Under The Tuscan Sun and Abruzzo National Park 
Welcome to the heart of Italy! Stroll with us through Italy’s sun-dappled countryside. Share special times with local Italian farmers as they prepare for the grape harvest. Be treated to their special wines, pressed olive oil, and fresh-baked breads. Hike through some of Europe’s best vineyards, bursting with grapes that will make the famed Chianti and Brunello wines. Visit such towns as Siena, Montepulciano, and Bracciano. Spend time walking through centuries-old villages, visit Etruscan tombs, and walk beneath Roman aqueducts. Siena’s history will delight you, Rome’s Coliseum is one of the world’s marvels, and of course you’ll want to make sure you try some of the world’s best pastas. You’ll be treated to a feast of food, wine, beautiful countryside, and ancient history hard to imagine.
ITINERARY (May be changed at the discretion of the trip leader.)
Pre-trip We recommend that you plan to arrive at least one day in advance. Not only will you be ready and well rested this allows you to explore Rome on your own. We have made hotel arrangements for the night of September 10, if you would like to take advantage of this reservation please contact us.
Day 1 Trip begins at 9:30 a.m. During the drive north from Rome, you’ll see why Tuscany is noted for its beautiful rolling countryside. On the way we’ll stop in Orvieto and have some free time to explore the town and enjoy lunch. Our day’s destination is the small town of San Querico D’Orcia, where we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and group orientation. D – Dinner included.
Day 2 Pienza. After breakfast, we’ll join our local guide for our introductory hike to the quaint community of Pienza. An historical walking tour of this Renaissance town culminates in the charming central piazza, laid out in the mid-15th century. After lunch we’ll visit a rural winery where our host, Master Adamo, will introduce us to the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and we’ll see if this wine lives up to its worldwide reputation. 4.5 miles. B, L, D
Day 3 Bagno Vignoni. Leaving from San Quirico d’Orcia, we travel along vineyards and fields of olive trees to arrive at a medieval castle with panoramic views over the Orcia River valley. We’ll enjoy our picnic lunch and hike down to the river, then up to the ancient village of Bagno Vignoni, a thermal spa since Roman time. 6.8 miles. B, L, D
Day 4 San Quirico-Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore-Buonconvento-San Quirico After visiting the abbey, one of the best preserved medieval complex, we pass trough typical wine country with wonderful views and abandoned farmhouses and then on to the ancient town of Buonconvento, where we can enjoy a good gelato. Breakfast in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch. Dinner in hotel. 15km, 400m ascent, 5.30h. B, L, D.
Day 5 San Quirico d’Orcia-Montalcino-St.Antimo Abbey-San Quirico d’Orcia Leaving San Quirico, we travel by van to Montalcino, home of the famous Brunello wine.Today we’ll walk across a beautiful landscape, along an ancient route used by pilgrims to Rome, from the ancient fortified hill of Ripa d’Orcia to the renowned Abbazia di Sant’Antimo, where we can listen to Gregorian monks singing inspiring music. Then we’ll have some time to relax in Montalcino. 6 miles. 650 feet ascent B, L, D
Day 6 San Quirico d’Orcia-Bracciano Today we head to the charming town of Bracciano situated on the shores of two sparkling volcanic lakes. Our accommodation here is a wonderful farm in the countryside of Monterano, famous for its horses. B,D
Day 7 Bracciano-Monterano-Bracciano. Monterano, the Abandoned City. The first urban culture in the western Mediterranean can be traced to the Etruscans, who shaped civilization in central Italy from about the eighth to the first century B.C. Our hike will take us down an old Etruscan road, past sections of Roman aqueduct, and up a small hill to the Abandoned City of Monterano. We will walk along ancient roads deeply excavated in the tufa rock beside waterfalls, caves, and woods. On the way home we will visit Altieri Place of Oriolo Romano, which hosts the unique Popes’ Gallery, with all of the Popes’ portraits since St. Peter. 5-8 miles with 650 total ascent – B, L, D
