Tuscany: Cycle Siena & Chianti
8 Days Starting in San Quirico D'Orcia or Pienza and ending in Florence
Visiting: Italy
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MWI
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
Tour Overview
The Tuscan landscape is one of the most evocative and romantic in Europe, with cypress tree-lined roads, olive groves, vineyards, ancient hilltop towns and, of course, classic Renaissance cities. Our group cycling tour is carefully planned to take in the best of Tuscany without feeling rushed: part of the joy of the Italian lifestyle is sitting and watching the world go by with a glass of wine in your hand. We ride through historically diverse areas of Tuscany, such as the Chianti hills and beautiful countryside around Montepulciano. Riding north, we discover a wonderfully scenic region, home to some of Tuscany’s most beautiful towns and villages. We then enjoy the magnificent Piazza del Campo in Siena before biking past the towers of San Gimignano and on to our final destination in Florence. Following country roads wherever possible, we mix point-to-point and circular rides to make a perfect cycling tour of this region.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start At Your Hotel In The Orcia Valley
We start in the Orcia Valley, staying in one the local hilltop towns, San Quirico D'Orcia or Pienza. There’ll be a welcome briefing at the hotel, where we gather as a group to go over the trip ahead.
Day 2 : Circular Ride Through Classic Tuscan Countryside Via The Wine Town Of Montepulciano And Thermal Spa Village Of Bagno Vignoni
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we enjoy a circular ride in the Orcia Valley. Taking in Pienza and San Quirico d'Orcia, we cycle to the beautifully situated wine centre of Montepulciano, best known for producing vino nobile. We then head towards the medieval village of Monticchiello and on to the well known thermal bath of Bagno Vignoni, before making our way back to the hotel.
Day 3 : Ride Through Vineyards And The Walled Town Of Murlo To Siena
Meals Included: Breakfast
A classic day's riding, showing Tuscany at its most picturesque. Following back roads, we head out of San Quirico with a first stop at Montalcino. We then descend on the road to Buonconvento and ride back up to Murlo, passing by Bibbiano. From here, we ascend the short but steep Rospatoio Pass and take a lovely road section via Ville di Corsano as we approach the splendid gothic city of Siena.
If staying in Pienza (26 August 2023 departure), today's ride is an extra 6mi (10km).
Day 4 : Free Day In Siena To Explore Or Relax
Meals Included: Breakfast
Siena is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Italy and home to the grand Piazza del Campo. There is plenty to see in Siena and its sights are best explored on foot as the town is compact but hilly. There are many museums and buildings of interest to visit, such as the impressive duomo (cathedral). Alternatively, you may choose to head out for an unguided ride.
Day 5 : Ride Via Gaiole And Radda To Castellina In Chianti
Meals Included: Breakfast
From Siena, we head directly into the heart of Chianti. Our picturesque route takes us via some lovely small villages and hamlets, plus spectacular vineyards and castles, such as Castello di Brolio. Here there is the option to taste some of the finest regional wines. We then cycle on to Gaiole for lunch and, after a gelato stop in Radda, follow our final section to Castellina in Chianti, where we stay for two nights.
Day 6 : Circular Ride Through The Chianti Hills Via Towers Of San Gimignano And Monteriggioni
Meals Included: Breakfast
From Castellina, we ride through rolling countryside before taking a scenic descent into the lower valley. From Poggibonsi, we head towards the distant towers of San Gimignano, nestled between hills and small hamlets. The Unesco-recognised town, famous for its towers, vernaccia wine and saffron, is one of the most visited and interesting sights in Tuscany. We spend a few hours enjoying the atmosphere, walking by the walls and admiring the high towers. Our return involves a long but beautiful climb before reaching Castellina and a well-deserved gelato.
Day 7 : Cycle To Florence Via Panzano And Greve In Chianti
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our final ride passes through Panzano towards the market town of Greve in Chianti. This is considered one of the most scenic roads in Tuscany, which links Florence to Siena via the Chianti hills. On arrival in Greve in Chianti, we have time to admire the triangular piazza that hosts the Chianti wine festival before heading towards Strada and Impruneta, known for their terracotta production. In Impruneta, we stop for lunch. We finish by taking a panoramic road towards Florence, cycling all the way to Piazzale Michelangelo. We will arrive in Florence in the early afternoon, giving you time to start exploring this wonderful Renaissance city, including the cathedral and Baptistery of Saint John. Don’t miss the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone bridge lined with jewellers, which connects the two banks of the river Arno.
Day 8 : End Florence.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip comes to an end after breakfast. However, if you’d like a little longer to explore this magnificent city, please speak to your sales representative.
What's Included
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All breakfasts
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All accommodation
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Local bike hire
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Group arrival and departure transfers available
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Local taxes
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E-bike hire
Food
All breakfasts are included and are Continental in style, consisting of coffee or tea, cereals, cheese and cold meat, bread, pastries, yoghurt, jam and/or honey.
Tuscan food is authentic and surprising – pizza and pasta are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the diverse cuisine on this trip.
Starters may include antipasti of cured meats or a crostini di fegato made from toasted bread slices topped with chicken liver pâté .
Soup options may include the classic bean dish of zuppa di fagioli or ribollita, a delicious, hearty vegetable and bread soup.
For mains, you might try the truffle-infused pasta dish tagliatelle al tartufo or a mouth-watering T-bone steak delicacy known as bistecca alla Fiorentina.
End your meal with cantucci biscuits dipped into a glass of the sweet dessert wine known as vin santo for a true taste of Tuscany.
While Tuscan cuisine has a strong meat focus, vegetarians can be well catered for. Please inform us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.
Accommodation
Spend seven nights in family-run hotels. All have been carefully selected for their welcoming atmosphere and all rooms have private bathrooms. Some hotels have a swimming pool where we can relax after the long cycling days.
Examples of hotels used are:
Orcia Valley: Wellness Hotel Casanova or Relais Chiostro di Pienza
Siena: Hotel Minerva
Castellina in Chianti: Hotel Il Colombaio or Hotel Casafrassi
Florence: Hotel Classic
Worth knowing
We can arrange single rooms throughout the trip (subject to availability). Please check with your sales representative for availability and prices.
During peak travelling periods or in case of last-minute bookings, alternative hotels may be assigned on an individual basis and that supplements may apply.
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.