TUSCANY: ETRUSCAN TRAILS ETRUSCAN TUSCANY & SECRET MAREMMA TUSCANY: ETRUSCAN TRAILS SUMMARY Follow the sunken roads of the Etruscans (Vie Cave) as you walk through the wild and beautiful landscape of Southern Tuscany. As you explore this almost undiscovered area you will be delighted at every turn of the trail by the history, beauty and charm of the Maremma region of South West Tuscany. Your walking tour begins in Orvieto, and visits the beautiful tufo towns of Pitigliano, Sovana and Semproniano, following Etruscan trails (the via cava) and takes in the natural hot springs of Saturnia and the white sandy beaches and beautiful coastal scenery of the Maremma Regional Park. This is Tuscany so the scenery is of course impossibly beautiful and the food to die for. One of the highlights of this walk through Tuscany is the rich Etruscan legacy. The Etruscan civilisation predates the Romans and dates from around 700 BC until it was assimilated into the Roman Republic in the 1st century BC. The area around Pitigliano and Sovana is particularly rich in Etruscan ruins, history and tombs. The intriguing vie cave (sunken roads) criss-cross this area and you will walk along these Tour: Tuscany: Etruscan Trails mysterious pathways. Individual via cave are carved up to 20 feet deep in the soft tofu rock and although Code: WItSET there use is shrouded in mystery they remain a powerful reminder of the area’s Etruscan heritage. Type: Self-guided walking Price: See website The Maremma region of south west Tuscany retains a wonderfully sleepy and authentic feeling, with a Single Supplement: See website network of excellent agriturismo, charming small hotels and first class restaurants. Dates: April—October Days: 8 (6 Walking days) Nights: 7 Start / Finish: Orvieto / Grosseto HIGHLIGHTS Distance: 64-71.5km Grade: Easy to Moderate Walking between the high walls of the intriguing Etruscan ‘Vie Cave’ . Wandering the cobbled streets of beautiful Pitigliano. Is this walk for me? Exploring this hidden corner of Tuscany has some- Exploring the Etruscan tombs and Romanesque churches in Sovana. thing for everyone; the Etruscan history of Orvieto Tucking into a delicious home made Tuscan meal at your charming agriturismo. and Sovana, walking through history on the sunked trails of the Vie Cave, delightful accommodation, Soaking in the open air hot springs in Saturnia. great food and spectacular coastal walking in the Strolling along the beautiful untouched coast in the Maremma Nature Reserve. Uccellina National Park. What’s Included? Accommodation: 7 Nights handpicked accom- modation in charming 3 and 4 star hotels and agriturismo. Meals: 7 Breakfasts. Transfers: Transfer from Orvieto to Pitigliano & Manciano to Alberese (Uccellina Park), from end of walk on Day 7 to Alberese, transfer to Grosseto WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALK IN TUSCANY WITH US? (Day 8). Luggage transfers between hotels. Information Pack: Detailed maps, route notes Macs Adventure specialises in delightful self guided walking holidays featuring charming accommodation, and information pack. baggage transfer, superb walking and walks that deliver that extra little something. We are passionate Support: Support from our local representative about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last detail is taken care of so you can just relax and UK office. and enjoy every moment of your time in Tuscany. TUSCANY: ETRUSCAN TRAILS ETRUSCAN TUSCANY & SECRET MAREMMA DAY 2 Nearby Sorano is another stunning hilltop town ITINERARY and well worth a visit if you have time. Buses and Pitligliano to Sovana taxis are available. After breakfast a private transfer (1hr) will take Walk: 9km, approx. 3.5hrs Day Route Km you to Pitligliano via the ghost town of Civita di Bagnoregio, which has had to be abandoned as Overnight: Hotel Scilla***, Sovana 1 Arrive in Orvieto the soft tufo rock it is built on collapses. DAY 4 2 Transfer to Pitigliano walk 8.5 Pitligliano is a real highlight. Pre historic caves to Sovana and medieval tower houses are crammed onto Sovana to Saturnia 3 Sovana circular walk 9 the tufo cliffs above the gorges carved by the 4 Walk to Saturnia 14 An outstanding walk west from Sovana through a Lente and Meleta Rivers. Known as “Little 5 Saturnia circular walk 11 rugged landscape of olive groves, wooded 6 Walk to Manciano 15 Jerusalem” and with a proud Jewish history the canyons and hills with sheer cliffs. This is 7 Transfer to Uccellina Park 6.5-14 town is a delight. & walk Tuscany at its best. After exploring Pitigliano you follow the Vie Cave 8 Transfer to Grosseto & - Saturnia is famous for its thermal baths, which onward Travel to Sorano. The purpose of these ancient were well-known by the Etruscans and Romans. pathways carved deep into the rock by the Legend has it that its springs are born in the Total 64- Etruscans is unclear but the sense of history is exact point where Jupiter's thunderbolt fell in a 71.5 palpable as you walk these trails. Walking these battle against Saturn. Relax and soak in the 37 ancient pathways through wild countryside and degree sulphurous water which gushes over a stumbling across abandoned tombs you will not DAY 1 waterfall and down into a cascade of natural want this walk to end in Sovana. Arrive Orvieto pools formed by the deposition of calcareous The quiet cobbled streets, tufo houses and two rock. Entrance payable locally. Your trip begins in the beautiful city of Orvieto, exquisite Romanesque churches of Sovana Walk: 14km, approx. 