Located just east of Tuscany, Umbria is the birthplace of St. Francis and home to some of Italy's best preserved medieval towns. Join us as we pedal through vineyards, past chestnut and oak forests, and over rolling hills to monasteries, castles, and hilltop villages virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. Along the way, you'll enjoy two-night stays in Bevagna, Assisi plus a visit to central Italy's best known ceramics' town, Deruta and a taste of Sagrantino di Montefalco and other Umbrian wines. While enjoying all of the sights and scenery of its better known neighbor to the west, Umbria remains unspoiled by the tourists who flock to Tuscany each year - which makes it one of our favorite destinations.
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.
There are over 175 (km) of extra mileage available to make this a 301 level tour.
Includes
8 days, 7 nights' accommodation; all breakfast, 1 lunch, 4 dinners with wine; guided visit of Assisi; wine tasting
Days 3 and 4 feature climbs in excess of 1,000 feet. Otherwise expect some climbs almost all less than 3 miles. There are over 175 (km) of extra mileage available to make this a 301 level tour.
Highlights: The preserved town of Spoleto, its fortress, the Roman aqueduct
You'll begin your bike experience in the well-preserved medieval town of Spoleto, famous throughout the world for the Festival dei due Mondi, a three week dance, music and opera festival. Arrive early to discover the hidden corners of this fabulous town that dates back to Roman times. Don't miss the Cathedral and a walk to the fortress Fortezza Albornoz on top of Colle Sant' Elia. We'll fit bikes this afternoon before enjoying dinner together.
We leave Spoleto this morning bound for Bevagna and its beautiful medieval Piazza Silvestri, the core of town with Palazzo dei Consoli in the same square dating back to the XIII century. Along the way you'll pass through the town of Trevi, prized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy so take time to explore this hill town as it captures the essence of this dazzling region. We suggest a picnic or restaurant lunch in Trevi, as it affords spectacular views across the entire Umbrian basin.
Distance: 36 km (22 miles). Additional 27 km (17 miles) available. Meals: B, D
DAY 3: Loop ride from Bevagna to Foligno and Montefalco
Highlights: The Roman Via Flaminia and Montefalco and its wines
Your ride today (and yesterday) parallels the historic Via Flaminia, a Roman road built in 220 BC by Consul Gaius Faminius. The road provided Roman soldiers and their families' access to the region around Rimini where they settled. Foligno and Spello were Roman towns while Trevi and Montefalco, our lunch destination, were Medieval. Have lunch in Montefalco and pick up a bottle of Sagrantino, one of Italy's most famous wines, to bring home, or to compliment dinner on your own tonight. Back in Bevagna, we'll enjoy a wine tasting later in the afternoon.
Distance: 50 km (31 miles). Additional 35 km (22 miles) available. Meals: B
Highlights: Bicycle to Assisi and the Roman town of Spello
Today you'll ride through the beautiful Umbrian countryside, dotted with vineyards and olive groves. On your way to Assisi, you'll go through the medieval walled town of Spello, known for its Roman ruins and its two dozen small churches which are home to important works from the likes of Pinturicchio, a Renaissance super star. Stop for a cappuccino before climbing to Assisi along the pilgrimage route "Via degli Ulivi." This afternoon we'll discover some of Assisi's secrets and highlights with an expert guide.
Distance: 38 km (24 miles). Additional 28 km (17 miles) available. Meals: B, D
No need to pack today as you'll enjoy a second night in the famous pilgrimage town of Assisi, home to Italy's patron saint, St. Francis. Assisi is a picturesque medieval town built on a hill overlooking the Umbrian valley. We suggest a loop ride to visit the Hermitage of St. Francis, Eremo delle Carceri with great views of Assisi and Mount Subasio.
Distance: Two options 18 km or 70 km (43 miles). Meals: B
Your ride today takes you to Deruta where you can enjoy scores of ceramic studios. Deruta is famous throughout Italy for classic Italian ceramics (these patterns will be familiar to you from any number of Italian restaurants in the U.S.). After a tour in a local artisan's shop, you'll pedal to a local "agriturismo" for lunch before heading to Torgiano. The famous Lungarotti winery has a museum in the center of Torgiano where you'll have a wine tasting tonight.
We turn west and then pedal through the heart of Umbria today towards Perugia, the ancient and modern capital of Umbria. Perugia is famous for Perugina chocolate and its vibrant old town! We'll have a special farewell dinner together for those doing the 8-day itinerary and leaving tomorrow morning.
Distance: 24 km (15 miles) or 43 km (27 miles). Meals: B, D
Our tour ends after breakfast this morning. Enjoy more of Orvieto - head to Rome, Florence, or join us for the Bicycling Verdant Umbria Plus! Todi and Orvieto which extends this itinerary 3 days.
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.
There are over 175 (km) of extra mileage available to make this a 301 level tour.
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.
Sailing the boat, every afternoon relaxing on the boat after biking and swimming, lovely dinners, hearty breakfasts, bee keepers, traditional dinner out, rides through the islands (up and down!), guides, fellow passengers, crew on the boat-- really it was ALL great.
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.
Gentle
Rolling hills
Hilly
Very hilly
Mountainous
Cycling Italy's Piedmont
Cycling Italy's Piedmont Plus! Lake Maggiore
