Tuscany
Idyllic riding through the Italian countryside
Ride from village to village on an immersive Italian cycling adventure.
If your idea of a Tuscan bike vacation evokes visions of rolling golden hills, mid-ride espresso stops, climbs to medieval hilltop villages, wood-fired pizza, and a nightly glass of Chianti, and you’re spot on for what you’ll experience during this cycling camp. We’ve curated our favorite routes, ranging from 40-70 miles, to showcase a variety of areas in the Tuscan countryside, with options to go fast, slow, long, or short. Don’t worry; there will be plenty of downtime to enjoy this spectacular region. Wine tasting, a cooking class, soaking in a natural hot spring, and touring Siena are all on the itinerary.
Highlights
- Bike among vineyards and olive groves on daily guided and supported rides
- Enjoy family-prepared meals by our Italian hosts, including pizza made in a wood-fired oven
- Stay in cozy bed-and-breakfast accommodations off the beaten path
- Explore Siena, taste wine and try the local cuisine
- Take part in an authentic Italian cooking class
Food
It doesn’t get more authentic than this: Our food in Tuscany is prepared fresh by the Italian family who runs Palazzo a Merse, the bed and breakfast where we stay. Many of the meats are sourced from a farm down the road, and the veggies are grown in the field behind the property or by the neighbors across the street. Meats are cooked over an open flame, and pizzas are prepared in a 500-year-old wood-fired oven. Family B&B meals are balanced with dining out to enjoy the local cuisine.
Accommodations
Meet your new extended family at Palazzo a Merse, a restored 18th-century farmhouse where we’ll spend the week. Owned by our guide Andréa Rossi and his wife and sister’s family, the rustic Tuscan B&B is about 10 kilometers from Siena in the quiet countryside of Val di Merse. Relax in the spacious, shady garden, or enjoy breakfast or a glass of wine as you lounge around the outdoor pool. Family-style meals are cooked by our hosts and served outside when weather allows.
ITINERARY
Welcome to Tuscany!
Riders will arrive at the Florence Airport or the Siena Train Station, and we will shuttle to B&B Palazzo a Merse.
Anyone renting a car can arrive at the B&B any time after 11 a.m. We’ll head out for an arrival day spin (~2 hours) to explore our surroundings for the week.
Today’s ride:
Arrival day spin:
21 miles, 1,044 feet of climbing
Tour the Val de Merse Region
We will ride around the Val de Merse area of Tuscany on this beautiful loop, with options to shorten or lengthen the route. We’ll stop at a café in Chiusdino and see the Abbey of San Galgano.
In the afternoon, we’ll go wine tasting at one of our favorite wineries in Tuscany.
Today’s ride:
Chiusdino: 39 miles, 2,976 feet of climbing
Explore the Val D'orcia Region
This ride is a point-to-point tour through beautiful Tuscan countryside from our B&B to a small agrotourismo property near Asciano, sweeping through the heart of the Val D’orcia region.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Montalcino to see where Brunello wine is produced.
Today’s ride:
B&B Point-to-Point (Val D’Orcia): 36 miles, 3,287 feet of climbing
Option to extend the ride by pedaling up to Montalcino!
Siena
There are two options today: either a recovery tour around the B&B or a 3-hour ride to Pievescola with a café break in the village.
After the ride and lunch, we’ll go visit Siena. We’ve organized an optional walking tour, which is a great way to learn about the amazing history in this area. Dinner will be enjoyed in the heart of Siena.
Today’s ride:
Recovery Loop: ~1 hour
Pievescola Loop: 40 miles, 3,334 feet of climbing
Discover Chianti
Learn more about the legend of that famous black rooster as we take a tour of the Chianti region. We’ll shuttle to the start, and mid-ride, we’ll enjoy a coffee stop in the village of Gaiole, which is where the Eroica Gran Fondo starts and finishes. The route finishes in the medieval village of San Gusme, where we’ll enjoy lunch.
After lunch, we’ll shuttle back to the B&B, where the family will host a cooking class. You’ll learn how to make homemade pasta and tiramisu (among other dishes), so when you host your next dinner party, you’ll be able to show off your new skills!
Today’s ride:
Chianti Tour: 37 miles, 3,447 feet of climbing
Option to add mileage on for those who want more riding.
The Heart of Val D'orcia
The day starts with a van shuttle from the B&B to Torrenieri in the heart of Tuscany. Today’s point-to-point ride has it all and visits the beautiful city of Pienza, where we will stop for an espresso with a view. The ride finishes in the small village of Montisi, and we cap it off with a beautiful lunch overlooking the Tuscan countryside.
Today’s ride:
The Heart of Val D’Orcia: 37 miles, 3,500 feet of climbing
Option to add mileage on for those who want more riding.
Ciao & Grazie!
Checkout is 11 a.m. Riders will pack up, and we’ll shuttle back to the Florence Airport or the Siena Train Station for departures.
Today’s plan:
Shuttles to Siena and Florence
DATES & PRICES
- May 19 - 25 $4,345 / Person
- May 27 - Jun 2 $4,345 / Person
- Sep 2 - 8 $4,345 / Person
- Sep 10 - 16 $4,345 / Person
DETAILS
What's Included
- 7 days/6 nights accommodations (double occupancy)
- Airport transfers to/from Florence International Airport (FLR)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Wine tastings, walking tour, cooking class!
- Mechanical support (including bike build and breakdown)
- Professional trip guides
- Daily sag support
- Ride nutrition products
- High-quality ride photos
What's Not Included
- Airfare
- Bike rentals
- Gratuity for guides
- Mid-ride café stops
- Personal shopping
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting
- Tuscan cooking class
- Siena walking tour in the evening
- Visit to San Galgano Abbey
Questions?
BIKE OPTIONS
Rent A Bike
Traveling through the airport with a bike—and paying for it to fly—is not everyone’s idea of a fun way to start a vacation. Fortunately, we offer high-quality, full carbon bikes on all of our trips across the United States and Europe. Want to just show up and ride? Just bring your shoes, pedals, helmet, and saddle (if you want), and rent one of ours.
Bring Your Own
Your bike is yours—we get it. Bringing your own bike has obvious advantages in terms of individual comfort. Before your trip, we suggest getting a tune-up at your local bike shop so it’s ready to roll for your week of riding. Once you arrive, we’ll be sure to have our mechanics build it and help with any necessary tweaks. Check out some helpful resources here:
Skip The Bike
If you or your travel partner want to enjoy the trip and explore a new destination without a bike, drop us a line and we’ll discuss options. Some trips are better suited for non-rider participants than others.
TRIP TEAM
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