Day Tours in Tuscany

Caspin Journeys - unique walking holidays in Italy and England

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Panoramic Jewels of Southern Tuscany: Castelmuzio - Monte Oliveto Maggiore - Montalcino - S.Antimo

A spectacular drive through the Crete Senese takes us to Castelmuzio, a quintessential Tuscan hamlet lost in time with extensive views of all the surrounding hill towns. Time for a stroll and mid-morning coffee, before continuing to the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore for a guided tour of the cycle of 16thC frescoes by Sodoma and Signorelli on the walls of the cloister. We have lunch at Monte Oliveto set in the national park of the ‘Crete Senese’ hills. Equally beautiful is the drive to Montalcino. Stroll through the historic centre, climb the ramparts of the Rocca Castle overlooking the Val d’Orcia and then relax with a glass of Brunello wine and some Pecorino cheese before listening to the sounds of Gregorian chant in the church of S.Antimo. Depart at 9.00am. Return from S.Antimo at 6.00pm.


A Tuscan Wine Tasting Experience: Visit to Avignonesi winery - Montepulciano

The Avignonesi winery produces one of the finest Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in the region and is famous for its Vin Santo. The guided tour of the winery is a fascinating insight into the making, ageing and bottling of wine and the continuous experiments undertaken by the De Salvo family to remain at the forefront of high quality wine production. Lunch is a four-course meal served at the winery with four carefully selected wines to enhance the tasting experience. In the afternoon we take a scenic drive to Montepulciano where the late afternoon is spent exploring the historical City, Cantina del Redi [whose wine cellars date back to the 11th century] and the beautiful renaissance church of San Biagio. Depart at 11.00am. Return from Montepulciano at 6.00pm. N.B. Luncheon by special arrangement : to avoid disappointment book several days in advance.


In the Chianti Hills: Fonterutoli - Castellina in Chianti - Monteriggioni - S.Gimignano

We travel to Fonterutoli to taste the Chianti Classico wine produced by the Mazzei family, who have been there since 1435, take a walk around the bustling small hill-town of Castellina in Chianti and then have lunch inside the walled garrison village of Monteriggioni whose medieval towers were immortalised by Dante in his Divine Comedy. In the afternoon we travel to just outside of S.Gimignano and approach town along a panoramic route [optional 3mile walk] amidst Vernaccia vineyards with fabulous views of its 14 remaining medieval towers silhouetted on the skyline. Time to explore S.Gimignano. Depart at 9.30am. Return from S.Gimignano at 6.30pm.


On the Chiantigiana: Badia a Passignano - Greve - Panzano - Volpaia - Radda - Gaiole

We start our day on the Chiantigiana at Badia a Passignano, a beautifully situated Vallombrosan monastery. We leave the main roads and travel along quiet tracks past Chianti vines and Olive groves, stopping for coffee at Montefioralle, family home of Amerigo Vespucci. Admire the charming piazza in Greve in Chianti, home to the annual Chianti Classico wine festival. As the day progresses we make our way on country roads, admiring the magnificent views. We can stroll around, shop and taste olive oil and wine in Panzano, Volpaia, Radda and Gaiole-in-Chianti at your pace. Depart at 9.30am.


Hill Towns of Southern Tuscany: Montepulciano - Montichiello - Pienza - Bagno Vignoni

We wind through the streets of Montepulciano, known as the pearl of the Renaissance, admiring its wonderful buildings. We visit the Cantina del Redi, where Vino Nobile is aged in vaulted caves beneath the foundations of the city. We leave through the ancient gates, passing San Biagio one of the great churches of the high Renaissance, and drive through the picturesque countryside of the Val D’Orcia to Montichiello. Time to explore this tiny hamlet before continuing to Pienza, Pope Pius II’s setting for a utopian society and a marvel of 15thC architecture. Our day ends at the Roman hot springs of Bagno Vignoni. Depart at 9.00am. Return from Bagno Vignoni at 5.00pm.