Ride along the quiet roads of classic Tuscany
The Tuscan landscape is one of the most evocative and romantic in Europe with cypress trees lining the roads, olive groves, vineyards, ancient hill-top towns and, of course, classic Renaissance cities. Our group cycling tour is carefully planned to take in the best of Tuscany without feeling rushed or over-cultural: part of the joy of the Italian lifestyle is sitting and watching the world go by with a glass of wine in your hand! During the week we ride through diverse areas of Tuscany, such as the hills of Chianti and the beautiful around Montepulciano. Riding north, we enter ‘Le Crete’, a wonderfully scenic region that’s home to some of Tuscany’s best towns and villages. We then enjoy Siena’s magnificent Campo before biking past the towers of San Gimignano and onto our final destination in Florence. Following quiet roads, we mix point-to-point and circular rides to make a perfect cycle tour of this region.
Highlights
Ride along the quiet roads of classic Tuscany
Enjoy famous Tuscan cuisine and wine
Explore the cultural cities of Siena and Florence
Key information
7 nights at 3 and 4 star hotels with en suite facilities
5 days cycling with partial vehicle support (limited seats)
Group normally 6 to 16, plus leaders. Min age 16 years
85% tarmac, 15% easy gravel roads (most optional)
Special Palio di Siena departure (June 30th)
What’s included
All breakfasts
All accommodation (see below)
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Local bike hire
What’s not included
Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations
DAY 1: Start San Quirico.
Start in the hilltop town of San Quirico D’Orcia, one of the most beautiful and charming medieval towns of the Orcia Valley.
DAY 2: Circular ride through classic Tuscan countryside via Pienza, the wine town of Montepulciano and thermal spa village of Bagno Vignoni.
Following an ancient pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena, we head towards Pienza, a charming town full of history and culture. From here we cycle to the wine centre of Montepulciano, famous for its Vino Nobile. We then head towards the mediaeval village of Monticchiello and on to Bagno Vignoni, before making our way back to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
DAY 3: Ride through vineyards and the walled town of Murlo to Siena.
A classic day’s riding, showing Tuscany at its most picturesque. Following quiet roads, we head out of San Quirico with a first stop at Montalcino. We then descend on the road to Buonconvento and ride back up to Murlo passing by Bibbiano. From here we ascend the short but steep Rospatoio Pass and take a lovely road section via Ville di Corsano, as we approach the splendid gothic city of Siena.
Meals included: breakfast
DAY 4: Free day in Siena to explore or relax.
Siena is one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval towns with one of the world’s most gracious squares, the Campo. There is plenty to see in Siena and its sights are best explored on foot as the town is compact but hilly. There are many museums and buildings of interest to visit, such as the impressive Duomo. Alternatively you may choose to head out for an unguided ride. On the June 30th departure you will get the chance to be in Siena during the ‘Palio Horse Race’, one of Italy’s most famous annual sporting events and experience the thrilling atmosphere around it. Held in honour of the Virgin Mary, ten of the city’s seventeen contrade, or districts, are represented by a horse and jockey in each race and will compete against each other during this event. It has been held in Siena’s civic hub, Piazza del Campo, since 1644 and local people get involved to a level that it is still common for ‘mixed-marriage’ couples to separate for the days leading up to and including the race if the contrada of the husband and wife both have a horse in contention.
Meals included: breakfast
DAY 5: Ride via Gaiole and Radda to Castellina in Chianti.
From Siena we head directly into the heart of Chianti. Our route takes us via some lovely small villages and hamlets, as well as some spectacular vineyards and castles, such as that of Castello di Brolio. Here there is the option to taste some of the area’s finest wines. We then cycle via Gaiole and Radda in Chianti, with options to ride to the abbey of Coltribuono, before our final section to Castellina in Chianti, where we stay for two nights.
Meals included: breakfast
DAY 6: Circular ride through the Chianti hills via towers of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni.
From Castellina, we ride through rolling countryside before taking an amazingly scenic descent into the lower valley. From Poggibonsi we head towards the distant towers of San Gimignano, nestled between the hills and small hamlets. The town is sometimes crowded, but this does not take away from what is one of the most interesting sights in Tuscany. We spend a few hours enjoying the atmosphere, walking by the walls and admiring the town’s high towers. Our return route passes through the walled town of Monteriggioni, before taking quiet roads back to our lodge.
Meals included: breakfast
DAY 7: Cycle to Florence via Panzano and Greve in Chianti.
We depart from our hotel and start riding a spectacular road towards Panzano in Chianti. We then take quiet backroads offering enchanting views of the world renowned vineyards of Chianti to the mediaeval village of Greve in Chianti. Here we have time to admire the market square, before heading towards Stada and Impruneta, known for their local terracotta production. In Impruneta we stop for our lunch. We finish by taking a panoramic road towards Florence, cycling all the way to Piazzale Michelangelo for a final group shot. We will arrive in Florence in the early afternoon, giving you time to start exploring this wonderful city of the Renaissance including the Cathedral and Baptistry – the oldest building in the city. Also see the Ponte Vecchio, the superb bridge over the river Arno, lined with goldsmiths and the most famous symbol of the City.
Meals included: breakfast
DAY 8: End Florence.
End in Florence. Please speak to our sales team if you would like to book extra nights in this magnificent city.
Meals included: breakfast