Walking Holidays, Tuscany Umbria Border, 2014

In October 2014 Gorgacce Rentals is offering guided walking holidays on the Tuscany Umbria border, Italy. As our guest on this holiday, you will stay at Ca di Bracco, a beautiful farmhouse in the Niccone Valley. The itinerary of walks is designed and led by by Martin Daykin, the owner of Ca di Bracco and author of local walking book, Circular Walks On The Tuscany Umbria Border. In addition to walking in beautiful countryside, the itinerary is designed so that  you visit local towns, markets and artworks, it also includes a visit to a local winery. The cost of the holiday is £890 per person with a single supplement of £100. There is a maximum group size of eight people.

A view on the Monte Ginezzo walk near Cortona, Tuscany

A view on the Monte Ginezzo walk near Cortona, Tuscany

Itinerary of Walks

Day 1. Friday Oct 3, Arrival:  Pickup from Perugia airport or Terontola di Cortona station

Day 2. Saturday Oct 4, Monte Ginezzo & Cortona WalkA short ridge walk on Monte Ginezzo taking in views of the Appenines and Lake Trasimeno. Afterwards, a visit to the Saturday market in Cortona. After a restaurant lunch, the Cortona City Walk, and, if there is time and willingness, a visit to the Etruscan museum MAEC and the Museo Diocesano to see a famous Fra Angelico Annunciation. Restaurant Lunch

Day 3. Sunday Oct 5, The Leaning Tower of Vernazzano: a relatively easy three hour walk on the north shore of Lake Trasimeno. The route takes in the impressively leaning castle tower at Venazzano. Afterwards a boat trip to the Isola Maggiore for a restaurant lunch on the island. Before catching the ferry back  there is usually time for a quick stroll around the island. Restaurant Lunch

Day 4. Monday Oct 6th, A Pregnant Madonna and the abandoned village of Marzano. The day starts with a visit to see Piero della Francesca’s pregnant Madonna in the village of Monterchi. After coffee in the main piazza we head off to the start of the Marzano Walk. The route takes you through chestnut groves and up onto high ridges with marvelous views before passing the abandoned village of Marzano.  In the evening there is a tour of a local winery followed by dinner and wine tasting in the attached restaurant. Picnic Lunch

Day 5. Tuesday Oct 7th, Perugia City Walk. A visit to the city of Perugia. The walk around the city takes in many of the sights including a Perugino’s frescoes in the Collegio del Cambio, the main Piazza Novembre IV, two Etruscan gates, an Etruscan well, the Underground City, an unfinished early Raphael fresco, a medieval aqueduct and visit to the National Gallery of Umbria. Restaurant Lunch

Day 6. Wednesday Oct 8th, Umbertide Market and the Montone Walk. The day starts with a visit to Umbertide Market where we can stock up on supplies for our picnic lunch. Afterwards we head to nearby Montone, a beautiful hill top village for the start of a beautiful walk through wild countryside. Picnic Lunch

Day 7. Thursday Oct 9th, Gubbio Walk. A quick visit to the medieval town of Gubbio, afterwards, we take a cable car ride to the top of Monte Ingino for the start of the Madonna della Cima walk in the countryside behind Gubbio. Picnic Lunch

Day 8. Friday Oct 10th Departure. Drop off at Terontola station or Perugia airport