TOUR AT A GLANCE – Tuscany Maremma Coast Bike
Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights
Departures 2010: July 22 (*midweek departure), as well as private departures.
Departing from: Florence, 9 a.m. Day 1
Tour finishes: Grosseto or nearby train station, 10 a.m. on Day 7
Special Price: €2,000 per person based on double occupancy and minimum of 6 people. Single supplement €200.
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Ride beside sandy white beaches, through charming seaside villages, and amongst terraced olive groves and lush 
vineyards as we explore Tuscany’s beautiful and little known Tyrrhenian coast. The regions gently rolling hills are scattered with medieval villages, seaside harbours, and famous wineries, making it ideally suited to biking. Of course, Tuscany’s wonderful cuisine, superb wine and charming inns provides a wonderfully relaxing end to the day.
Our rides include flat coastal seaside roads, routes that meander through thick stands of chestnut and oak. Hillier terrain offers long gradual climbs through olives groves and vineyards to spectacular castles and fortified medieval villages. There are of course optional extension each day for riders keen to get in some extra riding while less experienced rider have the reassurance of our support van which is available to assist when needed.
The tour takes in the renowned wine region of Bolgheri, home to the famous labels of Ornelaia, Sassicaia, and Grattamacco. We have incorporated visits to a winery and an olive oil mill so you can experience first hand two of the key elements that make life in Tuscany so sublime.
The beautifully preserved medieval towns of Castagneto Carducci, Casale Marittimo, and Suvereto feature in the first few days while the second half of the trip explores the heart of the Maremma; Tuscany’s “Wild South.” Our accommodation features two country hotels (with pools) who produce their own olive oil and wine, and a seaside villa that is just steps away from the beach.
Day 1 – Wednesday – July 21: Arrive independently in Florence. We recommend the Hotel Royal, one of the few central Florence hotels that has its own garden and swimming pool. We can book the hotel for you and add the hotel to your invoice or you can make your own arrangements at any hotel you like in Florence and simply meet us the next day at the pick up hotel, which is the Hotel Royale. Hotel and dinner not included. http://www.hotelroyalfirenze.it/
Day 2 – Thursday – July 22: Meet your guide(s) at 9:00 a.m. at the Hotel Royal in Florence. A 1.5 hour van shuttle will take us to the charming seaside town of Castiglioncello where we will check into our seaside hotel. Next is the bike fitting and safety talk and then we are away on our first ride along the sea and up to a nearby village for lunch. The afternoon ride ends back in Castiglioncello where you will have time to enjoy a swim and explore the town. Located on a promontory covered by pinewood and Mediterranean brush, there is a lovely promenade for an evening stroll. Our hotel is the Villa Leopoldo. Built in the early 1900’s it is a charming family run hotel on the seaside. Sit back, relax and admire the shimmering sunset. Dinner on the terrace perched above the water. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included. http://hotelleopoldo.it/eng/servizi-castiglioncello.htm
Day 3 – Friday – July 23: Today we ride up into the low hills that rise up from the coastal plain, along quiet country roads with beautiful views of the verdant hills and the Tyrrhenian sea. We’ll ride through several small villages and stop for lunch in a delightful trattoria in the town of Gabbro, a tiny village nestled in the Regional Park of the Monti Livornesi. A beautiful downhill takes us back to Castiglioncello, where we can enjoy a swim and a walk along the promenade. Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 – Saturday – July 24: Leaving Castiglioncello, we’ll cycle through the “Pineta”, a shady pine forest which stretches for miles along the coast. We’ll soon reach the “Strada del Vino,” the wine road of the Bolgheri area, the “Italian Bordeaux.” We’ll cycle along Bolgheri’s famous Viale Cipressi, a five kilometer Cypress lined stretch of road. Bolgheri village is full of artists, their workshops and galleries, and of course tempting wine shops. We ride into the beautiful grounds of Tenuta Argentiera for a visit and tasting at this wonderful winery. Afterwards, we make our way to Tenuta La Bandita, our home for the next two nights. A 17th-century villa set high in the hills of the Val di Cornia it has an elegant and tranquil atmosphere. Have a dip in the pool then relax on the terrace and take in the expansive views. Tonight’s dinner is prepared using the Tenuta’s own organic produce and olive oil. Hotel , breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 5 – Sunday – July 25: This morning you have the option to ride a challenging loop in the surrounding hills, or enjoy a later start and an easy ride to our lunch destination. Whichever option you choose, we will visit Castagneto Carducci, an ancient town perched dramatically above the sea. It’s medieval ramparts offer breathtaking panoramas, views the Counts della Gherardesca might have appreciated less 600 years ago as they scanned the horizons for marauding Saracen pirates. Lunch is had at the Fonte di Foiano, a family-run olive mill. We will learn from them why Olio di Oliva Extra Vergine is so special and then enjoy a lunch of their home-grown delicacies, After lunch, we'll ride back to La Bandita and have time to enjoy the pool. Hotel, breakfast , lunch and dinner included.
