8
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Start in the hilltop town of San Quirico D'Orcia, one of the most beautiful and charming medieval towns of the Orcia Valley.
Today we head towards Pienza, a charming town full of history and culture. From here we cycle to the beautifully situated wine centre of Montepulciano, famous for its Vino Nobile. We then head towards the mediaeval village of Monticchiello and on to the well known thermal bath of Bagno Vignoni, before making our way back to the hotel.
Distance in Km: 56
Distance in Miles: 35
Altitude Gain: 905
Altitude Loss: 905
A classic day's riding, showing Tuscany at its most picturesque. Following back roads, we head out of San Quirico with a first stop at Montalcino. We then descend on the road to Buonconvento and ride back up to Murlo passing by Bibbiano. From here we ascend the short but steep Rospatoio Pass and take a lovely road section via Ville di Corsano, as we approach the splendid gothic city of Siena.
Distance in Km: 69
Distance in Miles: 43
Altitude Gain: 1232
Altitude Loss: 1308
Siena is one of Italy's best-preserved medieval towns with one of the world's most gracious squares, the Campo. There is plenty to see in Siena and its sights are best explored on foot as the town is compact but hilly. There are many museums and buildings of interest to visit, such as the impressive Duomo. Alternatively you may choose to head out for an unguided ride.
From Siena we head directly into the heart of Chianti. Our picturesque route takes us via some lovely small villages and hamlets, as well as some spectacular vineyards and castles, such as that of Castello di Brolio. Here there is the option to taste some of the area's finest wines. We then cycle on to Gaiole for lunch and after a gelato stop in Radda, we follow our final section to Castellina in Chianti, where we stay for two nights.
Distance in Km: 51
Distance in Miles: 32
Altitude Gain: 1008
Altitude Loss: 733
From Castellina, we ride through rolling countryside before taking an amazingly scenic descent into the lower valley. From Poggibonsi we head towards the distant towers of San Gimignano, nestled between the hills and small hamlets. The Unesco town is one of the most visited and interesting sights in Tuscany; famous for its towers, Vernaccia wine & Safron. We spend a few hours enjoying the atmosphere, walking by the walls and admiring the town's high towers. Our return route involves a long but beautiful climb before reaching Castellina and enjoying a well deserved gelato.
Distance in Km: 75
Distance in Miles: 46
Altitude Gain: 1206
Altitude Loss: 1206
Our final spectacular ride passes through Panzano in Chianti towards the market town of Greve in Chianti. This is described as one of the most scenic roads which links Florence with Siena through the Chianti hills. Here we have time to admire the triangular piazza which hosts the famous Chianti wine festival before heading towards Strada and Impruneta, known for their local terracotta production. In Impruneta we stop for our lunch. We finish by taking a panoramic road towards Florence, cycling all the way to Piazzale Michelangelo for a final group shot. We will arrive in Florence in the early afternoon, giving you time to start exploring this wonderful city of the Renaissance including the Cathedral and Baptistry – the oldest building in the city. Also see the Ponte Vecchio, the superb bridge over the river Arno, lined with goldsmiths and the most famous symbol of the City.
Distance in Km: 58
Distance in Miles: 36
Altitude Gain: 821
Altitude Loss: 1230
End in Florence. Please speak to our sales team if you would like to book extra nights in this magnificent city.
7 nights at 3 star hotels with en suite facilities5 days cycling with partial
vehicle support (limited seats)Group normally 6 to 16, plus leaders. Min age
16 yearsE-bike hire available on all dates (on request)95% tarmac, 5% easy
gravel roads
All breakfasts are included and are Continental in style, consisting of
coffee or tea, cereals, cheese and cold meat, bread, pastries, yoghurt, jam
and/or honey.Italy’s cuisine is hearty, satisfying and full of flavour.
Inspired by the kitchens of the nonna, Tuscany’s food is authentic and
surprising – pizza and pasta are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes
to the diverse array of unforgettable food you’ll find on this trip.
