Undiscovered Tuscany: Maremma Bike Tour
Bike Tuscany where you are a part of the perfection and harmony of this glorious place. Cycle through picturesque landscapes, visit historically authentic villages, and enjoy the amazing flavors of this region. Siciclando’s Maremma Bike Tour puts you in touch with a quieter part of Tuscany, an area still undiscovered by most – in the Etruscan area of southwestern Tuscany. Where local traditions endure and ancient civilizations echo through the present. This Italian bike tour offers the perfect balance of biking through vivid countryside and along the Tyrrhenian Sea. We have created bike routes that give you optional extensions, allowing you to get just the right amount of biking to fit your needs. We will take you through a region that sees fewer tourists and offers authentic experiences that make this tour memorable.
The Undiscovered Tuscany: Maremma Biking Tour is a special tour to Siciclando. Although Tuscany is a popular destination, Maremma is a unique and quiet setting for rich experiences. We have carefully chosen authentic places and settings to make this a memorable trip – a great choice for the romantic.
We will begin this exciting tour in the picturesque town of Orvieto, where you will discover many fascinating aspects of this beautiful place. You will be taken by the charm of this medieval town during a guided walk which will take you to a beautiful Gothic-style cathedral and then on to the Palazzo del Gusto (The Palace of Taste). This is an old monastery that now plays an important role in the slow food movement founded in 1989 as a response to fast food and fast paced lifestyles. There is a strong focus on maintaining local food traditions and creating awareness of the pleasure and responsibility of cooking and eating well.
The first ride will take you to Sovana, an amazing medieval village set in the south of Tuscany. This charming town is inluded in the list of the most beautiful villages of Italy. You will bike surrounded by the breathtaking countryside and will stay in Sovana for the next two nights. From here you will experience enjoyable bike rides along rolling fields, vineyards, and olive groves. Here we will gain a good understanding of the flavors of the region as we cook a Tuscan dinner together. This will be an unforgettable experience with our chef in the restaurant of the hotel, who will explain the ingredients and traditions of this region and how to bring it all together in an amazing meal.
You will be pleased to walk along the quiet stone paved road of the town after dinner; a hidden treasure of this area. The amazing art found in frescos and paintings will surprise you. Don’t miss a visit to the Duomo, which is close to our hotel
Pitigliano, is another wonderful town carved in the tufa cliffs above the countryside. There are more than 1,000 caves carved in the steep rock cliffs. This combined with the tall tower houses make this town a majestic sight. After our bike ride here, we will enjoy a walking tour that will lead us along the tombs and the village remains of the Etruscan community that dominated this region long ago. See the charm of “Little Jerusalem” named for the strong Jewish community that inhabited this place in the 15th century. We will enjoy a taste of the grapes we have biked past, when we visit a local winery and enjoy a light lunch.
We will begin a journey towards the sea, passing more charming villages including the town of Magliano in Toscana, which is surrounded by a town wall built between the 13th and 15th centuries. There are three gates that allow entrance into the village – like entering a fairy tale.
We will continue our taste of Tuscany with an olive oil tasting. Giorgio will help us understand the important points of good olive oil while tasting varieties from the region. A visit to a local farm will give you an opportunity to see how local cheese is produced. You will get a chance to taste the different kinds and enjoy lunch at the farm. Another experience we look forward to sharing with you.
We think you will agree that this tour is a wonderful blend of biking, history, culture, and flavors uniquely set in this quiet part of Tuscany. Join us!
- Cost
- € 1970 – € 2350 ($) see PRICING details below
- Duration
- 8 days/7 nights
- Start/End
- Orvieto – Capalbio/Orbetello
- 2012 Start Dates
- April 21, May 5, May 12, May 19, June 9, June 24, September 9, September 23, October 3, October 20
Highlights of this Tuscany bike tour
- Discover the charming hilltop town of Orvieto during a guided walk that introduces you to an ancient Etruscan well, a lovely Gothic-style cathedral, and ends with a wine and cheese tasting at Palazzo del Gusto (The Palace of Taste).
- Enjoy a guided walk of Pitigliano, an ancient city carved into the steep tufa cliffs, here you will discover “Little Jerusalem” where there was a large and active Jewish population that settled in this town in the 15th century as well as ancient relics of a powerful Etruscan civilization.
