Outdoor Tours > Italy > Biking Tuscan Trails
Italy: Biking Tuscan Trails
Tuscany, Italy - 6 nights
Bike along Tuscan trails and experience the hill towns and ancient abbeys during this seven day memorable journey. The heart of Chianti is called Chianti Classico, and it's one of Tuscany's most beautiful areas. Still densely forested with tiny medieval villages, one can easily project back in time and imagine falconers on horseback roaming through these woods. But for modern-day cyclists, it also offers rich rewards: pristine landscapes, challenging rides, and a table laden with homemade pasta at the end of each day. You'll also see the castle where Chianti was invented and the town where Decameron author Boccaccio was born. Plus, you'll tour the wonderfully preserved medieval cities of Siena and San Gimignano, visit an olive oil press, and get deeply acquainted with Chianti Classico, Super Tuscan, and Vernaccia wines.
Highlights:
- Wine estates: Volpaia, Dievole, Cesani & more
- Biking: 25-37 mile routes (plus optional loops)
- Brolio: a crenellated castle and birthplace of Chianti
- Badia a Coltibuono: an ancient abbey and cooking school
- The medieval towers of San Gimignano
- Certaldo: the birthplace of Boccaccio
Your Week in Tuscany
 Day 1 - Ancient abbeys
We begin with a short but challenging warm-up ride that takes us to a Chianti Classico landmark: the Castello di Volpaia, a medieval borgo on a steep hilltop whose ancient buildings are now almost fully occupied by equipment and workers who make Volpaia's olive oil and esteemed wines. Here we'll get a tour and our first taste of Chianti Classico and its "Super Tuscan" rival. For dinner we visit another medieval landmark: the Badia a Coltibuono, a former 11th century abbey where the monks produced some of Chianti's earliest wines, and where Lorenza di Medici famous cooking school is located. Here begins our introduction to Tuscan cuisine, which includes such
specialties as tomato soup (pappa pomodoro), rustic bread salad with tomatoes and basil (panzanella), and wild boar (cinghiale). [12 miles]
 Day 2 - Chianti's Iron Baron & Black Rooster
Lush woods, mountain-ridge vistas, silvery olive groves, wispy poplars, rolling acres of Sangiovese vineyards, and quaint villages from the ancient Chianti League are what's in store on today's bike ride, which stops for lunch in the wine town of Gaiole in Chianti. Our afternoon tasting takes us nearby to the family-run Cacchiano wine estate, located in a magnificent medieval castle, where we'll taste their splendid Chiantis. Afterwards, we'll stroll in the town of Radda in Chianti, once the capital of the Chianti League, and hear how the black rooster came to be Chianti Classico's symbol. Dinner is at a cozy local restaurant, located smack in the middle of a vineyard. [25 miles]
Day 3 - The Art of Siena
 Today we'll take a break from our biking and spend the day in Siena. We'll start with a cappuccino at Siena's most famous coffee bar, and sample their panforte, a dense cake laced with nuts, candied fruits, and spices - an ancient Sienese specialty. We'll then tour Siena's splendid Palazzo
Publico or City Hall, which houses several masterpieces of Italian Gothic fresco painting by Simone Martini and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. We'll also visit Siena's massive black-and-white striped cathedral, home to artworks by Michelangelo and Pinturicchio. After lunch and time to shop, we'll continue onward to a tasting at Dievole. This property dates back over 700 years, but its owners know a few things about modern marketing, offerings an elaborate and entertaining presentation of their wines. Dinner is in a charming countryside trattoria with outdoor dining next to an olive grove.
