Italy, with its generous heart, its culture, its magnificent scenery, its local products, its beautiful roads... its a delight for all of the senses. Our new bike trip will take you to the famous city of Florence, to the beautiful vineyards of the Chianti and its beautiful olive groves. You will spend two nights in Sienna to enjoy the local gastronomy and its surrounding countryside. Then you will take the road to discover Umbria, a little less well known than Tuscany, it doesn’t disappoint, with fantastic landscapes and roads that were made for cycling. Don’t miss Arezzo with its wealth of architecture, culture and atmosphere, before coming back to Florence. This is a great trip for cyclists who are willing to immerse themselves in Italian culture. You’ll be glad to be cycling all day to build up an appetite for the excellent Italian food you’ll want to enjoy each evening! Accommodation has been carefully selected and regularly evaluated, so that you only have to have one thing in mind, enjoying yourself.
Day 1 Arrival in Florence Arrive at the train station where a taxi awaits you to take your luggage, allowing you to jump straight on your bike. Depending upon your arrival time, you can cycle through the town and its surroundings or ride a loop around Vinci. About 105km. Climb 1625m; descent 1587m.
Night in a 3 star hotel a few kilometres outside of Florence.
Day 2 The Chianti road Today is a gentle stage that allows you time to enjoy your surroundings. After a short descent, you begin a gentle climb of around 20km. Greve In Chianti is an excellent place to stop and enjoy a cappuccino if your legs are feeling a little heavy this morning. You will then continue to climb before finally descending into San Gimignano, a UNESCO world heritage site. Well known for its wines, this area has other treasures on offer too including its beautiful little villages and pretty hillsides.
Distance: 43km.
Night in San Gimignano in a three star hotel with a pool.
Day 3 San Gimignano to Sienna Begin the day with a 5km climb before enjoying the hills and the road to Volterra. As with San Gimignano, this is another town worth seeing, as it looms over the landscape. Overlooking the surroundings this town is a beautiful starting point to reach Sienna. Enjoy en route the hills, the olive groves, the rolling farmland with mountains in the distance. It doesn’t get better than this.
Distance: 87km.
Climb 1457m; descent 1483m.
Night in a three star hotel in Sienna.
Day 4 Sienna Today you will have the option of a shorter cycle ride in order to give you more time to enjoy Sienna itself. Sienna is a pleasant city worth exploring on foot. On one of the doors to enter the walled city centre, it is inscribed “Cor magis tibi Sena pandit”, Sienna opens its heart to you! So take your time to enjoy the sites, including the well known Piazza Del Campo, where the ‘Palio’ horse racing event takes place every summer. There’s also the famous Cathedral (duomo) and many other sites worth visiting. Enjoy the sites as well as the little trattorias that abound on the small winding streets. A day for indulging the senses...
Distance 48km. Climb 657m; descent 643m.
Night in a 3 star hotel, Sienna.
Day 5 En route to Umbria Sienna is a wonderful town, but the surrounding countryside has a lot to offer too. It’s time to explore another region in Italy, this time, Umbria. The route undulates along the hills, where you can discover Asciano, in the heart of the Sienese Crete. Take a rest in Montepulciano, well known for its ‘Vino Nobile’. This city separates the valleys of Chiana and Orcia. You will soon arrive in Umbria, and on the banks of Lake Trasimeno (the fourth largest lake in Italy).
Distance 79km. Climb 1021m; descend 1054m.
Night in an agriturismo, near the Trasimeno Lake.
Day 6 Trasimeno Lake to Arezzo From the lake of Trasimeno, you will be riding northwards. Another chance to enjoy the scenic landscape and to discover hidden treasures along the way. For forty kilometres you will follow the border between Tuscany and Umbria before peddling off in the direction of Niccone, Montecastelli and other pretty villages. For those feeling fit and full of energy, today’s cycling can include two additional sections to bring the total distance to 90km. The more direct route is a shorter option of 44km. Set on a steep hill rising up from the flood plain of the River Arno, Arezzo is another town of real interest, particularly worth visiting is the Piazza Grande.
Longer option: 90km. Climb 1193m; descent 1146m.
Shorter option: 44km. Climb 415m; descent 276m.
Night in a four star hotel in the centre of Arezzo.
Day 7 Arrezo – Florence After a week on the bike, you will be well trained for a final day’s beautiful ride of 100km. A hilly day but a fantastic one in which you will cross the Tuscan countryside towards Florence. Tonight you’ll stay in the heart of Florence. A perfect spot from which to explore the jewel of Tuscany.
Distance: 100km. Climb 847; descent 1300m.
Night in a 3 star hotel in Florence
Day 8 End of the trip Your holiday ends after breakfast in your hotel.
Fact sheet
Details
Starting point At the train station in Florence. Please contact us for information about transfers from ther airport.
End After breakfast on day 8. Please contact us for information regarding a transfer to the airport or train station.
Accommodation In double rooms in 3 star hotels or agriturismos.
Number of people From 2 participants
Level of difficulty For regular cyclists capable of cycling between 75-100km per day in hilly areas.
Carrying Your bags will be transferred for you to your accommodation each day.
Options - Road bike rental : 160€
- Single room : 190€
- Without bag transfer : -429€
Included All nights in 3 star hotels or agritourismos, based on two persons sharing a double room. Breakfasts, baggage transfers, maps with routes and profiles for each day of riding.
Not included Any other transfers not included in the programme, insurance, drinks, bike hire (see rental rates), lunchtime and evening meals, visit to tourist sites, optional activities and personal expenses.
