Day One: Montepulciano Loop
Welcome to blissful Tuscany. Your guides will toast your arrival with a traditional Prosecco during your bike fitting, safety talk, and map review. Spin at your own pace to the distinctive church of San Biagio on the outskirts of Montepulciano, home of the Vino Nobile. This evening is all about the dolce vita. Our friends Dania and Umberto, the owners of La Chiusa, will show you how the locals live. Dania runs the kitchen, and Umberto always welcomes you as his friend. You will taste the region’s gourmet specialties, grown on the Chiusa’s estate. Unwind and let this heavenly Tuscan vacation start to fully sink in.
Meals: Dinner
Cycling through: Montefollonico & Montepulciano
Accomplished: 23.2 km / 14.50 miles
Day Two: Pienza Loop
Enjoy a loop ride to Pienza, an architectural gem – designed as the ideal Medieval town, and often described as the most beautiful village in Tuscany. In Pienza you will have the time to meander the cobbled streets, sit at a café trying your Italian, people watch, shop for ceramics, and taste the famous local pecorino. After lunch, the optional ride is challenging yet spectacular, you’ll feel like you are cycling through a movie set, bicycling through the rustic villages of Val d’Orcia on roads lined with cypress trees.
Meals: Breakfast/ Dinner
Cycling through: Montefollonico, Pienza, St.Anna in Camprena & Petroio
Accomplished: 37 km/ 23 miles
Day Three: Montefollonico -
To the land of the Brunello wines, today’s cycling route is challenging, but one of the most beautiful rides in Tuscany. We begin with a downhill stretch that affords a breathtaking view of Monte Amiata, the highest peak in Tuscany. We will meet outside of Montalcino for a delicious lunch at a local Osteria. In the late afternoon, enjoy free time to roam the narrow streets of Montalcino, a picturesque town famous for Brunello wines and medieval architecture. This evening, we’ll enjoy another classic Tuscan meal in the village.
Meals: Breakfast/ Dinner
Cycling through: Monteffolonico, Pienza, Bagno Vignoni, Castiglione D’Orcia, St. Antimo Abbey & Montalcino.
Accomplished: 55.7 km/ 34 miles
Day Four: Montalcino -
Today you will spin to the 14th c. Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, and perhaps view the famous Renaissance frescoes inside. After an invigorating ride, we’ll enjoy a real Tuscan picnic prepared by your guides. In the afternoon we’ll arrive in Siena, a medieval city with beautifully preserved Gothic architecture built around the Piazza del Campo. Here you’ll have time to shop while exploring the many hidden medieval walkways. Have dinner at a local trattoria; this is your free night.
Meals: Breakfast/ Gourmet Picnic
Accomodation: Villa Scacciapensieri
Cycling through: Buonconvento, Abbey of Monte Oliveto di Maggiore, Asciano, Vescona, Taverne D’Arbia & Siena
Accomplished: 52.5 km/ 32.50 miles
Day Five: Siena – Radda in Chianti
Ride deep into the hills of Chianti past rows of olive trees and tall cypress. Bike past vast stretches of beautiful vineyards, the birthplace of the famous Chianti Classico, that has been in production for centuries.
Stop for a wine tasting a the famed Castello di Bossi, where they make wines from innovation and tradition. After the tasting pedaling along winding panoramic roads to the ancient village of Radda in Chianti.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Cycling through: Siena, Taverne D’Arbia, Castello di Brolio & Radda in Chianti
Accomplished: 40.5 km/ 25 miles
Day Six: Radda – San Gimignano -
Shuttle through the stunning hills of Radda to visit San Gimignano, the Manhattan of Tuscany, then off to Florence where we will transfer you to the train station.
Meals: Breakfast
Visit: San Gimignano
Accomplished: Total Satisfaction
TRIP TOTAL: 208.9 KM/ 129 MILES, averaging 40-
Tuscany is hilly, and on this bike trip you will experience hilly days. A comforting part of this trip is the van. We make it very clear that as our guest you should never hesitate to use the van when you have had enough.
Tuscany Destination Dates
2009 April 26/4 -
2009 May 3 -
2009 June 14 -
2009
July 5 -
2009 August 30/8 -
2009 September 6 -
2009 October 4 -
