Italy:

South Tuscany

May 19 - 26, 2008

Ancient vineyards, oceans of wheat fields and rows of slender cypress are the sculpture of the Val d’Orcia.

Our hiking paths lead us to the heart of this valley—an area of a beautiful palette: ochre shades of old farmhouses, the yellow of wild broom, the scarlet of wild poppies and the silver green of olive groves. The famous wine towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino are on our way along with a hands-on Tuscan cooking experience, wine tasting, and a home hosted lunch on an organic farm!

We will be privileged to hear a service of Gregorian chants at San Antimo, a very isolated 12th century Romanesque abbey.

Our base for the week is Pienza, as complete a Renaissance town as any in Italy. Romeo and Juliet was filmed here--Pope Pius II was born here.   This one street town is full of beautiful doorways, lace curtained windows, and flowers spilling from their balcony perches. The Il Chiostro, our hotel, was a 15th century monastery and is now a beautiful inn with vaulted ceilings, frescoes, and a garden terrace that views the Val d’Orcia.

Our hikes are generally in the moderate range, averaging 8-9 miles each day with elevation gains of 1500-2000 feet. Daily temperatures are normallly 70-80 degrees.  And in the evenings, we are rewarded with the delicious cuisine of the local restaurants—pastas, polenta, focaccia, cheeses, truffles and superb wines, of course.

Get ready —Tuscany touches all your senses!