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3 days of art, sport and nature in the heart of Tuscany

Regenerate body and mind with a holiday in Fucecchio, Vinci and Gambassi Terme

Nature reserves, trekking, ebike routes, tastings and wellness treatments among the landscapes that inspired Leonardo da Vinci, Giovanni Boccaccio and many other geniuses. Empolese Valdelsa and Montalbano, between Florence and Pisa, is the ideal location for a regenerating holiday in the heart of Tuscany. The Medici, the noble Florentine family understood as much when they chose these lands as a holiday destinatio in the 16th century.

The land features the Fucecchio Marsh, the largest wetland in Italy, the unique Jerusalem of San Vivaldo, visits to charming medieval villages, and many wellness activities linked to Pillo's salty water in Gambassi Terme. Here is a 3 day tour with art, landscapes and sport, dedicated to those looking for physical and mental regeneration.

1.
Day One
From Fucecchio to Cerreto Guidi: the land of the Medici

Our journey begins in the historic center of Fucecchio, starting from Poggio Salamartano that dominates the town. We walk down towards the center, passing medieval churches and palaces. In addition to visiting the Civic Museum, don't miss a visit to the house of Indro Montanelli, one of the greatest journalists of the twentieth century. From there, we move to the Fucecchio Marsh, the largest wetland area in Italy that's just a few kilometers away. It was Cosimo I de 'Medici who had the navigable canals and the Cappiano Bridge built. Today, the oasis is home to numerous animal species, in particular birds, making it a true natural paradise for birdwatchers. You can visit the area on foot or by bicycle, with itineraries starting from the Documentation Center of the Fucecchio Marshes.

After this, we move to Cerreto Guidi to visit the Medici Villa included as part of the Unesco heritage of Tuscany. Built by Cosimo I, today it houses the Museum of Hunting and of the Territory. The museum itinerary tells the story of these lands and its connection with the Medici. We end the day by relaxing in one of the many estates in the area, with tastings of typical Tuscan products and Chianti Montalbano.

9,5 km
schedule
Duration: 
1 day
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Our journey begins in the historic center of Fucecchio, starting from Poggio Salamartano that dominates the town. We walk down towards the center, passing medieval churches and palaces. In addition to visiting the Civic Museum, don't miss a visit to the house of Indro Montanelli, one of the greatest journalists of the twentieth century. From there, we move to the Fucecchio Marsh, the largest wetland area in Italy that's just a few kilometers away. It was Cosimo I de 'Medici who had the navigable canals and the Cappiano Bridge built. Today, the oasis is home to numerous animal species, in particular birds, making it a true natural paradise for birdwatchers. You can visit the area on foot or by bicycle, with itineraries starting from the Documentation Center of the Fucecchio Marshes.

After this, we move to Cerreto Guidi to visit the Medici Villa included as part of the Unesco heritage of Tuscany. Built by Cosimo I, today it houses the Museum of Hunting and of the Territory. The museum itinerary tells the story of these lands and its connection with the Medici. We end the day by relaxing in one of the many estates in the area, with tastings of typical Tuscan products and Chianti Montalbano.

  • straighten
    Length
    9,5 km
  • schedule
    Duration
    1 day
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Show on map
2.
Day Two
Da Vinci in Certaldo: Leonardo, Boccaccio and the flavors of the territory

In the morning, we start by entering the streets of the medieval village of Vinci, the homeplace of the great Renaissance genius, Leonardo. After visiting the Leonardian Museum which documents the work of Leonardo da Vinci, inventor, technologist and scientist, we walk to his birthplace in Anchiano, hidden among the olive trees. From here, we take off on an excursion on foot to discover Montalbano, a land which often inspired Leonardo both for its views and for his studies. There are various itineraries to choose from, including the Strada Verde or the Via dei Mulini.

A quick trip by car brings us to Valdelsa in Certaldo, home of Giovanni Boccaccio, the father of Italian literature. The funicular carries us up to the historic center of the village. Here, we walk through the narrow medieval alleys and visit the house of the great scholar, the splendid Palazzo Pretorio and the small and charming Museo del Chiodo.
There's nothing better to end the day than a dinner in a farmhouse in the area and a meal based on typical products such as truffles from Valdelsa and onions from Certaldo.

