Walk About Tuscany - Guided walking tours in Tuscany, Italy

How can I choose the best walks?

Have a look at the pictures and videos in the "walking experiences" pages or check the photogallery. If there is a picture or frame that particularly inspires you then here we go! What you need to do is to fill the "availability inquiry form". Gianni will send you an email and you will plan your walking trip together.

How difficult are the walks?

Wherever you choose to walk, there will be many options to make walks shorter or longer. Gianni knows the area very well and he will tailor the walks upon your capabilities and requests.
The walks length varies between 2 miles and 10 miles. Your choice!

When do the walks start?

A half day tour starts normally at 9:00am and ends around 1:00pm. Or you may choose an afternoon walk that starts at 2:30 pm and ends around 6:pm.
A full day tour starts at 9:30am and ends at 5:00pm.

Half day tour: 4 hours in total
Full day tour: 7 hours and half in total

Notice that this is indicative: time schedule is pretty flexible. Gianni will let you decide at what time you are comfortable to join the tour.

What do I need to bring?

The main items that you'll need are a waterproof jacket and walking boots with full ankle suspension. Don't forget a backpack, at least 2 small water bottles for each person, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion.

Are the walks suitable for single guests?

Of course they are! If you are looking for new friends, this is just the right place.

When is the best time of year to travel?

Tuscany is beautiful all year ‘round. In general, the climate in Tuscany is very mild. However, the coast and valleys are hotter in summer than the hilly areas. Usually summers in Tuscany are hot with little or no rain. July and August are the hottest months (but for last year July has been really perfect, even for walking) . Spring (April and May) and Autumn (October and November) are milder. You can have some drops of rain but not too many. Winter is colder but you still can count on many sunny days.

Will Gianni guide us inside churches and art museums?

In Italy, the government has created 2 classifications for guides - city guides and guide escursionistiche, or trip guides for nature walks. As part of this classification system, Italy imposes rules governing what each class can do. In other words, there are certain activities that only city guides can perform, and others that only trip guides can perform. For example, only city guides can do visits of monuments inside the building and art museums while only trip guides can do walks in the countryside and naturalistic walks that can be held also in a mixed natural and man made environment.

Gianni is a trip guide for nature walks (and not a city guide). So he can lead you in visiting towns, as parts of a mixed natural and man made environment. He cannot guide the tour inside monuments (e.g. the Cathedral in Siena) and art museums (e.g. the Academia in Florence) but he will give you infos about how enjoying a visit on your own.
In case you want to have an exhaustive indoor monument tour with artistic/architectural explanation maybe you need an expert city guide. Contact Gianni and he will recommend a city guide.

What are the arrangements for lunch?

Depending on the walk you, together with Gianni, can stop by a small restaurant or trattoria sampling some local food. Sometimes you could need to buy your own tasteful picnic in advance. Lunch is not included in the guiding service price.

What are the arrangements for local transportation, to reach the trailhead?

You, together with Gianni, will use public transportation to reach your trailhead, whenever it will be possible (the ticket is at your own expenses; please, notice that a local ride by train or bus will not exceed 6 Euros).
When this will not be possible Gianni will use his private car to bring you to the trailhead. Nothing is owed for the car service since he does it as a courtesy to his guests. In other words it's a a free complementary service. In his car there is room for 4 guests.

What happens if Gianni is not available for a specific date?

Riccardo or Marzia are going to substitute Gianni in case that he is not available due to some other previous guest's booking.

Riccardo and Marzia are professional nature guides as well. They will share their passion about the area with you.
Check their bio at: www.walkabouttuscany.com/about_me.htm

What happens if for some reason Gianni is not available for a walk that has been already booked?

Riccardo or Marzia are going to substitute Gianni in case of problems that may arise in the meanwhile (e.g. a sudden health problem that doesn’t allow Gianni to work).

Shall I make my own travel and lodging arrangements?

Yes. Gianni will be happy to give you infos about the best way to reach our meeting point by train or bus.
If you also need suggestions for an hotel or B&B where to stay, please ask.

What does the price include?

- Guided walks
- Cultural and practical infos about the area
- Taxes

What isn't included in the price?

- Local transport to and from the trails. When local public transportation will be necessary Gianni will let you know the price. Please, notice that basically a local ride by train or bus will not exceed 6 Euros per person.
Some walks are not loops. In this case we need to call a taxi to go back to the car or bus stop. Taxi fee is at your own expenses (15-30 Euros for a ride for 4-5 people). Gianni will let you know in advance when you need a taxi.
If there is need to use Gianni's private car (in case the public transportation doesn't reach the trailhead) there is no extra charge since Gianni does it as a free complementary service to his guests.
- Meals
- Lodging
- Insurance

Why prices per person decrease with a larger group of guests?

Pricing is based on occupancy numbers. The basic idea is that a group of 6 adults, for instance, can easily share the cost of a guided service (so the price for each person goes rapidly down) and at the same time a solo traveler can enjoy a walking guided day for a very reasonable amount of money.

Do kids pay a full fee?

Children under 18, if traveling with at least one adult, get 50% off.

How can I book a guided walk with Gianni?

Please fill the "availability inquiry form". Gianni will send you an email and you will plan your walking trip together.
I trust walking people. I believe that sharing love for walking and environment also means being trustable. So if you reserve a guided walk for a specific date please be aware that my business is based on bookings. Just send an email where you say "sign me up for that day!" and I will keep the date just for you. I don't need any deposit but please respect my business.

Trust my guided walking services. I want my business to live long and well. I put my face on the internet. My business is based on people's feedbacks (e.g. TripAdvisor) and customers' satisfaction is my goal.

What's the cancellation policy?

If you cancel 15 days before the departure date you will be asked to pay 30% of the whole service.

Is travel insurance recommended?

Yes

Are you expected to tip in Italy?

This is up to each individual. Restaurants include service charge then you are not expected to tip but it’s very appreciated if you do. The general guideline is 10%. Gianni, your guide, is at your disposal and gratuities are at each individual’s discretion.

Walk About Tuscany Private Tours

IN THE PILGRIMS' FOOTSTEPS

WINE: THE SPIRIT AND TASTE OF A COUNTRY

WALKING THE MEDIEVAL TRAILS

SIENA UPSIDE DOWN: A GEOLOGICAL TOUR

NATURE'S TREASURES WALKS

San Gimignano
Monteriggioni Siena Chianti Elba Island FLORENCE Montalcino Pienza Maremma
VAL D'ORCIA


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