Tour of Tuscany
Our hotel in Pienza |
Day 1
SUNDAY › Welcome to Tuscany
Our
trip starts at Florence airport where our staff will be there
to welcome you before the short transfer to our hotel in Pienza.
After lunch and orientation meeting we'll head out for our first ride into the rolling hills to the north of Pienza. Our route includes the quaint villages of Petroia and Castelmuzio before the short climb back up to Pienza.
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20 miles
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1,800 ft elev. gain |
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The Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
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Day 2
MONDAY › Through the Montalcino vineyards
Today's route takes us into the rolling hills that lie to the west and south of Pienza. As we ride west from Pienza we'll notice the changes in landscape - the large rolling fields gradually giving way to vast vineyards as we approach the town of Montalcino, home of the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine.
From Montalcino we head south past the magnficient Abbazia di Sant'Antimo before starting the long climb up to Castiglione. The descent from Castiglione has great views of Pienza sitting on top of the hill in the far distance.
RIDE SUMMARY:
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45 miles
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3,850 ft elev. gain |
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Monte Amiata rises high above the Tuscan landscape |
Day 3
TUESDAY › Monte Amiata
At 1738m (5,700ft) Monte Amiata is the highest peak in Tuscany. How could we not include this daunting climb in our itinerary?
From Pienza we head south over quiet back-roads to the town of Castel del Piano where we start the climb. 8.7 miles with an average grade of 6.8%, Monte Amiata is comparable to many of the toughest climbs in the Alps and Dolomites and has featured in the Giro d'Italia on many occasions.
RIDE SUMMARY:
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65 miles
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7,900 ft elev. gain |
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Climbing past olive groves in Chianti
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Day 4
WEDNESDAY › Into Chianti
Today we leave Pienza and head for the wooded slopes that characterize the Chianti Region. From Pienza we head north over a spectacular "up and down" road that takes us into the Crete region. As we approach Siena we're faced with more short 15% grade climbs and steep descents before we finally turn east towards Chianti.
Our route takes us onto several quiet backroads through vast forests and olive groves. Eventually the forests give way to vineyards as we enter Radda in Chianti.
RIDE SUMMARY:
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55 miles
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4,900 ft elev. gain |
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Our hotel in San Gimignano |
Day 5
THURSDAY › San Gimignano
From the vineyards of Chianti we head east to San Gimignano, famous for it's Vernaccia white wine.
Another spectacular route today - the road from Castellina to Tavarnelle has everything a road cyclist could desire - long, sweeping descents, spectacular views and very little traffic.
And the minor road that we take to Vico d'Elsa isn't bad either with great views of San Gimignano and it's medieval high-rise towers just to the north of us.
RIDE SUMMARY:
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45 miles
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3,700 ft elev. gain |
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Enjoying a welcome break in Volterra |
Day 6
FRIDAY › Wild Tuscany...
Our final ride takes us into the rugged terrain that lies to the west of San Gimignano. We initially head for Volterra but our route skips Volterra and takes us north into a wild region with magnificent panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside.
Eventually we swing back towards the south and start the long climb up to the beautiful walled town of Volterra. We'll ride into the old town and enjoy a cool drink at one of the many cafes before starting the final ride back to San Gimignano
RIDE SUMMARY:
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55 miles
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5,100 ft elev. gain |
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Day 7
SATURDAY › Arrivederci
End of our trip and final transfer to Florence
airport. |
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