length
9 Days
difficulty
Moderate - Challenging
trip cost
From $2150 pp
Nature Immersion
Cultural Interest
Overview
Lucca to Siena
Since the 4th century, Christians, clergymen, plebians, emperors and sovereigns have undertaken epic, life-changing adventures on foot to Rome, the Holy Land and Santiago de Compostela. Those seeking out the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul were destined for the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome. The Via Francigena connected Canterbury Cathedral in England to the Vatican and St Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, Italy, via a 1900km pilgrimage route.
Traditionally the journey was taken as an act of devotion and pilgrims would stop along the way at places deemed holy by the church. Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, documented his return journey from Rome (AD990) and it is this route that has had the most significant influence on successive pilgrimages.
So grab your hiking boots and large appetite and become a ‘pellegrino’ on the Via Francigena – the Italian Camino, following in the footsteps of Sigeric. This itinerary travels through Tuscany, the heart of the Via Francigena, and is a journey that is spiritual, cultural and historical. Beautiful trails through the Tuscan countryside, vineyards and forests lead you to ancient churches, monasteries and fortified villages (often on hilltops). The itinerary alternates longer hiking days with shorter ones to allow you time to explore UNESCO listed cities like Lucca, San Gimignano, and Siena. At the end of each day reward yourself with a tasting of the Chianti regional wine and antipasto before sampling some of Tuscany’s gastronomic delights like freshly made pasta with the region’s rare white truffle oil. Buon Viaggio!
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Highlights
get ready for
- Walk the Tuscan countryside in the footsteps of Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury
- Enjoy wine tastings and traditional dishes of Tuscany
- Explore the charming medieval UNESCO towns of Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena
- Watch farmers harvesting their seasonal crops
- Hike across the photogenic Crete Senesi
- Stay in hand-selected accommodation chosen for warm hospitality, unique character or location
Itinerary
Daily Details
Your journey begins in the captivating city of Lucca. We recommend you arrive early to allow enough time to explore its Romanesque churches, Renaissance sculptures and splendid gardens. Take a walk or bike ride around the tree-lined, red-brick walls that contain this elegant city for views over the Apuan Alps. Lucca’s duomo, Cattedrale di San Martino, is well worth a visit, as is the impressive Piazza Anfiteatro, a 2nd century Roman amphitheatre. Dinner is on your own tonight and there are many dining options to choose from.
Overnight: Lucca
This morning you have some more time to enjoy Lucca before making your way by train to San Miniato (approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes). Take some time this afternoon to discover why this town is considered one of the pearls of the Via Francigena. The seminary, from which the main square takes its name, has a unique facade; take a stroll past it in the evening when it is illuminated, before settling in to enjoy a local speciality of risotto with white truffle.
Overnight: San Miniato
Meals: B
Today’s walk is gently undulating and takes you on a paved road from San Miniato through to olive groves, past vineyards and farmland crossing typical countryside of the Val d’Elsa. Along the way you will pass Pieve di Coiano, a parish church thought to have been built before 1000AD. The church is particularly significant due to a visit by Archbishop Sigeric on his journey from Canterbury to Rome.
The last half of the walk ventures along the top of rolling Tuscan hills with fantastic views of rustic farmhouses, fields of wheat, sunflowers and vineyards. As you near the town of Gambassi Terme you will pass Pieve a Chianni (the church of Santa Maria), a lovely Romanesque church that has been restored and is now a ostello (hostel). You will stop for the night in Gambassi Terme, a town known for its thermal baths and the thermal springs found in the area.
781m ascent, 654m descent
Overnight: Gambassi Terme
Meals: B, D
Leaving behind the quaint village of Gambassi Terme, the trail today will take you along country roads, passing more vineyards and olive trees into sections of lush green forest. Keep your eye out for remnants of ancient Roman roads. Cypress lined paths with beautiful views of the rolling Tuscan hills either side of you lead to the town of Pancole, dominated by the Santuario di Pancole (Sanctuary of Pancole). Continuing on you will come across the working monastery of Pieve di Cellole. It is set amongst lovely grounds with panoramic views over the countryside. If a mass is not being held, you can visit the church and purchase some of the local farm produce or pottery. Even though you will be walking alongside the road as you approach San Gimignano, the views remain captivating as you look toward this evocative hilltop town where you will stay for the next two nights.
