This bicycle experience merges refined lodging and cycling through unique parts of Southern Tuscany. This is a focused exploration of two locations in the Maremma region of Tuscany, squeezed between the Tyrhennian Sea and the volcanic lake region north of Rome. For three nights you’ll enjoy a countryside resort which is a springboard for great days of cycling to the sea, where fishing villages and beaches bring the coast to life. Retreat to the resort’s olive grove and spend the afternoon lounging near the pool, or enjoy optional activities such as art classes, cooking classes, in-depth culinary activities, or get back in the saddle and go mountain biking or horse back riding! Your next resort is in the beautiful, small village of Sovana, where you'll enjoy a unique and magnificent landscape as you pedal to small Tufa towns, built with and into the soft tufa (volcanic stone) prevalent in this area. Here too, enjoy the immense hotel grounds with its natural swimming pool and sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. This is a relaxing bicycle holiday that provides great cycling, exceptional lodging and time on your own to simply relax or do a myriad of other activities.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Spotlight tour at the Spotlight Tour Style page.
* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
Less packing and more relaxing with a 3 and 2-night hotel stay, Argentario and Orbetello, Tuscan Maremma, Giardino dei Tarocchi, Talamone, cheese tasting, Tufa towns of Sovana, Sorano and Pitigliano, Etruscan Hildebrand tomb, free time and optional activities after morning rides.
Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Spotlight tour at the Spotlight Tour Style page.
Includes
5 nights lodging; meals as noted in itinerary; group shuttle from Rome's Fiumicino to the tour start, and from Sovana to Orvieto; Pecorino cheese visit/tasting.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Spotlight tour at the Spotlight Tour Style page.
DAY 1: Meet at Rome's Fiumicino airport to shuttle to Maremma
Highlights: Maremma, Lunch in the countryside, Tarot Garden
We will start the day with a shuttle from Rome's Fiumicino airport to our country resort in the Tuscany region of Maremma. We will enjoy lunch together before our bike fitting and first loop ride. On the test ride we recommend you visit the Tarot Garden, an esoteric sculpture garden based on Tarot cards, designed by the French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. This garden is home to one of the most amazing outdoor sculpture gardens in the world. Opened in 1998, it is something between an Antonio Gaudí or Salvatore Dali exhibit and a Cristo installation. Once back at the hotel, you can lounge by the pool or ride a few extra miles to explore the small hilltop village of Capalbio. Enjoy getting lost in the intricate alley ways of this picture perfect village or visit the tiny castle with its magnificent view of the surrounding landscape. Though you won't be lost for long, you will gain an understanding for the defensive strategy of building villages that are reminiscent of a maze.
Highlights: Monte Argentario, Spanish Forts, Porto Ercole, Tuscan coast
We cycle towards the coast today, riding parallel to it as we reach Monte Argentario, a small mountain emerging from the sea and connected to the mainland by two sand bars which form a lagoon. Here you’ll find Orbetello - a once thriving fishing village, in the middle of the lagoon. Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano are the two main villages of Monte Argentario and were once important open water ports, the huge defensive fortresses you see today were built by the Spanish. Cycle up to the main fort for a majestic view over Porto Ercole and the coast, take the opportunity to enjoy a snack or beverage as you overlook the bay. Return by shuttle or bicycle back to the hotel (an additional 46 km and 521 meters of climbing). Be sure to consider that there are a wide variety of optional afternoon activities including cooking demonstrations, winery or olive oil visits or just relaxing by the pool.
We'll pedal north toward Magliano this morning before turning towards the Tyrrenian coast to reach the small village of Talamone. Perched high on a rocky promontory overlooking a picturesque gulf, this tiny village gets its name from Greek legends. Once upon a time this was an important Etruscan port, today it is a sleepy fishing village with an imposing fortress overseeing the village and its beaches. Enjoy some time here before shuttling or cycling back to the hotel (47 km and 390 meters of climbing) where you can enjoy an optional visit to an herbal liqueur maker in town or a yoga class at the hotel. Or, how about a horseback ride? You have a few options for dinner tonight - opt for the hotel restaurant or enjoy a unique barbecue dinner on the grounds.
Highlights: Tufa town of Sovana, Pecorino cheese, Etruscan tomb optional visit
Today's ride is rewarding and a little more challenging as you make your way to Sovana. This beautifully situated Etruscan town is literally carved into the local tufa (volcanic stone). Along the way, take the opportunity to stop and visit a local dairy and discover the secrets of Tuscan Pecorino cheese from the cheese maker himself. This afternoon, take part in an optional guided visit of the monumental Etruscan Hildebrand tomb, one of the most famous and well-preserved tombs of the area where you'll wander through canyon-like alleyways sculpted from stone! Settle into the hotel for the evening or head to the center of town to sit and enjoy a drink, surrounded by remarkable tufa stone buildings.
Highlights: Pitigliano and Orsini Family Palaces, Etruscan archaeological sites, Sorano
Today’s loop ride takes us to the striking towns of Sorano and Pitigliano, both of which are perched high on cliffs of tufa stone. Similar to Sovana, these towns have Etruscan origins and impressive archaeological remnants. Built between the 10th and 15th centuries, they were held by important Roman families, the Aldobrandeschi (Sorano) and the Orsini (Pitigliano) until their fall to the Medici, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Their elaborate palaces still stand in the center of both towns. For those who can't stand the idea of ending their ride in Tuscany there is the option to add another 26 km and 571 meters. Once back at the hotel, enjoy a swim in the pool, a pasta making demonstration, or further exploration of the surrounding archaeological sites. Tonight we'll toast our adventure and savor a celebratory dinner together.
DAY 6: Buon viaggio - shuttle to Orvieto train station
Highlights: Group shuttle to the Orvieto train station
Say goodbye after breakfast. We'll shuttle you to the Orvieto train station where you can catch trains north to Florence or south to Rome. If you have the time, we highly recommend you spend a few days in Orvieto to enjoy this spectacular town.
Meet at Rome's Fiumicino airport to shuttle to Maremma
Your tour starts with a complimentary ExperiencePlus! shuttle pick-up at the Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) on Day 1 (your spot is already reserved on this shuttle):
Meeting Time: 10:30 a.m.
Meeting spot: Semplicemente Roma Bar*
*Note: Terminal 3, Semplicemente Roma Bar is located on the very left corner after you exit the luggage pick-up and Police control. Find a map
here (only available in Italian).
Day 6: Departure Information
Buon viaggio - shuttle to Orvieto train station
Your tour ends with a complimentary ExperiencePlus! shuttle drop-off at the Orvieto train station on the final day of the tour at 10:30 a.m. Reservations are required. Please make your shuttle reservation by emailing us no later than 30 days prior to your tour start date.
If you do not join the shuttle, you will be responsible for your own transportation
The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying out of the Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
Train from Orvieto to Roma Termini (80 minutes/fares vary, no pre-purchase necessary)
Leonardo Express from Roma Termini to the Rome Airport (32 min/EUR 14) or Taxi (30 min/EUR 48)
There are also frequent train connections to Florence, taking just under 2 hours.
We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Spotlight tour at the Spotlight Tour Style page.
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To Do Today!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation Email, it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed. As you make your plans refer to the Getting To and Away sent to you in your booking confirmation email it provides meeting times and the starting and ending hotels and shuttle information when applicable.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights. Please refer to the Getting To and Away sheet you received in your Reservation Confirmation Email.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Deposit Payment Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail you have received for detailed instructions.
6 Weeks–2 Weeks Prior to Departure
Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Suggested Reading and Movie List which you'll find on the country page linked from the www.experienceplus.com/travelinfo page.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Mountainous
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