Tuscany is a charmed land of rounded hilltops covered with vineyards and acres of sunflowers bathed in pastel sunlight. Distant farm houses silhouetted by stately cypress trees form an age old backdrop for classic bike touring in this uncrowded region. Medieval cities with narrow winding streets beckon to be explored. There you'll find cathedrals, grand plazas and real espresso at a sidewalk cafe nestled between 13th century sculptures. Tuscany also offers a great diversity of landscapes, from the vineyard-covered hills to the barren geometrical cypress-crested moulds of the "Crete". Such incredible varieties in so short a time!

Tour accommodations are in a splendid assortment of villas and charming country inns that will provide a sense of history and a taste of the local warmth and hospitality. You can look forward to gourmet meals that are characteristic of this region and made with the freshest local ingredients seasoned with tasty olive oil and herbs. You will be able to sample some of Italy's most famous cheeses and wines from vineyards along our route.

This hiking vacation in Tuscany is more than just a great walk. It is your opportunity to fully experience the delightful countryside and wonderful people of Italy.

This self-guided tour is a fully organized vacation for the independent traveler who wants the freedom to walk at his or her own pace. You'll have complete support behind the scenes. Our Italy representative will meet you at the beginning of your tour for an orientation. You will receive a packet with detailed route instructions, maps, suggestions for sights to visit along the route and emergency support phone numbers. You can take a spontaneous detour and always feel secure that your hotel room will be waiting for you. You will be able to travel at your own pace without a guide or support vehicle to hurry you along or to slow you down. Your luggage will be transported each day to the next accommodation, which will be reserved and prepaid. You don't need to worry, as emergency support is just a phone call away.

Day 1: Arrival in Chiusi where you are met by our Italian representative who will spend a short time going over the tour with you answering any question you may have. (The train takes about an hour and a half from Rome and trains operate every 2 hours throughout the day. See travel information below.) Our representative will then drive you to Acquaviva from where the trail to Montepulciano starts. Hotel in Montepulicano. one of Tuscany's highest hilltop towns. Renowned for its Vino Nobile, Montepulciano also boasts a unique blend of Renaissance architecture and is perched on a narrow ridge of volcanic rock. (3 hrs. walking time)

Day 2: Montepulciano/Pienza (6 hrs walking time). From the church of San Biagio on the outskirts of town, you will follow an old road through the countryside. Stop at the walled village of Montichiello for lunch or a cappuccino before making your way to Pienza, a small town once called "the pearl of the Renaissance". Partly redesigned by Pope Pius II, Pienza boasts a splendid Renaissance cathedral and the charming Palazzo Piccolomini. Sample pecorino, a local sheeps' cheese.

Day 3: Pienza to Bagno Vignoni (5 hrs walking time). The walking today crosses a beautiful region of rolling hills, oak woods and lovely villages. Your destination tonight is Bagno Vignoni, a thermal spa town where the main square is a basin of steaming hot water. This is considered by many to be the most charming village in all of Tuscany! Hotel in Bagno Vignoni.

Day 4: Bagno Vignoni/Sant'Antimo/Montalcino (5 hrs walking time) - Todays walk takes you along dry river beds in a rather wild environment to reach the Abbey of St Antimo. Few of the monastic buildings remain, but the 12th-century church is well preserved and is an outstanding example of the Italian Romanesque. With luck, you'll visit at a time when the monks celebrate mass and the church echoes with Gregorian chants. We'll arrange to have you transported from the Abbey to Montalcino, your home for the night.

Day 5: Montalcino/Buonconvento - (4 hrs. walking time) - Montalcino is renowned for its ruby-red Brunello wines, so you'll spend much of the day strolling through vineyards as well as olive groves. Then you'll enter the primeval landscape of the crete senesi , where shepherds tend the sheep whose milk is used to make pecorino cheese. Spend the night at a delightful inn near Buonconvento. (4 hours)

Day 6: Buonconvento /Buonconvento (3 hrs. walking time) - Enjoy a leisurely day relaxing around the pool or follow a hilly path to the 14th-century Benedictine Monte Oliveto Maggiore, one of the most impressive abbeys in Italy. Contemplate the cloister with its magnificent fresco cycle on the life of St. Benedict. The walk to the abbey takes 3 hours and if you prefer not to walk back to your inn, the owner of your accommodation will come and pick you up.
Day 7: Buonconvento/Siena - (5hrs) - Walk along a winding dirt road over hills and through oak woods. Pass Murlo, a tiny medieval borgo, the oldest settlement in the area. A ring of houses forms Murlo's defensive walls. Visit the Museo Etrusco, which commemorates the town's Etruscan origins. Then on to Radi and Monteroni d'Arbia, where we will arrange a transfer to Siena(5 hours)

Day 8: Your tour ends after breakfast, but you will want to enjoy the sights of Siena before your departure. Stroll through Piazza del Campo and to the spectacular Duomo, one of the few full Gothic cathedrals built south of the Alps. There are both train and bus stations in Siena with easy access to both Rome and Florence. You might also choose to spend an additional day in Siena as there is so much to see here.