595m ascent, 540m descent
Overnight: San Gimignano
Meals: B
Today enjoy a full day at leisure to explore atmospheric San Gimignano. This walled medieval town is an absolute gem. We recommend taking your time to wander the narrow, boutique-filled streets, not forgetting to climb the Torre Grossa, the tallest town of many. From the top, you will be rewarded with spectacular views over the UNESCO listed town and the surrounding hills. Included this evening is a wine tasting that will offer you the opportunity to sample some of the local produce.
Overnight: San Gimignano
Meals: B
Leaving the fairy tale village of San Gimignano this morning, the Via Francigena takes you along quiet, local roads, through farmland and a number of forested sections. The terrain can be uneven at times with tree roots and rocky sections, particularly on the forest trails. The trail meets and follows a stream with the clearest water, offering a place to swim during the warmer months. A detour worth taking today is to see the fascinating Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta in Conèo; a Romanesque church built around the year 1,000 and located in the lovely surrounds of the Colle di Val d’Elsa. Some of the areas you are walking through today and tomorrow were once underwater. If you look carefully, some sections of road have shell fossils embedded in them.
209m ascent, 204m descent
Overnight: Gracciano
Meals: B
From Gracciano you will walk along one of the more beautiful sections of the Via Francigena. Today’s highlights include Pieve a Elsa and the ancient Etruscan thermae (thermal pools) of Caldane. Continuing on you will be able to admire the facade of the Pieve di Strove and Abbadia a Isola, a resting place for Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury on his pilgrimage. There is no mistaking Monteriggioni as you approach. The small village is perched on a hilltop and is enclosed by medieval walls and 14 striking towers that make quite an impact on the landscape. Explore the narrow streets with its ring of vegetable gardens, houses and the Piazza Roma at the centre. Make sure you climb up on one of the walls to take in the view.
132m ascent, 57m descent
Overnight: Monteriggioni
Meals: B
After breakfast, depart Monteriggioni on dirt roads through the Montagnola Sense, a hilly area of the region passing through the now deserted medieval village of Cerbaia. The trail today is gently undulating along wide gravel country roads lined with the iconic cypress pine. The landscape consists of large expanses of open, rolling hills dotted with castles, farms and forests; land that has seen many legendary battles between Siena and Florence.
After a meditative walk through the Renai forest, you will pass through the Porta Camollia, the traditional pilgrims’ entrance to the epic town of Siena. Situated along three ridges at the southern end of the Chianti hills, Siena is another UNESCO city not to be missed. The town explodes with excitement during the famous Palio horse race run several times over summer in Piazza del Campo. The striking Duomo is jam-packed with artworks by Bernini, Michelangelo and Donatello and is only one of many fascinating sites to explore during your stay. Walk the cobblestone streets of this vibrant town before soaking up the atmosphere of Piazza del Campo over a glass of prosecco and antipasto, and celebrating the end of your pilgrimage along the Via Francigena.
224m ascent, 245m descent
Overnight: Siena
Meals: B, L
After breakfast, you are free to leave for your onward journey.
Meals: B
Recommended additional nights: Lucca, Siena
Map
Explore
Lucca
The captivating city of Lucca is a jewel in Tuscany’s crown. It mesmerises with its intact Renaissance walls embracing a labyrinth of cobblestone streets. Its historic piazzas boast architectural splendour while hidden trattorias tease with sumptuous Tuscan flavours.
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San Miniato
The hilltop town of San Miniato is ridiculously gorgeous and offers an enticing blend of cultural heritage, stunning vistas and gastronomic delights. The medieval town is perched atop three small hills, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside, vineyards and olive groves. It is famous for its white truffle festival held every November.
Gambassi Terme
The lovely hill town of Gambassi Terme is famous for its thermal baths, archeological ruins and medieval churches. As well as classic traditional Tuscan products like Chianti wine and extra virgin olive oil, Gambassi also offers a delicious bounty of cheeses to taste.
San Gimignano
The fairytale hilltop town of San Gimignano is encircled by 13th-century walls and an eye-catching skyline of 14 medieval towers that soar above the cobbled streets. The towers have earned the village the nickname ‘Medieval Manhattan’.
Gracciano
From the village of Gracciano you walk along one of the more beautiful sections of the Via Francigena. Highlights include Pieve a Elsa and the ancient Etruscan thermae (thermal pools) of Caldane. Continuing on you will be able to admire the facade of the Pieve di Strove and Abbadia a Isola, a resting place for Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury on his pilgrimage.
Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni is one of the oldest, most memorable and recognisable villages in all of Italy. This splendid medieval walled village has 14 striking towers that make quite an impact on the landscape. In the early 1300s, Dante compared its towers to infernal giants. A full circuit of the walls runs to just 570m and you can walk much of it, admiring the view out to the Chianti and Val d’Elsa, over olive groves and vines.
Siena
The vibrant town of Siena is situated along three ridges at the southern end of the Chianti hills. It is bursting with art galleries, museums, atmospheric squares, churches, boutiques and gelatarias. Walk the cobblestone streets before soaking up the atmosphere of Piazza del Campo with a glass of Prosecco and a delicious antipasto.
Inclusions
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 8 nights accommodation in 3-star hotels, family-run B&Bs or agriturismo (farm stays)
- Breakfast daily, 1 packed lunch, 1 dinner
- Luggage transfers on walking days
- Pilgrims passport
- Exclusive RAW Travel navigation app
- 24-hour emergency support in Italy
- Arrival transfer from San Miniato–Fucecchio train station to your hotel on day 2
- Wine tasting in San Gimignano on day 5
- Pre-trip planning, including comprehensive resources
- Single supplement $750
- Solo traveller surcharge if applicable
- Lunch and dinner (only 1 dinner included on night 3)
- City taxes (to be paid locally in each place)
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Train tickets
Customer Testimonials
Very satisfied! It was a very enjoyable trip. Maps and online references were excellent as were the hotels.
Jessica Rorich, Auckland (NZ) – September 2023
Customer Testimonials
The concept is excellent, the walking notes and app were really good, the accommodation outstanding and the support when we needed it was very much appreciated. It was extra challenging due to the ongoing wet weather but the feeling of achievement every day was fantastic.
Eleanor & Kel Macnamara, Benalla (VIC) - June 2023
Customer Testimonials
Great experience. Enjoyed walking as a group of women and achieving the challenge!
Robyn Brasher, South Melbourne (VIC) - June 2023
Customer Testimonials
First-class experience. Loved the countryside.
Geoff Grenda, Black Rock (VIC) - June 2023
Customer Testimonials
Amazing! Everything we hoped for.
Lynne Peskett, Collingwood (VIC) - May 2023
Exclusive Guide
Via Francigena
The Italian Camino – the Via Francigena – is a classic pilgrim journey to the Eternal City, Rome. We focus on the Tuscan section with itineraries that take you through the heart of the Via Francigena, on a journey that is spiritual, cultural and historical. Get ready for glorious walking, gastronomic delights and much more. Find out all you need to know about the Via Francigena in our free destination guide – it’s bursting with inspiration, travel essentials and practical tips.
Via Francigena
Buonconvento to Montefiascone – Via Francigena
- Tuscan countryside and the distinctive Val d’Orcia landscape
- Traditional Italian dishes and locally-produced, world-class wines
- Explore charming, medieval UNESCO listed villages
- Relax in hot springs at Bagno Vignoni, an UNESCO World Heritage site
$1,650.00
Via Francigena
Lucca to Buonconvento – Via Francigena
- Indulge in the traditional dishes of Tuscany and enjoy a wine tasting
- Explore the charming medieval towns of Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena
- Views of the Chianti region from the fortified walls of Monteriggioni
- Trek across the photogenic Crete Senesi, identifiable by its ochre-tinged soil
$2,595.00
Via Francigena
Lucca to Rome – Via Francigena
- Explore Medieval UNESCO towns of Lucca, San Gimignano, Siena and Rome
- Relax in hot springs at Bagno Vignoni
- Views of the Chianti region from the fortified walls of Monteriggioni
- Trek across the photogenic Crete Senesi and Val d’Orcia
$5,595.00
Via Francigena
Lucca to Siena Group Trip – Via Francigena
- Traverse spectacular Tuscan countryside through vineyards and olive groves
- Indulge in the traditional dishes of Tuscany and enjoy a wine tasting
- Explore the charming medieval towns of Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena
- Views of the Chianti region from the fortified walls of Monteriggioni
$2,350.00
Via Francigena
Montefiascone to Rome – Via Francigena
- Explore Etruscan villages and historical sites
- Locally produced cheese, olive oil and famous wine
- Ancient streets of Viterbo, once a favourite residence of medieval popes
- The stone Roman amphitheatre and tombs carved into volcanic rock in Sutri
$1,695.00
TRIP date selection
when would you like to travel?
Please select your preferred dates for on-demand trips or select a scheduled date for group departures. If you have booked a self-guided trip please understand that because your trip date is on demand and we must check availability of all properties on your chosen dates before it can be fully confirmed