About You

You’ve seen the statues, looked in awe at the artworks in Florence, you’ve tried the auto strada but now you’re ready to take a walk down a stone-lined lane or a path traversed by pilgrims centuries ago.

You enjoy walking and love being outdoors. You want to see the land up close, experience daily rural life and savour the smells, taste and touch of an ageing vineyard. You want to rest in a shaded courtyard and dine as day fades among friends, tired but happy with your day’s walking. You prefer to participate as well as just observing.

You’re definitely not the tourist bus type. You’re happy to travel by public transport, leaving others to check timetables, buy the tickets and arrange accommodation in comfortable settings overlooking some of Italy’s most charming villages and valleys. You’re happy to travel lightly and carry your own luggage, although you enjoy the freedom of carrying light day packs only. You’ll love not having to find car parks and follow road maps.

You enjoy local food and wine and love to sample Italy’s wonderful pecorinos, peppers and salamis or whatever restaurateurs can garner from local farms, orchards and vineyards that day.

You like sharing meals and conversation, are curious about the world and enjoy the spontaneity and intimacy afforded by travelling in a small group. You prefer to be an individual than part of a crowd.

Finally, perhaps you want an invigorating break from working or travelling in Europe, but have little time to organise it. Perhaps you’d like to meet up with friends and spend time together, away from tourist hotspots but you’re unsure of where to go and how to get there.

What to Bring and Wear

Walking requires no special equipment or clothes. It is a personal assessment of what’s comfortable and what protection you need. Several thin layers are more useful than one thick layer.

Average temperatures range from 12C-24C in May and 15C-27C In September. Being able to layer your clothing allows better flexibility for changes of weather.

A good pair of shoes and socks, plus a small day pack for water, discarded clothes (as the day heats up) and other basics, is all you need. However, some planning will keep luggage weights low, improve comfort in varying weather and reduce the hassle of washing and ironing.

Restaurants are not dressy, so casual clothes are fine. Bring lightweight, low-crush and preferably non-iron clothes. Not too many. We would prefer to see you in a limited wardrobe than wishing your luggage were lighter.

Keep your luggage weight and size below the airline limit. Most Italian railway stations and hotels have stairs rather than lifts or escalators. We copy the locals in preferring a lightweight, medium size bag with wheels. You may prefer a travel backpack. You will need to be comfortable lifting your own bag as we move around.

On some walks away from villages, you will be carrying your picnic lunch. If buying a new day pack, ensure it has a mesh or breathable back. You will appreciate this on hot days.

We suggest you prepare for hand washing. As we are in the same location for six nights, this is generally not a problem. Buy a travel clothes line and blow-up clothes hangers before leaving home. The biggest challenge is finding an inventive place to hang them! In some of the smaller towns with the exception of Radda in Chianti Laundromats are appearing. Their operational times are not always reliable so it is wise not to count on them.

The above are merely suggestions. If you have tried and tested methods/gear for maximising comfort, ease and enjoyment, then stick to these, but remember, comfort overrides fashion every time.

The less you carry the more comfortable you will be.

Specific Packing Advice

• Think about investing in a pair of multi-purpose trail shoes with a firm strong sole that is shock absorbing. These are available in outdoors shops. Low cut shoes are fine for most, although a higher cut for support is more appropriate for those with weaker ankles. Multi-purpose trail shoes are generally not waterproof; however they breathe which is important for walking. They are also ideal for pavement walking if you continue onto the cities of Italy. Sneakers are not advisable and heavy hiking boots are not necessary.
• Good walking socks that wick away moisture are also available at most outdoors shops. Try them with your shoes, consider comfort before style and bring more than two pairs.
• It is important to road test your shoes and socks a few times before leaving home. Finding alternatives in a small village may be difficult. Your feet are your walking tools and the quality of your adventure depends on them.
• At the outdoors shop, check out the lightweight travel pants and/or shorts that dry overnight when washed. Ditto for shirts that also have UV protection. Two pairs of each will get you by for your entire holiday.
• For weather extremes, a lightweight rain coat that packs up into a small stuff bag, and sun hat. Often walks are through unshaded farm lands and the Tuscan sun can feel very hot in the middle of the day.
• A lightweight polar fleece will be invaluable and is good for wearing home from a restaurant at night yet practical to wear on a chilly early start.
• Thermal t-shirts are now quite respectable. A wicking t-shirt can double as a walking shirt or as an extra clothing layer in the evenings.

Am I Fit Enough?

The fitness check below is simply a tool to help your preparation for walking. The walks are not difficult but yes Tuscany is hilly and very beautiful. You will be happier and less tired if you have gained a little in fitness before leaving. Do not be concerned that you will not be able to make the distance.

“And since walking doesn’t cause congestion or pollution, where ever you choose to walk, rather than take a car, your being kind to our environment as well as yourself”. Ramblers UK

We also have carefully planned our walks to be on quiet tracks and pathways. Occasionally we have to link these via a country road.

A good way to judge your fitness level is to check the following:

1. Are you able to talk comfortably and walk at a steady pace without feeling puffed?
2. Can you walk steadily up three flights of stairs without feeling unduly flushed or puffed?
3. Can you walk for 90 minutes including a few hills and come back feeling invigorated and comfortable?
4. Can you walk 3 km. in 60 minutes including some moderate inclines?
5. Are you practicing walking up hills, not just on the flat?
6. Are you allowing your body to trick you? If regularly using the same route your body says “here we go again”. Change your route.
7. Are you helping your body by getting into the habit of stretching before you begin and finish a walk? We can help you if stretching is a new subject to you.

Some walks can take up to 5 hours but most take less walking time. Maybe you have never walked this long. Don’t let this worry you. There are lots of breaks and time to recover. After a few days if you are feeling a little weary you may choose to take a day off, read a book or just enjoy the village.

We are walking to have fun, have a chat and experience the Tuscan countryside.

Via Walking. 534 Park Street,
Princes Hill, 3054 Victoria, Australia
ABN: 1234 1234 1234 t: +61 3 9387 8045
m: +61 417 590 535 e: sue@viawalking.com.au
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