Tuscany Cycling trip with Brian Mueller

Tuscany Cycling trip with Brian Mueller

The mecca of Italian cycling, Tuscany is the ultimate destination for the keen cyclist

The quintessential Italy, Tuscany is famous for hilltop towns, Chianti, cypress trees, great food and the ultimate in Italian style. But it’s also home to some of the most spectacular cycling in Europe.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

September 28th 2025

From

USD $4,895

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

USD $550

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

Tuscany is the perfect destination for a classic Thomson trip — stunningly beautiful rides, great climbs, wonderful hotels, and arguably the best food, wine and coffee in Europe.

Your journey starts in the medieval town of San Gimignano with it’s impressive 14 towers, each a symbol of past wealth. From San Gimignano you’ll ride to the hilltop town of Volterra and into the world-famous Chianti region. Chianti is home to the legendary Eroica bike race and you’ll get the opportunity to test your gravel riding skills on the official strade bianche climb to Castello di Brolio.

Join us in Tuscany for an unforgettable experience and some of the best bike riding Europe has to offer!


Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Benvenuti! Palazzo Castri
02 Benvenuti in Toscana Hotel Borgo San Luigi
03 San Gimignano Hotel Borgo San Luigi
04 Into Chianti Hotel Borgo San Luigi
05 Volterra Hotel Borgo San Luigi
06 Eroica Hotel Borgo San Luigi
07 Monte San Luca Hotel Aemilia
08 The Apennine Mountains Hotel Aemilia
09 Arrivederci!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Benvenuti!

Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is a city rich in art, history, and culture. Known as the cradle of the Renaissance, it boasts stunning architecture, world-class museums, and breathtaking landscapes. 

When visiting Florence, don’t miss iconic landmarks such as the Florence Cathedral with its magnificent dome, the Uffizi Gallery home to masterpieces by Michelangelo and Botticelli, and the charming Ponte Vecchio bridge. Take time to stroll through the picturesque streets, indulge in delicious Tuscan cuisine, and savor a gelato while admiring the scenic views from Piazzale Michelangelo.

Florence’s vibrant atmosphere is sure to captivate any traveler, making it a perfect destination for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and foodies alike. Enjoy every moment in this enchanting city!

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


Benvenuti in Toscana

Your trip starts at Florence Hotel where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel Borgo San Luigi.

After a brief orientation meeting, lunch and bike build-up, you’ll head out on our warm-up ride, a beautiful route through the Tuscan vineyards and olive groves. Our destination today is the unique, medieval village of Monteriggioni. Often described as the most spectacular walled village in Tuscany, within the impressive fortifications you’ll find an incredibly charming village with cobbled streets and piazas, perfect for a coffee (or gelato) stop.

Shorter ride option; 19km+266

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


San Gimignano

Today you’ll visit the world-famous medieval town of San Gimignano, a UNESCO world heritage site. The town is especially famous for the 14 remaining medieval towers that remain inside the city walls, each one constructed in the 12th and 13th century by powerful families, keen on proving their wealth by building the tallest tower.

Shorter ride Option: 31km+576

tonight we have a lovely dinner outside in Siena! also we go for a city tour on this amazing city!

Day 4

Distance

Elevation


Into Chianti

Today’s ride features Tuscany’s most famous wine region, Chianti. You’ll enjoy a magnificent ride featuring the most scenic routes and most challenging climbs through these famous vineyards.

From the hotel enjoy the first relatively flat 10km to Spedaletto where the first climb to Castellina in Chianti starts. From Castellina, the next 70km are simply stunning as you ride through Greve in Chianti, Lucolena and a fabulous descent through vast vineyards to Radda in Chianti where we always stop at a wonderful gelateria. After a well-earned gelato the ride heads back to Castellina in Chianti before the final stretch back to the hotel.

Shorter ride option:105km+2107

Day 5

Distance

Elevation


Volterra

The magnificent, walled mountaintop town of Volterra is the main highlight of today’s ride.

To get to Volterra you’ll head into some rugged terrain in the beautifully remote region of Tuscany between Castagno and Villamagna. At the 40km (25 miles) mark you’ll see the medieval walls of Volterra perched high on the hill above you, signalling the start of the steep 5km (3 miles) climb from the valley floor to the town gates. Ride through the town gate into the medieval town and stop at one of the magnificent plazas for a coffee or a gelato (or both!).

Shorter ride option:42Km+595

we have an especial evening for you, first step, wine tasting on a local winery followed by a relay true Italian dinner! La Vita è Bella!