Starters include antipasti of cured meats or a crostini di fegato made from
toasted slices of bread with a chicken liver pate. Soups options are the
zuppa di fagioli, with beans, or ribollita, a deliciously hearty vegetable
and bread soup. The tagliatelle al tartufo brings the delicious flavors of
truffles into a rich, luscious pasta dish whether the bistecca florentina, a
mouth-watering t-bone steak takes centre stage for main course. End your meal
with cantucci biscuits, dipped into a glass of vin santo, sweet dessert wine
for a true taste of Tuscany. Vegetarians are well catered for in Italy.
Please inform us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.
7 nights at 3 star hotels with en suite facilities5 days cycling with partial
vehicle support (limited seats)Group normally 6 to 16, plus leaders. Min age
16 yearsE-bike hire available on all dates (on request)95% tarmac, 5% easy
gravel roads
This trip is classified Road. Activity Level: 4
(Moderate-Challenging). Please see the introductory pages of the cycling
holidays brochure or our website for more important information on
classification and grading. This region is famous for its rolling hills, so
be prepared for some climbing in places. This trip will require a moderate to
good level of fitness as the area and rides are on undulating roads varying
from 2km hills to 9km hill stretches on some days. Days 3, 5 and 6 fall into
the category of moderate-challenging riding, with elevation gains over 1000
metres and some steep sections up to 10-25%.Distances per day vary from
51-75km. There are no transfers to or from hotels on this trip: all the rides
are designed to be door-to-door. We aim to use quieter country roads where
possible, but sometimes we need to pass busy sections surrounding towns. The
most scenic routes are on tarmac, with occasional stretches of dirt/gravel
roads (locally known as 'white roads'). 5 days cycling, average 62km/day
(38.5 miles), partial vehicle support (limited seats). Terrain: 95% tarmac,
5% easy gravel roads. Approx. 310 km in total.Most days rides will be broken
up by morning coffee, lunch and afternoon gelato stops. Usually section of
5-15 km will be done between re-grouping. The leader will keep the group
together during busier/complicated sections, but on straight roads, cyclists
are free to ride at their own pace. Summer monthsTuscany can be very hot
during summer months, especially from June to August but heatwaves can happen
also in April and May. During summer months, temperatures can sometimes reach
high 30°Cs. We will try and start our days earlier, when possible, to avoid
the hottest hours of the day but please be aware that temperatures and
humidity will be high. You should feel comfortable and be used to cycle in
the heat. Presence of mosquitos in summer may increase (significantly), we
recommend taking mosquito repellent with you.Please note that at times,
especially during summer months, the inbound flight can be late in the
evening. In this case, you will have additional time to spend in Pisa. The
leader will take care of all arrangements in terms of transport from/to the
airport and the city centre and luggage storage. It may also happen that, for
logistical reasons, on return we will have to be at the airport earlier than
normally scheduled. This will mean a longer waiting time before checking
in.
HotelsYou will spend 7 nights in family run and comfortable 3-star hotels. All
accommodation have been carefully selected for their welcoming atmosphere and
all rooms have en suite facilities. Some hotels have a swimming pool where we
can relax after the long cycling days.Examples of hotels used are:San Quirico
d'Orcia: Hotel PalazzuoloSiena: Hotel Minerva or Hotel ChiusarelliCastellina
in Chianti: Hotel Il ColombaioFlorence: Hotel ClassicWe can arrange single
rooms throughout the trip (subject to availability). Please check with your
sales consultant for availability and prices.
Hotel Palazzuolo, San Quirico
The trip has two leaders, one who cycles with the group and acts as a
mechanic, helping with any bike problems. The other leader drives the support
vehicle and support the group when cycling on point - to - point days. At the
same time it transports the luggage from one hotel to the next.
All breakfasts are included and are Continental in style, consisting of
coffee or tea, cereals, cheese and cold meat, bread, pastries, yoghurt, jam
and/or honey.Italy’s cuisine is hearty, satisfying and full of flavour.
