The perfect bike ride is easy.
Masters have painted it since the Middle Ages, famous writers and movie makers have chosen it as the setting of their stories; the “Crete Toscane” and the Val d’Orcia sceneries are what people imagine when they dream of Tuscany.
This tour, which starts in Siena and ends in Cortona, encompass the most representative landscapes of southern Tuscany. Your biking will be enhanced by barren hills crowned by ancient manor houses, winding country roads lined with cypress trees, grazing sheep, and luscious vineyards. We have created this tour with gentler, shorter bike routes. It is easier than our Cycling Tuscany Hills Biking Tour without missing out on any of the highlights. It is a beautiful place, best explored by bike.
- Cost
- € 1265 – € 1620 ($) see PRICING details below
- Duration
- 8 days/7 nights
- Start/End
- Siena/Cortona
- 2010 Start Dates
- April 17, May 1, May 15, May 29, June 19, September 11, September 25, October 3, October 16
Highlights of the tour
- Enjoy the beautiful and famous Piazza del Campo in Siena
- Explore Monte Oliveto Maggiore Monastery with Signorelli’s frescoes
- Taste the famous wines Brunello and Nobile from Montalcino and Montepulciano
- Discover Pienza, the home town Pope Pio II, a first experiment in urban planning
- Experience Cortona, made famous by Frances Mayers book Under the Tuscan Sun
Day 1 – Welcome to Tuscany!
Arrive on your own in Siena. The hotel is centrally located and will make it easy to visit this very famous town and its superb square: Piazza del Campo.
Day 2 – Siena to Buonconvento (19 miles/32 km)
Today’s bike ride will take you through winding Tuscan roads. Luscious vineyards give way to the more linear cypress-crested hills of the “Crete.” Murlo is a nice little village on your way to the farm where you will spend the night. Summer months allow you to take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. You may also enjoy a relaxing massage and a sauna.
Day 3 – Buonconvento Loop Ride (23 miles/38 km)
Today, a nice loop ride will allow a visit of one of the most imposing monasterys of central Italy : Monte Oliveto Maggiore with its frescoes by Luca Signorelli. Spend the night at the same farmhouse.
Day 4 – Buonconvento to Montalcino (19 miles/32 km)
Your route today takes you towards San Quirico d’Orcia, a lovely small town with many old churches. On to Bagno Vignoni, an ancient thermal town where the main square is a steaming pool. You will spend the night in a nice hotel in Montalcino, the home land of Brunello wine.
Day 5 – Sant’Antimo Abbey Loop Ride (20 miles/34 km)
Enjoy this fortified town where you will enjoy stunning views from all directions. The descending road leads you to the beautiful and peaceful church of Sant’Antimo Abbey where you may be able to listen to Gregorian chants. Come back to Montalcino by a different road.
Day 6 – Montalcino to Pienza and Montepulciano (27 miles/45 km)
A very full day beginning with a visit to Pienza, the renaissance jewel redesigned by Pope Pio the II to become a “liveable” town. This is also an agricultural center well known for pecorino cheese and truffle production. A dirt road will take you to Montichiello a nice little village immersed in the “Crete.” You can stop there for a nice lunch or just for a cappuccino before continuing to Montepulciano known for its “Nobile” wine.
Day 7 – Montepulciano to Cortona (25.4 miles/40.7 km)
Today’s route meanders through vineyards and cypress crowned hills then passes the Farneta Abbey before climbing to Cortona. It is more challenging at the end of the day, but it is worth it. This little town is full of charm.
Day 8 – Departure Day
End of the tour. Ciao!
Actual tour itinerary may vary slightly due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Level of difficulty: Easy
- This tour is an easy one not only because of the total distance you’ll cover along the week (ony 87 miles!), but also because of the rest days you’ll enjoy on day 4 (option ride is available anyway) and day 6. Besides: the rest day more at the beginning of the tour allows you the possibility to have a gentle beginning of your holiday. The mix with the railway is another point which gives you an opportunity to have relaxing stops from the cycling and more opportunities to share your experience with the local people.
- Travel Notes
- The reference airports for the tour are Perugia, Pisa, or Rome.
You can also find information about travel by train.
- Books
-
- Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayers
- Movies
-
- Il Paziente inglese
- Ballo da sola
- Group tour price
-
- 4-5 people € 1620 per person
- 6-7 people € 1450 per person
- 8+ people € 1265 per person
- Additional options
-
- Private room – € 275
- Hybrid Bike rental – € 100 (€ 18 each additional day), which includes 1 bike pannier per bike, helmets and a cycle computer.
- Road Bike rental – € 175 (€ 27 each additional day), which includes 1 bike pannier per bike, helmets and a cycle computer.
- Cooking class – € 80 per person
- GPS – € 35 Garmin E-Trex Venture HC
- Included
-
- One English-speaking trip leader
- Seven nights in three-star hotels
- Seven breakfasts and three dinners
- Baggage transportation from hotel to hotel
- Detailed route information and maps
- Van support
- Not included
-
- Admission to museums and archaeological sites
- Tickets for trains or any public transportation
- Wine or beverages
- Airfare
- Transfers to the starting point or from the finishing point unless specified; we can assist you in planning and arranging for any necessary shuttles
- Transport of bike case (for guests who bring their own bike)
- Personal expenses (laundry, personal supplies, phone calls, etc.)
- Gratuity
- Self-guided option
- This tour is also available as a self-guided option at a cost of € 1125 per person. This option includes:
- Seven nights in three-star hotels
- Seven breakfasts and two dinners
- Welcome meeting (tour explanation)
- Baggage transportation from between hotels
- Detailed route information and maps
- Telephone assistance
- Tour code
- TE
