Walking along the Mediterranean Coast to the Island of Elba

Walk along Tuscany's ancient Etruscan coast and the curving hillside trails of the Mediterranean Island paradise of Elba with its charming seaside villages, magnificent beaches and crystal clear waters. Starting from the Etruscan hilltop city of Volterra, follow an easy walking route toward the Tuscan coast. Meander among Super Tuscan vineyards and olive groves near Bolgheri. As you wander this undiscovered coast, your route will pull you inadvertently toward the aquamarine colors of the Mediterranean sea and the paradise island of Elba, an island of unsurpassed natural beauty, from treeless mountain summits to lush forest covered slopes, and from magnificent beaches caressed by crystal clear waters to Medieval fortresses and quaint fishing villages. Relax in a seaside cafe and toast a glass of its local wine to its most famous resident, Napoleon Bonaparte, and discover why Elba was chosen as his exile paradise.

Day 1 - Volterra to the Tuscan Seaside - Meet at your hotel in Florence or Pisa.Transfer to the ancient hilltop town of Volterra, one of Italy's oldest cities and described by D H Lawrence as a city of "wind and stone".After an introductory lunch, take a casual town tour of its alabaster workshops, Etruscan / Roman ruins, and untouched Medieval streets.Walk a downhill route through some of Tuscany's most picturesque rolling hills with their open landscapes and hilltop stone farmhouses.Enjoy our accommodation's wonderful gardens and pool before a dinner of farm fresh Tuscan specialties served in the villa's refined and elegant dining room.

Day 2 - Bolgheri Vineyards and the Etruscan Coast - Fans of super-Tuscan wines and connoisseurs of Italy's finest olive oils are familiar with such celebrated names as Ornellaia and Sassicaia, two of Italy's finest wine cellars, and local producers.Start your walk along the illustrious Etruscan Coast with a route through fruit orchards and vineyards to feudal estates, Medieval castles and fortified villages.Drop in on the Tenuta dell’Ornellaia winery for a tour of their manicured grounds, vineyards and production facilities.Meander among the majestic cypress trees that flank our approach to Bolgheri, the castellated country residence of the Counts of the Gherardesca.Feast on a Club Toscana lunch of regional specialties in a countyside enoteca.Visit a renowned olive oil producer and learn what makes this area's olive oil, some of Italy's best.Relax at our elegant estate villa before dining on authentic Tuscan dishes in Castagneto Carducci, and its 11th-century Castello.

Day 3 - Populonia & Etruscan Ruins - Populonia, located on a promontory overlooking the Golfo di Baratti, was once a major refining center for the pre-Roman Etruscan people.Our route will start among the ruins of Populonia's ancient city, its acropolis and its 15th-century castle built to defend against pirates.Meander through these sites before embarking on a walk along a trail that hugs the coast with its umbrella pine trees, scented broom, briers, wild lavender, rosemary and rare wild orchids.Pass by small churches and monasteries.After lunch, boat to the magnificent Island of Elba arriving in the sea port of Portoferraio, Elba's colorful main town and fishing boat harbor dominated by its hilltop Medici fortresses.Continue to our hotel located overlooking Elba's beautiful shores.Our first dinner on Elba will feature the fruits of the sea tossed with local olive oils and island herbs.

Day 4 - Volterraio & Portoferraio - Our walk today will begin at the lofty heights of Volterraio, the ruins of an 11th-century Pisan castle with views extending all along the Italian coastline.Following trails through pine forest with scented Mediterranean maquis, acacia, mimosa, and flowering rock rose to the hillside hamlet of Rio nell'Elba.This ancient mining town still preserves a Medieval aspect with its narrow alleys, tiny squares and flowery balconies.Following lunch overlooking the sea side village of Rio Marina, the afternoon is wide open, and your Club Toscana guide is most familiar with all that Elba has to offer.Options include visiting one of the many local former iron-ore mines, some started by Etruscans around 800 BC, where guided visits provide a glimpse into the life of their workers and production techniques.On the other hand, hitting the beach or the pool at your hotel might be a more relaxing choice.Perhaps a late afternoon visit to the lively port of Portoferraio with its pleasure boat harbor, Medici fortress and Napoleon's Palazzina dei Mulini exile home could be topped off with dinner on your own in a recommended restaurant.Your trip leader is always on call for convenient lifts.

Day 5 - Monte Capanne & Marciana Alta - Hike along the vibrant slopes of Elba's Monte Capanne to the 5th-century sanctuary of San Cerbone.Look for spectacular views of Elba's coast and the island of Corsica in the distance.Watch for mountain goats grazing, songbirds singing and butterflies fluttering in this natural park reserve.Walk through majestic pine forests to the 11th-century Sanctuary of the Madonna where Napoleon used to "meditate" with his mistress, Maria Walewska.Discover Marciana Alta, a charming centuries old hillside village dominated by a 12th-century Pisan castle.Walk a meandering side road past vineyards and small farms to the quaint seaside village of Marciana Marina, regarded as one of Italy's top seaside locations. Visit its shops specializing in locally produced wines and traditional foods.Tonight, we will venture to Porto Azzuro, a fishing village overlooked by a Spanish fortress and now a fashionable resort, to dine on fresh seafood and the best of Elban cuisine in one of the village's quaint restaurants.

Day 6 - Campiglia Marittima - Homeward bound.Bid a final farewell to Napoleon's island paradise and take a private transfer to the mainland and the Campiglia Marittima train station where guests heading to Rome or Pisa and Florence will find convenient departures.As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Arrivederci and Buon Viaggio !