While we strive to create the most accurate itinerary possible, the nature of international travel demands that participants remain flexible to any changes. We will do our best to substitute activities and services of equal quality for those listed.

DATES: MID-MARCH THROUGH MID-NOVEMBER

TRIP COST: €1,070 Euros/pp (double occupancy) Single supplement: €250 Euros.

ADDITIONAL NIGHT IN SIENA:

TRIP COST INCLUDES: 8 days/7 nights, 7 nights hotel, 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners, luggage transfer, trip information package that includes maps, route descriptions, suggested sights to visit, emergency phone numbers for our Italian staff support (shorter itineraries available)

TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: lunches, 2 dinners.

TRAVEL INFORMATION: Your trip begins in in Chiusi and ends in Siena. The closest international airport is Rome. Other convenient airports are Milan, Pisa, and Florence. Both towns are serviced by trains. A representative of the tour operator will meet you at the train station and transfer you to your hotel. When making your plane reservations, you might check flying from the United States to Rome and returning from Florence. Booking your flights in this manner is generally a similar price as flying from the United States to Rome roundtrip. At the end of your tour either the train or bus will take about an hour and a half from Siena to Florence and 3 and a half hours to Rome.

TRAIN SCHEDULES: Check out this web site for train schedules. http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/fares_schedules/index.htm
You do not need to make advance train reservations. You will have the phone number for our Italian Representative and you will need to call this person the night before your trip to confirm the train that you will be taking from Rome to Chiusi. I suggest taking a train that departs the Rome Termini Station around 9 in the morning so that you will the day to enjoy your hike and arrive in Montepulciano with plenty of time to enjoy this lovely hill town.

BAGGAGE: Two simple words - TRAVEL LIGHT! To avoid loosing luggage (that may contain irreplaceable clothing, personal items and medications) and to prepare you for the reality of European hotels (many have narrow stairways and do not have elevators), we urge you to limit your luggage to 2 items. We suggest the following: a carry-on size suitcase or duffel (a legal carry-on sized wheeled suitcase is perfect) and a daypack. You will be able to bring these 2 items as carry-ons on all international and domestic flights, insuring that your luggage will arrive with you!

TRAVEL DELAYS: Nichols Expeditions is not responsible for any costs you may incur due to delays with transportation (airline or other), weather, road conditions, government intervention, sickness or other contingencies we are unable to control. For international flights, arrive at least 2 hours prior to departure (check with your air carrier for their requirements) and allow ample time between connecting flights. If you miss your flight and you need a special shuttle to meet up with the group, you will be responsible for the cost.

THE SECRET TO STRESS FREE TRAVEL: Simply put, arrive at the starting point of your trip a day or two early. Many have told us this was one of the most important things they did to get ready for their trip. They felt rested and more acquainted with the customs and pace of life of their new surroundings.

HOTEL LODGING: . We suggest contacting your local travel agent for hotel reservations in Rome and Florence or checking out these websites:
http://www.romeby.com/accommod/choose.htm
http://www.florenceby.com/accommod/choose.htm

MONEY: In Siena, Montepulciano and Montalcino and Pienza, there are ATM machines. Many of the smaller towns do not have ATM machines and do not accept credit cards. It is best to bring some cash and a credit card that can be used in an ATM machine. You will be able to exchange money at the airport upon arrival in Italy.

LANGUAGE: It is not necessary to be able to speak Italian to get along in Italy, but it can be lots of fun. Most of the hotels will have someone who speaks some English. A small dictionary and some creative sign language should get you to the start of the trip without too much trouble. Many people at the airport do speak English.

HOW IS THE FOOD? Absolutely incredible! We will be staying in Inns that serve great food! The meals are gourmet and there is enough variety at each meal to please everyone. Vegetarian and other dietary restrictions can easily be accommodated.

WEATHER: Be prepared for warm days, 65º to 85º with plenty of sun and cooler nights 45º to 65º nights, with cooler temperatures in the fall and spring. Bring plenty of sun and lip screen (SPF 15 minimum). If you are really sun sensitive, we suggest light colored sun blocking clothing.

CAMERA EQUIPMENT: Bring lots of film! ASA 100 - 400. Also, install fresh batteries and bring lens cleaner, lens tissue, a lens brush and a clean toothbrush to remove grit from your camera.

