Via degli Dei – Self-guided holiday

Info

The Via degli Dei is a journey to be experienced, a route linking Bologna to Florence that will remain etched in the hearts of all who travel it. As you pass through lush woodlands, picturesque paths and ancient roads dating back millennia, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the charm of the mountains that separate Emilia from Tuscany. A journey that will immerse you in a unique experience, where unspoilt nature blends with millennia of history.

 

€650 per person in a twin/double room

 

Services included: ​

• Guided tour of Bologna’s historic centre and entry to the Clock Tower;
• Welcome and briefing on the day of departure;
• Overnight accommodation with breakfast;
• Luggage transfer between accommodation – limited to 1 piece of luggage per person (55x40x20cm)
• Map (1 per group) and printed guidebook (1 per group);
• Via degli Dei credential (1 per person);
• Administration fee;

Services not included: ​

• Single room supplement;
• Accommodation upgrades, subject to availability
• Dinners, lunches, food, additional drinks and extras in general;
• Tourist tax where applicable (to be paid directly at the accommodation);
• Transfers to and from Bologna and Florence;
• Travel by public transport;
• Any transfers to skip a stage if necessary;
• Cancellation insurance;
• Anything not listed under ‘the price includes’.

Before booking, please bear in mind that:

A deposit of 100 euros is required at the time of booking, which will be confirmed and processed by Appennino Slow.

 

To ensure we can meet your requirements, bookings must be made at least 15 days in advance, 30 days in June, July and August, and for departures close to long weekends and public holidays

 

Refund and changes:

• up to 31 days before the start of the trip: €50 per person for administration costs;
• from 30 to 11 days before the start of the trip: 30% of the total cost of the package holiday;
• from 10 to 4 days before the start of the trip: 50% of the total cost of the package holiday;
• 3 to 0 days before the start of the trip: 100 per cent of the total cost of the package holiday;

This package holiday is organised by Appennino Slow (IATR Sasso Marconi)

 

The sale of these package holidays is handled by Bologna Welcome Travel Agency.

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Day 1 – Bologna
Arrival in Bologna by own means (train recommended), guided city tour with access to the central Clock Tower. Free day to explore the city and overnight stay in an hotel in the city centre.

Day 2 - Km 20 (Drop +/-: +330 m/ -300 m)
from Bologna to Sasso Marconi
Meeting with one of our representatives in Piazza XX Settembre, luggage handover and briefing on the trek. Departure to Sasso Marconi. After crossing the city centre we will climb up the Colle della Guardia to the Basilica of San Luca and then descend towards the Talon Park following the Reno river away from the city.
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Day 3 - Km 22,8  (Drop +/-: +1310 m/ - 680 m)
from Sasso Marconi to Monzuno
Departure from Sasso Marconi towards the Riserva del Contrafforte Pliocenico (Pliocene Foothills Reserve) along one of the most memorable moments of this journey, first through Prati di Mugnano, Monte del Frate and finally uphill to the iconic Mount Adone. Watch out for fossils on your descent! After a stretch of asphalt road, we will reach the small town of Monzuno.
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Day 4 - Km 29 (Drop +/-: +1250 m/ - 1100 m)
from Monzuno to Monte di Fo'
Leaving Monzuno behind, we will resume our trek through century-old chestnut groves along the ridge of the main Emilian peaks as far as Madonna dei Fornelli.
We are now in the heart of the Via degli Dei on our most intense and thrilling stage on the trail of the Flaminia militare, a Roman road dating back to 187 BC. Our next stop will be Italy's largest Germanic Cemetery, symbol of a wound that has never healed.
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Day 5 - Km 22,5 (Drop +/-: +700 m/ - 1250 m)
from Monte di Fo' to San Piero a Sieve
We now venture into the Mugello valley, chosen by the Medici family as the preferred site for their country residences (now a UNESCO heritage site). Don't miss the timeless little village of Sant'Agata!
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Day 6 - Km 20,2 (Drop +/-: +960 m/ - 710 m)
from San Piero to Sieve a Olmo
The Medici Fortress and Trebbio Castle will bid us farewell on this day as we leave Mugello and set out into the Florentine hills. The highpoint (in every sense of the word!) of the walk will be the spectacular terrace of the Convent in Monte Senario, 815 metres above sea level, affording a wonderful view to mentally retrace your journey.
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Day 7 - Km 18,5 (Dislivello +/-: +400 m/ - 800 m)
from Olmo to Florence
Last day of walking through olive groves and cypress trees. Don't rush to reach your destination, spend some time in Fiesole, with its stunning views over Florence, and its archaeological area, an unexpected Italian gem. We then make our way down to Piazza della Signoria.
From Fiesole you can get to Florence by bus. Luggage drop-off at Santa Maria Novella station.
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*Additional nights can be added on request.
The programme may be subject to slight variations depending on the availability of the facilities.