2025 is the 550th anniversary of the birth of artist, Michelangelo, in Tuscany. And as Italy celebrates, a lavish short film showcasing the romantic allure of a walking holiday in Tuscany has been released by European, self-guided hiking tour operator, On Foot Holidays.
On Foot Holidays’ week-long walking sojourn through Tuscany’s glorious hills, honey-hued, medieval hamlets, rich vineyards and avenues of cypress tress is one of the company’s most popular – and beloved – routes, which inspired the UK operator to make a 4½ minute video on their seven-night Tuscany walk. Released this month, the lush and evocative film features breathtaking scenery and interviews with local artisans, B&B operators, restaurant owners, wine makers, hikers and the route’s local designer.
Perfect to watch with a glass of red, the stirring film is available free on On Foot Holidays’ website here – www.onfootholidays.co.uk/
The seven-night, inn-to-inn walk begins in the historic, southern Tuscan city of Siena and ends in the hilltop town of Montepulciano. Highlights include local cuisine, famous Tuscan wines, dreamy landscapes, visits to the abbeys of Monte Oliveto and Sant’ Antimo and the ancient thermal baths of Bagno Vignoni. Walkers will also visit the town of Pienza, a World-Heritage site and classic Renaissance hilltop town famous for its annual cheese-rolling competition.
The walk also features breathtaking views of rolling hills dotted with hilltop villages as well as a focus on local cuisine, with the Pieve a Salti restaurant – where travellers will stay on their second night – famous for sourcing its food from the onsite organic farm. Each night, walkers stay in small, family-run B&Bs or hotels where they meet up with their luggage each day, leaving just a day pack to carry on the track.
The walk is classified as medium, with three to six hours spent hiking each day. The seven-night Southern Tuscany walk is available from £1120 (approximately A$2340 depending on exchange rates) per person, twin-share, which includes all accommodation, transfers, daily breakfast, one evening meal and one picnic.
The walk is available from April to October each year, except the peak summer months of July and August, with walkers selecting their own departure date from those available. Each walk is self-guided, with all directions and maps provided on an app or in print form.
* By adding another of On Foot Holidays’ hiking routes in Europe, travellers can save 10 per cent when the two hikes are booked at the same time for the one European holiday (discount on the cheaper walk). There’s also a saving of £40 per room for walkers opting to use the walk guide app on their phones instead of printed materials.
For details on the walk, visit www.onfootholidays.co.uk/
On Foot Holidays offers 37 self-guided walking tours across Europe, with each route designed by locals and tested by On Foot Holidays.