Day 6

Distance

Elevation


Eroica

We’re in Eroica territory today so we thought we’d give you the opportunity to take on one of the first strada bianca sections of the famous race, the climb to the Castello di Brolio. From Brolio you’ll jump back onto asphalt and ride through the Crete Senesi to Asciano, with the quintessential Tuscan landscapes of rolling hills and lines of cypress trees leading to hilltop farms.

Shorter ride option: 86km+1660

Day 7

Distance

Elevation


Monte San Luca

Today we have a really short ride over the top of Bologna, The Monastery of San Luca, it’s a short climb but really intense!

We’ll transfer you with our private vans to Bologna where we’ll start riding our recovery ride.

On this point we’ll almost a true Italian, after visiting Florence, Siena, Volterra and San Gimignano, but it’s missing one more, Bologna, a really nice Italian city, to discover, Enjoy this city, we booked a table on an another true Italian restaurant.

Day 8

Distance

Elevation


The Apennine Mountains

Our final day and we’ve planned a sensational ride into the Apennine mountains that lie to the south of Bologna, covering parts of the annual Diece Colli Gran Fondo, one of the most prestigious gran fondos in Italy.

Riding from the hotel you’ll head out through the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi to Zena and the start of the 11km climb to Quinzano. From Quinzano enjoy super-quiet roads as you head northwards back towards Bologna, but be ready for a few steep “surprises” before the final long descent back to the hotel in Bologna.

In the evening, we’ll meet up in the Hotel Bar to toast a sensational week in Italy with a few celebratory drinks before dinner.

Shorter ride option: 75km+944

Day 9

Distance

Elevation


Arrivederci!

Unfortunately, your trip across Tuscany has come to an end

Our private shuttle will drop you off at Bologna Airport.

Map & Profile

Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Celsa
from Scorgiano
5.1% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Castellina in Chianti
from Castellina Scalo
3.6% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Panzano in Chianti
from Bridge over River Pesa
4.3% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Poggio di Sugame
from Greve in Chianti
5.2% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Badia a Montemuro
from Dudda
5.2% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Scollino Badia Coltibuono
from La Villa
4.6% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Volterra
from Prato d’Era
7.7% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Castello di Brolio
from SP408 Junction
4.3% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow San Luca
from Giardino Meloncello
9.5% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Quinzano
from Zena
3% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Casoni
from Bisano
6.3% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Cà de Masi
from San Clemente
6.3% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today

Climbs

Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07
Day 08

Climbs

Category Climb Day Difficulty Length Ele. Gain Av. Grade
3 Celsa (from Scorgiano) 02 41 5.1%
3 Castellina in Chianti (from Castellina Scalo) 04 29 3.6%
3 Panzano in Chianti (from Bridge over River Pesa) 04 26 4.3%
2 Poggio di Sugame (from Greve in Chianti) 04 36 5.2%
2 Badia a Montemuro (from Dudda) 04 46 5.2%
3 Scollino Badia Coltibuono (from La Villa) 04 30 4.6%
2 Volterra (from Prato d’Era) 05 59 7.7%
3 Castello di Brolio (from SP408 Junction) 06 27 4.3%
2 San Luca (from Giardino Meloncello) 07 55 9.5%
3 Quinzano (from Zena) 08 23 3%
2 Casoni (from Bisano) 08 47 6.3%
2 Cà de Masi (from San Clemente) 08 48 6.3%
Show moreShow less

Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2024
Oct 6 - 13
Closed
Places Available
USD $4,795
USD $850
USD $900
Book this trip
2025
Sep 28 - Oct 5
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $4,895
USD $850
USD $920
Book this trip
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Waiting List


Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:



    Trip Hotels

    Palazzo Castri

    Hotel Borgo San Luigi

    Hotel Aemilia


    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Sit-down lunch on the 1st day
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick up and drop off at Florence Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Sit-down lunch on the 1st day
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick up and drop off at Florence Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Florence Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    Hotel Palazzo Castri 1874

    View website arrow

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Bologna Airport

    9:00am


    Rental Bikes

    Specialized Aethos Expert

    Frame

    Aethos FACT 10r Carbon

    Groupset

    Di2 Shimano Ultegra

    Weight

    699g (size 56)

    Wheels

    Roval C38

    Chainrings

    52/36T

    Cassette

    11-34t (12-speed)

    Sizes

    49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61

    USD $550

    View Details


    Tuscany Cycling trip with Brian Mueller

    Let us introduce you to Tuscany and some of the most sensational riding in Europe.