8 day walk on “The Renaissance Ring” – Florence’s hidden jewel

This is a Special tour – minimum 4 persons, maximum group of 10 – Dates specially tailored to your group.

For centuries artists and poets have wandered the hills surrounding Florence to admire the beauty; to savour the peace and tranquility of nature; and to find inspiration.

This is in part due to a wonderful ancient pathway that linked medieval villages and the ancient walled communes that have encircled Florence for centuries.  This rediscovered pathway is The Renaissance Ring – ‘Anello del Rinascimento’ and is now a 130 km continuous walk through the hills and hamlets that surround Florence

The Renaissance Ring Walk is a 8 Day walk from Fiesole to Fiesole all-inclusive walk through the Tuscan countryside.  This walk includes baggage transport, accommodation in B&B, villas, small hotels and Agriturismo. Three meals a day, all entrance fees where specified and local guides.  There will be a support vehicle included for this walk.

Walking on well marked trails; ancient stone lanes built by the Romans, old mule tracks used my locals on market day, and dirt paths that pilgrims and wayfarers used winding up and down passing olive groves, vineyards, farming land, and lush meadows where shepherds once moved their flocks.  With your eyes continually drawn to Brunescelli’s Duomo in the heart of Florence, the Renaissance Ring also offers spectacular views over the Arno Valley, the Mugello and the Apennine mountains.

This ancient pathway takes you on a journey through medieval villages and ancient walled hamlets with their 11^th century churches displaying beautiful frescoes, restored Convents run by Nuns, Sanctuaries that once offered pilgrims respite now restored offering hostels accommodation, abandoned monasteries last inhabited in the 16th century that once producing bricks and terracotta tiles.  Passing ancient ruins, the stunning villas of Montecucco, olive mills producing “extra virgin olive oil” and the Bruneschelli designed 15^th century castle Lastra a Signa. You will enter nature reserves with beautiful birdlife such as egrets and blue herons, see plant life unique only to this area and typical Mediterranean vegetation, appreciating the sea breezes.

Starting in the beautiful town of Fiesole, home of Medici villas and gardens and an Etruscan Roman Theatre you are rewarded with your first spectacular views down the valley.  This is the beginning of a rich and rewarding journey that includes towns such as Santa Brigida, Pontassieve surrounded by chianti vineyards; modern villas of Montecucco; the beautiful Impruneta, the capital of terracotta, with its rolling hills lined with Chianti grapevines and olive groves.  Certosa with its Carthusian monastery and its spectacular views to Pisa onto  Calenzano and Vaglia before ending our journey in Fiesole.

If you love history, art, are a foodie and love nature, this is the walk for you.  It has it all!!  This little known path is a sheer delight for all the senses.  Please contact Walk Local for more information on departure dates.