| |
| Pedalling
through the Tuscany Countryside |
Guided
Tour 8 days/7 nights
This
extravagant Bicycle Tour is a special and the very best way
to authentically experience the unsurpassed landscapes of Tuscany.
Florence/Siena/Chianti
Regions/San Giovanni D’Asso/Pisa/Florence
|
Florence |
|
| Transfer
from the Florence Airport to relais accommodations. |
|
Radda/Meleto/Lecchi/Castellina
(28km) |
|
| After
breakfast, the bicycles will be assigned and the tour will begin with
a ride through the wooded countryside, taking a classic and rustic
route up to the medieval village of Radda in Chianti and then on to
enchanting Meleto Castle. After a guided visit of the castle we will
ride to Lecchi in Chianti for lunch. After lunch, we will ride on
to Ama Castle and then back to the accommodations. Tonight we will
dine on local specialities at a restaurant in Castellina in Chianti.
(B, L, D) |
|
Castagnoli/Brolio/San
Felice/Vagliagli (35 km) |
|
| This
morning we will take a short ride in a minibus to the countryside
beyond Meleto. Today’s ride will begin near Castagnoli and continues
on to Brolio Castle, home of the “Iron Count who invented the
recipe for Chianti wine. Lunch in a typical restaurant of the region.
Then a visit of the castles gardens. We will then ride on to San Felice
where you will visit the cellars and taste their wines. Tonight’s
supper is in the nearby village of Vagliagli. (B, L, D) |
|
Colle
Val d’Elsa/San Gimignano (30km) |
|
| Today
we will begin with a short ride in the minibus to Colle Val d’Elsa,
a wool-producing centre during the Middle Ages and now the crystal
centre of Italy, to visit a factory that produces hand-blown crystal.
Our bicycle ride will then begin near San Gimignano, our destination,
where you will also visit this jewel-box town of ancient towers. You
are free to lunch on our own before continuing on to a wine producer
to taste San Gimignano’s famous Vernaccia, one of the few white
wines produced in the region. Return to the hotel by minivan, and
tonight diner will be in another tiny village, and member of the ancient
Chianti League. (B, D)) |
|
Val
d’Orcia/Monte Oliveto Maggiore/San Quircio d’Orcia |
|
| This
morning transfer by minibus to the panoramic area of the Val d’Orcia.
A landscape of never ending soft rolling hills, ravines, rugged outcrops
and riverbanks. Then a visit to the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore,
where you can buy the herbal cures and “digestive” liqueurs
that are still produced by the monks. We will then check in at our
hotel at the edge of the village of San Quirico d’Orcia. The
rest of the day free to enjoy the views, the village, or some of the
many biking paths in this area. Tonight we will dine together in the
village. (B, D) |
|
Montalcino/Sant’Angelo
in Colle/Castelnuovo/Sant’Antimo (36 km) |
|
| First
a short van ride to Montalcino, The town, founded it would seem, in
the first decades of the 10th century by refugees from the town of
Roselle . Its stormy history together with defensive requirements
has combined to give Montalcino its picturesque setting. From the
avenues that skirt the walls, we look out on to breathtaking views.
Our bike ride will begin for the area of Sant’Angelo in Colle,
and continue on to Castelnuovo dell’ Abate, where we will stop
for lunch. This afternoon we will visit the working abbey of Sant’Antimo
before continuing on to a local wine cellar to learn about the world-famous
Brunello di Montalcino. In the afternoon ride back to our hotel where
we will have time to relax before dining in Montalcino. (B, L, D) |
|
Pienza/Montefollonico/Petroio/Camprena
(36km) |
|
| Our
first ride will begin at the village of Pienza, known as the first
example of Renaissance town planning (built for Pope Pius II), and
we will continue on to the charming village of Montefollonico, and
then to Petroio where we will visit a local producer of terracotta.
After lunch, we will visit the monastery of Sant’Anna in Camprena
(location for the film “The English Patient”) and then
continue back to Pienza. Our farewell dinner will be a very special
celebration featuring many local specialities and fine regional wines.
(B, D) |
|
Florence |
|
| After
breakfast transfers provided to to the Florence airport or Florence
central station for our continuing journeys. (B) |
|
Departures 2003
May
19
Septembre 21
Octobre 18
| Price
per person
Land only |
| Simple |
Double |
Triple |
| 2879 |
3299 |
2799 |
Package
Includes
-
7
nights in a relais/hotel
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
visits to artisan workshops
-
-
-
Transfer
to and from airport
-
Van
service for clients and baggage
-
Rental
bikes for 5 days and insurances
-
-
|
