International Retreats

Tuscany Pilgrimage Hike
Two Departures: May 2-11, 2025 (sold-out) and May 16-25, 2025
(Maximum 7 people per group)

Overview of the Via Francigena

The Via Francigena is an ancient road and pilgrimage trail connecting Canterbury with Rome which takes approximately 90 days to walk. It was an important religious and trade route linking Rome with northern Italy and beyond, traced by Julius Cesar in 58 BC and made famous by Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury who recorded his experiences following this path in 990 AD.

Our route will take you on one of the most iconic sections through Tuscany, allowing you to meet new people, cross unique landscapes, and taste the local cuisine. It will be an immersive experience, visiting authentic Italian villages with vibrant medieval piazzas and open-air cafes. In comparison to the Camino Santiago, which attracts thousands of pilgrims per year, walking the Via Francigena is a more peaceful experience
with uncrowded paths that are off the beaten track.

By the end of this trip, you may just want to continue all the way to Rome!

Day 1

Fly to Pisa or Florence

It is recommended to make your flight arrangements early from your hometown.

Day 2

Transfer to San Gimignano from Pisa or Florence

Once you arrive in Italy at the Pisa or Florence airport, transfers will be on your own to our designated accommodation in San Gimignano in the Chianti area of Tuscany. Recommendations will be provided prior to departure. A taxi will take about 60-75 minutes depending on your arrival location. Public transportation options may be available depending on your arrival time although buses are infrequent.

San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with towers built by wealthy local families in the 12th century to demonstrate their power. Of the original 72 towers, only 13 remain. The hilltop town retains its medieval atmosphere, and it is a pleasure to wander through the narrow streets and soak up the ambience. You can climb Torre Grossa (218 steps) for the best view of the town (a ticket is required). It is recommended to try the world famous gelato at Gelateria Dondoli.

The group will convene for introductions and receive a short briefing from the trip leader during our first group dinner.

Overnight: San Gimignano-La Cisterna*** or L’Antico Pozzo***

Hotel La Cisterna: Housed in an elegant 14-th century building, La Cisterna is set in a picturesque, namesake square in the heart of Sang Gimignano. The rooms offer A/C, free Wi-Fi, and a flat screen satellite TV. Most rooms offer views of the square or the beautiful countryside. Each is furnished in a Florentine style. A continental buffet breakfast is served daily.

Hotel L’Antico Pozzo: Set in the heart of San Gimignano on central Via San Matteo, The L´Antico Pozzo is located within the ancient walls of the medieval historic center of San Gimignano, in a renovated 15th century palace. This charming hotel offers stylish, unique rooms with A/C, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. Recognized as a historical residence, L’Antico Pozzo’s impressive medieval heritage has been carefully preserved. Enjoy the bar with its wrought iron tables in the delightful internal courtyard.

Day 3

Walk Gambassi Terme – San Gimignano (8 miles); breakfast and
lunch included

After breakfast at the hotel, there will be a 30 minute drive to Gambassi Terme to start the walk through stunning Tuscan landscapes of slender Cypress trees, olive groves and vineyards of world-renowned red Chianti wines. Perfect weather and soil lend the conditions to produce these vines, whose cultivation dates to the Etruscan period.

Gambassi Terme is a charming terracotta roofed town located on a hill with a well-preserved historic center and expansive views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside. The town has been known for glass production since medieval times. This has always been travelers’ territory, for those on the road to Volterra during the Etruscan period and pilgrims on the Via Francigena since the early Middle Ages.

Today we will walk through an alternating patchwork of forests and rural estates of olive groves and Chianti vineyards and bodegas. Heading down the trail we initially pass by Riparotta and a bridge over the Rio Casciani. The trail undulates over a series of small inclines through the next stretch called the Siene Val d’Elsa where we will see the ruins of a castle and the isolated Church of Santo Pietro, a place of worship by pilgrims on their way to Rome. The Marian sanctuary of Pancole and the monastery of Bose, with the church of Cellole, mark a stage full of rolling hills.

Enjoy views of San Gimignano’s famed towers as we approach the city. We will have a group lunch on the way into San Gimignano.

You will have the afternoon free to explore San Gimignano and dinner will be on your own. The trip leader or hotel staff will be more than happy to recommend one of the many nearby restaurants where you can sample some traditional Tuscan cuisine.

