Duration
8 days
Daily Biking
22 to 34 miles
Trip difficulty
3-Intermediate
From
USD 4199
OR CALL (800) 257-2226
Duration
8 days
Daily Biking
22 to 34 miles
Trip difficulty
3-Intermediate
From
USD 4199
Trip Overview
This tour brings you the best of the Tuscany region of Italy … and now you can do it with ease … by electric bike! Visit Florence, Siena, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano and Bagno Vignoni. You stay in absolutely stunning accommodations and enjoy superb meals, wine tastings, and personalized walking tours of Florence and Siena. You will be led by talented and experienced bilingual Italian guides, whose intimate knowledge of Italy will assure that your vacation is a visual, culinary, and cultural delight.
The riding is spectacular, with rolling terrain, gorgeous views and some advanced hills … all a breeze on an e-bike. This tour has been refined over more than 15 years and offers you the full pleasures of the enchanting Tuscan countryside and a delightful collection of small villages and towns.
You travel through vineyards, past olive groves, and along narrow ancient roads lined with cypress. Wander the narrow alleyways of tiny medieval villages like Murlo, Montisi, and Castlemuzio; listen as the monks chant at Sant’Antimo; relive movie scenes from “The English Patient” as you stroll the grounds of Santa Anna in Caprena; delight in a visit to the elegant Castello Banfi Estate and vineyards; and spoil yourself on your last night … at the 5-star spa hotel, Fonteverde.
Abundant regional produce, wild game, local mushrooms, olive oil, pecorino cheese, local truffles, and homemade pastas, all complemented with the finest local wines (and a superb wine tasting event!) assures that you will be treated to the finest regional cuisine imaginable.
The hotels are quite exquisite. Each was carefully selected … not only for its superior quality but also to ensure that you are always staying within the city walls so you can stroll the narrow streets, visit the shops, see the sights at your leisure, and immerse yourself in all the day-to-day Italian experiences that make this a true adventure.
Itinerary
Enjoy the best of the Tuscany region of Italy … by electric bike! Visit Florence, Siena, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano and Bagno Vignoni. You stay in stunning hotels and enjoy superb meals, wine tastings, and walking tours of Florence and Siena.
1 - Arrival Day
Arrival Day
Please meet at Hotel Cellai at 3pm. You start your vacation with a walking tour of the amazing Renaissance city of Florence with an expert guide. You end at the Academia museum that houses Michelangelo's famous "David" statue. Then stay at the delightful boutique Hotel Cellai!
Accommodation: Hotel Cellai
Meals: Dinner
2 - Walking Tour in Siena
Walking Tour in Siena
This morning you are on your own to explore Florence before we transfer to Siena. We arrive in Siena to enjoy a walking tour of this spectacular historic city. You are then fitted for your bike. In the evening, we are treated to a great dinner at Osteria Nonna Gina, a popular local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Athena
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
3 - Villages and rolling hills to Montalcino
Villages and rolling hills to Montalcino
After breakfast, we will have a meeting to discuss the details of the tour, safe cycling, and other issues, and you receive your tour maps and directions. You will then be transported outside of the city where your cycling begins. Lunch is at a beautiful villa overlooking the ancient village of Murlo. We have designated two good places to end the day’s ride. The first is in Buonconvento. Here you can enjoy a stroll on Via Roma and visit a café before taking the 15-minute van shuttle up to Montalcino. You can also cycle a bit further or continue up the steep climb up to Montalcino. Dinner is at Re di Macchia, an excellent restaurant that specializes in local cuisine, including their renowned Florentine steak.
Accommodation: Hotel Veccia Oliviera
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 26 or 34 miles (41 or 54 kilometres)
Terrain: Intermediate
4 - Villas and vineyards
Villas and vineyards
Today you ride through some of Montalcino’s finest vineyards, home to the famous Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino, and we visit the spectacular Castello Banfi. You then ride up to San Angelo in Colle where you can select from three fine trattorias for lunch. After lunch, enjoy a tour and wine tasting at the famous Villa Barbi vineyard before cycling back to Montalcino. You are on your own for dinner this evening, and we will give you a variety of superb suggestions as to where to dine.
