Day 1 - Saturday: Pick up at Florence Rail Station at 2.00 pm. Transfer by bus to our hotel at Saturnia (about 3.5 hours). 

Day 2 - Sunday:  We start with a walk which leads us through ancient history as well as lovely countryside and fascinating villages. From San Quirico di Sorano we pass through Vitozza. Vitozza, now an archaeological site, was once a town made of hundreds of cave dwellings dug in the tufa stone between the Bronze Age and Middle Ages. In the 1200s Vitozza had a church and defence castles and people lived here, for poverty or by choice, up to the late 1700s. The green and shady path continues along the pure waters of the River Lente to Sorano, a perfectly preserved medieval town built on a cliff of tufa stone This ancient town dates back to the time of the Etruscans. Its first historical mention was in the 3rd century BC. Later, it was fought over by various duchys and today one sees the 15th century Orsini Castle in which were recently discovered a series of important renaissance frescoes.

Day 3 - Monday: This morning we visit Sovana, a town rich in history. Etruscan tombs can be seen along with structures from the Middle Ages (the Duomo and the tower of the Rocca). From here we walk to Pitigliano along an Etruscan "via cava", a road cut in the ever present tufa stone. Pitigliano was the centre of the territory of the Orsini family, who left a beautiful palace and part of the impressive aqueduct. The town was also known as "Little Jerusalem" as a big Jewish community developed around its Synagogue after the persecutions from the Papal State of the 1500s.

Day 4 - Tuesday: Morning transfer by private bus to Orvieto, one of Italy's most famous regions for white wine and a spectacular medieval town. We visit the Cathedral with its frescoes by the famous Renaissance artists Luca Signorelli, the Pozzo di San Patrizio (St. Patrick's Well), the Etruscan necropolis and temples, the Archaeological Museum. We walk through medieval streets lined with pottery shops displaying typical local handicrafts. At lunchtime you may want to sample some of Orvieto's crisp white wines.  

Day 5 - Wednesday:  Today we walk in the picturesque region near Saturnia. At the end of the day there is a chance to visit the mineral hot spring spas that have been famous for their curative powers since ancient times. Soaking in the baths is said to be good for aches and pains.

Day 6 - Thursday:  Morning transfer to Isola d'Elba. In the afternoon there is free time in the main town of the island, Portoferraio (Harbour of the Iron, as the Etruscans and the Romans mined the iron quarries of the island). One can visit the Medici Fortress, Napoleon's house (Portoferraio was where he lived in exile from 1814 to 1815). In the late afternoon we transfer to our hotel.

Day 7 - Friday:  We start walking from Marciana, a small town perched on a mountain in the north-western side of the island, continue through the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte and along the ridge of granite mountains with views of Corsica and the Tuscan Archipelago. It's easy to spot deer and mouflons as well as wild flowers like the endemic Elba violet. We finally reach Pomonte on the western shore, where we have time to rest in a café.

Day 8 - Saturday: Today we walk on the south-eastern part of the island starting at Capoliveri, a fortified medieval town whose history and economy is linked to the nearby iron quarries. Because of the richness of its minerals, Capoliveri underwent many attacks by pirates including the famous Barbarossa – Redbeard – who destroyed the town in 1544 - as well as the Spanish and the French. We walk up to Monte Calamita with spectacular views of the coastline and then descend to the quaint little beaches on the eastern shore. On our way home we visit the Roman villa of Le Grotte, whose remains on the shore overlooking Portoferraio give a good idea of how wealthy Roman families spent their vacations on the seaside.

Day 9 - Sunday - Free day in Elba. From the hotel you can stroll on the beach, enjoy the pool and visit the nearby lovely town of Marina di Campo. Here you will find shopping and seaside cafes and a lovely beachfront promenade.

Day 10 - Monday - From San Piero we walk to the granite quarry, an important archaeological site. We ascend to Pietra Murata, crossing territory that was inhabited from prehistory.

Day 11 - Tuesday - We return by ferry and bus to Florence arriving at the Florence Rail Station approximately 3 PM