Nature Tours – a new option for 2012
If you really want to get to see the natural beauty of Tuscany why not try a few days trekking and see the farms, the woodlands and the pastures close at hand?
Feel part of all these glorious views that you pass on the freeway and with our experienced and qualified tour guides learn to understand not only the heart but also the soul of Tuscany.
Our guides have developed many interesting walks in Tuscany, and also as far afield as Umbria – favourites include:-
1. Val D’Orcia and Pietraporciana – a full day walk covering nearly 10 miles (15.5KM) – limited shade so best undertaken in the spring or Autumn – not under the full blare of the Tuscan sun!
The walk covers the huge La Foce Estate brought to life so vividly by Anglo-American writer Iris Origo in her famous war diaries and includes a beech forest, pre-historic caves and an unforgettable view over the south Siena district. You visit the ancient village of Castiglioncello del Trinoro before returning to La Foce through oak woods. At the end of the walk there is an opportunity to visit the famous Italian style gardens created for Iris Origo by Cecil Pinsent at the villa of La Foce.
2 The reclaimed land of Valdichiana
This tour allows you to explore the Master Canal of the Chiana valley – and can take several days -even on a bicycle – This area was originally marshland and there is an opportunity to visit the drainage works that transformed this region from a dangerous “mal aria” bog into an important agricultural centre.
Although long – the full length is 38.7 milles (62KM) this is not a difficult walk -(valleys are generally flat after all!) – but still better to avoid the blazing summer heat!
A great view of the valley of Valdichiana
3. Ripa d’Orcia and Bagno Vignoni
This ring-shaped tour starts and finishes in Bagno Vignoni with it’s famous thermal pool in the centre of the town -where at the end of your walk you can take a relaxing thermal bath – for free!
About our guides
Federica Biagi
Federica has a Ph. D. degree in Environmental Sciences taken at the University of Florence and has been a certified walking guide since 2006.
Her passion are for trees, wild flowers and birds of prey – but she can also tell you which mushrooms are safe to eat and those to avoid!
Fabrizio Bianchi
Fabrizio is an architect, but following his passion for nature has recently completed a course to become an licensed hiking guide (guida ambientale escursionistica).
He began his work this summer as the guide for a group of 11 Americans in the Val d’Orcia, from Montepulciano to Montalcino.
He lives close to Arezzo and Cortona at one hour from Siena and Florence.
Born in France as well as his mother tongue Fabrizio is also fluent in Italian, English and Spanish