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Explore unspoilt Tuscan countryside with the option to visit Florence and Siena
Arrive in Volterra where you've time for a dip in the hotel pool and a wander round the town's tangle of cobbled alleys and hidden squares before dinner. (Staying at Park Hotel Le Fonti)
Today it's a downhill whizz out of hilltop Volterra and into the pretty Era Valley where spectacular views of the surrounding timeless Tuscan countryside open up as you pedal. After climbing out of the valley, you'll soon pass through the pretty hamlet of Castagno where we suggest a well-deserved coffee stop in the local bar. Your route continues on to Gambassi Terme, a well-preserved spa town with cobbled streets, 12th century church and lovely shaded gardens. Lunch here perhaps in one of the many trattorie then, soon after leaving the town, you'll pick up the famous Via Francigena for the gentle, mainly downhill stretch to medieval Certaldo. (Staying at Hotel Certaldo)
Distance in Km: 36
Distance in Miles: 23
Explore stunning Certaldo, Boccaccio's birthplace. Split into two distinct halves, the mediaeval centre of Certaldo Alto with its fabulous ancient buildings, is accessed by funicular and offers spectacular views across the Val d'Elsa. On the other hand, Certaldo Basso is the more modern part of the town with shops, bars and restaurants. You could also spend time today, relaxing by the hotel pool. (Staying at Hotel Certaldo)
Today's route explores the panoramic wine country between Certaldo and Colle di Val d'Elsa. You'll follow the official, mainly off-road, Chianti Wine Route where you'll find lots of tasting opportunities - don't forget, we can collect any purchases for you! It's then on to the old town of Poggibonsi, a perfect stop for lunch and to visit the ruins of its unfinished 15th century fortress. The day ends with gentle pedalling through tree-lined meadows and a valley of poppy and sunflower fields to Colle di Val d'Elsa. (Staying at Relais della Rovere)
Distance in Km: 28
Distance in Miles: 18
There is so much to see and do in and around Colle di Val d'Elsa that you really will be spoiled for choice. However, today we recommend hopping on the local bus (from just outside the hotel) for the 30min ride to the great mediaeval city of Siena. Visit the Palazzo Pubblico with its impressive pre-Renaissance frescoes and climb the Torre del Mangia for the best views of the town and surrounding Sienese countryside. For lunch, or simply a drink, there is no better place than Siena's beautiful shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. (Staying at Relais della Rovere)
After a fairly long day yesterday, we propose that you spend a relaxed morning in Colle di Val d'Elsa. The historic town dates back to Etruscan times with a cathedral, museums and fine Renaissance buildings. After lunch in the old square, maybe spend some time by the pool before a pre-dinner stroll along the lovely River Elsa where limestone-rich rapids come crashing dramatically downstream. (Staying at Relais della Rovere)
No trip to Tuscany would be complete without a visit to the charming city of Florence, arguably the most beautiful city in the world! It's just an hour on the local bus (which leaves from just outside the hotel) giving you plenty of time to explore the Uffizi (closed Mon), Duomo and Baptistery. If you want to escape the crowds, we suggest you cross the Ponte Vecchio to the quieter side of the Arno to visit the Boboli Gardens. (Staying at Relais della Rovere)
Get back on your bike this morning and enjoy superb rolling views before the ride up to Casole d'Elsa, a beautiful village characterised by ancient vermilion-hued buildings and blessed with stunning views from its hilltop position. Take time to explore its 12th century church (frescoes by Gano da Siena) and impressive fortress before an early lunch perhaps in the lovely piazza. You then wind north through wonderfully scenic countryside, the fabulous mediaeval towers of San Gimignano providing a formidable backdrop as you pedal on to Pescille. (Staying at Hotel Pescille, Breakfast at the hotel and evening meal in a local restaurant)
Distance in Km: 40
Distance in Miles: 25
San Gimignano is just a short cycle away, its towers giving this hilltop town a distinctive Manhattan-style skyline. Explore its myriad of narrow streets and many hidden cobbled squares before popping back to your tranquil hotel for a refreshing dip in the sparkling swimming pool. (Staying at Hotel Pescille, Breakfast at the hotel and evening meal in a local restaurant)
It's a short downhill ride to San Gimignano before a gentle climb up through classic Tuscan landscapes of vines, olive groves and fields ablaze with sunflowers. It's then an almost entirely downhill cycle into the pretty Era Valley. There's a real sense of achievement on your final pedal through open countryside, enjoying spectacular views, before your last climb back to the ancient cobbled streets of Volterra. (Staying at Park Hotel Le Fonti)
Distance in Km: 38
Distance in Miles: 24
10 Nights, hotel-to-hotelRoute notes and maps provided High quality bikes
providedLuggage transfers between hotels
All buffet breakfasts and 6 evening meals included.Italy’s most famous
export is probably its cuisine and the traditional dishes of Tuscany are the
most influential and revered.The region’s food is based on cucina povera,
‘poor/peasant cookery’, a rural cuisine based on available natural
ingredients: olive oil, unsalted bread, pulses and vegetables, wild mushroom
or porcini, and salt-cured meats such as salame and prosciutto. In
particular, Tuscan olive oil is renowned for its quality and is the most
important ingredient in the region’s cookery. You will find it in almost
every dish - as a salad dressing, poured over vegetables and into soups and
even as a replacement for butter onbread (very nice with a sprinkling of
salt!).