Inspired by the kitchens of the nonna, Tuscany’s food is authentic and
surprising – pizza and pasta are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes
to the diverse array of unforgettable food you’ll find on this trip.
Starters include antipasti of cured meats or a crostini di fegato made from
toasted slices of bread with a chicken liver pate. Soups options are the
zuppa di fagioli, with beans, or ribollita, a deliciously hearty vegetable
and bread soup. The tagliatelle al tartufo brings the delicious flavors of
truffles into a rich, luscious pasta dish whether the bistecca florentina, a
mouth-watering t-bone steak takes centre stage for main course. End your meal
with cantucci biscuits, dipped into a glass of vin santo, sweet dessert wine
for a true taste of Tuscany. Vegetarians are well catered for in Italy.
Please inform us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.
Your luggage is transferred from one hotel to the next using the support
vehicle, which follows the group during the rides as well.
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 daysThe group flight from London
is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary.Flights from
LondonWe normally use the scheduled services of British Airways (depending
on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we
recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to
confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later
date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before
departure.Travelling land only: 8 days starting in San Quirico and ending in
FlorenceYour trip normally starts at our accommodation in San Quirico in the
afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point
are provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two
weeks before departure.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights.Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.If you require airport transfers, you may (by
prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are
arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight ‐ please
check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take
this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point
at your own expense.The start hotel is in San Quirico and is roughly 2.5
hours drive from Pisa airport, depending on traffic. It is a long journey to
the start point and is recommended if possible to meet the group at Pisa
airport in order to join the group transfer.There are public transport
options to get from Pisa to San Quirico independently, however connections
may be limited. You can catch the bus from Pisa Airport (yellow bus Red
line, directly outside arrivals hall to Pisa Centrale Station) or the train
from Pisa Airport to Pisa Centrale station: tickets are available from the
arrivals hall info point. Please take the train from Pisa to Empoli and then
change southbound towards Siena, to a station called Buonconvento. From here
please take a taxi to the start hotel, this should cost in the region of
€50.If you wish to book a private arrival transfer through Exodus, please
contact us before departure and we will be able to organise it for you. The
cost will be approximately €350 payable locally.
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-October 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 glovesElectrolyte
sachets (to put in water during summer months) Sunglasses/eye
protectionStiff-soled shoes suitable for cyclingWaterproof jacket and long
cycling trousers; warm topSunscreenWater bottle: while mineral water is
available in restaurants and shops, it's safe to drink the tap water in
hotels, so remember to bring refillable water bottles and keep hydrated
during the day.
Swimming costume for swimming pools available at several hotels.
Local Bike Details: Cicloposse hybrid bikes with aluminium frame.Discount
for bringing your own bike: £75 (applicable if you do not transport the
bike in a bike box)
For the meals not included, allow from €15 for lunch and from €20-35 for
dinners. The exact amount spent depends entirely on the type of restaurant
visited, and the menu chosen.Optional sightseeing: Accademia Gallery in
Florence: €16 (including €6.50 booking fee)Siena Cathedral: €9 or
€17.50 including crypt, baptistry, museum and viewpoint (including €1
booking fee)Uffizi Gallery in Florence: €24 (including €4 booking fee).
If you would like to visit the Uffizi galleries we recommend that you prebook
your ticket online to avoid lengthy queues. Tickets can be purchased
through https://webshop.bticket.com/webshop/webticket/eventlist?production=1. 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 €4.00 per person per night. For
this trip, please allow between €16 and €21, depending on the season, for
the week. In some cities, children and people aged 75 or over are exempt from
this tax.
Although optional, a tip for the leaders at the end of the trip is greatly
appreciated. As a guideline, we suggest you allow approx. €20 per person
for the leader. It is also customary to tip private bus drivers (please allow
€10-15 per person for the week).
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Visas or
vaccinationsLocal taxes (approx. EUR 20 per person, see Trip Notes)
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.