This is the bicycle tour of Tuscany you've been looking for, a delightful 8-day ride through some of the western world's most beautiful landscapes. We meet in Greve in Chianti in the heart of the famous Chianti region. We spend two nights here before cycling west to the fairytale town of San Gimignano, where you can use your day off to relax, or to take an additional bike ride. We continue west to Volterra, one of Italy's most famous Etruscan towns, and end our bicycle vacation in the beautiful town of Siena.
Day 1: Our Cycling Tour begins in Greve in Chianti
Highlights: Bike fittings and introductory dinner in Greve in Chianti
We meet in Greve in Chianti today. Greve is the heart of the Chianti region, surrounded by rolling hills covered with beautiful vineyards and olive groves. We'll fit bicycles this afternoon and you can go out for a quick ride if you'd like. We have introductions and will enjoy an inaugural dinner together this evening in a local trattoria.Day 2: Bicycle the Chianti Hills
Highlights: Greve in Chianti to Badia a Coltibuono, wine tasting
We leave after a brief safety meeting this morning to bicycle through the vineyards of Chianti. We'll cycle along the valley of the Greve River and 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!"). Our ride back to Greve takes us through Radda in Chianti, one of they typical towns in the region famous for its wineries and vineyards. Dinner is on your own tonight after a wine tasting of the local Chianti wines. Distance: 83 km (52 miles)Day 3: Bicycle Greve in Chianti to San Gimignano
Highlights: Castellina in Chianti and San Gimignano
Our first stop today is Castellina in Chianti, perhaps the most famous town in the region. Stroll around town and/or visit the fortress before beginning a long downhill bike ride out of the Chianti Hills into the valley of the Elsa River ("Val d'Elsa" in Italian). A loop along the river valley and adjacent hills then takes us up to San Gimignano, one of the best preserved medieval villages in Italy. You can pick up picnic supplies in Poggibonsi and enjoy a view back on the Chianti hills under a shade tree while you eat. We'll be in delightful San Gimignano for two nights where we have dinner together this evening. Distance: 70 km (44 miles).Day 4: Rest day in San Gimignano
Highlights: Alternative Bike Ride to Certaldo where Boccaccio lived or take a rest day
You can plan to spend the day exploring San Gimignano, famous for its many towers (used to be more than 100 in this small center) and people-watching, or take a ride to Certaldo, where Boccaccio, one of Italy's most famous writers, spent the last years of his life. Enjoy Certaldo's red-bricked architecture before returning to San Gimignano. Dinner is on your own this evening in one of the several local restaurants. Distance: 0-26 km (0-16 miles).Day 5: Bicycle from San Gimignano to Volterra
Highlights: Sightseeing in Volterra, Etruscan museum, Roman ruins
We cycle west today to Volterra, one of Italy's most famous Etruscan towns, also famous for its alabaster. Those who wish can bicycle into the rugged hills of southern Tuscany while the rest of us arrive in Volterra for some sightseeing. You'll want to visit the Etruscan museum and both the Etruscan and Roman ruins on your own this afternoon. Dinner together. Distance: 42 - 58 km (26 - 36 miles).Day 6: Rest day in Volterra with optional bicycle ride
Highlights: Etruscan archaeological site, Volterra, optional loop ride
This is a day for cycling into the hills surrounding Volterra, land of the ancient Etruscans, or a relaxing day strolling through town with a visit to the Etruscan archaeological site and museum. Those wanting to bicycle can leave early to make it back to Volterra for lunch, or can take it easy in the morning and enjoy lunch in one of the small hilltop towns. We'll offer a shuttle late morning for those wanting to avoid the climb back into Volterra! Dinner on your own. Today's optional mileage: 52-68 km (32-43 miles).Day 7: Bicycle from Volterra to Siena
Highlights: Cycle through Central Tuscan landscapes and rolling terrain, farewell dinner in historic Siena
Our bike ride today takes us through the picturesque clay hills of southwest Tuscany. Here, lonely shepherds guard their flocks and the occasional cypress tree punctuates the horizon. As we near Siena, olive trees and vineyards carpet the hills. Spend the rest of the day exploring Siena. This fascinating medieval city once rivaled Florence for supremacy in central Italy, and today retains its old-world charm. We'll enjoy a great farewell dinner together this evening. Today's ride: 70 km (44 miles).Day 8: Our bicycle tour ends in Siena
Highlights:
You are on your own after breakfast this morning. It is only a quick train ride from Siena to Florence, where you can catch trains going all directions. Our tour library is available to you for post-tour planning. Perhaps you'll go north to Venice, or south to Rome? Whatever your choice, have a great trip and thanks for cycling with ExperiencePlus!-
HighlightsSiena, Volterra, Greve in Chianti, San Gimignano, bicycling on country roads through vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees
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Includes8 days, 7 nights accommodation, 4 dinners with wine, 1 wine tasting & 7 breakfasts
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CountriesItaly
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Begin/EndFlorence/Siena
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Arrive/DepartPisa, Florence, Rome or Milan
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Total Distance317-375km (198-234 miles)
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Daily Distance26-83 km (16-52 miles)
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What to ExpectHilly terrain. Some cyclists may wish to shuttle over portions of the route. This tour tends to fill very early.
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Rating
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NotesPlease be aware that we stay in San Gimignano on this tour when we can secure hotel space there. Otherwise we stay just outside San Gimignano or in a nearby town and make a day visit to San Gimignano.
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Terms
Please call 1-800-685-4565 or e-mail us for the dates for this tour.
Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.
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City (on route)
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City (not part of route, provided for reference)The guides -- all three of them -- were absolutely top notch in every way ... It was an excellent tour! [ My favorite experience was ] the last day of riding, from Volterra to Siena, was absolutely glorious -- the best day of the trip. And Siena is a wonderful place to end the tour ... a VERY lovely tour of Tuscany. We liked the option of walking with the walkers on our layover days ... Wonderful vacation! Thank you.
Mary M.
Barneveld, WI
Barneveld, WI
Quality experience, great way to explore, loved having local guides, they were very helpful ... [My favorite experiences were] interaction with guides, great weather, feeling confident in the countryside, great bike rides, dinner!
Patrick M.
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins, CO
We truly did enjoy the trip in every way. Also, I wanted to say that I was amazed as we made our plans over the months that every question I emailed was promptly responded to, and usually by Rick himself ... We enjoyed absolutely everything about this tour! The terrain and towns were beautiful. Our guides were wonderful in every way. We enjoyed getting to know them, as well as the other tour participants. The meals together were delicious, and a great opportunity to try local dishes that we might not have otherwise learned about. The hotels were all comfortable, clean, spacious -- nicer than we expected. And the view from our room in San Gimignano was the best I ever hope to have in my life. In a word, everything was perfect -- even the weather!
Ginger H.
Higganum, CT
Higganum, CT
This was my third tour with ExperiencePlus! and they just keep getting better! I can't wait for my next one.
Pat W.
Anchorage, AK
Anchorage, AK
Everything was so well-thought out. The pre-tour information was very useful and thorough. The tour leaders were all outstanding - helpful and very encouraging. I'm so glad 2 of our guides were Italian and we could talk at length about the culture - so different from being a tourist!
Renée D.
Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge, LA
Well it's back to the grindstone, but I wanted to take a few minutes to write you and tell you that for my first biking trip and my first trip to Italy - your company surpassed my expectations! Thank you for giving me some wonderful memories to have forever.
Debra A.
Watertown, MA
Watertown, MA
