For a truly unique vacation, let Pedal and Sea Adventures introduce you to a world of history, beauty and amazing culinary riches during our bicycle tour of Tuscany. After exploring Florence—considered the loveliest city in all of Italy—on your own, we’ll guide you south through Chianti country enroute to Pienza. Along the way we will pass through the charming towns of Greve, San Gimignano, Siena, and Montalcino—to name just a few of the best known. Our itinerary provides ample opportunity to explore the incredible places you will be encountering, and to taste food and wine so savory and fresh that it will make you weak in the knees. Tuscany will always be known for its gastronomic abundance and celebration of life.
The medieval town of Siena is far too fascinating, and we'll enjoy it thoroughly. We’ll also spend two days in Pienza so you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful day of cycling or walking through Montalcino—and ending the day in a natural thermal bath. We believe our Tuscany bike tour has something for everyone!
Biking Tuscany: Day one
We’ll meet you at the airport in Florence and shuttle you to Greve,
the starting point of an unforgettable adventure. After settling in, we’ll
fit your bicycles and, for those interested, go on a short ride around
the area to help get your legs ready for the days ahead. We have a welcome
dinner planned for tonight, so you’ll enjoy your first Tuscan meal,
perhaps accompanied by a fine Chianti. One objective of our tour of Tuscany
is to eat fewer kilometers than you ride. Good luck! Our first night is
spent at The Agritourist
Anna.
Day two (48 km; 1.6 km equals 1 mile)
Today is the bicycle tour's most challenging ride, but not to worry—
the van will be nearby in case anyone needs a boost. Plan to spend some
time in Greve—
only 2.7 kms downhill from the inn— before continuing on. You'll
ride by two charming castles and a church dating back to the twelfth century,
so please do remember extra film or memory sticks in your day pack! After
checking into your room, you might want to sample the local Vernaccia,
a delicious light white wine produced in the area. It was Michelangelo's
favorite. For the next two nights we'll stay at Poggio
Alloro.
Day three (30-50 km)
After another great breakfast we head out on a loop ride with a
stop in San Gimignano for lunch and a stroll around one of Italy's
famous hilltop towns before heading back to our inn for the night.
San Gimignano rises on a hill (334 m high) dominating the Elsa
Valley with its towers. Once the seat of a small Etruscan village
of the Hellenistic period (300-200 BC), it began its life as a
town in the tenth century, taking its name from the Holy Bishop
of Modena, St. Gimignano, who is said to have saved the village
from barbarian hordes. After our return to Poggio
Alloro, a swim might be in order before yet another Tuscan feast.
Day four (32 km)
Today's ride begins with breathtaking nine kilometers downhill. The spectacular
scenery continues as you make your way up to Castellina, your home for
the night. For those with stamina to spare, there are plenty of options
once you reach your accommodations. For most, though, the lure of Castellina
and its fine wines will prove too tempting. Relax and enjoy the beauty
of this charming Tuscan town. Lodging: Hotel
il Colombaio
Day five (20 km, with options)
A great ride today with plenty of downhill. We've shortened the biking
distance to allow for more time in Sienna, an extraordinary historical
town, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll also want to spend
some time relaxing in your magnificent hotel. The center of town is about
a 15-minute walk from the beautiful Hotel Chiusarelli
Day six (60 km)
The landscape will change dramatically today as you make your way to
Pienza, where The English Patient was filmed. We’ll ride through
a couple of villages that time has forgotten and—weather permitting—witness
a most spectacular sunset from the walls of Pienza before yet another feast.
Our last two nights together will be spent at Hotel
Chiusarelli.
Day seven (68 km ride and/or hiking*)
This morning we have you cycling from Pienza to Montalcino-the heart
of Brunello, one of Tuscany’s (and the world's) most-famous wine regions.
After visiting this beautiful hilltop town, a great downhill leads to the Abbey
of Sant' Antimo, a 12th-century monastery where the monks still celebrate Mass
using Gregorian chants. Afterwards, we’ll lunch at one of our favorite trattorias,
and then continue on to Bagno Vignoni for a relaxing bath in a natural
thermal pool. Then we head to Chateaux
Relais Il Chiostro.
*For anyone interested in trading in their cycling shoes for hiking shoes, we can drive to Montalcino, do a little shopping and sightseeing, and then hike to the Abbey of Sant' Antimo. The hike is approximately 3 hours. After lunch we would continue to a nearby village and soak away the afternoon in the thermal pool while waiting for the cyclists to catch up to us. We would end the day with a quick shuttle back to Pienza.
Day eight
The tour finishing this day, with a transfer to the Chuisi train station.
We're always sad to part, but we know the friendships we make in Tuscany
will continue to enrich our lives in the years ahead!
2008 Season
April 21-28 • May 12-19 • June 16-23 • June
30-July 7 •
September 29-October 6 • October 20-27 •
Custom groups anytime!
We also offer a cooking and
walking tour of Tuscany & Umbria
Prices
$2995 Cdn, based on double occupancy
Our US prices are dependent upon exchange rates
20 per cent single supplement
Bike: $215 (Cdn)
Inclusions
• 7 nights' accommodation
• 6 dinners, 1 lunch, 7 breakfasts
• van support, guides, snacks, & refreshments