- Overnight in Sovana, a jewel of undiscovered Italy with beautiful frescos and paintings that capture the essence of this place.
- Enjoy a cooking class. We will prepare our Tuscan dinner using regional ingredients and timeless traditions.
- Experience the wines of this region with two different wine tastings.
- Relax with a massage during the tour.
- Learn the secrets of good olive oil with our friend Giorgio who will host a tasting.
- Enjoy a cheese tasting at a farm where they produce several varieties to savor.
- Wake to the sounds of church bells and sea as we discover this wonderful region.
Day 1 – Welcome to Orvieto! Arrival on your own to Orvieto, one of the most beautiful small towns of Italy dramatically set atop vertical cliffs and surrounded by ancient defensive walls! Relax in this peaceful place
Our group will meet at 4:00 pm for a walking tour to better understand the 3,000 year history of this charming town.
Day 2 – A beautiful bike ride from Orvieto to Sovana (36 miles/58 kilometers)
We’ll bikde directly from Orvieto to Sovana, Sovana, an amazing medieval village – inluded in the list of the most beautiful villages of Italy – . The surrounding area is outstanding – a cultivated countryside covered with vineyards and olive groves.
Along our route we’ll pass through some other nice villages.
Day 3 – Loop ride through the rolling hills of Tuscany (Sovana, Sorano, Pitigliano), with an optional extension (24 miles/40 kilometers, 44 miles/74 kilometers)
Enjoy a gentle rolling ride that takes you south to Sorano first and than to the little Jerusalem: Pitigliano. All of them are interesting medieval towns. Enjoy their Etruscan and Roman history told through incredible works of art: exquisite frescoes and paintings. Sovana is a jewel of Italy, a treasure chest of art and history, architecture and culture. After our visit, we will continue to Pitigliano where a guided walking tour will introduce us to the town.
In the afternoon we’ll have a fun cooking class which will introduce us to the local cuisine and lead us through the prepartion of a traditional Tuscan dinner using regional ingredients and original techniques. Buon appetito! We will stay in Sovana again tonight.
Day 4 – To a lovely country hotel close to the medieval town of Scansano (27.6 miles/46 kilometers)
Today our destination is the resort hotel called Antico Casale di Scansano which offers a full range of amenities such as jacuzzi, sauna, massages and two outdoor swimming pools. The ride features spectacular views of the valley below where one sees grazing sheep and goats. The vineyards grow the Morellian grape, the local name for the red Sangiovese varietal which is the famous red wine from the Maremma area. Upon arrival at this rural resort Irene will greet us and show us our accomodation for two nights overlooking an equestrian centre and panoramic valley below from our terraces.
Day 5 – A lovely bike route and an olive oil tasting (30 miles/50 kilometers)
A gentle rolling ride will take you to the nice little village of Magliano in Toscana, surrounded by a wall built between the 13th and 15th centuries and allowing entrance into the village by one of three gates. Once we’ll be back to the farm we’ll enjoy an olive oil tasting along with lunch. A wonderful experience! We will spend another relaxing night at the countryside hotel.
Day 6 – An enjoyable ride through the Maremma countryside (22.2 miles/37 kilometers)
Today we’ll enjoy a gentle rolling ride near the medieval town of Capalbio. Because of the short ride we’ll have time to relax in our comfortable hotel. Light lunch included at the hotel.
Day 7 – Wonderful ride and opportunity to swim today! (32 miles/53 kilometers)
Our ride today will take us to the sea! After we ride to Capalbio, we’ll continue to the sea, along a lovely and quiet road. We’ll ride 6 km through the wonderful pine forest La Feniglia with many bays where you will have an opportunity to swim. Don’t forget your swim suit.
Our ride will stop in Orbetello where we’ll take a coordinated transfer back to the hotel.
Day 8 – Departure Day
After breakfast, end of services and we will say our goodbyes. Ciao!
Actual tour itinerary may vary slightly due to unforeseen circumstances.
Siciclando carefully chooses every aspect of a tour, including the accommodations. Our choices are based on comfort and quality. We often choose hotels that are family-owned and operated because they provide a richer experience and because it is important to us to support the efforts of these individuals. We have developed relationships with many wonderful hotel operators. Here is a sample of the hotels on this tour.
Tour accommodations will be based on availability and the time of year. Once you have made your final payment for the tour, we will send you a confirmation letter that includes daily accommodations and contact information.
- Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate
- The Tuscany Maremma bike routes are among beautiful hills, which means mostly gentle ups and downs. This tour is described as moderate to easy with an average 22 miles per day. Some days there is an optional extension of 18-24 miles for those interested and ready. This flexibility allows different levels of bikers a great tour at their preferred pace.We will begin the tour with a warm up ride on day 2. Days 3 and 4 are nice loop rides along rolling terrain ending with gentle climbs to hilltop villages and offer extensions for those wanting a longer ride. Day 5 and 6 are gentle rides — note, day 6 is our longest ride of 38 miles and a gentle climb to the town of Magliano in Toscana. Day 7 is nice ride along the coast with an optional extension.
- Travel notes
- Airport: the trip is based on ROMA Fiumicino
- Books
-
- The Lady in the Palazzo by Marlena de Blasi
Follow Marlena de Blasi on a new journey through Italy as she and her husband, Fernando, move to Orvieto, Italy – a charming ancient city nestled in the region of Umbria (the starting point of our Siciclando bike tour). In this book de Blasi sets out to establish herself in this new quiet place and shares how she discovers the traditions, secrets, and charm of Orvieto. A great, light read to prepare you for your tour. - Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes (now, also a movie)
The true story of an American women who buys and restores an abandoned villa in the countryside of Tuscany. Follow along as she discovers the beauty of the simple Italian life. - Bella Tuscany: The Sweet Life in Italy by Frances Mayes
A continuation of the New York Times Bestseller Under a Tuscan Sun. Re-enter the world of Tuscany for more beautiful stories of this place and its people. - In Tuscany by Frances Mayes
The book begins with “Tuscany is a world; Italy is a universe.” See for yourself the observances of this wonderful place. - On the Shore of the Mediterranean (Travel Narrative) by Eric Newby
A sparkling observer and famously entertaining, Newby tackles the Mediterranean in the merry classic account of travels to North Africa, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cairo, and Jerusalem. - The Hill Towns of Italy by Richard Kauffman
An oversize survey of the towns, people, and countryside of Tuscany and Umbria. It covers 13 classic towns in the region including Siena, Cortona, Perugia, Assisi and Orvieto. First published in 1983, the book is a good mix of handsome color photographs and insightful text. - Central Italy, Tuscany and Umbria by Berrie Kerper
A quirky, literary guide to the history, food, and landscape of Tuscany and Umbria – as presented in travel essays by writers foreign and local. With an extensive annotated bibliography for each section. - The Tuscan Year, Tuscan Life and Food in an Italian Valley by Elizabeth Romer 1996
An intimate portrait of life on a Tuscan farm, as seen primarily through the robust food. Romer captures the goings-on in the countryside, especially in the kitchen. - A Thousand Days in Tuscany by Marlene de Blasi
“Filled with warmth and the rich and simple drama of a beautiful life. The evocation of country dishes is mouthwatering, the lyrical beauty irresistible.” Susan Herrmann Loomis, author of Cooking at Home on Rue Tatin
- The Lady in the Palazzo by Marlena de Blasi
- Group tour price
-
- 4-5 people € 2350 per person
- 6-7 people € 2120 per person
- 8+ people € 1970 per person
- Additional options and fees
-
- Hybrid Bike rental – € 100 which includes 1 bike pannier per bike, helmets and a cycle computer.
- Road bike rental €175.00 which includes 1 bike pannier per bike, helmets and a cycle computer.
- Single occupancy for hotels € 240.00
- Included
-
- 8 day tour
- 7 nights lodging in four comfortable hotels
- 7 breakfasts
- 4 dinners (D1,D3,D4,D7)
- 4 lunches (D2, D3, D5, D7)
- Olive oil tasting
- Walking tour of Orvieto (D1)
- Walking tour of Pitigliano (D3)
- 1 cooking class (D3)
- Wine tasting (D3)
- 1 massage at the spa
- Coordinated transfer back to the hotel on day 7
- One English speaking tour leader
- Van support throughout the tour
- Not included
-
- Flights and public transportation
- Travel insurance
- Admission fees not mentioned above
- Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, etc.
- Gratuity of Tour Leader(s)
- Self-guided option
- This tour is not available as a self-guided option.
- Tour code
- TM
