Walking Trails of Hidden Tuscany

The trip starts today in Pisa. The city's famous leaning tower and beautiful Campo del Miracoli are stunning testaments to a time when Pisa was one of the Mediterranean's major maritime powers.

The Leader plans to meet everyone at the hotel for a welcome meeting today at 6.30pm and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner afterwards. Should you miss the meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Pisa at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA). Your Leader will meet you on arrival at the airport and arrange for a taxi to take you on to our hotel on the banks of the Arno River.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day and you wish to explore this compact city on foot, the central area is less than a kilometre's walk from our hotel. Stay: Royal Victoria Hotel (Comfortable)

This morning we set out to enjoy a walk and picnic lunch in the countryside to the north east of Lucca, around 45 minutes drive from Pisa. Among the rolling hills and vineyards here are a number of grand historic villas and gardens, once used by the rich as their summer retreats. We start our walk at one of the most opulent, the 16th century Villa Torrigiani, known for its Baroque façade and almost one kilometre long avenue of cypress trees. Passing through vineyards and hamlets we'll stop and enjoy a picnic lunch among the fields. Our ramble ends at a local wine estate where we can sample some of the wines made in the Colline Lucchese DOC (controlled designation of origin).

We then head into the Garfagnana Valley where our base for the next five nights, Agriturismo Ristoro del Cavaliere is located in a small hamlet. The beautifully restored stone farm buildings house comfortable well-appointed bedrooms with attached bathrooms. There's a small swimming pool and terrace with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. Owners Roberto and Giovanna offer us a warm welcome, and serve up delicious home produced food and wine.

Located between the green Apennines and the more rugged Apuan Alps, the Garfagnana is a steep forested region that follows the valley of the river Serchio. The scenery here is quite different from the rolling hills of southern Tuscany and the Valley sees far fewer visitors. The mountains and valleys are dotted with small, out-of-the-way stone hamlets where the rhythm of life has been unchanged for centuries.

Today's nine kilometre walk is expected to take around three-and-a-half hours with a total ascent of 450 metres and descent of 420 metres. Stay: Agriturismo Ristoro del Cavaliere (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

After breakfast this morning, we drive up into the Apennines to Pruno, at an altitude of 1000 metres in the Orecchiella National Park. From here, we will hike via the Sella de Campaiana Pass to the summit of Pania Corfino, at an altitude of 1609 metres. Our route takes us through a beautiful landscape of beech forests. After enjoying stunning views and a picnic lunch at the summit, we retrace our steps back to the bus for our return to the agriturismo.

Today's 12 kilometre hike is expected to take approximately six hours with a total ascent and descent of 610 metres. Stay: Agriturismo Ristoro del Cavaliere (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

Today's walk takes us through the beautiful landscapes of the Apuan Alps and the Orto di Donna glacial valley, just a twenty minutes drive from the agriturismo. Leaving our bus by the Rifugio Donegani, the trail passes through an area of the active white marble quarries for which the Apuane Alps are famous. We then pass under the rock face of the Cresta Garnerone and Grondilice to a quarry where the so-called 'Marble Road' finishes. We can take a rest at the Orto di Donna refuge before descending through beech woods on a different route back to the starting point of our hike.

Today's 12 kilometre walk is expected to take around four-and-a-half hours with a total ascent and descent of 620 metres. Stay: Agriturismo Ristoro del Cavaliere (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

Today is left free with the option to walk on the stunning World Heritage coastline of the Cinque Terre, where five tiny villages nestle among sheer cliffs to create one of the Riviera's most scenic delights. This involves a long day travelling by train to Corniglia, the only one of the five villages not sitting directly at sea level. The station itself is below the village down a flight of several hundred steps. Luckily, there are some great views to enjoy during your rest stops on the way up! We spend some time in Corniglia before setting out on a walk of around an hour and a half to the neighbouring Cinque Terre village of Vernazza. We pass through a landscape of vineyards, olive groves and native plants including aloe and prickly pear. On arrival, there's time to enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants - a plate of seafood perhaps? In the afternoon we continue for another hour and a half along the coast to Monterosso al Mare. For anyone not wishing to join the afternoon walk, there's the option to take a scenic boat ride to Monterosso. In Monterosso there's time to explore the side streets, known as the 'Carrugi', before heading back to the Garfagnana on the train.

For those not wishing to visit the Cinque Terre today, there's the option of taking various self-guided walking routes direct from the agriturismo. Maps and route information will be provided.

Today's seven kilometre optional Cinque Terre walk is expected to take around four hours with plenty of time to explore the villages that we pass through. Stay: Agriturismo Ristoro del Cavaliere (Comfortable) (B)

Today, the plan is for us to enjoy a circular walk from Passo di Pradarena, to the summit of Monte Prado. At an altitude of 2054 metres, this is the highest peak in Tuscany. On our circuitous route through the heart of the Apennines and Tuscan Emiliano Park, we will pass through beech forests and beautiful landscapes, offering wonderful alpine views. On arrival back at the pass we'll stop to enjoy a welcome drink at the refuge there.

Today's 15 kilometre walk is expected to take approximately six hours with a total ascent and descent of 750 metres . Stay: Agriturismo Ristoro del Cavaliere (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

Departing the Garfagnana today, we head to the charming city of Lucca, famous for its intact Renaissance-era walls. Easily explored on foot, the rectangular grid of the compact historical centre preserves the Roman street plan, with Piazza San Michele occupying the site of the ancient forum. Our time in Lucca is left free for personal exploration and perhaps some shopping for souvenirs or local produce. A good option is to walk, or hire a bike and cycle, on the city walls which are up to 12 metres thick in parts and offer a great vantage point over the city. In the late afternoon there's an option to meet up at one of the city's wine cellars to taste some of the locally produced wines before heading out to enjoy a final night meal in one of the city's many fine restaurants. Stay: Hotel San Marco (Comfortable) (B)

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Lucca.

There are no included activities planned for today and you are free to depart from Lucca at anytime. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA). The transfer will be by rail and your Leader will provide you with a combined ticket for both the 30 minute train journey to Pisa Centrale station which then connects easily with the Pisa Mover airport tram service. The tram takes just 5 minutes to the airport and departs at least every 10 minutes. Our hotel in Lucca is located just a few minutes walk from the station. (B)