Tuscany II

Italy Bike Tour

Florence, Siena, and the Chianti

This tour is similar to the first Tuscany tour in that you also bike in Florence, Siena and Greve. But in addition, this tour visits Radda in Chianti, Tavernelle and Colle Val D’Elsa.

This Italy bike tour starts in Siena, with it’s amazing Piazza del Campo that has been declared a World Heritage Site. On it is the famous Palazzo Pubblico, a great art museum which is itself a marvel of architecture. The famous Palio horse races are also held in Siena. From Siena, the tour heads north to the beautiful village of Radda in Chianti. Situated on a hill covered with vineyards, Radda also produces the best olive oil in the region. Further along your bike in Tuscany, you’ll ride through the famous vineyards of the Chianti region to Greve and finish the day's bike in Florence. The capital of Tuscany, Florence is located on the banks of the Arno River in the very heart of Italy. Enjoy this very unique city when drinking your café latte on the Piazza della Signoria with the sculpture of David by Michelangelo in your sight. 

Biking in Italy, as one of Europe's most popular cycling destinations, is certainly a once in a lifetime experience. Be sure to check out our other Italy cycling tours!

Skill Level

This Tuscany bike tour is classified as difficult. Though daily distances are not excessive, some climbs are very steep and continuous. Tour runs primarily on side roads. Entering and exiting the cities, you will encounter traffic, that at times can be heavy. Distances range from 17 to 29 miles per day.

Where You’ll Stay

Cozy and comfortable 2 star-3 star hotels, B&B’s, and agriturismos.

What’s Included

• 7 night accommodations
• Breakfast buffets
• 21-speed hybrid bicycle
• Luggage transfer
• Route descriptions & maps
• 7 day hotline service

What’s Not Included

• Remaining meals
• Local hotel taxes (€0 to €4 per person/night)

Tour Dates

• Every Saturday from April 13 to October 5, 2013.
• Special departure dates can be arranged for groups of at least 6.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Arrival in Siena.
2. Siena – Radda in Chianti, 28 mi. (45 km)
3. Radda in Chianti – Greve, 25 mi. (40 km)
4. Greve – Florence, 24 mi. (38 km)
5. Florence: day of rest OR bike to Tavarnelle, 25 mi. (40 km)
6. Tavarnelle – Colle Val D’Elsa, 28 mi. (45 km)
   or Florence – Colle Val D’Elsa, 25 mi. (40 km) by train and then 16 mi. (25 km) by bike
7. Colle Val D’Elsa – Siena, 25 mi.(40 km)
8. Departure from Siena.

DAY 1: Arrival in Siena.
Arrival in Siena. You can also stay in Pisa and take a train (90 min - dept. at 8:30am) to Siena the following day. You will pick up your rental cycle at a nearby cycle shop.

DAY 2: Siena - Radda in Chianti, 28 mi. (45 km)
From Siena you will start your Tuscany bike tour by heading north towards the beautiful village of Radda in Chianti. This town is situated on a hill covered with woods and extensive vineyards forming the watershed between the Pesa and Arbia valleys. Formerly belonging to the Guidi family, it came under Florentine control in 1203. After being fortified in 1400 it was, from 1415 onwards, head of the League of Chianti, and it preserves the remains of its ancient walls.

DAY 3: Radda in Chianti - Greve, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today, you continue cycling through Italy over the Tuscan hills and breathtaking views will accompany you through the famous vineyards of the Chianti region. You will have the option once you reach Panzano to choose between the longer and shorter stages. If you chose the longer stage, your reward will be the challenges of the climbs with beautiful views and the small village of Sillano, famouse for its old parish, San Pietro whose recorded history dates back to before the year 884 when it is mentioned in the parchment of the Badia a Passignano. The shorter stage is all downhill into the enchanting down of Greve with its historic triangular main piazza, where a market has been running more or less continuously for centuries serving the nearby castle communities and hamlets. Greve is a town that invites you to stroll and experience as there are lovely, ancient alleyways that meander throughout the outskirts of the town. Observe the flowers and gardens, even on second story balconies, and the ever present laundry hanging from almost every window.

DAY 4: Greve - Florence, 24 mi. (30 km)
Today's you will bike in Florence - the capital of Tuscany - located on the banks of the Arno River between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas, in the very heart of Italy. Your ride this day will have you climb the mountain tops where your view of Florence is usually bought with a price by your typcial tourist. You however, will merge with the Italians as you bike into the city, cross the street and are suddenly overjoyed to see the Ponte Vecchio on your left and the lovely Arno in front. Enjoy this very unique and artistic city when drinking your café latte on the Piazza della Signoria with the copy of the sculpture of David by Michelangelo in your sight. Renaissance villas, age old olive trees, romantic parishes and lonely cypresses make this opportunity worth an extra day in Florence.

DAY 5: Florence.
Florence is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and was long ruled by the Medici family. Florence is also famous, of course, for it's magnificent art and architecture.  You have the entire day to spend in this city!

DAY 6: Florence - Colle Val D'Elsa,  25 mi. (40 km) by train and then 25 mi. (40 km) by bike.
You start your day with a short train transfer which will bring you to Certaldo and after ward  to your destination, Val d'Elsa. It is situated on the Via Francigena,  a historic road leading to Rome from Canterbury, a major route which in the past was used by thousands of pilgrims on their way to Rome.

DAY 7: Colle Val D'Elsa - Siena, 25 mi. (40 km)
From the Val d'Elsa valley you cycle back to the beautiful town of Siena. Siena preserves its medieval character to a remarkable degree, and has been largely unspoiled by new buildings. Its beautiful Gothic buildings include the Cathedral and Palazzo Pubblico on the characteristic Piazza del Campo with its tower (La Mangia), as well as numerous churches.

DAY 8: Siena
This Italy bike tour will end after breakfast, or an extension is possible in this magnificent country. 

Variation:

DAY 5: Florence - Tavarnelle, 25 mi. (40 km)
 The village of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa has Roman origins; it is named after the ancient taverns offering accommodation and refreshment located alon the road which linked Florence to Siena and thence to Rome.

DAY 6: Tavarnelle - Colle Val D'Elsa, 28 mi. (45 km)
From Tavarnelle, you cycle to Colle di Val d'Elsa which lies in the heart of Tuscany, in a strategically favorable position near athe towns of Siena and Florence. It is situated ont eh via Francigena that connects Rome with the North. On the way you pass Certaldo whose upper portion has remained as it was in the middle ages. Further you you come across San Gimignano, which rises on a hill dominating the Elsa Valley with its towers. 

DAY 7: Colle Val D'Elsa - Siena, 25 mi. (40 km)
See above

DAY 8: Departure
 

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• Nederlands: Toscane II
• Español: Toscana II