Day 4 - From Chianti to San Gimignano
Today we pass from the Chianti Classico region into the zone of Vernaccia of San Gimignano. As we bike along a mountain ridge with magnificent views, we'll encounter the historic town of Castellina in Chianti. Once a fortified city, it's now a sweet wine town with a well-preserved historical center. Our ride ends at our hotel, a restored palazzo with a vineyard and a great view of San Gimignano. This region is home to Vernaccia, a white wine acclaimed ever since the 1200s. In 1643 Michelangelo Buonarotti the Younger wrote that it "kisses, licks, bites, slaps and stings." We'll test out that theory out after our ride, when we pay a visit to Pietraserena, and sample their impressive Vernaccia and stellar Merlot. Dinner is family-style in the medieval borgo of San Donato, where the home cooking might feature such items as handmade pasta with porcini mushrooms, pasta fagioli, a thick bean and pasta soup, and grilled meat skewers. It will no doubt end with a Tuscan staple: almond cookies (cantucci) dipped in sweet Vin Santo wine. [37 miles]
Day 5 - The wine roads of Vernaccia
 Our loop ride takes us on ancient roads that once hosted pilgrims on their journey to Rome. Nowadays you're likely to see more pheasants than pilgrims along these back roads, which traverse the countryside surrounding San Gimignano, a place of rolling hills, scenic views, and deep woods filled with prized porcini mushrooms and black truffles. These are also the wine roads of the DOCG zone of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which we'll sample at our afternoon tasting at Panizzi. Here's we'll also get acquainted with this region's Chianti, known as Chianti Colli Senesi. We'll then spend time in the city of towers, San Gimignano, see its magnificent Italian Gothic frescos, and climb the tallest tower for an unbeatable view of the Tuscan countryside. Dinner on your own in San Gimignano. [25 miles]
Day 6 - Boccaccio's birthplace
This morning's ride loops through classic Tuscan landscapes with cypress trees, vineyards, and olive groves on our way to Certaldo, the birthplace of Decameron author Boccaccio. We'll visit the impressive Palazzo Publico of this towering hilltown, then bike back to San Gimignano for lunch. In the afternoon we'll sample a variety of Vernaccia whites and Super Tuscans at Cesani, a relative newcomer to the area who makes award-winning wines. Our farewell dinner is at Dorando, whose owners have meticulously researched the food of Etruscan, Medieval, and Renaissance times. Their updates include bici pasta laced with mint and walnuts, tagliatelle with pumpkin and truffles, rabbit with spices, and a refreshing homemade lemon sorbet.
Day 7 - Buon viaggio!
A shuttle to Florence and assistance with your travel plans.
| BOOKING INFORMATION |
| 2007 FEES PER PERSON |
DEPOSIT |
Minimum of 4 people
Double Room ....................... $2,995
(3 star accommodation)
Single Room Supplement ....... TBA
Bike Rental ........................... $250
Meet and Depart: Florence
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After availability is confirmed, a non-refundable deposit of $400 per person and the completed and
submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 60 days before your arrival date. |
| 2008 DATES |
INCLUDED |
| Inquire within.
Available for custom tours only. Minimum
group size: 4. Itinerary can be customized, with more daily mileage and less
wine tastings, greater or fewer days, upgrade in hotel accommodations,
and/or exclusion of meals. Price varies accordingly.
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Breakfasts, one lunch or picnic and all dinners except one, all tastings and wine at dinner, charming 3 and 4 star hotels, many in renovated villas, palazzi, abbeys, or on wine estates and all with private baths.
Transportation: We provide one van pick-up on day of arrival/departure at designated train station or airport (call for times). All ground transport during stay. Airfare, most lunches, transportation to start/end points (except for above shuttle) and personal expenses are not included.
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For further inquiries or to register, click here.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations must be received in writing 60 days prior to the date of departure. You will receive a refund, less a $75/person cancellation fee (less the $50 per person non-refundable booking fee). Between 59-45 days prior to the start date, you may apply 40% of the tour price towards a future trip departing within one year of the cancellation date. Cancellations made less than 45 days before the start of the trip will result in the loss of all monies received. No refunds will be made for a cancellation during the course of the tour, nor for unused portions of the trip. No exceptions to our cancellation policy are made, including weather or personal emergency. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
CLIENT REMARKS
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