Florence to Rome - Guided

Day 1: Florence, arrival
Day 2: Florence - Piazzano, 22 mi. (36 km)
Day 3: Piazzano - Perugia, 29 mi. (46 km)
Day 4: Perugia - Montefalco,  24 mi. (39 km)
Day 5: Rountrip Montefalco, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 6: Montefalco - Rieti, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 7: Rieti - Rome, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 8: Rome, departure 

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, such as weather conditions or provisions issued by the local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way, you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork not reflected in your route book or GPS tracks. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.

Day 1: Florence, arrival
Your tour begins in Florence, the city of art. The hotel is just a short walk from the main train station. At 5:30 pm, there is a tour meeting in the hotel lobby. A local tour guide will then provide a guided sightseeing tour of the city. You will then have the rest of the evening to your own disposal, where you can visit one of the numerous pubs and restaurants in Florence.

Accommodation: Hotel Albani

Day 2: Florence - Piazzano, 22 mi. (36 km)
After breakfast, the group departs Florence by train to the prosperous Chiana Valley whose beauty Goethe raved about. You will then cycle southwards via side streets. The smooth ridges are often crowned by mighty forts which go back to the Etruscan settlement. One of the oldest and for sure the most beautiful settlements in Cortona. Cortona has an incomparable panoramic view over the Chiana Valley and its numerous churches and palaces. You are invited to enjoy lunch before your ride back to the valley. You reach the historic and lovingly restored renaissance villa, Villa Piazzano, which invites you to relax in the lovely gardens or swimming pool.

Accommodation: Villa Piazzano

Day 3: Piazzano - Perugia, 29 mi. (46 km)
Following Hannibal's ancient path, you'll trace your way toward Trasimeno Lake, traversing the historic battleground of Rome's significant defeat in 217 BC. As you pedal along the shore of the largest lake of the Apennine peninsula, your backdrop will be the beautiful views of the islands and the hill towns above it. By afternoon, we'll arrive at Perugia, where you will spend the night. Nestled perfectly for city exploration, the hotel boasts an ideal location, complemented by a delightful wellness area to unwind. A guided tour will introduce you to the city's charming crooked alleys and numerous cultural monuments. As the tour concludes, there will be a dinner at a local favorite restaurant that promises an authentic taste of the region enjoyed by residents.

Accommdation: Brufani Palac

Day 4: Perugia - Montefalco,  24 mi. (39 km)
In the morning, you will take the bus from Perugia to Assisi. Very few towns in Umbria have preserved its medieval character as well as Assisi. The highlight of your city tour with a local guide is the Church of St. Francis decorated with the wonderful frescoes by Giotto. In the afternoon, a cycling tour is scheduled that starts with a panoramic route through the olive groves on the flanks of Mount Subasio. Afterwards, the route leads further in the direction of Montefalco. Situated a little below Montefalco, the secluded estate of "Villa Zuccari" will accommodate you for two nights. The stately country house of the Zuccari family has its origins in the 16th-century.

Accommodation: Villa Santa Barbara

Day 5: Roundtrip Montefalco, 19 mi. (30 km)
In the morning, you will visit Montefalco – the balcony of Umbria. The little town rises high above the environs and offers a fantastic panoramic view of the amazing landscape. If the weather is good you can look to Perugia and Spoleto. You visit an oil mill founded by Etruscans, and there will still be enough time to stroll around the narrow streets before a pleasant descent takes you down the hill. At the sun-spoilt hillsides of Montefalco, some of the best Italian vines produce grapes for wine. That is surely a reason you will visit numerous vineyards and can be assured of the extraordinary quality of the local products. Afterward, you will cycle back to Villa Santa Barbara, where you'll spend the remainder of the afternoon, culminating in a shared dinner experience.

Accommodation: Villa Santa Barbara

Day 6: Montefalco - Rieti, 30 mi. (48 km)
Our morning route to Spoleto passes mostly on flat terrain. Load your bikes and take an escalator to get to the old town. A walk takes you through a maze of narrow streets and places to the cathedral and the Ponte delle Torri. After that, a bus takes you to a place called Piediluco, situated directly on a beautiful lake. After having lunch, you could even take a refreshing bath before cycling southwards. Soon you will have reached the border to the Latium region. The landscape seems to be wilder here. Your destination for today is the beautiful city of Rieti which luckily was spared from the earthquake in August 2016. Your lodging is located on the river and on the pedestrian street of Rieti, in the Hotel Quattro Stagioni. Sunday's lunch is inclusive, affording you the evening for personal leisure. Countless pubs in the area offer a relaxed ambiance for unwinding.

Accommodation: Hotel Quattro Stagioni

Day 7: Rieti - Rome, 22 mi. (35 km)
After breakfast, a bus transfer takes you up to the Sabine Mountains to the Lago del Turano. Craggy cliffs tower high in the air all around the lake. It is hard to believe that you are just a few miles away from the rolling hills of the Tuscany and Umbria regions. Passing the little town Castel di Tora, you cycle along the lake. The number of inhabitants of this isolated mountain town has been decreasing for the last century. The young people moved to the cities to search for jobs, while the older generation stayed. The route continues through the rugged landscape before the bus takes you to Rome. Only 300 meters away from the Colosseum, the comfortable Mercure Centro Colosseo awaits you. There is enough time for a city walk to the Colosseum or to take an aperitif before meeting for dinner in a typical restaurant.

Accommodation: Mercure Centro Colosseo

Day 8: Rome, departure 
In the morning, there will be a walking tour. You will take a round trip through the antique part of Rome. Visit the Colosseum (from the outside) and the Forum Romanum. The tour ends at the statehouse with a wonderful panoramic view of the city. By noon your trip ends back at the hotel. If time allows, we highly recommend an independent visit to the Vatican (not included as part of the package)! A wonderful way to end your tour in Italy. If you are not traveling by train, there are also good connections to reach the airport.

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Accommodations

Very good 4* accommodations with historical ambience. Three overnight stays in former country villas. There is one more modest establishment in Rieti. Excellent cuisine based on local products.

Bicycles

Touring Bike (Trekking)

Relaxed upright cycling position

• Alloy frame
• Flat handlebar
• Flat pedal
• Shimano BR-T4000 V Brakes
• Saddlebags