Day 6 – Monday – July 26:
Our ride today will take us on a beautiful road through dense chestnut and cork oak forests, as we head south toward the Tuscan Maremma. This is the wildest part of Tuscany, where until recently shepherds tended to their livestock – notably cattle and sheep – on horseback. Sassetta village, perched on an outcrop of rock high above the valley serves as a beacon as we make our way to medieval Suvereto. It’s fortified walls, tower houses, and Gothic churches take you back a thousand years. A nice cappuccino at the café will ease you back into the present, and then we’ll ride through the Montioni forest to a great little trattoria in the middle of nowhere – a favorite stopping point for local cyclists. Try their wild boar carpaccio. It is delicious, and will fuel your afternoon ride. After lunch, we ride past the rock quarries of Scarlino on our way to our next hotel, the Agriturismo Montebelli, which is a gem. Our host, Alessandro, welcomes us to his family run property with a glass of his own excellent wine and tells us a little about the estate’s long history. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 7 – Tuesday – July 27: Bring your swim-suite because today we ride to the beach. Our destination is Castiglione della Pescaia, a lovely seaside resort town surmounted by an imposing castle. It also features a sandy beach so time for a dip in the Med before lunch, but save room for the best gelato in the Maremma. Tonight’s final aperitivo is on the terrace followed by a special barbecue feast. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8 – Wednesday – July 28: We transfer after breakfast at 9:00 this morning to Grosseto train station for rail connections to Rome, Florence, and beyond. Breakfast included.
See all of our tours by date: TOUR CALENDAR 2010
The biking in this part of Tuscany is rolling, with more gradual hills than in central Tuscany. 
We ride 40 – 65 km a day, with optional extensions as well as van support, which allows you to relax off the bike for a while. We have designed the trip so that there is always some free time in the late afternoon so you can relax, read, or explore the towns where we stay.The July departure will be hot, so we will do most of our rides in the morning. Happily, we always have a pool or the beach to look forward to. Breakfast is included every day, and dinners reflect the excellent traditional food of the region.
Useful Links –
The City of Florence: everything you need to know about the city
The Accademia: home of Michelangelo’s David and other world-famous works
The Uffizi Gallery: one of the greatest collections in the world. We recommend you make reservations ahead of time.
The Duomo: one of the wonders of the Renaissance, Florence’s cathedral.
The Maremma: great site with photos and info about the Maremma region.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Italy has more sites listed than any other country!
General Information
Qualifications: This trip is rated Moderate. The terrain is characterized by flat riding, rolling hills and long, gradual climbs and descents. The daily distances are between 45-65 kms (28-40 miles), or about 3-5 hours of riding divided between morning and afternoon. Trip Cost Includes: 6 nights in 3-star hotels and country B&Bs; 6 breakfasts and dinners, 1 lunch; bilingual guide or guides; support vehicle; guided tours as noted in the itinerary, including winery visit and tasting; all luggage transfers; bikes (quality 27-speed hybrid-style touring bikes with front handlebar bags and rear racks); and final transfer to most convenient train station for departures. Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page) Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the "Reservation" page). Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance. We recommend "Travel Guard" to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.  We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