Accommodation: Hotel Veccia Oliviera
Meals: Breakfast
Biking: 22 or 34 miles (35 or 54 kilometres)
Terrain: Intermediate
5 - Medieval villages
Medieval villages
Today you ride through Torrenieri and then continue with easy cycling along the River Asso to the beautiful medieval villages of Montisi and Castlemuzio where you have lunch. Then ride to the lovely medieval monastery at Sant’Anna in Camprena (made famous by the movie “The English Patient”). From Sant’Anna, ride into the walled Renaissance “city” of Pienza. In the evening you enjoy dinner and local wine at a delightful local trattoria (Buca delle Fate).
Accommodation: Hotel Relais Il Chiostro de Pienza
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Biking: 24 miles (38 kilometres)
Terrain: Intermediate
6 - Rural Italian life
Rural Italian life
Today’s ride takes us from Pienza to the beautiful walled hill town of Montepulciano. Here you wind your way through narrow cobbled streets and past magnificent palaces to Piazza Grande with its 13th century tower. Perhaps stop here for a leisurely lunch with a glass of the world famous Vino Nobile, and visit the many boutiques and shops. Then leave Montepulciano, passing the picturesque Temple of San Biagio, and then cycle to the charming and unpretentious village of Montichiello where a short stroll will reward you with great views over the countryside, a visit to an exquisite small 13th century church, and a pleasant sense of rural Italian life.
Another highlight of the day is your ride to Bagno Vignoni. This magnificent small resort town is known for its curative hot springs and for the huge ancient pool in the central square which is surrounded by picturesque medieval buildings (most having been built by the Medici family).
Dinner this evening is on your own in Pienza. We will give you a variety of superb suggestions as to where to dine.
Accommodation: Hotel Relais Il Chiostro de Pienza
Meals: Breakfast
Biking: 30 miles (48 kilometres)
Terrain: Intermediate
7 - Olives, cheeses, and wines
Olives, cheeses, and wines
Today you ride on a long gentle downhill, passing huge pine trees that arch over the road, followed by some modest climbs through beautiful Tuscan countryside. This area is known for its local olives, cheeses, and wines. Arrive in San Casciano dei Bagni, famous for nearby thermal spas. Take full advantage of this opportunity by staying your last night as a guest of the luxurious Five Star Fonteverde Hotel, a spectacular property beautifully situated around a Medici villa and ancient thermal baths. Dinner is at Fonteverde.
Accommodation: Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Biking: 28 miles (45 kilometres)
Terrain: Intermediate
8 - Departure Day
Departure Day
In the morning we will transport you to the train station in Chiusi. Trains to Rome and Florence stop here several times each day. Our leaders will assist you in making all your train reservations for your departure.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What's Included
Inns
Hotel Cellai
Hotel Cellai is located in the heart of the historic center of Florence, surrounded by monuments, churches and buildings of extraordinary beauty. All the most interesting and evocative city sites are within a short walking distance, passing through little streets full of charm and mystery.
Hotel Athena
A hotel with warm hospitality, a lovely terrance and great views. Enjoy the romantic ambiance and comfy rooms at the Hotel Athena.
Hotel Veccia Oliviera
This is a 3-star hotel in the historic center of Montalcino with a breathtaking terrace and a swimming pool surrounded by a peaceful garden. The 11 rooms, many of which enjoy a splendid view of the Val d’Orcia, are furnished in Tuscan style and equipped with all comforts.
Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort
The exclusive resort was built in the 17th century by the Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici amid precious hot springs whose therapeutic properties were known since ancient times. This is the premier spa center in Europe and the resort includes extensive spa facilities, natural thermal hot waters, seven swimming therapeutic pools, a holistic center and beauty center as well as one of the areas’ finest restaurants.
Hotel Relais Il Chiostro di Pienza
This elegant hotel located in the heart of the walled Renaissance town of Pienza was once a 15th Century Franciscan monastery. It now offers wonderful rooms with views over red tiled roofs and beyond into the valley.
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