Tuscany's Treasures

We still class Grade 3 as leisurely; walks are generally a longer than grade 2, with undulations but over a longer distance. Where sightseeing distances are longer, we take a full day with opportunities to stop, rest and refuel. Generally, itineraries involve city and town walking with plenty of breaks.  

This is a Grade 3 holiday where walks are between 2-3 hours but there are some steep ascents and descents during your days, between 60-20m. You will find that most of the walking is sightseeing based, and you will end up walking a lot of steps each day. The programme includes longer sightseeing days which can be fairly demanding as walking is on concrete.

Local cuisine and wines are an important ingredient in everyone’s plans, and our Food & Wine holidays aim to include dining out at local restaurants where we can, as part of your experiences, as well as delving a little deeper into local delicacies and including visits and tastings at wineries and beer houses, plus we might explore a city on a food tour with stops to visit a market, enjoy a cookery class or follow a tapas or meze trail. We have time to discover the local cuisine, and enjoy dinner in the hotel and local restaurants in Montecatini Terme. We visit a local farm where we will learn about Italian cuisine, and spend the evening cooking our own traditional Tuscan dinner and enjoying local wines! One light lunch with wine is included at a local villa where we’ll also enjoy olive oil tasting.

The currency in Italy is the Euro. You may wish to take some euro cash with you until you reach an ATM. Credit cards may not be accepted in smaller towns and rural areas.

Your Adagio Leader accompanies the group throughout the holiday, helping everything run smoothly from start to finish. Experienced travellers and enthusiastic group leaders, they create the friendly, relaxed atmosphere that is such an important part of the Adagio experience. They take care of the practical arrangements, provide support when needed and help ensure everyone gets the most from their holiday.

Fly from London to Pisa and return. On some dates flights may be to or from Bologna airport, and on some dates we may offer more than one flight from a regional airport or from London airports. Please be aware that there may be a wait at the airport as the transfers for all flights may be combined on arrival and departure.  

Transfer by private coach to Montecatini Terme, which will take approximately 50 minutes. Additional London flights are available on some dates. Please be aware that there may be a wait at the airport as the transfers for all flights may be combined on arrival and/or departure. 

During the week, you will transfer by train, private coach and taxi. The hotel is a twenty minute walk from the train station which sometimes means an earlier start. The walk takes you along paths decorated with trees towards the main streets of Montecatini Terme where you'll find bars, restaurants and small shops, perhaps take an evening stroll after dinner. Some days you will walk to/from the train station but the leader can arrange taxi's if you would prefer not to walk (included in the holiday cost), please speak to your leader during the holiday. 

If you intend joining and leaving the party in Italy, we assume, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet and leave the party at hotel. If this is not your intention, please let us know in writing at least 5 weeks before departure

If you prefer to arrange your own flights from a non-UK or regional airport or travel to your holiday destination by rail or car, you may qualify for 'land only' reductions, and we can provide details upon request. Feel free to reach out to us for more information.

Before finalizing any independent travel arrangements, especially if you're doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended travel date, please check with us first to ensure your holiday has been cleared to operate. If you plan to join your holiday locally, kindly inform us at least 14 weeks in advance.

If you're joining and leaving your holiday overseas, we assume, unless you specify otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.

Although airport/station transfers are not included for those making independent travel arrangements, you may have the option to join the group at the overseas airport/station, depending on your arrival time. If interested, contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.

Please be aware that you must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight/train arrival to be eligible for the group transfer. Additionally, we'll need your flight number, arrival time, and departure point or independent travel arrangements to ensure the group leader can meet up with you. If you have a mobile, please ensure we have the number, and it is turned on while you are traveling for effective communication.

If you're booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, rest assured that details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be clearly outlined in your 'Final Travel Documents'. These will be sent to you approximately 10 days before your departure, ensuring you have all the necessary information for a smooth and well-prepared journey.

Please ensure your personal details, including your passport information and date of birth, are accurate and up to date, and that we have all the information needed to arrange your holiday. If you have any dietary allergies or intolerances, please let us know.

You can view and update your details using Manage My Booking on our website or by contacting our Sales & Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. Please check your booking confirmation carefully and notify us of any changes as soon as possible.

It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport page (with your photo on). Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country. Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. 

