of the route & stops along the way, & the maps. You will also find information on churches where you can receive a benediction, should you desire one, and have a pilgrim stamp on your credential.

7 Days
Age 15+
Via Francigena

Highlights

Monteriggioni
Siena downtown
San Gimignano
Monte Oliveto Abbey

How does it work

We book your accommodations

We will book double/single rooms with private bathrooms in 2* or 3* hotels, b&b or country Inns. and you will find the corresponding vouchers in your package

We transfer your luggage

Just leave it at the reception desk with your name tag and you will find it at your next accommodation.

We supply detailed route notes and maps

The route notes can be in English, Italian, or French. All maps have GPS tracing.

Departure:	San Miniato
Destination:	San Quirico
Included:	7 nights (in 2/3 stars accommodation) All breakfast (dinners on demand) Emergency number 24/7 Gps files available Luggage transfer Pilgrim’s “Credenziale” Road book & maps
Excluded:	Dinners Tips Wine tasting

Map

Via Francigena week 6 from San Miniato to San Quirico D’Orcia

Tour Plan

Day 1: Arrival in San Miniato

The railway station is in S. Miniato Basso, there are buses to San Miniato Alto where you spend the night, but if you let us know your arrival time we can send you someone to pick you up for a small fee.

NOTE

Distance 24 km (walking time 4.30 h)

Day 2: San Miniato - Gambassi

After the first 6 km of trafficless asphalt, the whole itinerary is on unpaved roads or trails. The oak woods of the initial part give way to vineyards in the second part. Along the road, you can visit two interesting churches, Pieve di Coiano and S. Maria a Chianni just before arriving in Gambassi.

Type of route: almost entirely unpaved

Distance 14 km (walking time 3 h)

Day 3: Gambassi - San Gimignano

A short day among Chianti vineyards to allow for time in the town of towers, one of the most famous places in Tuscany. it is pleasant to see the town in the evening or early morning when the busloads of tourists have not yet invaded it.

Type of route: almost entirely unpaved

Distance 24 km (walking time 6 h)

Day 4: San Gimignano - Strove

The day takes in a very varied and mix of rural Tuscan landscapes. A fairly long day in a beautiful landscape.

Type of route: almost entirely unpaved

Distance 23 km (walking time 5 h)

Day 5: Strove - Siena

A nice walk in the pleasant countryside. The round walls of the historical fortified military post are amazing. Very interesting the parish church of Abbadia Isola. The route is unpaved almost to the arrival in Siena. The "clou" of the day is the ice cream you will have at a café on Piazza del Campo, watching people go by.

Type of route: almost entirely unpaved

Distance 18 km (walking time 5.30 h with a transfer from Grancia di Cuna)

Day 6: Siena - Buonconvento

You will follow a winding route for most of the day until you reach the “Grancia di Cuna” an ancient food storage place fortified to protect it during the never-ending wars between towns in the Middle Ages. It also provided shelter for the pilgrims. Here, the lady that does your luggage transfer will pick you up and take you to your hotel in Buonconvento.

Distance 23,6 km (walking time 6 h)

Day 7: Buonconvento - San Quirico

The last third of the road follows the old Cassia on easy terrain. San Quirico was one of the most important stops on the way to Rome and has some of the most interesting buildings in the area with the Collegiata and the remains of an ancient pilgrims hospital.

Type of route: 30% secondary asphalt

Day 8: End our service

See you next year to walk together the next stage