11
17 916
We meet you at Foligno station and take you (15 mins) to picturesque Spello in time for dinner in your hotel's atmospheric restaurant. *(Staying at La Bastiglia Hotel, Half Board)*
Today is level cycling most of the way along the Teverone Valley with some of the best views of the week. We strongly recommend the short uphill detour to Trevi, a beautiful hilltop village dating back to Roman times and capital of the Umbrian olive oil industry. Finally your hotel is situated in the centre of Spoleto near to all the museums and restaurants. *(Staying at Hotel Charleston, Breakfast only)*
Distance in Km: 50
Distance in Miles: 32
Pretty hilltop Spoleto and the surrounding area offer a wealth of things for you to do on your 4 night stay here. The city of Spoleto has a wonderful history reflected in its Architecture dating back to the Etruscans, and including a Roman Amphitheatre, 10th century church, 12th century Duomo and a 80m high 14th century aqueduct. The castle here was a former prison and now houses an impressive art museum. Lots of lovely cobbled squares crammed with traditional /trattorie/ for lunch. You can also take the train to the Emerald City of Rome. For those wanting to be more active why not walk the well signed trail up Spoleto's Monteluco. As you climb the views of the Vale of Spoleto are certainly impressive. Or walk along the famous Spoleto - Norcia railway now a peaceful Via Verde taking you on a journey through the magical Valnerina. For cyclists take a ride passing pretty villages, olive groves and flowering meadows. In July you can also attend the Two Worlds Festival - a celebration of Classic and Opera music. *(Staying at Hotel Charleston, Breakfast only)*
The wines of Montefalco are known throughout the world, in particular the fine red Sagrantino. There is a climb up to the old village itself, 'the Balcony of Umbria', but you are well rewarded with wine-tasting, magnificent views and beautiful medieval streets. Continue from here past lush green fields, poppies and buttercups before your last climb up to the mediaeval village of Marcellano. Your 4 star hotel is set within its own lovely gardens - fabulous panoramic views across the entire valley. *(Staying at Grand Relais Laurenti, Half Board)*
Distance in Km: 44
Distance in Miles: 27
It's tempting to spend the day relaxing by the pool in the hotel's tranquil grounds, but it would be a shame to miss the Roman walled town of Bevagna (10 mins by taxi; or you can cycle) - Umbria's hidden gem. Visit the 13th century Gothic Palazzo dei Consoli, the golden mediaeval theatre, or the 2th century Roman temple and baths that include a spectacular lobster mosaic. Alternatively, you can opt for a circular cycle to Ceralto Castle. *(Staying at Grand Relais Laurenti, Half Board)*
It's picture perfect views all the way this morning as you arrive at the impossibly photogenic mediaeval village of Gualdo Cattaneo with its imposing 15th century castle and 13th century crypt. There's a downhill whizz before gentle, flat cycling across the plain and a final short ascent into the old wine town of Torgiano, famous for its Lungarotti cellars. *(Staying at Hotel Al Grappolo d'Oro, Half Board)*
Distance in Km: 42
Distance in Miles: 27
There is a dedicated wine and olive oil museum - with tastings - in Torgiano's pretty centro storico. Alternatively it's a short bus or taxi ride (approx 15 mins) to the university town of Perugia, famous for one of Italy's finest art collections and home to the renowned Baci chocolates. For the more energetic we provide route notes for optional cycle rides to the panoramic town of Bettona, which dates back to Etruscan times, or the capital of painted ceramics, Deruta.*(Staying at Hotel Al Grappolo d'Oro, Half Board)*
Your last day's cycling takes you along the 'Wine and Art Road' to Brufa - lovely views of Perugia and Assisi - and on through the Chiascio Valley, on country lanes passing sunflower fields, ochre coloured farmhouses and meadows redolent with wild apricots and figs. There's time to visit spectacular Assisi - the beautiful Piazza del Comune, the 13th century Giotto frescoes and of course, the UNESCO recognised Saint Francis' Basilica - before cycling on along the lovely traffic free Via degli Ulivi and through olive groves back to Spello. *(Staying at La Bastiglia Hotel, Half Board)*
Distance in Km: 43
Distance in Miles: 27
Leave Spello after breakfast for your flight home. Alternatively, perhaps spend extra nights in Rome - we can easily arrange these for you.
* 10 nights hotel-to-hotel
* 4 Days cycling
* Continental breakfast and 6 evening meals
* Services of your local Headwater Representative
* Headwater Wine Collection Service
* GPS route directions and maps
* /RideWithGPS/ navigation app
* High quality hybrid bikes
* Luggage transfers between hotels
Continental breakfast and 6 evening meals.
Umbria represents Italian home cooking at its best and the region's cuisine
reflects its landlocked location. The distinctive taste of the region's olive
oil and black and white truffles flavour many of the dishes. The origins of
many of the dishes derive from thrift, for example, bruschetta comes from
toasting stale bread, covering it with olive oil and rubbing it with garlic.
Similarly, crostini are thin slices of toast with a smear of pate, usually
made from chicken liver, anchovies and capers. Cooked and cured meats also
have a fantastic reputation in the region. You will get to try many of these
famous and delicious antipasti, which will then be followed by a 'primo' (a
first course). In Umbria this is usually a pasta dish oozing with flavour.
Wild asaparagus is popular in the spring and truffles feature more strongly
in autumn. Secondi (second course) will then follow, the Umbrian preference
is for grilled meats. Rapidly grilled spatchcocked rabbit and guinea fowl
remain favourites. Desserts do not feature strongly on the Umbrian menu,
cheese is often the post dinner preference and you will find the option to
dip them in oil or honey.
