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Experience rich scenery, fantastically contrasting hotels, superb local cuisine and exceptional wines
Arrive in Volterra where you've time for a dip in the pool and a wander round its myriad 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 mediaeval Certaldo where you can stop for a gelato before your final climb through olive groves and vineyards to the hamlet of Pancole. (Staying at Hotel Certaldo)
Distance in Km: 41
Distance in Miles: 26
If you fancy a day off from cycling, the pool here is simply gorgeous and nice lunches are served on the geranium-scented terrace. There's also a small shop where you can buy olive oils, produced by the owners, and Tuscan wines. The more energetic might want to cycle past orchards and vines to visit Boccaccio's birthplace, stunning Certaldo. Take the funicular to its medieval centre for spectacular views across the Val d'Elsa. (Staying at Hotel Certaldo)
Today's route explores the panoramic wine country between Pancole and Colle di Val d'Elsa. You'll first retrace your route to Certaldo and then 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: 32
Distance in Miles: 20
There's masses of choice today: explore the mediaeval old town which dates back to Etruscan times; take the bus to Siena (30 mins) or to Florence (60 mins); take in the mediaeval town of Monteriggioni, an easy cycle or short bus ride away; or simply laze by your hotel's sparkling swimming pool, surrounded by lovely gardens. (Staying at Relais Della Rovere)
It's easy pedalling this morning as you head south past the old town of Colle di Val d'Elsa, gradually climbing 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, gently uphill, through wonderfully scenic countryside against the backdrop of the impressive mediaeval towers of San Gimignano as you pedal on to Pescille. (Staying at Hotel Pescille, Breakfast at the hotel)
Distance in Km: 40
Distance in Miles: 25
San Gimignano is just a short cycle away; explore its myriad of narrow streets and many hidden cobbled squares before returning to your tranquil hotel for a refreshing dip in the sparkling swimming pool. (Staying at Hotel Pescille)
It's a short ride to San Gimignano today before a climb up through classic Tuscan landscapes of vines, olive groves and fields ablaze with sunflowers. Enjoy the 16km, mainly downhill run into the Era Valley. There's a real sense of achievement on your final climb through open countryside and you'll enjoy spectacular views before heading back to the ancient cobbled streets of Volterra. (Staying at Park Hotel Le Fonti)
Distance in Km: 38
Distance in Miles: 24
8 Nights, hotel-to-hotel4 Days cyclingE-bike hire available on request
(supplement applies)Management by your Headwater appointed agent
All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals includedItaly’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 on bread (very nice with a sprinkling of
salt!). Of course the Chianti region is best known for its regional wine (the
very best ones are Chianti Classico and have a black cockerel stamped on the
label). Chianti is produced in the vineyards dotted around the Tuscan hills;
we actually visit the hills to the north of Siena, where the Chianti Colli
Senesi wine is produced. Made from the Sangiovese grape, this is an excellent
light, fruity red. Although best known for its red wine, a good white wine is
also produced in the Chianti region. Made from the Vernaccia grape, the
Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a crisp dry white which has greatly improved
over recent years. It is best drunk young.
8 Nights, hotel-to-hotel4 Days cyclingE-bike hire available on request
(supplement applies)Management by your Headwater appointed agent
You'll start off in Volterra, a beautifully preserved hilltop gem whose
eclectic mix of Etruscan, Roman and Renaissance art and architecture has
inspired artists and writers for centuries. From here, you pedal north east
along quiet, rolling country lanes as you coast towards honey-coloured
Pancole, nestled in the Tuscan hills. The cycling is truly glorious as you
continue, via fortified towns and hill villages, to mediaeval Colle, from
where you can also head to Florence and Siena for day trips. Then it's on to
Pescille, which is perfectly positioned overlooking San Gimignano. Your final
stretch takes you through a timeless and kaleidoscopic landscape of
ochre-coloured hills and verdant vineyards, giving you a real sense of
achievement as you loop back to Volterra for your final night. This is a
self-guided cycling trip for those who like to cycle independently, but with
back up to take out the hard work 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.Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate)Please see the introductory pages
of the cycling holidays brochure or our website for more important
information on classification and grading.Av. daily ride: 38km (24miles).No.
of days cycling: 4Terrain & route: The suggested cycling is along quiet,
tarmac roads (mainly traffic-free). There are a few ascents and descents
along the way.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 an emergency assistance telephone
number should you need it and in emergencies.
HotelsSuperb 3-star and 4-star contrasting hotels, all with sparkling swimming
pools, are an added highlight of this holiday. In Colle di Val d'Elsa, you
stay in a fabulously restored 12th century Benedictine abbey, complete with
original frescoes, whilst in Volterra, your 4-star hotel has a panoramic
infinity pool, with stunning, sweeping views over the Tuscan countryside. 
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. Your
luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. Please note:
the walking and 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 continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals includedItaly’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 on bread (very nice with a sprinkling of
salt!). Of course the Chianti region is best known for its regional wine (the
very best ones are Chianti Classico and have a black cockerel stamped on the
label). Chianti is produced in the vineyards dotted around the Tuscan hills;
we actually visit the hills to the north of Siena, where the Chianti Colli
Senesi wine is produced. Made from the Sangiovese grape, this is an excellent
light, fruity red. Although best known for its red wine, a good white wine is
also produced in the Chianti region. Made from the Vernaccia grape, the
Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a crisp dry white which has greatly improved
over recent years. It is best drunk young.
The tour itself normally begins at the start hotel in Volterra on the
afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary.Flights:We can also book flights for you.
The standard flights we usually use are with 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.Please note that the standard
flights/trains may occasionally change throughout the season so please
enquire for up-to-date details.
Standard transfersFor flight inclusive bookings transfers included from Pisa
airport at 11:35, and back to Pisa airport at 09:00. For land only bookings
transfers are available at a supplement.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).
April and May departures can expect warm days and although rain is possible,
it seldom lasts long. Nights may still be rather cool. We strongly recommend
a fleece-lined jacket or warm sweater in these months. June sees the start of
summer and July and August can become quite hot by mid afternoon, so this
time is kept free for lunch. Although rain is unusual, torrential cloudbursts
are not unknown. September and October are cooler and wetter, yet visibility
is often better. Swimming is usually still possible at this time.
WaterproofsWarm jumper/fleeceSuncreamWater bottle (1 litre) you will be able
to refill each day at the accommodation.
Torch (useful for walking to the village in the evening)Swimwear
Lunch is not included in the itinerary and some dinners are left open where
there are good restaurant choices, please allow some spending money for this.
We recommend approximately €5-15 (US$4.50-13) per lunch and €20-30
(US$18-27) for dinner.
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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