Day 8 Visit to the city of Barbarano Romano and the nearby Etruscan burial tombs. The Etruscans built their tombs from the soft volcanic rock known as tufa in a lush forest carpeted with cyclamen. On our hike we’ll see many such tombs, including that of San Giuliano, dating from the 8th century B.C. We’ll also visit the picturesque Etruscan necropolis of Marturanum, one of the most popular in Lazio. 6.2 miles and 450 feet ascent – B, L, D
Days 9 Bracciano – Barrea, Abruzzo. In the morning we will spend time visiting the magnificent, impressive medieval castle in Bracciano. Then we’ll head to Abruzzo, crossing over mountains and through tunnels, to view another face of Italy, the small villages perched on top of high mountains. Everywhere high peaks, green meadows, lush trees. We are in one of the oldest protected areas of Europe: The Abruzzo National Parks. B, D 
Day 10 Abruzzo: Colle Sant’Janni – Camosciara – Civitella. Today we hike through one of the most beautiful forests of the park. Enjoy wonderful views of the high peaks of the Camosciara massif. Travel quietly and perhaps we will be lucky enough to hear a bear’s roar! B, L, D
Day 11 For our final hike of the trip we can only say we saved the best for last: the walnut hill, the spring, the lake. We will definitely work up our appetites for our special meal this evening, hosted by Carmelo, who will cook local meat specialties on an open fire. A local shepherd will also be on hand to make cheese and ricotta from goats’ milk and tempt us into overeating once again. 7.2 miiles – 1000 feet ascent B,L,D
Day 12 Barrea – Rome. After breakfast we head to Roma arriving in the early afternoon. Although a large metropolis, Rome is at the heart of Italy and is still a fascinating, wondrous, and romantic city. On his arrival in Rome in 1786, Goethe wrote, “I now realise all the dreams of my youth.” You’ll have the afternoon free to explore the city. For those spots we won’t have time to visit please consider extending your stay in Rome as you can see there is much to keep you busy. Of course, we’ll have time for last minute shopping and some more of Italy’s finest food. BD
Day 13 To the airport for flights home. We will provide one transfer to the airport early in the morning. B
THE DETAILS
Dates: September 7 – 19, 2012
Land Cost: $ 3795 (U.S. Funds)
Single Supplement: $500. (U.S. Funds)
Lodging: Hotels/Country Inns Trip begins and ends in Rome.
WHAT WE PROVIDE:
Visits to Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino
Visits to Monte Oliveto Maggiore Monastery and Abbey di Sant’Antimo
Visit to the famous abandoned city of Monterano
Cheese, Olive Oil and Winte Tasting
Walking through Vineyards
Estruscan Tombs
Visit to the Pope’s Gallery in Oriolo Romano, unique in the world
Abruzzo National Park
Music and Barbeque night in Abruzzo
Walking The World experienced guide
Local English-speaking guide 12 nights accommodation (double occupancy)
Good fun, humor, and companionship
Walking The World Hat
All ground transportation while on tour
All entrance fees to scheduled stops
Meals as listed
YOUR GUIDES
Stefano Spinetti 
Stefano grew up in the Mountains of Abruzzo, central Italy. With a degree in animal biology and a good knowledge of archaeology, he has over 20 years’ experience as a mountain leader, and his explorer’s spirit has taken him to every continent. He loves to share his country’s culture, history, and natural places with our guests.
Kathy Lewis and Stefano Spinetti 
Kathy is a passionate world traveler and for the past 16 years has been guiding and sharing her knowledge of the land, history and culture of her many diverse tour destinations. Whether it’s the charming villages of Provence in France, the “unique inside view” of her home territory in the Hawaiian Islands, the beautiful Welsh countryside of her ancestors, or the striking scenery of the Mediterranean Island of Corsica, she takes great delight in sharing her knowledge of wild herbs and plants along the trails, world class wineries and gourmet regional cuisines and will be sure to introduce you to her many colorful local friends along the way. Kathy is American, but has lived and explored many part of Europe and South America, lived, worked and explored the vast expanses of Alaska, operated an organic farm on the island paradise of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands and lived in the cosmopolitan center of Paris, France. Kathy is also a professional chef and takes great pride in finding the best of the best of culinary experiences.
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