After all the preparation, your wait is finally over! On arrival in Lucca, make your way to the hotel. If you arrive early you can enjoy a stroll through the town, gardens and the impressive Piazza Anfiteatro, a 2nd century Roman amphitheatre, or climb the majestic bell tower. You can also walk along the tree-lined walls of its perimeter, which were built in the 16th century. Overnight Hotel Rex.

Meals:  Nil

This morning you will be met for a guided tour of the walled city of Lucca: we walk on the defensive walls, enjoying panoramic views on the old centre, lush gardens of noble mansions now converted to hostels, as locals jog and cycle all around. We then descend to the city centre and loose ourselves in the maze of narrow cobbled streets filled with artisanal workshops and steam-oven bakeries selling focaccia and the buccellato, the typical cake - recipes may vary and are usually passed down through generations and jealously treasured by each bakery. Our last stop is the Cathedral of San Martino, home to the famous Holy Face 'Volto Santo' of Lucca, a venerated wooden crucifix that may have been carved by Nicodemus. It features in the town's Holy Cross celebrations held in September. For lunch, we meet Guido, a young farmer who after graduating in agronomy decided to restore his father’s farm and dedicate himself to goat farming and cheese making. We dine on his raw milk cheeses and other products from the surrounding farms including wild boar meat, olives, tomatoes and honey-glazed ricotta. Later this afternoon you will take the train to San Miniato-Fucecchio (via Pisa or Empoli, takes approx 1.5-2 hours) where you will be picked up and taken to your accommodation in San Miniato Alto. Overnight Hotel San Miniato.

Meals:  B,L

Today we start walking, following a paved road across the spectacular countryside which is typical of the Val d'Elsa region. Following in the footsteps of Archbishop Sigeric, who walked between Rome and Canterbury in 990, you will pass two “Submansiones” (Sigeric’s “stopping places”), Pieve di Coiano and Pieve a Chianni. Continue to Gambassi Terme, where we overnight. Overnight Ostello Sigerico.

Meals:  B,D

The countryside between Gambassi and San Gimignano is classic perfection, like walking into a renaissance painting. The trail takes us through hills and vineyards, crossing the peculiar village of Collemuccioli, the Sanctuary of Pancole and the Pieve di Cellole surrounded by cypresses, where the local monks live immersed in a peaceful and meditative atmosphere. Our destination is San Gimignano: one of the most visited and famous cities along the Francigena. This medieval town is also known as the “Manhattan of Middle Age”. Today only 14 of the 72 towers remain standing - the biggest of them being the Torre Grossa, which we climb for a 360° view of the old town centre and the picture-perfect countryside we walked through. There is time to wander the busy but enchanting narrow streets and enjoy an award-winning ice cream before we head together to the Rocca. This castle perched at the top of the town, houses a historical winery dedicated to the local Vernaccia wine, the most appreciated white wine in a land dominated by reds. We enjoy a tasting of three Vernaccia varieties with some bruschette, pecorino cheese and a taste of the local “Finocchiona” - a local delicacy made with pork, red wine and fennel seeds. We spend the night in Piazza della Cisterna, one of the main squares of the city. Overnight Hotel La Cisterna.

Meals:  B

Today the Via Francigena takes us through the undulating Tuscan hills. It’s a picturesque walk crossing vineyards, olive groves, fields and woods as we head towards Gracciano. Along the way we can make a detour to discover the fascinating Abbey of Santa Maria a Conero, dating from the 11th century. Continue to our hotel in Colle Val d'Elsa. Overnight Hotel Il Pietreto.

Meals:  B,D

Today we cross Pieve a Elsa, which was once a large, ancient parish frequented by pilgrims. We can also visit the ancient Etruscan Thermae (hot pools) of Caldane. Later in the day we reach Strove and its beautiful Romanesque Church. From here we'll continue via the medieval village of Abbadia a Isola before reaching Monteriggioni, whose famed crown of towers we see as we approach. Once we’ve checked into the hotel in Monteriggioni we can spend the afternoon exploring this fascinating town. Overnight Agriturismo Borgo Gallinaio.

Meals:  B,D

Leaving Monteriggioni's crown of towers behind, we continue on terracotta coloured dirt roads (appropriately named "terra di Siena") along the Montagnola Senese, the main hilly area of the district. As we enter the forest, old castles and the remains of a medieval village appear. One of these castles, Marcello, welcomes pilgrims, walkers, and friends and will serve us a special lunch in the middle of the forest. After lunch we continue our walk through the forest to the Castle of Chiocciola and ascend to Poggio di Riciano. From here we start our descent, walking along the river of Pian del Lago. The Renai forest will give way to the beautiful medieval city of Siena, which we'll enter via the Porta Camollia. The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo is the setting of the Palio and one of the most beautiful and photogenic squares in the region. When not filled with horses and jockeys, it is a place for locals and tourists enjoying the sun. Here we have a special aperitivo to celebrate our trip together – and later, probably a good plate of “pici” - the local pasta, thick spaghetti usually seasoned with a garlic and tomato sauce, or pepper and “cacio” cheese. Overnight Hotel Chiusarelli.

Meals:  B,L

Trip concludes in Siena this morning, after breakfast. Please ask for our rates if you want to stay an extra night, or you can continue along the Francigena Way into southern Tuscany to Acquapendente.

Meals:  B