Tuscany Coast Bike Tour
Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights
Departures 2012: July 8 and private departures.
Departing from: Florence, 9 a.m. July 8, Day 1
Tour finishes: Grosseto or nearby train station, 10 a.m. on Day 7, Sat July 14.
Price 2012: €2,100 per person based on double occupancy and minimum of 6 people. Single supplement €260.
Ride beside white sandy beaches, through charming seaside villages, and amongst terraced olive groves and lush vineyards as we explore Tuscany’s beautiful and lesser-traveled Tyrhenian coast. The region’s gently rolling hills are scattered with medieval villages, seaside harbors, and famous wineries, making it ideally suited to biking. Of course, Tuscany’s wonderful cuisine, superb wine and charming inns provide a wonderfully relaxing end to the day.
Our rides include flat coastal roads as well as some hillier terrain with long, gradual climbs. Optional rides are available for those wanting more miles, while less keen cyclists can return to the hotel earlier, or take advantage of our support vehicle. The tour takes in the renowned wine region of Bolgheri, home to the famous labels of Ornellaia, 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 accommodations include two country hotels (with pools) which produce their own olive oil and wine, and a seaside villa just steps away from the beach.
Day 1 – Sunday: Meet your guide(s) at 9:00 a.m. at the Hotel Hotel Orto de’ Medici in Florence. We have a 1.5 hour van shuttle to the charming seaside town of Castiglioncello where we will check into our hotel by the sea. After a short orientation we set out for 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, a charming family-run hotel built in the early 1900′s on the seaside. Sit back, relax and admire the shimmering sunset, then enjoy dinner on the terrace perched above the water. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 2 – Monday: 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. We dine together tonight in a local restaurant. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 – Tuesday: This morning we bike through the “pineta”, a shady pine forest which stretches for miles along the coast. We soon reach the “Strada del Vino,” the wine road of the Bolgheri area, a.k.a.; the “Italian Bordeaux.” Bolgheri village is full of artists, workshops and galleries, and of course tempting wine shops. We ride into the beautiful grounds of Tenuta Argentiera for a visit, tasting and lunch at this prestigious 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 before dinner featuring the Tenuta’s own organic produce. Hotel , breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 4 – Wednesday: This morning you can ride a challenging loop in the surrounding hills, or enjoy a later start and an easy ride to our lunch destination. Whichever you choose, we will visit Castagneto Carducci, an ancient town perched dramatically above the sea. Its medieval ramparts offer breathtaking views which the Counts della Gherardesca might have appreciated less 600 years ago when they scanned the horizon for marauding Saracen pirates. We have lunch at the Fonte di Foiano, a family-run olive mill. We’ll learn why Olio di Oliva Extra Vergine is so special and then enjoy a lunch of their home-grown delicacies, After lunch, ride back to La Bandita and enjoy some downtime by the pool. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 5 – Thursday: Our ride takes 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. Its 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 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’s 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 6 – Friday: Bring your swimsuit 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 has a sandy beach, so we make 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 7 – Saturday: We transfer at 9:00 this morning to Grosseto train station for rail connections to Rome, Florence, and beyond. Breakfast and transfer included.
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, 2 lunches; 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,detailed written route notes and highlighted maps so you can ride at our own speed and choose to do longer or shorter options. 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! |