3.5-4hrs perched high on the tufa cliffs above the make this a particularly delightful town. surrounding plains. Orvieto is famed for its Overnight: Hotel Fontepura, Saturnia excellent white wines and the city is riddled with Walk: 8.5km, approx. 3.5hrs With outstanding views, the Hotel Saturno Fonte wells and tunnels dating from Etruscan times and Overnight: Hotel Scilla***, Sovana also has one of the most beautiful Duomo in Pura boasts its own 37 degree thermal pool Italy. Located just steps from the piazza del Pretorio complex and sun terrace. Some rooms have a the 3* Hotel Scilla has fifteen beautifully private entrance, and all have aircon and wifi. Orvieto is served by regular trains from Rome decorated bedrooms spread across two historic There is a restaurant and guests can book (1h30) and also easily accessible from Florence buildings. beauty treatments and massage sessions, hire and Perugia airports. bikes or book wine tastings. DAY 3 Overnight: Hotel Aquila Bianca****, Orvieto DAY 5 Circular walk from Sovana The 4* Hotel Aquila Bianca is located in the historical heart of Orvieto opposite the town hall. An Etruscan overload as you walk from Sovana Circular walk around Saturnia Built in the early 1900’s this charming and to the nearby archaeological reserve which Enjoy an easy and rewarding walk around the friendly hotel with 37 bedrooms is the perfect boasts several well preserved Etruscan tombs thermal springs area and medieval Saturnia, base for exploring the medieval piazza’s and dating back over 3000 years as well as some of walking along the ancient Roman way which lanes of Orvieto. the deepest vie cave in the area. There are also takes you to the Mulino Falls; a natural outdoor numerous via cave in this area. You must also hot pool with sulphurous water tumbling over visit the beautiful Romanesque churches in the white rocks. Bring your swimming costume as it village and perhaps enjoy a relaxed lunch. is possible to take a dip! This area is particularly spectacular at sunset. TUSCANY: ETRUSCAN TRAILS ETRUSCAN TUSCANY & SECRET MAREMMA Walk: 11km, approx. 3.5hrs DAY 8 but July and August can be very hot unless you are used to the heat so are generally best Overnight: Hotel Fontepura, Saturnia Onward Travel avoided. DAY 6 When you are ready we will transfer you to Additional Nights Grosseto train station where you can catch a Walk to Manciano train south to Rome (1h45) or North to Pisa This itinerary can be tailored to your Morellino has become the Tuscan wine of choice (2h00) and other destinations. requirements and we would recommend for those in the know and today you will be additional nights in Orvieto, Manciano and walking through the vineyards that produce this Maremma Park. delicious tipple. Your route winds through the TRIP INFORMATION rolling hills, chestnut woods, olive groves and Solo Walkers and Single Rooms farmland to reach Manciano. Meals If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although Walk: 15km, approx. 5hrs The best thing about walking in Tuscany is undoubtedly the food and this walk is no there is a single room supplement payable. This Overnight: Agriturismo Il Poderino, Manciano different. tour is also available for solo walkers and a supplement applies. Surrounded by vineyards in an idyllic Tuscan Breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and setting just outside Manciano Il Poderino is a dinner are not included but dinner is available at Extensions traditional agriturismo with traditionally decorated your accommodation or at one of the many We can also arrange accommodation in rooms, a pool and a great food and welcome. excellent local restaurants. Packed lunches are Florence, Rome or even Venice if you would like available either from your accommodation or DAY 7 to extend your stay in Italy. local shops. Walking in Maremma Park Grade Transfers After breakfast we will transfer you (1hr) to the This holiday is graded easy to moderate because Private transfers from Orvieto to Pitigliano, Maremma Natural Reserve on the west coast. although the daily walks are relatively short. But Manciano to Alberese (Uccellina Park), from the Spilling down from the hills to pebble-strewn keep in mind that the terrain is hilly and summer end of your walk on Day 7 to Alberese, and on deserted beaches this is a completely untouched temperatures can be high.