Gently pedal through the soft hills of Tuscany, their delicate contours marked by lines of sentinel cypress trees. The towns, Certaldo, San Gimingano, Siena, Montalcino … define color coordination, and showcase a local talent for fitting modern style into old stones. The perched villages and “fattoria” olive and wine farms of Chianti are delightful museums to the rustic charm of Italy.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Cycle to Certaldo, past villas surrounded by their trademark sentinel cypress trees, and through the vineyards of northern Chianti. Certaldo is the final resting place of Boccacio, friend of Petrarque, literary inspiration for La Fontaine fables and Pasolini films. His home, now a museum, graces the old walled town. Our base for two nights.
(B) (D)
Day 2:
Whatever you do, save a bit of the day for San Gimignano. The “Manhattan of Tuscany” (yeah, it’s a silly name) dominates the surrounding countryside and is in turn dominated by the 13 square towers which give it its nickname.
(B) (D)
Day 3:
Up a big hill to Castellina in Chianti. The climb is long, but the eternal glide back down is most rewarding. Then into Siena, via the dramatic fortress of Monteriggioni.
(B) (D)
Day 4:
A glorious cycle south. Though Chianti is better-known, the hills south of Siena (“i colline sienese”) may be our favorite Tuscany. No one lives here, and the distances are long, even between “fattorias” (Tuscan farms, the exact opposite of “factory farming” despite their names). The scenery is splendid, and quiet roads make for great biking.
(B)
Day 5:
Climb up to the wine town of Montalcino, from whence the famous “Brunello.” Every third building is a wine bar! Coast back down to the station for an evening train home.
(B) (D)
Day 6:
Into the heart of Chianti, to Lucarelli (a tiny village near Radda). Roads on top of ridges, typical Tuscan scenes line our route today.
(B) (D)
Day 7:
Marathoners (and those not afraid of city traffic) can make directly for Florence. Cycling into an Italian city is not dull, but you may prefer to seek your thrills elsewhere. An alternate route will carry you to a commuter train for the ride into town.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Departures in 2008: May 11, June 8, Aug. 31, Sept. 28, Oct. 19.
Trip price includes the bike!
Optional Single Supplement: $450
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Bicycle Touring
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