PLEASE NOTE THAT A SUPPORT VAN WILL BE AVAILABLE SO YOU CAN WALK AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS YOU'D LIKE. THIS IS NOT AN ENDURANCE CHALLENGE.

Overnight: San Gimignano-La Cisterna*** or L’Antico Pozzo***

Day 4

Walk San Gimignano – Colle di Val d’Elsa (8 miles); breakfast and
dinner included

After breakfast at the hotel, we will set off in the direction of Campiglia, a small hamlet surrounded by the characteristic Tuscan countryside with wonderful views back on San Gimignano. In addition to rolling hills and vineyards, today we will enjoy views of abundant forests and farmland in the valley. Spring in Italy is sublime with gentle slopes punctuated by red poppies and yellow broom.

Today’s walk concludes in Colle di Val d’Elsa, the “City of Crystal,” so named because it produces most of Italy’s crystal, an industry that began around 1300. The town's development has always been linked to the Elsa River from which it also takes its name. Colle di Val d’Elsa isocated on the hills of the Chianti Senese with three parts: the historic center “Borgo di Santa Caterina,” the “Castle” and the lower part called Il Piano. Lunch will be on your own and you will have the afternoon free to explore. If it is a warm day, you might enjoy to take a dip in the cool waters of the Elsa River along which we will walk tomorrow morning. Spa services can also be booked at the hotel. We will meet for a group dinner.

Overnight: Colle di Val d’Elsa - Palazzo San Lorenzo****

The elegant Palazzo San Lorenzo dates to the 17th century. Public spaces are decorated with statues and crystal chandeliers. Covered by a glass ceiling, the central court has lots of natural light. It offers spacious rooms with modern-style décor, A/C, free Wi-Fi, LCD TV and hydro-massage bath or shower. Rooms have parquet floors and marble bathrooms. A buffet breakfast is included, and the hotel’s restaurant serves Tuscan dishes. The entire wellness center and the indoor jacuzzi pool are available at an extra cost and should be booked in advance.

Day 5

Walk Colle di Val d’Elsa – Monteriggioni (10 miles); breakfast, lunch and dinner included

We will start the morning passing through the Elsa River Park on the Sentierelsa Trail, passing canals that have channeled the river water towards Colle di Val d’Elsa since the 11th century and have served to supply energy for mills, ironworks, and other industrial activities. We will make a couple of stepping-stone crossings of the river in which you can see trout swimming. The surroundings feel like a tropical rainforest even though you are just outside of a Tuscan city.

Later we will pass through "Abbey Island,"; a complex of mysterious medieval buildings of the Badia of Santi Salvatore e Cirino that was surrounded by marshes in the 11th century. After exiting this hamlet, we will have 2 more miles to Monteriggioni, an intact walled castle built by the Sienese between 1213 and 1219 for defensive purposes. Its strategic location atop a hill overlooking the Cassia Road allowed the castle to control the cities of the Val d’Elsa and monitor any armies approaching Siena. We will have a group lunch at a restaurant inside the walls and then drive 15 minutes back to Colle di Val d’Elsa. You have the afternoon free to explore and we will meet for a group dinner.

Overnight: Colle di Val d’Elsa - Palazzo San Lorenzo****

Day 6

Walk Castello della Chioccola – Siena (9 miles); breakfast and lunch included

We will have a 30 minute transfer to the start of today’s walk which meanders through a pleasant landscape of oak forests, wheat fields and pastures. The route will be completely rural as we will not pass through any large towns or notable monuments, just through the ruined villages of Montagnola and Cerbaia and past the minor castles of La Chiocciola and La Villa. We will arrive in Siena through Porta Camollia and have a group lunch.

Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy’s must-see attractions. The city is renowned for its wine and cuisine, art, museums, Gothic architecture and its twice annual Palio horse race. Get lost in the winding cobblestone streets of the old town and take a break in the
expansive Piazza del Campo while viewing the Palazzo Publico and the Torre del Mangia, both architectural treasures. You will have the afternoon to explore the city and dinner will be on your own. It is recommended to book tickets online or visit the tourist office for any sights you would like to visit this afternoon or tomorrow.

