Guided bike tour of Italy Chianti region and southern Tuscany 2012

Difficulty

Location: Tuscany, Italy

Distance: 170 km (0 km/day)

Type: group

Interest:

Type of Biking: Road Bike

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Cycling, Wine & Gourmet Feast in Tuscany - Supported

Overview
Itinerary & Map
Bikes & Services
Accommodations & Dates

About your bike tour

On this single guided bike tour of Italy's Chianti region and southern Tuscany, we'll indulge in wine tastings, wine cellar visits and gourmet Tuscan cuisine.

We'll ride through the wine regions of Chianti Classico, Nobile di Monetpulciano and Brunello di Montalcine. We'll stay in 3 star-superior & 4 star local hotels and country house lodgings, and our meals, including a cooking demonstration, will bring local Tuscan specialties alive.

The regions south of Florence and Siena produce some of the most renowned red wines in the world. Cycling through the Chianti Classico region, characterized by short and steep hills dotted with vineyards and forest, drastically increases the enjoyment of that famous wine!

Further south, the wine towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano are set against the impressive background of the low, sweeping hills of the Val d’Orcia. Medieval and Renaissance history seep through the stones of small hilltop towns as wine smells permeate the air everywhere.

High quality road bike or hybrid included in the tour price. Longer cycling routes of 75-85 kilometers are possible.

What we love

the price of this tour package includes the bikes, five dinners with wine, wine tastings and a dedicated with support vehicle
cycling through the famous vineyards of Chianti

What to know

minimum of 6 people for this tour

Photos of this bike tour

Travel destinations on the map

— Day 1: Florence (Tuscany)

Highlights: Florence, Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo's David

We meet at our hotel in Florence today, where we'll fit bicycles this afternoon. Our hotel is located on the Arno River, with an eye towards the Ponte Vecchio, and is a perfect spot to begin your explorations of Florence.

We'll enjoy an inaugural dinner together this evening in a local trattoria.

55 km / alternative route: 75 km Day 2: Panzano (Tuscany)

Highlights: Piazzale Michelangelo, Greve in Chianti

We head south from Florence today, passing through Piazzale Michelangelo for a bird’s eye view of the city before dipping into the Chianti hills.

The landscape in the Chianti is characterized by short and steep hills dotted with forests and vineyards. We’ll see plenty of vineyards as we pedal along the Greve River through the small town of Greve to our hotel in nearby Panzano.

35 km / alternative route: 60 km Day 3: Panzano (Tuscany)

Highlights: Badia a Coltibuono, wine tasting

Our first destination today is the small town of Radda in Chianti. We’re heading to the Badia a Coltibuono, famous for its monastery and vineyards, built and planted by monks in 1051 (the name in fact means "abbey of the good harvest!").

We’ll have a thorough visit to the winery here, complete with a wine tasting, as you can also enjoy the swimming pool and luxurious grounds

50 km / alternative route: 80 km Day 4: Asciano (Tuscany)

Highlights: Bicycle through vineyards, Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscan country house

We bicycle the southern part of the Chianti region today and skirt Siena, Florence’s historic nemesis, before arriving at our destination of Asciano.

We’ll spend the night in a traditional country house, enjoying hearty food, local wines and beautiful scenery

40 km / alternative route: 70 km Day 5: Montalcino (Tuscany)

Highlights: Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore, “crete senesi”, Brunello di Montalcino

We change wine regions today, reaching southern Tuscany and one of the most important Italian wines, the Brunello di Montalcino (which rivals Piedmont’s Barolo wine as the most important Italian red wine). But first, we recommend a stop at the Abbazia Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a Benedictine abbey built in the 13th century and famous for its frescoed cloister and stunning setting.

We’re riding through the famous chalk hills of Siena, known as the “crete senesi”. After a screaming downhill to Buonconvento, another small climb brings us to our destination.

Wine tasting and dinner together tonight

— Day 6: Montalcino (Tuscany)

Highlights: Orcia Valley, Abbey of Sant'Antimo, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico d'Orcia

Our scenic loop route takes us to the edge of the Orcia Valley, characterized by lower hills which allow a more sweeping view to the horizon than the Chianti region.

We visit the famous Abbey of Sant'Antimo before continuing on through Castiglione d’Orcia to Bagno Vignoni, a Medieval spa town. Then, we pedal through the town of San Quirico d’Orcia (stop for a walk in the old town) and return to Montalcino for the evening

40 km / alternative route: 70 km Day 7: Montepulciano (Tuscany)

Highlights: Pienza and its cheeses, pedaling the ridge of Orcia valley, Montepulciano

We turn east and pedal along the ridge of the Orcia Valley through the town of Pienza, one of the first of the planned Renaissance towns. With the help of a number of prominent architects Pope Pius II turned his small hometown into a piece of art in the 16th century. Today the town is also known for its pecorino (sheep) cheese; you’ll smell its fame as you enter town!

After a visit and lunch in Pienza, we’ll continue to Montepulciano, famous for its wine “Nobile di Montepulciano” and “Rosso di Montepulciano”.

We’ll have a wine tasting this afternoon in town before our final dinner together at our villa outside of town

— Day 8: Chiusi (Tuscany)

We’ll shuttle to the Chiusi-Chianciano train station where trains head north to Florence or south to Rome. Enjoy your travels!

Arrival Info

Airoprt and main train station in Florence, taxi to hotel.

Departure Info

Trains from Chiusi to Florence or Rome.

Road bike

included in tour price

Hybrid II

included in tour price

Hybrid I

included in tour price

Hybrid I

Included

Rental of a quality road bike or hybrid bicycle included
1 dedicated guide with support vehicle
8 days, 7 nights
Accommodation in 3 star superior, 4 star and country house lodging
5 dinners with wine
1 lunch
2-4 wine tastings and/or wine cellar visits, cooking class
all breakfasts
shuttle to Chiusi Chianciano train station at tour end

Not included

minimum number of participants - 6

Accommodation & Rates

$2,929: Double Room (1 bed)
$2,929: Double Room (2 beds)
$3,589: Single Room

Seasons

Off Season Discount

- $0.00: Early 2013 (January 31st – March 29th)

Photos of Accommodation

Photos are examples, actual hotel & room may vary.

Tour Season

April 23rd – October 8th 2012

Tour Dates

~~Mon, Apr 23 2012~~ Outdated
~~Mon, May 14 2012~~ Outdated
~~Mon, Jun 04 2012~~ Outdated
~~Mon, Jun 25 2012~~ Outdated
~~Mon, Sep 10 2012~~ Outdated
~~Mon, Oct 01 2012~~ Outdated
New tour dates coming soon!

Questions & Answers about this bike tour

Your tour from Florence through Chianti Region and sourthern Tuscany looks fantastic. We are a group of 10 that are advanced beginner to moderately advanced bikers, ages 55-65. Experience in three different cycling vacations in Europe with varying levels of difficulty but mostly relatively easy to moderate. What is the level of difficulty of your tour? Also, we have an interest in travel either the last week of June or first week of July. Interested in active cycling, food, wine and learning about the culture. What are your dates and prices? We need to make a decision in the next week due to other commitments. Thank you so much. Steve Follett