Monte Amiata Safari with Rudston Steward (April 2024)

Rudston Steward grew up between Italy, South Africa and New York, speaks five languages, and has been based in Tuscany for the last twenty years.

He believes that life is a journey best undertaken on foot. Rudston has guided trips everywhere from Botswana to Bhutan to the Basque Country, and is the founder of the Maremma Safari Club, a small company offering walking trips to off-the-beaten-track destinations in Italy—from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily’s Aeolian Islands in the south and beyond.

Rudston was selected for Conde Nast’s prestigious Top Travel Specialist List for Italy for the sixth time in 2023.

Day 1 / Tue 16th April

Arrival in Tuscany / Bagno Vignoni. Chance to soak in the thermal hot springs before dinner at a local trattoria. Overnight Bagno Vignoni at Albergo Le Terme (albergoleterme.it).

Day 2 / Wed 17th April

We cross the Orcia River and climb through oak forests, then descend via farmlands to our lunch spot. In the afternoon we ascend with wide-ranging views towards the town of Seggiano, where we stay (for two nights) in a pristine valley on the slopes of the Monte Amiata at the impressive Castello di Potentino (potentino.com). Wine tasting and dinner at Castello di Potentino. [estimated walk totals: 19km walk; 700m ascent, 600m descent. Optional vehicle pickup is available at lunchtime for anyone who prefers to walk a half-day only.]

Day 3 / Thu 18th AprilToday’s walk traverses the Zancona stream, climbing through chestnuts and olive groves to the hilltop town of Monticello. Lunch at a trattoria in Monticello. Afternoon transfer (weather permitting) to Monte Labro to see the stone tower built on the summit by the mystic Davide Lazzaretti—and its spectacular views—before returning to Potentino. [estimated walk totals 12km walk; 700m ascent, 500m descent.]

Day 4 / Fri 19th April

From below Monticello, we follow a ridge dropping steadily into the Orcia River valley. Having crossed the river we continue through Brunello vineyards and woodland to the stunning Castello di Argiano (sestiwine.com) where we stay for two nights—one of Montacino’s finest wine estates. [estimated totals 18km walk; 350m ascent, 650m descent. Optional vehicle pickup is available for those who prefer to walk a half-day only.]

Day 5 / Sat 20th April

Morning at leisure to enjoy Argiano’s dreamy castle and estate. Late morning hike to the nearby town of Sant’Angelo Scalo (about 1 hour) for lunch at a local trattoria. Evening wine-tasting of the phenomenal Sesti organic wines, followed by a final dinner at Argiano.

Day 6 / Sun 21st April

Departure and onward travel.

• The trip price includes 5 nights of accommodation; all breakfasts and dinners including house wines (supplementary wines can be purchased separately); tickets for the thermal hot springs at Bagni Vignoni; lunch in Sant’Angelo Scalo; packed lunches on the three walks; wine-tasting at Castello di Potentino and Castello di Argiano; guiding by Rudston Steward; baggage transfers; optional vehicle pickups on the walks.

• The trip price excludes travel to/from Tuscany; arrival and departure transfers (can be arranged upon request); tips/gratuities; travel insurance.

• If, when a trip booking is confirmed, the hotels specified in the itinerary have insufficient rooms available, then hotels of comparable quality will be used instead.

• Please contact us to discuss the difficulty level of the walks and the nature of the hiking terrain in Tuscany before booking.