| Tuscany by bicycle - beautiful! | |||||||||||||||||||||
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4 nights, 5 days |
USD $1850/person | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Booking: IV Travel (Please make first contact by email) |
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ItalianVisits.com links: Chianti, San Gimignano, Siena |
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Description |
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| Spend four days exploring the heart of Tuscany on your terms, by bike. You are sure to lose your sense of time cycling through fields of red poppies and sunflowers ending your day by the pool with a crisp glass of Chianti Classico. This region, best known as the heart of the Renaissance, is fully enjoyed as we witness the long cultural history dating back to the days of the Etruscan, Tuscany's as well as Italy's original in habitants. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Tour Schedule |
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| Day 1 & 2: Making of Wine, Olive Oil & Honey: In the heart of the Chianti Classico region, near an ancient market town, we spend two nights at a beautifully restored farmhouse/winery. Each day we have many opportunities to taste the wines, explore the villages and learn about the deep fascinating history of Tuscany. We bicycle along quiet country roads and trails lined by oak groves, vineyards and farmlands as we pass through the tiny villages. Each days route is challenging yet designed for all levels of cyclist to enjoy. We all ride at our own preferred pace while the sag wagon is always nearby. Our "Chianti Loop" takes us through the three villages that formed the "Chianti Alliance" centuries ago. Here we offer the time to learn about the regional history, shop or explore the medieval centers. We also visit the ancient Vallombroso abbeys and finish our rides with wine tastings and/or sample the tasty olives, honey and olive oil. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Days 3 - 5: Etruscans & Medieval Towers: The soft colorful landscapes of fine lines formed by the numerous vineyards, gently rolling hills and fields of sunflowers are unforgettable. We visit the Etruscan tombs of 700 B.C., feast on a picnic lunch of regional specialties before we leave the rugged Chianti Classico hills for the gentleness of wheat fields, sunflowers and the white Vernacci grape. An exhilarating ride is highlighted by our first glimpse of San Gimignano's medieval skyscrapers where we stay for two nights in the historic center. On our last day of riding we glide through the rolling terrain of magical landscapes looping into Voltera. Here we discover a mysterious hilltown who has its roots in three thousand years of history. The medieval city wall and Etruscan gate are the first of numerous discoveries giving evidence to each of its historical periods. We later ride to a tiny wine making village for a tour and tasting before heading back into San Gimignano for one last Tuscan feast. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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