General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.

If you are travelling to an EU country (except Ireland), or to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, please ensure your passport meets the relevant entry requirements.

For the latest passport requirements and entry guidance for your destination, please check the GOV.UK Foreign Travel Advice website before you travel.

If you are travelling on a non-British passport, please check passport and visa requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate.

All breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday cost.

A continental breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant and includes delicacies such as hams, cheese, eggs, bacon, fruit and pastries.

You'll enjoy dinner in the hotels restaurant and in local restaurants in Montecatini Terme. You’ll be served a freshly prepared three course meal plus a salad buffet at the hotel. Most local restaurants are within a fifteen to twenty minute walking distance from the hotel. Local restaurants allow you to enjoy an authentic experience and sometimes lively atmosphere in a traditional Italian restaurant along with local diners and the Italian hospitality. 

On one evening you will visit a local farm where you have the opportunity to learn about Italian cuisine, and spend the evening cooking your own traditional Tuscan dinner! Wine tasting will be included too.

In Italy, traditional meals may include primo, il secondo, and dolce, depending on the individual restaurant. Primo can be served as an appetiser and usually consists of rich pasta, soup or risotto. The main course is called il secondo and usually includes meat, fish or vegetarian. The dolce refers to the dessert and ends a traditional Italian meal.

One light lunch is included on day two. Remaining lunches are not included in the cost of the holiday. Sumptuous markets and food shops are just a short walk from the hotel so picnic supplies of the highest standard will be easily available. Most of your days will be spent in cities and towns surrounded by a number of Italian cafes and restaurants too.

Comfortable, broken in, walking boots or shoes with a good sole are recommended for this holiday. Walking shoes or other comfortable footwear will be suitable for sightseeing days.

Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.

If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:

• Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers
• Fleece or jumper
• Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and sun screen
• Swimwear & towel (if appropriate)
• Day sack (this should be able to carry all you would need for the days activity)
• Water bottle - at least 1 litre capacity
• Basic first aid kit
• Reusable Lunchbox
• Walking poles (should you find them useful)

This list is not exhaustive and every traveller is different and may have their own preference.

Under Italian law, police can stop you at any time to carry out an identity check or your date of entry into the country. Carry photo ID with you at all times. The police will normally ask for your full passport.

Electricity in Italy is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found Power Plugs Sockets.

For the latest health advice and entry requirements for Italy, please visit the GOV.UK travel advice for Italy and NaTHNaC.

Starting January 1st, 2021, you, as a UK traveller, can continue using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) throughout its valid five-year period, granting you access to medical assistance during your holiday until its expiry date. Be aware, though, that this coverage will no longer extend to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. In case you don't have a valid EHIC, you can apply for a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will replace the EHIC as it gets phased out.

It's essential to emphasize that the EHIC/GHIC, while valuable, should not be regarded as a substitute for comprehensive medical or travel insurance. For your peace of mind and comprehensive coverage, considering additional insurance is highly recommended.

For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/ehic

It’s a condition of booking that you obtain adequate travel insurance, from a reputable provider, to undertake the holiday, including UK trips chiefly due to the cancellation element of cover.

The policy must cover the period from the date of booking to the last day of your trip and should include, as a minimum, cover for: medical expenses (including the consequences of a Covid positive test result), mountain rescue including helicopter rescue, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment and shall not have exclusion clauses limiting cover for the activities you will partake in on your trip, including altitudes reached in the holiday arrangement. It is your responsibility to check that your policy is adequate for the nature and destination of the holiday booked.

Once you have obtained your travel insurance, please provide us with the name of your travel insurer, the policy number and the insurer’s 24 hour emergency assistance number.

In the event that you fail to obtain suitable Travel Insurance we shall not be liable for any costs incurred or claims made against us due to your failure to comply with this term.

If travelling outside the UK you must carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if reasonably requested to do so by RWH Travel staff, tour leaders or suppliers. No refunds will be made should you be excluded from the walking programme through being uninsured or you being unable to demonstrate that you are insured.

If you are travelling to an EU country or Switzerland please also ensure that you have either an existing valid EU EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) or a valid UK GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). You can apply for a UK GHIC free of charge on the NHS website at https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/cra/start.