Biking Italy: Umbria. This self guided bike tour allows you to visit Umbria's famous hill towns: Cortona, Perugia, Assisi, Spello, Spoleto, Todi and Orvieto. And while this tour will show you the loveliest sights Umbria has to offer, we’ve managed to keep the difficulty level low. We have chosen Terontola as an arrival point becouse it is an important railway station with easy connection to the whole of Europe.
Day 1: Cortona
Arrival at Terontola railwaystation and transfer to Cortona.
Day 2: Cortona & Solomeo (45
kms; 1.6 km equals 1 mile)
Our representative will meet you at your hotel to bring you the bikes
and the informative kit, and he will be ready to answer any last-minute
questions about the tour. Trasimeno Lake is known for its olive-covered
hills, the lovely villages and the bamboo along shores, a resting place
for migrating birds. Take a boat to Isola Maggiore where Italian matrons
weave their laces using the same techniques their great-grandmothers used.
Isola Maggiore is home to Saurno’s, where you can taste some of the
world’s freshest, most delicious fish. Discover Montecorognola Viewpoint
over the lake, Monte del Lago and San Feliciano fishing village. You’ll
spend the night in a lovely country inn.
Day 3: Solomeo & Perugia (32 km)
Your day destination is Perugia, Umbria’s largest city, with its
fine square and communal palace, its renaissance painting collection, and
the Rocca Paolina, the subterranean town . Perugia is also a great place
to shop for those perfect Italian mementos in some of the fashionable shops
and boutiques.
Day 4: Perugia & Bevagna or Cannara (35 km)
You’ve now reached the heart of Umbria. Visit a famous ceramic makers'
workshop in Duruta. You’ll also see Torgiano, home of Lungarotti
Wineries. If you’re nervous about biking downhill after a winetasting,
there’s a charming little wine museum to visit. Bevagna is one of
the nicest towns in Umbria, right in the heart of the wine country; in
June it hosts a delightful medieval festival.
Day 5: Bevagna, Assisi, Spello & Bevagna (about 50 km)
In fact your inn is 10 to 15 km from Assisi, so today you’ll ride
from your inn to Assisi and visit this legendary town; most probably the
upper part of the San Francis Basilica will be repaired by next springonly
thing which will not be in order by next spring ; then ride to Spello a
very nice and less turistic small town on the Subasio slopes. You will
be able to chose between a longer and thougher ride or a shorter and easier
one. Dinner and repose at the same inn.
Day 6: Bevagna & Spoleto (43 km)
Today you’ll cycle down in the central valley along the wine road.
You’ll visit Montefalco, a town with graceful architecture and beautiful
frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli. Then have a lovely ride along the riverbanks
before arriving in Spoleto, world famous for its Summer Festival. You will
spend the night in town.
Day 7: Spoleto & Todi (42 km)
The final two days of the tour are slightly more challenging, now that
you’ve grown used to the Umbrian hills. There are some rises on
the way from Spoleto to Todi. Todi’s main square is said to be
the most beautiful in Italy, and there are several very fine churches
worth a special trip.
Day 8: Todi/Orvieto (38 km)
Last but not least the road from Todi to Orvieto winds and turns through
a rugged, beautiful landscape. Enjoy the alluring views over Lake Corbara.
The Etruscan town of Orvieto dominates the valleys. The surrounding cliffs
are made of soft, russet Tufi stone. The ancient Etruscans took advantage
of the stone’s softness, and carved tombs and cellars throughout
them. These are now one of Italy’s archaeological treasures.
Day 9:
Your tour ends today at the Orvieto train station, but the warmth and memories
you've made will be more than enough for a lifetime.
2008 Season
We're ready when you are! Call us with your dates, and we'll set the wheels in motion!
Prices
$2295 CDN per person, based on double occupancy, minimum
of two people
Hybrid bike rental: $229 Cdn
Road bikes are available at $329
Inclusions
• 6 nights' accommodation in half-board
• 2 nights in a B&B
• luggage transfers, when needed
• luggage transfers at each change of inn
• detailed road book and maps
If you want to do this bike tour of Umbria, but prefer the convenience of a guide, then we can accommodate you! As a guided tour (minimum of 4 people), the charge is $2995 based on double occupancy. Call our office for details; it's so exciting when you do!
