The walking holiday starts and ends in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. There are daily flights from the UK and other European cities to Florence airport and the city is on a main train line from Milan and Rome. You can also join the tour in Arezzo which is on the train line from Rome.
Day 1
Meet Florence Santa Maria Train station at 11am. Drive(1½ hours) towards the charming town of Anghiari, where we start the tour with a leisurely lunch and an olive oil tasting at an organic farm. We then continue the short distance to Sansepolcro. We stay for the next 2 nights in the delightful family-run Albergo Fiorentino in the heart of the town. Enjoy a glass of prosecco on the terrace overlooking the terracotta rooftops before we walk to dinner. After dinner we join the locals in the piazza to see the opening of the Palio della Balestra – a medieval crossbow competition between Sansepolcro and nearby Gubbio.
Day 2
We start the day with a visit to the town’s museum to see the renowned works by Piero della Francesca. Then a drive up above the town takes us to the evocative Franciscan convent and hermitage at Monte Casale. A beautiful hike follows a low ridge of the Alpi della Luna with views across the Tiber Valley. Time to see the town’s museum before dinner in a local restaurant. (6km/4miles)
Day 3
A short drive takes us across the border into Umbria. We start our walk high above the town of Citta di Castello and hike through open farmland and woods, passing abandoned stone houses and a dramatic fort before arriving at the stunning Abbazia San Faustino, a beautiful small hotel converted from a former abbey. Dinner in the hotel restaurant. (16.5km/10.5miles)
Day 4
A leisurely walk in the remote farmland near the Abbey of San Faustino. Visit an agriturismo for a tasting of local produce. Time to relax and enjoy the pool and the tranquil setting of Abbazia San Faustino in the afternoon. (10km/6miles)
Day 5
We depart San Faustino and a short drive takes us into the foothills of the Apennines from where we follow trails past hamlets and through woods to arrive at the Basilica of San Ubaldo, perched on a hill above the lovely medieval town of Gubbio. We walk down through the cobbled streets to arrive, on foot, at our delightful four star hotel in the heart of the town overlooking the square. We use this as our base for the final 3 nights of the holiday. Dinner in a Slow Food restaurant on the outskirts of the town. (18km/11miles)
Day 6
Optional walk which follows an ancient merchant trail connecting the cities of Gubbio and Perugia. Exclusive guided tour of the thirteenth-century Benedictine abbey of Montelabate, formerly one of the most important abbeys in the region. Our picnic today includes wine, cheese and olive oil from the estate. Later in the day there is time to explore Gubbio and visit the town museum with the precious Iguvine Tablets from the 3rd century BC. Dinner in Gubbio this evening. (7km/4.4miles)
Day 7
Our final hike takes us to Monte Cucco National Park, a short distance from Gubbio. Starting from a high alpine meadow at 1132m we climb up through beautiful beech woods to emerge above the tree line at just above 1400m. We circle the summit of Monte Cucco, enjoying spectacular views across the Umbrian hills and to Le Marche towards the coast. We picnic in the alpine meadow before returning, by van, to Gubbio. Free time in the afternoon before our final dinner in a local restaurant. (6.7km/4.2miles)
Day 8
Return to Florence Airport for 1pm (2 hours). We will also drop off at the train station (Santa Maria Novella) if required.
Walking
Shortest day: 6km/3.8miles
Longest day: 18km/11miles
There are 6 days of walking on the trip. We walk on strade bianche (gravel roads), on mountain trails, along woodland tracks and quiet tarmac roads. There is always van support with the opportunity to walk a half-day. Most of this part of Umbria is one of rolling hills with some significant ups and downs. The walk on Day 7 is a mountain trail. Sturdy walking boots, with good ankle support, are recommended. Walking poles would be an advantage, especially on steeper sections.
