La  Tuscany and  its  wildest  side.

1st day – Montecatini and its SPA

Arrival in Montecatini Terme. Room accommodation, meeting with the guide and walk through the spa town that dates back to the second half the of 18^th century, whose water springs are among the most appreciated in the whole Europe. The town is well renowned for its parks and the marvelous Liberty style buildings: you will visit the town hall, decorated by the painter and potter Galileo Chini, who is also popular for being the scenographer  of some unique master pieces by the great musician Giacomo Puccini. Then you will continue with the tour of the Tettuccio Spa, the flagship of Montecatini, where you can appreciate the unique works of art by Basilio Cascella, and finally treat yourself to a stop at the historical cafè for a cocktail completely surrounded by an atmosphere of other times.

2nd day – Valleriana e the Lima Valley

Meeting with the trekking guide and transfer by minivan to Pontito right in the heart of Valleriana, then departure on foot. It is a straight path which connects two wonderful but almost uninhabited hamlets such as Pontito and Lucchio. If you keep walking along mule tracks, forest trails, paved and secondary roads, as well as hiking trails, you’ll be surrounded by a lovely mountain landscape with its ancient chestnut trees, turkey oaks and beech trees, together with picturesque alpine pastures. At the end of your walk, right before going back  to Montecatini, it will be possible to have a special lunch in a typical restaurant located in one of the several hamlets situated in the Lima Valley. You will have the chance to taste local regular meat and bush meat, as well as the so called “tordelli lucchesi” (some Tuscan dumplings stuffed with meat). On the way back, you may stop in Bagni di Lucca and visit the wonderful Liberty style spa town, and the renowned “Ponte del diavolo”. Return to Montecatini by minivan.

Difference in altitude: +350, -400.

distance: about 9 km

time duration: 4

departure: Pontito on foot

Arrival: Lucchio on foot

3rd day –  Orsigna Valley

Meeting with the trekking guide and transfer by train to Pracchia. Circular itinerary with departure and arrival in Pracchia, a mountain hamlet well renowned for its spring water and for its railway line through the Apennines before the other line Florence-Bologna was built. You will walk through wonderful chestnut and beech trees, on the border between Emilia and Tuscany, completely surrounded by woods, especially chestnut trees, as already said, a very important source of flour for local people. The destination to reach is the charming village of Orsigna, a hamlet located in the homonimous valley and very dear to the journalist/writer Tiziano Terzani who there lived peacefully the last days of his busy life.  In the area you can also visit the Mill of Giamba, still perfectly working, and the eco-museum of the Pistoian Mountain Area. By having your lunch at the inn of the mill you will have the chance to taste unique local chestnut flour recipes. After the stop at the inn, on the way back to Montecatini, you will have another stop along the way in Pistoia to have a wonderful unguided tour of the city. Pistoia is a renowned city of art which is popular for its old organs and the frieze by Della Robbia, a unique masterpiece by Giovanni della Robbia and Santi Buglioni. Pistoia is also famous throughout Europe for the production of ornamental plants which are exported worldwide, and for its culinary specialties. Unguided tour of the city. In the city center you can visit an old sweet shop that has been producing dragees and chocolate for almost 100 years, as well as its laboratory. You will b also given the chance to taste the unbelievably good products. Afterwards you may visit the unique Piazza della Sala, a square that is located right in the city center, where many shops of past times are situated. The entire area is a pedestrian area that gives you the chance to taste local cold cuts, cheese, first fruits and Tuscan truffle without rushing. You will be surrounded by unique and unforgettable flavors. Return to Montecatini. Finally some well deserved rest  at the Redi Spa with a relaxing and tension relieving bath in the thermal swimming pool.

Difference in altitude: +450, -450

Distance: about 13 km

Time duration: 4 ½ hours

Departure: on foot from Pracchia (also possible by train)

Arrival: on foot to  Pracchia (also possible by train)

4th day – Garfagnana Area and the Apuans Alps

Meeting with the trekking guide and transfer by minivan to the lake of Vagli, you then continue on foot. It is a circular itinerary around the lake of Vagli that starts and finishes right at the lake. While walking you may appreciate the unforgettable view over the Apuan Alps and the whole lake area, where an entire submerged town is located. After a fast walk round the lake you will start with the upward path that takes you to the old marble quarries first, then to the monastery of Saint Viviano , and that finally leads you downward towards Campocatino, an astonishing Alpine pasture. After stopping there for a genuine backpacked lunch, the route continues along Vagli di Sopra and finally back to the place of departure. On the way back to Montecatini you will be given the possibility to visit the village of Castelnuovo Garfagnana and finally Lucca, a worldwide renowned city for its town walls entirely preserved and walkable, and for giving birth to the great composer Giacomo Puccini. The tour will not be guided.

Difference in altitude: + 650, – 650

Distance: about 12km

Time duration: 5 hours

Departure: on foot from Vagli

Arrival: on foot in Vagli

5th day 

Return to the place of origin

Participation fees starting from

€. 575,00 per person (minimum 6 people)

€. 520,00 per person(minimum 10 people)

€. 465,00 per person (minimum 15 people)

€. 60,00 Single supplement