Tuscany, discovering the Val d’Orcia – 8 days self-guided walking package

Highlights

• Natural, artistic and cultural treasures of Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Wide-open fields, cypress-lined hills, famous vineyards
• Exquisitely preserved Medieval and Renaissance villages
• Peaceful country roads, friendly Tuscan locals and delicious regional specialties
• Warm friendly locals
• Stress-free luggage and routing

• 7 Nights' accommodation in selected B&Bs, hotels and agriturismo with breakfasts
• Luggage transfer (from day 2 to day 7)
• Transfer from Castelnuovo dell'Abate to Montalcino (Day 4)
• Transfer from Buonconvento-Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey (day 6) and from Buonconvento to Monteroni d'Arbia (Day 7)
• Digital detailed route notes and maps in English
• Access to the trip on specific navigation app
• 24-hour telephone assistance

• Travel insurance
• Travel to the firts accommodation in Montepulciano and from the last accommodation in Siena
• Trains, busses or boats wherever necessary
• Lunches & Dinners
• Drinks and snacks
• Personal equipment
• Tourist taxes

Accommodations are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services.
We choose comfortable hotels, farmhouses and B&Bs where all rooms have private en-suite bathrooms.
You can find below the standard hotels for this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, then we will book a similar one for you and inform you about the alternative booked. 
Extra overnight: You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way.

Hotel Il Duomo (Montepulciano): in the old town center near the Piazza Grande, is a small, welcoming, family-run hotel situated in an old Renaissance Palazzo. What sets the Duomo apart is the attention we pay to our guests, creating a relaxing and intimate atmosphere for the duration of your stay.

Payment: deposit of 20% per person within 3 days of confirmation and balance 60 days before departing from Australia.

Cancellation:

• cancellations once deposit paid  20% of the tour cost;
• cancellations from 60 to 15 days  before departure date: 40% of the tour cost;
•  cancellations from 14 to 9 days before departure date: 70% of the tour cost;
•  cancellations from 8 to 0 days before departure date: 100% of the tour cost;

The walks are along vineyards, uneven footpaths, mule tracks and small gravel roads (strade bianche). The trails through the vineyards can get slippery, muddy and heavy-going when wet or after it has rained. The trails do not always have markings.

Luggage transfer is included in your package; this is normally provided by the accommodation itself or by a local taxi. The allowance is : only 1 piece of luggage of 20kg per person (if they have it really big, they must mention it at the time of booking, additional cost may be required)

A note on the self-guided adventures and Fitness preparation:
Self-guided walking requires individuals to use problem-solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. You should be comfortable reading maps, referring to route notes, and having a good sense of direction (or be willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is part of the adventure. If you’ve never been on a self-guided trip, you will get the hang of it after the first couple of days, as most of our first-time travellers attest. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly, and we provide a 7-day service hotline in case of any problems. A certain level of the unknown comes with self-guided trips; however, with a systematic approach, potential problems will be averted. The freedom of a self-guided journey is something that, once experienced, is sought repeatedly.
Fitness preparation: The concept behind most of our trips is active holidays; the fitter you are, the more quickly you will adjust and enjoy yourself. We expect participants to take responsibility for their fitness and preparations consistently before departure and INCREASE the regular weekly training schedule in the two months following release. That way, when you start walking, you will feel relaxed, comfortable, and strong, having done more than sufficient preparation for the trip. You will also have more energy to enjoy the views, take photos and explore the sights in your spare time rather than make it to the next hotel. While the day is when the most exciting features of interest will be found, and being fit allows you to optimise every situation you encounter. At a minimum, we recommend 40 minutes of aerobic exercise: running, swimming, biking, hill walking, or gym work two to three times a week for two to six months leading up to your walk. Note that the best training is the activity you will be doing: walking up and downhill and cross-country. Practice this as much as possible. Training should be stepped up as you get closer to departure to an appropriate amount (you don’t want to cause yourself an injury!). Using your gear before departure (boots, day pack, clothing, etc.) gives familiarity and comfort whilst walking. It makes sense to know that all your gear ‘works for you’ BEFORE departure, rather than discovering how things work or fit (or don’t!) on the trip you have invested so much in. Use the philosophy of ‘getting fit to go walking’ rather than ‘going on a walk to get fit’ to avoid problems.