Via Degli Dei from Bologna to Florence Walking Tour

You start your walk in Bologna, a city with many attractions. You will be able to walk across the 7 chapels of the Santo Stefano Basilica, admire the city from the Torre degli Asinelli (“the Donkeys’ Tower”), and of course taste some tagliatelle al ragù. Do not miss a view of the illuminated Piazza Maggiore or the Piazza Grande, the subject of a famous song by Lucio Dalla, a bolognese songwriter who used to live a few meters away.

From Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the city, you will walk to the Portico di San Luca, built in 1674: this is the longest covered street in the world, 4 km dominated by 666 arches as far as the basilica of San Luca, from where you will be able to enjoy the splendid view. The journey continues towards Parco Tolon, where the Casalecchio lock-gate has been managing the flow of waters of the Reno to the city of Bologna for 800 years. From the top of a hill you will see the village of Sasso Marconi, named in honour of the Nobel Prize winning scientist Guglielmo Marconi who was born here.

A short private transfer will take you to Badolo. From Badolo you start walking uphill towards Monte Adone. The most important element of this leg of the journey is the Contrafforte Pliocenico, the rocky bastion which rose from the shallow sea during the Pliocene age (2-4 million years ago). Along some sections of the route you will walk on sand, climbing to the edge of the abyss along the spectacular path that climbs up to the top of Mount Adone, with its characteristic stone towers. From here you will continue towards Monzuno, where we recommend you visit Zivieri’s charcuterie shop, the temple of local food and wine thanks to its meat protected by Slow Food.

In this section of the route you will come across the first Roman paving stones of the “Flaminia Militare”, the ancient Roman road that used to link Bologna to Arezzo. At Pian di Balestra you will cross the border with Tuscany. Along your route you will come to the Bruscoli where you will spend the night in a charming Agriturismo on the hill.

Along the route you will come to Passo della Futa which, during the Second World War was held by the Germans: we recommend a visit to the military cemetery, a moving monument to the absurdity of all wars. The highest peak of the leg is Monte Gazzaro with its white cross from which you will be able to admire to splendid view of the Firenzuola valley and Mugello. A wide down-hill path will bring you to Sant’Agata, a typical Tuscan village. We recommend you stop to visit the unusual “Museo del Leprino”, before continuing along your way: as you proceed you will notice the scenery changing again around you, taking on typically Tuscan traits. Optional stop in Sant’Agata and take the bus to shorten the walk. At San Piero to Sieve you can dine on the robust local cuisine of Mugello or enjoy the typical Ramerino bread.

After leaving San Piero you will continue towards the Castello del Trebbio, one of the residences of the Medici family, now a private property. It does however offer exceptional views: from here you will dominate the Mugello valley and Lake Bilancino. The route continues through large olive groves as far as Tagliaferro, and then climbs up to the Badia di Bonsollazzo, an enormous completely abandoned building. After a while you will arrive at the Monastero di Monte Senario, founded by 7 saints belonging to the order of the Servants of Mary: their skulls are kept inside the church.

You have now nearly reached Florence: the end of your journey is getting closer, and there is much excitement. You will go through Vetta le Croci, a place where 200,000 barbarians (killed during the battle of Montereggi, 405 A.D.) are said to be buried. Then you will tackle the last climb up to Il Pratone, before descending towards Fiesole, an Etruscan town built on a terrace overlooking the city of Florence. Here you will be able to admire the large archaeological area of the town, staring in amazement at the frescoed presbytery of the San Romolo Cathedral. Finally you will arrive in Florence, where you will be able to celebrate with a fine Florentine steak. Florence offers numerous attractions but we suggest you start from piazza del Duomo: do not miss the Porta del Paradiso of the Battistero di San Giovanni, which tells the stories of the Old Testament on golden tiles of staggering beauty.

Tour ends after breakfast.