Meal times are usually later throughout the day (08:00-10:00 for breakfast;
13:30-15:30 for lunch; 20:00-22:00 for dinner).
Wine also has a strong history in this region. It has been produced in Umbria
since Etruscan times, when vines were first planted. Possibly the most
unusual wine of the region is the Vernaccia di Cannara, a desert wine which
is unlike any other as it is red.
* 10 nights hotel-to-hotel
* 4 Days cycling
* Continental breakfast and 6 evening meals
* Services of your local Headwater Representative
* Headwater Wine Collection Service
* GPS route directions and maps
* /RideWithGPS/ navigation app
* High quality hybrid bikes
* Luggage transfers between hotels
*Classification*: Self-Guided
*Average daily distance on move on days*: 45km (28 miles).
*No. of days cycling*: 4
*Terrain and route*: The suggested cycling mainly follows quiet tarmac roads
with a few sections on dirt roads. The terrain is mainly undulating but the
distances are kept relatively short to give you lots of time to enjoy the
scenery.
*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, while your bags
are transported from one hotel to the next. 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. Where
possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as
pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe
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 representative is
normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to
charge for this service.
Hotels
The hotels we've selected for this holiday are pretty special too, ranging
from a stunningly restored ancient hamlet, set in its own manicured gardens,
to a panoramic 4-star hotel in Spello with a gourmet restaurant and one of
the most prestigious wine cellars we've ever stumbled upon!
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local
representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of
the week to set up your bike and go through the route notes and point out
particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes
and maps are provided. The route notes contain an emergency assistance
telephone number. In an emergency, the local representative is normally able
to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for
this service.
Continental breakfast and 6 evening meals.
Umbria represents Italian home cooking at its best and the region's cuisine
reflects its landlocked location. The distinctive taste of the region's olive
oil and black and white truffles flavour many of the dishes. The origins of
many of the dishes derive from thrift, for example, bruschetta comes from
toasting stale bread, covering it with olive oil and rubbing it with garlic.
Similarly, crostini are thin slices of toast with a smear of pate, usually
made from chicken liver, anchovies and capers. Cooked and cured meats also
have a fantastic reputation in the region. You will get to try many of these
famous and delicious antipasti, which will then be followed by a 'primo' (a
first course). In Umbria this is usually a pasta dish oozing with flavour.
Wild asaparagus is popular in the spring and truffles feature more strongly
in autumn. Secondi (second course) will then follow, the Umbrian preference
is for grilled meats. Rapidly grilled spatchcocked rabbit and guinea fowl
remain favourites. Desserts do not feature strongly on the Umbrian menu,
cheese is often the post dinner preference and you will find the option to
dip them in oil or honey.
Meal times are usually later throughout the day (08:00-10:00 for breakfast;
13:30-15:30 for lunch; 20:00-22:00 for dinner).
Wine also has a strong history in this region. It has been produced in Umbria
since Etruscan times, when vines were first planted. Possibly the most
unusual wine of the region is the Vernaccia di Cannara, a desert wine which
is unlike any other as it is red.
**Alternative Air Travel*
*Alternative flights, onward rail to your holiday area, and connecting
private transfers can be arranged from most UK airports. If you would like to
use one of the many 'low cost' airlines, we can book these on your behalf
(£30 admin fee per person). We can also book UK shuttles to connect with
your onward flight, please call for details and prices.
*Self drive*
We can arrange various channel crossings for you. Please call for details and
prices.
*Alternative transfers*
If 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 transfers*
Transfers included from Foligno train station at 17:15, and back to Foligno
train station at 10:15.
The dates run from May through to October which will take advantage of the
nicest weather of the region. May and October have the lowest average
temperature, with highs of around 22 degrees Celcius. In the morning and
evenings the temperature may drop to as low as 13 degrees Celcius so it is
worth having an extra layer for your top and bottom that you can take off as
it warms up. October will also see more chance of rain. From June to
September the temperatures will be much higher, rising to 35 degrees Celcius
in July and August, with much lower chance of rain. The weather is always
variable so this should be used as a guide only.
*Self-Guided Hire Bikes*
We use custom made Headwater hybrid bikes. All bikes are supplied with:
* 1 handlebar map holder
* 2 rear panniers
* 1 bike lock per 2 people
* 1 puncture repair kit per 2 people which includes puncture repair spray
and a pump.
If you are booked as a group, but intend to cycle separately please let us
know in advance if you wish to have additional map holders or repair kits.
Bike sizes will have been given to the local operator in advance from the
heights you have given us on booking. However, when you receive your bike
there will be the opportunity to test and adjust. Our representative will be
on hand to assist you and can fit pedals and your saddle if you wish to bring
these with you. Please note helmets are not provided and we recommend that
you take your own on this trip.
* Warm top and leggings for the early spring and autumn departures
* Swimming costume
* Windproof and waterproof layer
* Comfortable shoes and clothes for the days off the bike to explore the
towns
You will only need money for lunches and 2 dinners in Spoleto, snacks and
drinks and any sites you wish to visit. Lunches can be inexpensive if you buy
produce from local markets or shops and make up a picnic. However, if you
stop at a café you can easily spend €15. We would recommend budgeting
€5‐15 for lunches, €25‐65 for dinner in Spoleto and allow an
additional €10 a day for any extras per person.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request, compulsory supplement)
* 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.