Short description
Picture Tuscany in yourimagination and chances are you are picturing therolling hills, beautiful towns and spectacular colours that make thisone of our best new itineraries for 2020.Ride between the Chianti towns of Greve, Radda and Lecchi with ease atop one of our excellent e-bikes and take in the marvels of Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra en route.With so many memorable spots to stop at and explore, weve made sure that this trip has the perfect mix of saddle time andfree time, to make sureyou leave with a long list ofvivid memories.
The itinerary
Day 1 | Arrive at Perugia or Florence
Transfer to your hotel inPanzano in Chianti.Relaxinthe tranquillity ofyour4-starhotelandmeet up with your group and guides.
Day 2 | Round Trip: Greve in Chianti | Distance: 13mi/20km
The short round trip route planned today is a great way to explore the Chianti vineyards and to get used to your Raleigh e-bikes. Today well also be paying a visit to the Vignamaggio, which is rumored to have been the setting of Da Vincis Mona Lisa painting, for the first wine tasting of the trip. From here,turn on the assistance as you ride up to Greve in Chianti, where we will be taking a long lunchin the unusually shaped town square, perhaps indulging in a little of the local wine.Afterexploring some more of Greve,its a short ride back to Panzano for the night.
Day 3 | Panzano in Chianti to Castello di Tornano | Distance: 16mi/26km
Aswe wave goodbye to Panzano, we start today by calling in on another Chianti town, this time thetiny but breath-takingRadda in Chianti. We will arrive here in late morning and take a coffee break, with plenty of time to explore the charming village, before pressing onalong the backroads toLecchi in Chianti, arriving in time for alunch with a view.You can enjoy the localdelicacieswithouttrepidation, safe in the knowledge that your hotel lies just a few kilometres away and that a wine tasting awaits.
Day 4 | Castello di Tornano to Monteriggioni via Siena | Distance: 23mi/38km
Today is all about Siena, the jewel in Tuscanys crown. Perched atop a hill sits the magnificent central piazza, known as Il Campo, where each summer the locals famously take part in the traditional Palio. The climb up to the piazza is steep enough to challenge anyone on a road bike, but your electric bikes will make light work of it. After taking our time to explore and savoring a spot of lunch, we will hop back aboard your e-bike and glide through some pristine Tuscan countryside to our evening stopover at Monteriggioni.
Day 5 | Monteriggioni to San Gimignano | Distance: 23mi/37km
As we pass under the ancient gates of Monteriggioni to start this ride we enter a landscape of berceuse fields. Be sure to stop and look back at where we have come from, as the setting is truly extraordinary. After a stretch of rural cycling, San Gimignano springs into view, and what a view it is. Well ride right into the heart of this world-famous town and with plenty of the afternoon left to explore it. Once the day-trippers disappear, the character of the town transforms and the typically slow pace of life takes over once more.
Day 6 | San Gimignano to Volterra | Distance: 18mi/30km
This is one of the best rides of the whole tour, with vast vistas, a long freewheeling descent and a nice little hill to fly up in turbo mode at the end of the day. Our destination, Volterra, is a quiet and unassuming town, with a history stretching back to the 8th century BC. Whilst less heralded than Siena and San Gimignano, Volterra has its own charm and is just as spectacular, with the benefit of being considerably quieter.
Day 7 | Volterra | Rest Day
After a few good days of riding, most people like the chance to take a rest day in Volterra to soak up some sun, eat and drink to their hearts content and explore some of the towns many attractions.
Day 8 | Departure
We say arriverderci. Trip extensions are available upon request.
Key information
- Highlights
- Delightful3and 4-star hotels
- Bed & Breakfast accommodation
- 3 wine tasting sessions
- 1 Tuscan steak dinner
- Fully serviced electric bikes with panniers water bottle and repair kit
- Guided cycling every day with our expert guides
- Luggage transferred between your hotels
- 100% financial security through ABTA and ATOL