Overnight: Siena – Albergo Chiusarelli ***

Situated in Siena city center, perfect for exploring the city on foot. Built in around 1870 as a Neoclassical villa, it was restored in 2004, keeping its original style as well as its beautiful, frescoed common rooms. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, terrace, and small garden to relax in. A buffet breakfast is served daily. The rooms offer A/C, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, hairdryers, and safes. Some rooms overlook the town center, and some offer views of the football stadium's park. The Chiusarelli is housed in a 3-story building of the 19th century, with no elevator.

Day 7

Free day to explore Siena (no scheduled walk); breakfast, yoga and dinner included

Today you have time to continue exploring the historic charms of Siena. Recommended sights include the Duomo and climbing Torre del Mangia (tickets required). You can consider an architectural walking tour or walking food tour in the historic center to taste traditional delicacies of Siena including local wines, handmade pasta, olive oil and cheese. Siena is also a famous shopping destination for fine leather coats, boots, and handbags.

Lunch will be on your own.

A yoga class taught by a local instructor will be offered in the afternoon (included) and we will meet for a group dinner.

Overnight: Siena – Albergo Chiusarelli ***

Day 8

Walk Buonconvento – Torrenieri (8 miles); breakfast, lunch and wine tasting included

After experiencing dignified Siena for the past few days, today we will again enjoy simple rural landscapes. After a 40 minute transfer to the trailhead near Buonconvento, we will walk through Val d`Orcia, a UNESCO world heritage rural agricultural zone that retains the Renaissance aesthetic which inspired celebrated painters from the Sienese School. The area was important during the Etruscan period and further developed under the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, agricultural and pastoral production declined and much of the area was abandoned but economic revival and political stability in the 10th and 11th centuries led to the establishment of monasteries, increased use of the Via Francigena and the development of villages under a feudal system.

Val d’Orcia is where the prestigious Brunello di Montalcino wine is produced, and we will have lunch and a wine tasting at a local bodega in Torrenieri. After we will drive 20 minutes to our accommodation in San Quirico or Bagno Vignoni. San Quirico is an enchanting walled town at the top of a hill, with notable churches of San Francesco and Santa Maria Assunta, Palazzo Chigi, and manicured gardens (Horti Leonini). From the fortified walls surrounding the gardens you can enjoy vast and breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside. Bagno Vignoni is chic town with a unique "water piazza," and those who are inclined can take a bath in its thermal pools.

Dinner will be on your own.

Overnight: San Quirico d’Orcia or Bagno Vignoni (minimum 3 star hotel) - to be confirmed, sample hotels listed below

Bagno Vignoni-Albergo La Terme***
Enjoy the historic and relaxing atmosphere of the family-run Albergo La Terme which boasts a wellness center, garden and central location overlooking the ancient thermal pool in the medieval village of Bagno Vignoni. Rooms have views over the Val d’Orcia landscape or the town Center. Guests will have free access to a hydromassage bath, a Roman sauna with therapeutic pools, and a main thermal pool. Indulge in beauty treatments such as Rasul baths, herbal baths, mud therapy, and a variety of massages. Start your day with the free and rich buffet breakfast. You can enjoy Tuscan cooking in the on-site restaurant, with seating on the veranda or in the elegant indoor hall.

San Quirico d’Orcia-Hotel Palazzuolo***
Located in a beautiful lake side setting just beyond the city walls of San Quirico, this hotel offers a cozy and intimate atmosphere. All 42 rooms are comfortable and well equipped with views of the Val d’Orcia. The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and elegant gardens and Tuscan restaurant for you to enjoy. A daily buffet breakfast is provided.

Day 9

Walk San Quirico d’Orcia – Castiglione d’Orcia (7 miles); breakfast, lunch and dinner included

We will continue walking through the distinctive landscape of the Val d’Orcia topped by fortified towns and villages and interspersed with conical hills and small-scale farms of grains, olives, fruits, and vegetables. Tall, elegant spires of dark green pencil conifers line the entrances of stately villas and jasmine perfumes the air. We will traverse the undulating landscape to arrive at Castiglione d’Orcia, a hilltop town with magnificent views where we can enjoy a group lunch.

We will drive back to our accommodation after lunch for a final afternoon of la dolce vita. We will meet for a final group dinner.

