The Hills of Tuscany

TOUR APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

We do not accept applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are chosen based on multiple factors to create a diverse group for each tour.

If you are applying to join the tour with other people, each person must complete a separate application. Please note on your application if you are applying to be accepted as a group.

APPLICATION REVIEW AND NOTIFICATION 

Once you submit your application, you will be added to our waitlist while your application is reviewed.

– If your application is received before October 15th, you will be notified the week of November 2nd
– If you application is received after October 15th, you will be notified within 30 days

Once you submit your application, you will be added to our waitlist while your application is reviewed.

We will only notify applicants who are accepted to join the tour via email. We are unable to notify applicants by phone or text, and we regret that we cannot accept everyone who applies.

ACCEPTANCE AND CONFIRMATION

If you are accepted to join a tour, your credit card will be charged for the deposit upon acceptance. Your spot on the 2026 tour is not confirmed until we receive your deposit.

If you are not accepted, your application will remain on the waitlist in case a spot opens up. You will not be notified if you remain on the waitlist. If at any time you wish to withdraw your name from the waiting list, please notify the primary tour contact by email.

The total cost for the tour is $6900 USD per person for a shared room, and $7900 USD for a private room. As noted, a private room does not guarantee a private bathroom.

The cost includes David’s services as tour leader and local guide, all accommodations for seven nights; all breakfasts, with the possibility of the occasional lunch or dinner on your own, depending on the day’s activities; all transport in country during the trip and transportation between our accommodations and the Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence.

Not included: Airfare to Italy, the occasional lunch or dinner.

Walks during the week will last from two to four hours over hilly terrain in warm to very warm weather. Most of
the walks are on seldom-used dirt roads. There may be short walks through fields and on more rugged pathways. Several of the walks have steep uphill portions.

As these walks are an important part of the tour experience, please be as realistic as possible in assessing your level of fitness before applying for the tour.

Our accommodations are in two or three beautiful agriturismos and a twelfth century convent along a road lined with vineyards. The location is 20km south of Florence in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, with a stunning view of the neighboring hills and countryside. The rooms are lovely apartment-style accommodations, each with its own
unique character, varying from studio to three bedroom configurations.

Bedrooms are shared with one other person, with a limited number of private bedrooms available for a supplemental fee. Please note that a private room does not guarantee a private bathroom or a studio accommodation.

Wifi is available throughout, however it is not strong enough to accommodate much more than checking your email. Cell phone coverage is decent.
There are no laundry services available. Hair dryers are provided.

If, after acceptance, you need to withdraw your application before your final payment is due, Many Rivers will issue you a refund, minus $500 USD.

If you withdraw after the final payment, Many Rivers will issue you a refund, minus the full deposit of $3000 USD per person, only if we are able to fill your spot.

ARRIVAL
The closest airport is Florence (FLR); train station Santa Maria Novella. Whether arriving
by air, train, or car, you will make your way to Piazzale Michelangelo, a large car park overlooking the city, by 2:15pm on the first day of the tour. Any taxi driver will know where it is, and you should plan about 30 minutes for the trip from the airport, 10 minutes from the city center. We meet at the replica of the statue of David in the middle of the piazzale.

DEPARTURE
We determine departure logistics at the end of the trip based on everyone’s itineraries. We
will return you to the Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence in plenty of time to catch a taxi to your point of departure. We apologize that due to driving
restrictions in the city of Florence, we are not able to take people directly to their hotels or the train station. Please note that we need to be out of our accommodation by mid-morning, so we are not able to transport people in the
afternoon.

Each participant needs a passport valid for six months beyond their departure date from Italy.

We strongly advice participants to purchase travel insurance.

A breakfast buffet is available in a common area at Fattoria la Loggia each morning. We provide all meals, with the exception of one dinner or the occasional lunch you will need to purchase on your own.

Meals are buffet-style feasts. There will always be a hearty vegetarian option, as well as plentiful fruit and vegetables. We do our best to cater to multiple dietary preferences; however, we are unable to offer gluten-free pasta or bread options. If you are gluten-free, vegan, or have other food intolerances, please bring along a few things to fill in the occasional gap, as there is not a market nearby.