Tuscany Etruscan Coast Bike |
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Start your trip in amazing Florence
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Olive groves down to the sea
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The medieval tower of Bolgheri
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Dining al fresco
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Bike along the Mediterranean Sea
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Learn the secrets of Italian cuisine
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Elegant accommodations
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Quiet, flat roads under the Tuscan sun
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We'll try some of the region's best wines
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Tuscany Etruscan Coast Bike Itinerary
TOUR AT A GLANCE -
Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights
Departures 2010: July 22 (*midweek departure), as well as private departures.
Departing from: Florence, 9 a.m. Day 1
Tour finishes: Grosseto or nearby train station, 10 a.m. on Day 7
Special Price: €2,000 per person based on double occupancy and minimum of 6 people. Single supplement €200.
Click on the Currency Converter to see the price in your local currency.
Book this trip! Send us an email or Go to our Reservations page
More info? Request a detailed itinerary
Discover the coastal areas of Tuscany known as the Etruscan coast and the Maremma. Ride along the famous wine road of Bolgheri, through pine forests to sandy beaches, and up the hillsides to medieval towns with Etruscan origins. At the end of the day, our accommodations in country B&Bs will provide a beautiful setting for relaxing and enjoying delicious meals and excellent wines.
Trip design: The Tuscan coast along the Tyrrhenian Sea offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural interest and is ideal for exploring by bike. There is a nice variety of terrain, from flat, coastal riding on quiet roads and through pine forests, to roads that wind through thick forests of chestnut and oak, to long gradual climbs through olives groves that offer breathtaking views of the sea and surrounding landscape. We will have a chance to sample the famous wines of Bolgheri as we cycle the “Strada del Vino,” learn about the process of making extra virgin olive oil during a visit and delicious lunch at an olive mill, have a hand in preparing a typical Tuscan meal during a cooking class, and visit some beautifully preserved medieval towns such as Castagneto Carducci, Casale Marittimo, and Suvereto. The second half of the trip we will be in the heart of the Maremma, Tuscany’s “Wild South,” which was once considered impenetrable due to the presence of bandits and frequent outbreaks of malaria. The area still remains less developed than other parts of Tuscany, and we will enjoy riding through lush and unspoiled landscapes. All three country hotels have pools, offer a lovely setting to unwind after a day on the bike, and make their own olive oil and wine.
We have developed optional extensions for each day of riding that enables keen riders to get as much mileage as they want, while less experienced riders have the reassurance of our support van which is available to assist when needed.
Day 1 - Sunday (*Thursday July 22 for 2010): Meet your guide(s) at 9:00 a.m. at the Hotel Royal in Florence. A 1.5 hour van shuttle will take us to the beginning of the ride, in the small village of San Luce, just south of Pisa. Once we fit you to your bikes, we will set off along a lovely country road that winds its way along a ridge, past villages and with breathtaking views of the sea, down into the Cecina River valley. From there, it's a short climb to our hotel for the next two nights, the Agrihotel Elisabetta. Luigi Brunetti is our inimitable host: chef, winemaker and entertainer. After a swim, we can enjoy an aperitivo on the terrace of the hotel, followed by a delicious 4-course meal accompanied by their award-winning wines. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 2 - Monday (*Friday July 23 for 2010): Today we explore the nearby hill towns of Casale Marittimo and Montescudaio, fiefs of the della Gherardesca family, who ruled these lands throughout the middle ages. Built for defense, the towns still retain part of their fortifications. Dozens of Etruscan tombs have been found in the surrounding area, testimony to the long and rich history. We'll stop for lunch and a visit in Casale, then head down the hill, through the shady pine forests which stretch for miles along the coast. We'll have time to take a dip in the sea before we head back to the hotel. This evening we'll enjoy a visit and wine tasting in Luigi's wine cellars. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 - Tuesday (*Saturday July 24 for 2010): We say goodbye to Luigi and hello to the “Strada del Vino,” the wine road of the Bolgheri area, known as the “Italian Bordeaux.” We'll cycle along a five kilometer road lined with cypress trees that leads up to Bolgheri and is immortalized in the poem Davanti San Guido by Giosué Carducci (a local favorite son). In Bolgheri, we'll have a chance to visit this picturesque village, with its artisan and artists galleries and wine shops, and enjoy lunch in one of its cafes or restaurants. After lunch, we continue on the wine road to our next hotel, Podere Greppi Cupi. The estate produces world-renowned organic wines. Tonight they'll prepare a feast of local fare, much of it from their own garden. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 - Wednesday (*Sunday July 25 for 2010): Today you will have the option to ride a challenging loop in the surrounding hills, or enjoy an easier ride and an afternoon at the beach. Whichever option you choose, we will visit the medieval town of Castagneto Carducci. Perched high above the sea, it offers stunning panoramic views, and in the middle ages it was the perfect defensive position for the Counts della Gherardesca. We then continue on our ride, and head towards our lunchtime destination: the Olive Mill Fonte di Foiano. We'll enjoy a visit of this family-run mill and learn why Olio di Oliva Extra Vergine is so special. Then we have a scrumptious lunch featuring home-grown vegetables, bruschetta, and lots of olive oil. After lunch, it's an easy ride back to the Podere, where you can enjoy a swim in the hotel pool, or for the more ambitious ones, a dip in the nearby sea. Tonight we'll learn more about Tuscan cuisine during an optional cooking class and dinner. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 5 - Thursday (*Monday July 26 for 2010): Our ride today will take us on a beautiful road through dense chestnut and cork oak forests, as we head south toward the Tuscan Maremma. This is the wildest part of Tuscany, where until recently shepherds tended to their livestock – notably cattle and sheep – on horseback. We'll pass the small village of Sassetta, perched on an outcrop of rock, high above the valley. We stop for lunch in the town of Suvereto; with it's medieval walls, tower houses, and romanesque-gothic churches, you'll feel you've stepped back in time. After a visit of town and a cappuccino break, we'll ride through the Montioni regional forest on our way to a great little café in the middle of nowhere – a favorite stopping point for travelers and cyclists. Their wild boar carpaccio is delicious. After lunch, we ride past the rock quarries of Scarlino on our way to our next hotel, the Agriturismo Montebelli. It is a gem of a hotel, and you will enjoy the tranquility of this peaceful oasis. Our host, Alessandro, will offer us a glass of his wonderful wine, Fabula, and tell us about the history of this family-fun property. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6 - Friday (*Tuesday July 27 for 2010): Our final day of cycling in Tuscany begins with a long but gradual climb to the hilltop village of Tirli and then a beautiful descent towards the sea. Our destination is Castiglione della Pescaia, a lovely seaside resort town with an imposing castle that rises high above the Mediterranean. After lunch and some of the best gelato in the Maremma, we can enjoy a snooze and a swim on the lovely sandy beach in Castiglione before heading back to our hotel. Tonight we get together for a final aperitivo on the terrace and enjoy a special barbecue feast at our hotel. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 7 - Friday (*Wednesday July 28 for 2010): We transfer after breakfast at 9:00 this morning to the most convenient train station for rail connections to Rome, Florence, and beyond. Breakfast included.
- See all of our tours by DESTINATION & ACTIVITY
See all of our tours by date: TOUR CALENDAR 2010
The biking in this part of Tuscany
is rolling, with more gradual hills than in central Tuscany. We ride 40 - 65 km a day, with optional extensions as well as van support, which allows you to relax off the bike for a while. We have designed the trip so that there is always some free time in the late afternoon so you can relax, read, or explore the towns where we stay. Breakfast is included every day, and dinners reflect the excellent traditional food of the region.
Useful Links -
The City of Florence: everything you need to know about the city
The Accademia: home of Michelangelo's David and other world-famous works
The Uffizi Gallery: one of the greatest collections in the world. We recommend you make reservations ahead of time.
The Duomo: one of the wonders of the Renaissance, Florence's cathedral.
The Maremma: great site with photos and info about the Maremma region.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Italy has more sites listed than any other country!
General Information
Qualifications: This trip is rated Moderate.
The terrain is characterized by flat riding, rolling hills and long, gradual climbs and descents. The daily distances are between 45-65 kms (28-40 miles), or about 3-5
hours of riding divided between morning and afternoon. Trip Cost Includes: 6 nights in 3-star hotels and country B&Bs; 6 breakfasts and dinners, 1 lunch; bilingual guide or guides; support vehicle; guided tours as noted in the itinerary, including winery visit and tasting; all luggage transfers; bikes (quality 27-speed hybrid-style touring bikes with front handlebar bags and rear racks); and final transfer to most convenient train station for departures.
Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page) Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the "Reservation" page).
Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip
Insurance. We recommend "Travel Guard" to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
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