8 day Escorted Tour
Under the tuscan sun...
… this is the name of the famous book written by Frances Mayes describing her adventure buying an italian country house and renovating it. This is a story creating desire to experience more about this very beautiful countryside, the italian way of life and the culinaric delicacies of this region. And you can do it, right here on this tour!
Explore the south of Tuscany with it’s picturesque countryside and the famous vineyards, Lake Trasimeno, and the Orcia valley with the region round the dead vulcano Monte Amiata.
Not far from your starting point, the old Etruscan town of Chiusi, you will find the home of the famous wines like the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano or Montalcino. Be entrapped by this extraordinary charm and enjoy the easy going "Dolce vita“!
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: individual arrival in Chiusi
By car or train to Chiusi. The hotel is situated about 4 km from Chiusi. Personal welcome briefing at 7 p.m., afterwards a group dinner in the hotel.
Day 2: Lago Trasimeno approx. 50 km
Morning distribution of the bikes and individual adjustment. Today the bike tour leads to Chiusi, the lake of Chiusi, and into the gentle hills of the southern valley of Valdichiana. You'll reach the very beautiful medieval town Castiglione del Lago at Lago Trasimeno. Return by bike to Chiusi.
Day 3: Val d’Orcia and Montepulciano approx. 50 km
Today you will cycle through Val d‘Orcia, a countryside in perfect harmony. Being designated as one of the most beautiful valleys in Tuscany, Val d’Orcia was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The typical Tuscan countryside with it’s cypress alleys, cornfields and estates offers very impressive views. Passing Montichiello you‘ll arrive in Montepulciano . From the village built on a distinctive rock you'll get beautiful views over the Trasimeno lake to Umbria. In one of the numerous wine tasting stores you can try the delicious and famous Vino Nobile. Go back to Chiusi by bike.
Day 4: Orvieto
The bikes will take a break today. By train we go to Orvieto, situated on a tuff-rock. With a local guide we explore the rock and the village. Besides it's Etruscan and Romanic relics you can also find medieval churches in this very impressive old village. And of course, Orvieto does have it’s own wine, the Orvieto classico, being one of the most famous wines in Italy. We take the train back to Chiusi.
Day 5: Cortona approx. 50 km
In the footsteps of the american authoress Frances Mayes, whose house is situated somewhere in the hills of Cortona, we will today visit the old Etruscan town of Cortona. You'll reach it by bike on small natural paths along the old artificial watercourses of the Valdichiana (Sentiero della Bonifica), which recently were designated especially for bikers. Cortona, situated on a hillside, can be reached by bike or bus. On a guided tour we will learn a lot about the history of the town which is today known for it’s steaks of the famous Chiana beef. We take our bikes aboard the train back to Chiusi.
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Chiusi
Cortona
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Day 6: Pienza, San Quirico and Montalcino approx. 50 km
The transfer will take us to the surroundings of Montepulciano. Then we go by bike to Pienza, a beautiful town built of brown sandstone and famous for it’s „Pecorino“ cheese. Afterwards we go to San Quirico and further on to Montalcino passing through a real picture book countryside and home of the most famous wine in Tuscany, the precious Brunello. Return to Chiusi by bike or transfer.
Day 7: Casciana dei Bagni approx. 50 km
On the last day we do have a bit of a more difficult route. But be sure that the splendid views and the stunning beauty of the countryside will make the slopes worthwhile. The day will end at a vineyard with a dinner and winetasting.
Day 8: individual departure
Individual departure.
Your Hotel - Il Patriarca Hotel 4**** - Chiusi
 
The Hotel Il Patriarca is a very beautiful 4**** hotel in a Tuscan villa, about 5 km from Chiusi. Entry the hotel and be impressed by the elegant furnishing and the antique relics. The very stylish rooms offer all modern comforts and leave nothing to be desired. In the ample grounds of the hotel you can find the swimming pool with a wonderful view of the hilly surroundings.
Enjoy delicious specialities of the region in one of the two restaurants of the hotel. One offering traditional dishes in a typical Italian trattoria, the other being awarded with a "Michelin" star.
RATING: Moderate
Tuscany has a dreamlike but also hilly landscape. The country roads and bicycle lanes are quiet however you sometimes have to make do with heavier traffic on entering or leaving a town. A good level of fitness and cycling experience is required for this tour.
Transfers
The nearest airport is Florence. Regular bus and train service is available to Chiusi.
Schedule & Price
| DATES 2012 |
Two dates only!! May 12th and September 22nd
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| Price per person, double occ. |
CAD |
$1685 |
| Single room surcharge |
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$300 |
| Optional Electro Bike |
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$160 |
This tour includes: |
• 7 nights accommodation at the luxurious Hotel Il Patriarca, Chiusi
• buffet breakfasts
• minimum 3-course dinners each day either in the hotel restaurant or local trattorias
• use of all hotel luxuries and services
• company of a trained multilingual tour guide
• support minibus during the entire tour
• hybrid bicycle with 21 gears and pannier
• guided tour through a vineyard along with winetasting
• sightseeing tours in Orvieto and Cortona
• all transfers (bus, train) according to the itinerary
• all admissions and guided tours according to the itinerary
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