35 km
schedule
Duration: 
1 day
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In the morning, we start by entering the streets of the medieval village of Vinci, the homeplace of the great Renaissance genius, Leonardo. After visiting the Leonardian Museum which documents the work of Leonardo da Vinci, inventor, technologist and scientist, we walk to his birthplace in Anchiano, hidden among the olive trees. From here, we take off on an excursion on foot to discover Montalbano, a land which often inspired Leonardo both for its views and for his studies. There are various itineraries to choose from, including the Strada Verde or the Via dei Mulini.

A quick trip by car brings us to Valdelsa in Certaldo, home of Giovanni Boccaccio, the father of Italian literature. The funicular carries us up to the historic center of the village. Here, we walk through the narrow medieval alleys and visit the house of the great scholar, the splendid Palazzo Pretorio and the small and charming Museo del Chiodo.
There's nothing better to end the day than a dinner in a farmhouse in the area and a meal based on typical products such as truffles from Valdelsa and onions from Certaldo.

  • straighten
    Length
    35 km
  • schedule
    Duration
    1 day
Show on map
Show on map
3.
Day Three
From Montespertoli to Gambassi Terme: nature and wellness

Montespertoli, home to Chianti, is the starting point for an invigorating excursion by bike or e-bike through the vineyards and olive groves of the Valdelsa along the Wine Road. You cannot miss a visit to the Museum of Grapes and Wine that reveals the history of these lands.

Moving towards the village of Montaione, we take the opportunity to visit the historic center. In the afternoon, visit to the unique Jerusalem of San Vivaldo: this sanctuary, composed of numerous chapels, decorated with terracotta in the Della Robbia style, was built at the beginning of 1500 to faithfully reproduce the Jerusalem of the time.

Not far away, in Gambassi Terme, we come across one of the stops on the Via Francigena. Take the opportunity to visit the Parish Church of Santa Maria a Chianni, mentioned in Sigerico's diary and the perfect base for taking a walk along the famous path that brings you to the next stop in San Gimignano. This is the area where the Benestare Park stretches out between Gambassi and Montaione. The natural area is characterized by geothermal activity such as boiling sulphurous water, and the well-known salt water of Pillo that's rich in mineral salts and used in the thermal baths of the city for wellness treatments. Visit the charming Grotte di Maurizio, a mystical place created due to the blending of human art and nature, where a hermit is said to have lived for years. Our regenerating holiday in the heart of Tuscany ends with a relaxing wellness treatment in one of the resorts in the area.

21 km
schedule
Duration: 
1 day
Show on map
Show on map

Montespertoli, home to Chianti, is the starting point for an invigorating excursion by bike or e-bike through the vineyards and olive groves of the Valdelsa along the Wine Road. You cannot miss a visit to the Museum of Grapes and Wine that reveals the history of these lands.

Moving towards the village of Montaione, we take the opportunity to visit the historic center. In the afternoon, visit to the unique Jerusalem of San Vivaldo: this sanctuary, composed of numerous chapels, decorated with terracotta in the Della Robbia style, was built at the beginning of 1500 to faithfully reproduce the Jerusalem of the time.

Not far away, in Gambassi Terme, we come across one of the stops on the Via Francigena. Take the opportunity to visit the Parish Church of Santa Maria a Chianni, mentioned in Sigerico's diary and the perfect base for taking a walk along the famous path that brings you to the next stop in San Gimignano. This is the area where the Benestare Park stretches out between Gambassi and Montaione. The natural area is characterized by geothermal activity such as boiling sulphurous water, and the well-known salt water of Pillo that's rich in mineral salts and used in the thermal baths of the city for wellness treatments. Visit the charming Grotte di Maurizio, a mystical place created due to the blending of human art and nature, where a hermit is said to have lived for years. Our regenerating holiday in the heart of Tuscany ends with a relaxing wellness treatment in one of the resorts in the area.

  • straighten
    Length
    21 km
  • schedule
    Duration
    1 day
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Show on map

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