Tuscany cycling
Tuscany means art, culture, rolling vineyards, cypress trees and ancient hill villages. You will experience all of these to the full in your rides around this wonderful countryside. Our starting point is Siena, a magical town fabled in traveller's tales for centuries. There are fine wines to taste in the vineyards of Chianti and your hotel on the central Piazza of San Gimignano, is set amidst architectural splendour. Cycling among rolling hills and along the "strade bianche" will lead you on to the old Etruscan stronghold of Volterra. You will marvel at the beauty of the medieval village of Monteriggioni. South of Siena, the landscape of Tuscany is at its most charming with the opportunity of a visit to the old monastery at Monte Oliveto Maggiore...and it's still only a week since you left home!
Day 1: Arrive Siena.
Day 2: Siena to Radda - in - Chianti. This is a short introductory ride, you can extend it if you wish, through rolling vineyards and along a delightful river valley. There are opportunities to do a bit of wine tasting along the way (25km).
Day 3: Radda-in-Chianti to Colle Val d'Elsa. There is a lot to see today including the hill-top town of Castellina-in-Chianti, the walled medieval village of Monteriggioniand the 12th century monastic settlement at Abbadia Isola (35km).
Day 4: A spectacular route westwards over the hills to the Etruscan fortress town of Volterra (32km).
Day 5: Time to explore Volterra and visit the Etruscan museum before the short day's ride to San Gimignano, the 'town of fair towers' (25km).
Day 6: Back to Siena through typical Tuscan countryside of rolling hills, oak forests and small farms (50km).
Day 7: You are free to explore this fascinating city, but the energetic may like to do our circular ride to Monte Olivetto Maggiore and the delightful hill top villages of Murlo and Asciano (70km).
Day 8: Depart Siena.
Self Guided Inn to Inn 8 days
CODE: SCT
GRADE:
CYCLE HIRE: 110,000L
A 21 speed hybrid bike equipped with lock, panniers, repair kit and water bottle. You are advised to bring your own cycle helmet.
TERRAIN: Rolling countryside with some hills making this an enjoyable and varied cycling holiday.
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS: Dinner, bed and breakfast on four days in 3 star hotels with en-suite facilities where available. Clients dine out at their own expense on three evenings.
JOINING POINT: Train from Pisa, Florence or Rome to Siena. Also a bus from Florence.
END OF TOUR: After breakfast on the final day in Siena, take the train to Pisa, Florence or Rome for your return flight.
P I P E S T O N E...T R A V E L
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