Italy's Heartland * Uncrowded Roads * Charming Inns * Cooking School

9 Days * October 2 - 10, 2008

This unforgettable bicycle tour traverses two of Italy's most scenic regions. Quiet country roads lead to historic medieval cities where you will find a variety of unique country villas and charming inns with gourmet food and exceptional wine. Our local guides are terrific, and they provide a wealth of information about the culture, history and art of this region.

Our tour begins in Assisi, where the medieval flavor takes you back to the enchantment and mystery of the Middle Ages. The province of Umbria is known as the "Green Heart" of Italy and our route is surrounded by vineyard clad valleys and hillsides covered with olive trees. Ancient walled cities, Etruscan tombs and Renaissance art are a treat for the eye, and Baci, the world-famous chocolate covered hazelnuts from Perugia, are a delicious treat for the palate!

The rural picture book charm of Tuscany features picturesque farmhouses amid a patchwork of green fields and hillsides silhouetted with stately Cyprus trees. Vineyards line the quiet country roads and acres of sunflowers are bathed in pastel sunlight. The route passes through a renowned wine region and a number of Tuscany's famed hill top towns where narrow winding streets lead to magnificent cathedrals, grand plazas and sidewalk cafes nestled between 13th century sculptures.

All of the accommodations we have selected reflect the warmth and hospitality of the region and feature a splendid assortment of villas, quaint hotels and charming country inns that provide a real sense of living history. The scrumptious meals served on the tour are made with the freshest local ingredients and seasoned with tasty olive oil and herbs. We will also be sampling some of Italy's best cheeses and most famous wines from regional vineyards - light, sparkling whites from Orvieto, the famous Brunellos from Montalcino and the irresistible Chiantis.

One of the most popular parts of this tour is an afternoon cooking class. Although it is optional, few choose to miss it, and many have commented that it was one of the highlights of their trip. This is more than just a class, it is a fun way to discover Italy through preparing some of the traditional dishes and then enjoying the feast!

This is a moderately hilly trip that fit riders of all abilities will enjoy. Our routes follow winding secondary roads and average 30 - 70 kilometers per day, and more riding is always available for the hearty. Each day a support vehicle accompanies the group to transport luggage and give a lift to any tired riders.

The Best of Tuscany and Umbria is more than just a great bike ride. It is your opportunity to fully experience the delightful countryside and wonderful people of Italy. We hope to see you there!

Day 1: We meet in Assisi for an afternoon orientation and a tour of the town featuring the Basilica of St. Francis, where Giotto's remarkable frescos are displayed. Join us for a Welcome dinner. Airlines from a variety of European cities fly into Perugia and the airport is close to Assisi. Trains from Rome, Florence and Milan service Assisi.

Day 2: Enjoy a morning ride to Spello, a picture perfect town with Roman origins, and a lunch stop and wine tasting at a private vineyard.  Our ride finishes in Bevagna, an extraordinary medieval village.  Ride: 50 km

Day 3: Our route through Umbria is highlighted by a visit to Deruta, a town famous for its ceramics. Tonight's lodging is at Poggiolo, a beautiful old villa. After a swim, there is a fun cooking class where we learn the secrets of Italian cuisine and feast on our creation!
Ride: 52 km

Day 4: A curvy road will lead us to Lake Trasimeno whose shores teem with migratory birds. We will cycle to Panicale, a stunning little hamlet, and spend the night in a nearby country inn that was the home of one of the legendary pasta makers in Italy.
Ride: 50 km

Day 5: Today's ride takes us through magnificent wine country into Tuscany and ends at Montepulciano, one of Tuscany's most famous hilltop towns. Perched on a narrow ridge of volcanic rock, Montepulciano boasts a unique collection of palaces and grand plazas, and is renowned for its Vino Nobile wine. We overnight in a spectacular villa outside Montepulciano. Ride: 47 km

Day 6: Traveling through Pienza, home of Pope Pio II, we'll find a unique collection of palaces, churches and a charming square. We continue on through a scenic Crete landscape of rolling hillsides decorated in shades of greenery and brown clay earth. Sturdy brick farmhouses dot the horizon and stately Cyprus trees silhouette the hilltops and roadsides.  Keep your camera handy, these vistas have inspired artists since the Middle Ages! An exquisite back road leads to Bagno Vignoni and a charming country inn near the hot thermal pools. Ride: 55 km

Day 7: We cycle up the gradual slope of Mt. Amiata to Arcidosso, and then our reward is a great downhill as we enter the Maremma region of southern Tuscany. The vegetation and climate are greatly influenced by the Mediterranean Sea. Our destination is Sovana, one of the most beautiful medieval Etruscan towns in all of Italy. We stay in a lovely country inn and dine in a superb restaurant tonight! Ride: 60 km

Day 8: Our final ride takes us along the shores of Bolsena Lake to Orvieto, one of the most interesting towns in Umbria. Perched atop reddish-brown cliffs of soft, volcanic tufa stone, Orvieto is in a spectacular setting. Its colorful Duomo is considered the finest cathedral of its period in Italy. Our hotel tonight is situated in a wonderful location within the walled city. Ride: 45 miles - the most direct way, but other scenic routes will easily add miles.

Day 9: Our tour ends after breakfast. There is easy access from the Orvieto train station to Rome, Florence and other destinations in Italy.

While we strive to create the most accurate itinerary possible, the nature of international travel demands that participants remain flexible to any changes. We will do our best to substitute activities and services of equal quality for those listed.

TOUR BEGINS / ENDS: Assisi, Italy / Orvieto, Italy
TOUR DATE: 9 Days, October 2 - 10, 2008
TOUR PRICE: €2,300 Euros/pp double occupancy, €300/pp single supplement
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: 8 nights lodging, all breakfasts and dinners, bilingual guide, van support, wine tastings, cooking class, group morning transfer to Orvieto at the end of the tour
TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: International flights, bike rentals (you may choose to bring your own bike or rent one for €150 Euros), lunches, beverages, gratuities for local guide

CHARTERS ARE AVAILABLE: This tour can be chartered as either a Guided Tour or Self Guided Tour March - October. Call us for information and availability 800-648-8488.

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Check out our other Italy Tours:
Cycling Sardinia & Sicily l Piedmont Cycling