We’ll meet this morning in lovely little Lucca, and have a history walk with our local guide past Romanesque churches and walled gardens. The following day we move up to the area known as Garfagnana. This densely wooded upper valley of the Serchio river is cradled between the lacy Appennine mountains to the northeast, and and the staggering Apuane Alps to the west. This is where we will be spending our next three days hiking and exploring this unique undiscovered land.

An early departure takes us southwest to the fabulous Mediterranean coast. We’ll visit the Etruscan necropolis of Populonia as we make our way to the gorgeous Isola d’Elba; our home for the next three nights. Here we will be hiking along marvelous coast lines eating freshly caught fish and swimming in Elba’s clear blu waters.

An early morning start gets us on the ferry back to the terra ferma, or mainland. We’ll take a marvelous scenic road as we wind our way towards Volterra . On our way we’ll stop for a wine tasting and picnic in the famous, prize winning wine area of Bolgheri. Our drive finishes at Borgo Pignano, our prestigious home for the next two nights. The following days we will have a guided tour of the town of Volterra and hike the surrounding hills. Drop off in Florence.