Overnight: San Quirico d’Orcia or Bagno Vignoni (3 or 4-star hotel) - to be confirmed

Day 10

Tour End – Buon Cammino; breakfast included

Enjoy breakfast before saying arrivederci or extending your stay in Tuscany.

Booking Spain

PRICE PER PERSON:
$2499 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY / $3200 SINGLE OCCUPANCY (Limited)
To register for this trip, please submit the online Booking Request, then call or email our
Reservations Manager, Susie Morwick, to submit the initial deposit. (317) 544-8391 or
susie@peacethroughyoga.org.

Payment
Schedule:

A $500 non-refundable deposit is due per person upon booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. Checks made payable to Peace through Yoga Foundation. 3.5% is added for credit card fees. Send checks to:

Peace through Yoga Foundatin
Attention: Susie Morwick
7904 Pine Lake Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268

Cancellation policy: $500 is charged for cancelling up to 90 days prior to departure; 100% cancellation fee is charged after 90 days prior to departure Trip Protection is recommended. Call Travel Guard at 800-826-1300.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Pre-departure briefing to orient you and answer any questions
Eight (8) night accommodations at unique properties
Seven (7) days of hiking and sightseeing as described
Daily breakfast
Daily snacks
Five (5) lunches including water and house wine
Five (5) dinners including water and house wine
Wine tasting
Yoga class in Siena
Support van
Trip leader
Pilgrim credential (passport)

PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Airfare from your hometown
Airport transfers
Meals and beverages not listed
Personal expenses
Tipping to guide

Notes:

This itinerary may change slightly due to accommodation availability, weather,
festivals, and spontaneous side trips.
Where we stay may vary depending on availability but will be of a similar standard
to the accommodation listed.
We have the luggage van to transport your luggage and you, if you feel you need
some assistance while on this journey.
This is not an endurance race, nor a competition. Please be respectful of all the
different paces and walks of life that come together on this group trip.

Christine Klotz

TRIP LEADER

Christine Klotz, MPH, has lived as a nomad for more than 15 years, balancing a career working as an international public health professional in refugee camps around the world with long distance walking for thousands of miles in more than 100 countries. Pilgrimage routes have a special place in her heart and the fellow "pellegrinos" she has met along these paths have impacted her life in profound ways.

Some of the multi-day hikes she has enjoyed include the John Muir Trail in California, backcountry trekking in Denali National Park in Alaska, Cotopaxi in Ecuador, Ciudad Perdida and Nevado del Tolima in Colombia, W-Trek in Patagonia Chile, Lakes District and Fitz Roy in Argentina, Cirque de Mafate in Reunion, Drakensburg Circuit in South Africa, Fish River Canyon in Namibia, Rwenzori Central Circuit in Uganda, Mt. Karisimbi in Rwanda, Mt. Kenya, Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Ras Dashen and Simien Mountains in Ethiopia, Mt. Toubkal and High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, Jordan National Trail, Druk Path in Bhutan, Kumano Kodo in Japan, Guguan Seven Heroes in Taiwan, Ma Pi Leng in Vietnam, Mt. Apo in Philippines, Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo Malaysia, Mt. Rinjani in Indonesia, Abel Tasman Coast Track in New Zealand, Janapar Trail in Nagorno-Karabakh, Transcaucasian Trail in Georgia, Lycian Way in Turkey, High Tatras in Slovakia and Poland, Via Dinarica in Croatia, Alpe Adria in Slovenia, Peaks of the Balkans in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro, Albanian Coastal Trail, Prague-Viena Greenway in Czechia and Austria, GR20 and GR10 in France, Coronallacs Trail in Andorra, Laugavegur Trek in Iceland, Rota Vicentina in Portugal, various Caminos in Spain and Portugal (del Norte, Primitivo, Salvador, Mozarabe, Frances, Portuguese, Espiritual), Alta Via 1 in Italy and, of course, the Via Francigena in Switzerland and Italy.

She is currently walking the Via Transilvanica in Romania and is always dreaming about the next adventure. “It´s a beautiful world, and I´ll be thrilled to explore it with you one step at a time.”

Book Italia

To register for this trip, please fill our the reservation form then call the Reservations Manager, Susie Morwick at 317-544-8391 or email her at susie@peacethroughyoga.org