WHAT ABOUT TIPPING? We suggest 10-15% for good service in restaurants and a small amount for baggage and taxi workers.

__ PASSPORT! Please make sure that it DOES NOT EXPIRE DURING YOUR TOUR! Make 2 photocopies of your passport and any other valuable documents you might carry with you on the tour. Travel with one copy stored in a separate place from your passport. Leave the other copy at home with a relative or friend (ideally the same person you gave as your emergency contact). In the event that any of your documents are lost or stolen, this will greatly assist the process of replacement.

CLOTHING:
Warm days (75-85 F), comfortable nights (55-65 F), possible rain showers
__ Hat, visor or baseball cap
__ Bandanna or sweatbands
__ Short sleeved shirts and tank tops (3-4, Supplex or other quick drying fabric)
__ Long-sleeved shirt (Supplex or other quick drying fabric)
__ Long-sleeved mid weight t-neck (for layering)
__ Underwear (athletic bra(s) for women)
__ Shorts (1-2 pr., Supplex or other quick drying fabric, consider convertible pants with zip off the legs for shorts)
__ Long pants/skirts (1-2 pr., Supplex or other quick drying fabric)
__ Swimsuit
__ Waterproof rain suit (pants & jacket with hood, Gore-Tex or coated nylon)
__ Socks
__ Comfortable walking shoes
__ Sandals (optional), shoes other than those you are biking in to give your feet a rest in the evenings

PERSONAL ITEMS:
(Note: electrical items such as hair dryers, shavers, curling or travel irons need to have 220V current capacity and an outlet adapter)
__ Toilet articles (deodorant, toothpaste, brush, comb, skin lotion, etc., "sample sizes")
__ Wash cloth (European hotels only provide bath towels)
__"Baby-wipe" towelettes (for quick clean up anytime)
__ Personal first aid kit: personal medications (keep prescription meds in original, labeled containers), anti-inflammatory, Kaopectate tablets or equivalent, Band-Aids, tampons, eye drops, Vaseline, contact lens solution, sunburn ointment (aloe vera gel), athletic tape or second skin for blister prevention, etc.)
__ Sunscreen and lipscreen (SPF 15-30, sweatproof so it won't run in your eyes)
__ Insect repellent (brands containing a low % DEET and/or Avon Skin So Soft)
__ Small flashlight with extra batteries
__ Portable laundry kit for in-room washing (laundry detergent in plastic bottle, 8-10 clothes pins and 25 feet of light nylon cord for clothes line - packed in a 1 qt. Ziploc bag)
__ Plastic bag for damp swimsuit / laundryYour tour ends after breakfast. There are both train and bus stations in Siena with easy access to both Rome and Florence. __ Ear plugs (2 pr., a must for sound sleep)
__ Daypack large enough for carrying water, snacks, camera and any additional clothing you might need during the day.
__ Water bottle or camelback style hydration system.

OPTIONAL ITEMS:
__ Camera with new batteries, spare batteries, film, soft brush and lens tissue
__ Extra Ziploc bags of assorted sizes
__ Small "hotel size" sewing kit
__ Guidebook for Italy
__ Italian phrasebook / dictionary
__ Small sketchbook, journal, notebook, pen
__ Address book
__ Small calculator (for calculating exchange rates)
__ Travel alarm clock
__ Small pocket knife & fork for picnicking
__ Small travel binoculars

HINTS ON PACKING: Simply put - TRAVEL LIGHT & CARRY IT ON WITH YOU! You will avoid loosing your luggage (that may contain irreplaceable clothing and medications) and you will be prepared for European hotels with narrow stairs and few elevators. Through our years of travel we have learned these valuable lessons and want to pass them on to you before your trip.

Packing Hint #1: Limit your luggage to 1 carry-on bag (a legal carry-on sized wheeled suitcase is perfect) and a day pack.

Packing Hint #2: Ziploc plastic bags are lightweight, inexpensive, non-bulky and see-through. They are indispensable for combining and packing numerous items like books, toilet kits, cameras, cosmetics, passport etc.

Packing Hint #3: Travel-size "samples" save space and weight! Visit the "samples section" of your drugstore or supermarket and see if your favorite shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, toothpaste and deodorant is available in sample sizes. If not, transfer some to smaller plastic bottles that can be purchased in the size you need.

Packing Hint #4: Think multiple use garments. Convertible pants with zip off legs save bringing an extra pair of pants. Quick dry shorts double as a swimsuit. Be creative and keep that suitcase light!

Packing Hint #5: Do your own laundry. If you bring synthetic clothing, you can easily wash it and hang it to dry.

RESERVATIONS: For complete reservation information click here.