10 Nights, hotel-to-hotelRoute notes and maps provided High quality bikes
providedLuggage transfers between hotels
Classification: Self-Guided Average daily distance on move on days: 35.5km
(22.3 miles). No. of days cycling: 4 Terrain: Lots of the cycling is on
off road strada bianca, although at times it has been necessary to use busier
roads for short stretches where no alternative exists. Most of the
countryside is moderately hilly, so there is every excuse to stop for a
breather to admire the view! Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for
those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out
the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations,
provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own
pace. A representative will be there to meet you, make sure the bikes are all
set up and will be on call throughout the trip should you need.It is
important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make
these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. As this is a
self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on
the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The
route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should
you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch
a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this
service.Your holiday starts in Volterra, a real Etruscan gem with its tangle
of alleys home to alabaster workshops and secret chapels, in the heart of the
Era Valley. You'll pedal through the archetypal Tuscan countryside, cypress
dotted rolling hills, olives, vines, sunflowers, and on, via postcard-pretty
Certaldo, to Colle di Val d'Elsa where you'll spend four nights. From here,
you can enjoy day trips to the great art cities of Florence and Siena before
pedaling on through panoramic wine country to the tiny hamlet of Pescille, a
short cycle from mediaeval San Gimignano. Your route then takes you through
the Castelvecchio Nature Reserve (great for bird spotting) giving you a real
sense of achievement as you loop back to Volterra for your final night.
HotelsThe hotels we've selected for this holiday are among our best, and include a
magnificently restored 12th century abbey, a wonderfully renovated, stylish
watermill which dates back to the 16th century and belonged to the famous
Medici family, and a family-run, traditional hotel overlooking the soaring
towers of San Gimignano.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local
agent is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week
to go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest.
Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. Please
note: the luggage transfers included in this tour are subject to a minimum of
2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in
advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy of a room will apply if
only 1 person travelling on a departure date.
All buffet breakfasts and 6 evening meals included.Italy’s most famous
export is probably its cuisine and the traditional dishes of Tuscany are the
most influential and revered.The region’s food is based on cucina povera,
‘poor/peasant cookery’, a rural cuisine based on available natural
ingredients: olive oil, unsalted bread, pulses and vegetables, wild mushroom
or porcini, and salt-cured meats such as salame and prosciutto. In
particular, Tuscan olive oil is renowned for its quality and is the most
important ingredient in the region’s cookery. You will find it in almost
every dish - as a salad dressing, poured over vegetables and into soups and
even as a replacement for butter onbread (very nice with a sprinkling of
salt!).
Air inclusive prices include our standard flights/transfers. For land only
bookings transfers are available for a supplement.British Airways Heathrow to
Pisa 08:25/11:35 transfer to hotel 75 minutes. Return: Transfer to airport 75
minutes British Airways Pisa to Heathrow 12:35/14:00 Business/club/first
class seats are available on request.Alternative transfersIf you require
alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to
our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may
be an additional charge).
Standard transfersFor air inclusive bookings transfers are included from Pisa
airport at 11:35, and back to Pisa airport at 09:00.
Italy has a good all year round climate, with plenty of sunshine and warm
temperatures from the spring through to autumn. Summer departures will
usually have hot weather, with temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s
centigrade. April-June and September-November departures are likely to be
cooler with a slightly higher chance of rain. In late summer there is the
possibility of heavy thunderstorms (generally in the afternoons), but these
are usually short-lived.
Cycling helmet (Compulsory on this trip)Padded shorts and
glovesSunglasses/eye protectionStiff-soled shoes suitable for
cyclingWaterproof jacket and long cycling trousers; warm topSunscreen
Beach Towel Swimwear
For the meals not included, allow from €10-15 for lunch. The exact amount
spent depends entirely on the type of restaurant visited, and the menu
chosen.LOCAL TAXES: many Italian cities have recently introduced a tourist
tax for non-residents. The local administration is in charge of the tax,
which will be collected by the accommodation provider at check-in or
check-out. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and
number of days of stay. It is usually between €1.50 and €3.00 per person
per night. For this trip, please allow between €10 and €15, depending on
the season, for the week. In some cities, children and people aged 75 or over
are exempt from this tax.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - compulsory
supplement)Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on
a departure date)Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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