Tuscany & Umbria Guided Group Bicycle Tours

Tour Name	Nights	Start / Finish	Cost	Start Dates
Tuscany & Umbria	7	Montepulciano / Spoleto	€1,495	Sun 13th May Sun 23rd September

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Tuscany & Umbria (7 nights)

The Iron Donkey guided tour of Central Tuscany and Umvria is a great way to experience and enjoy the magic of these wonderful Italian regions. With the convenience and security of sag support, the knowledge and expertise of a local guide and plenty of flexibility in the daily cycling routes, the tour is suitable for cyclists of all levels. Built into the itinerary are great routes, wonderful accommodations, challenges for the more ambitious, culture in abundance, wonderful food …. in fact just about all the ingredients for a perfect bicycle tour itinerary. Guided Group Bicycle Tours Tuscany Italy Bike Touring Cycle Vacations Biking Holidays

No other regions conjure up such classic Italian images – hamlets and hilltowns, terracotta rooftops, cypresses and oaks, vineyards and olive groves, blue lakes and golden valleys all contribute to the stunning landscapes. The roads that meander through the countryside offer superb cycling, with only the occasional car to disturb the peace and tranquillity. This is bicycle touring at its very best! There are hills to contend with, it is true, but every climb is amply rewarded by yet another stunning vista.

There is much in Central Italy that harps back to a bygone age when the pace of life was a bit less frenetic than it is today. In the afternoons the locals gather in front of the piazza cafes for a glass of wine or a coffee and in the evening they stroll along the corso, greeting friends and enjoying the simple pleasures of animated conversation, beautiful surroundings and wonderful food.

Sport and culture coexist in perfect harmony here and this is the ideal destination for those who love to combine the exhilaration of superb riding with the opportunity for immersion in rich and fascinating cultures. Frequent stops are needed to take it all in – the towns and villages en route will simply take your breath away – even if the riding doesn’t! After a perfect day spent pedalling past rolling green wheat fields and grape-heavy vineyards, zigzagging through lines of cypress and climbing to medieval hill towns, you can relax in the evening and enjoy the flavours and tastes of the region - pecorino cheese, fruity olive oils, wild boar, homemade pasta and superb local wines – plus the genuine warmth of Italian hospitality.

2012 Departures	Sun 13th May Sun 23rd September
Start	Montepulciano
Finish	Spoleto
Duration	7 nights
Cost	€ 1,495 per person sharing € 190 single accommodation supplement, if required
Included	7 nights accommodation (double occupancy) in 3* hotels and 3* superior hotels All breakfasts 5 full evening dinners 3 picnic lunches 2 wine tastings Bike rental Sag wagon Luggage transfers Services of guide/driver* Trip preparation package
Options	Cooking class in Cortona 60,00 €/pp Short break in Florence or Siena 60.00 euros /pp per night
Accommodations	(3) [ rating info ]

Click here for a day to day itinerary of the Tuscany & Umbria tour »

Day 1 – Arrival and transfer from Chiusi to Montepulciano
On arrival at Chiusi Railway Station you will be met by a representative of the Iron Donkey and transferred to your first night’s accommodation in Montepulciano. After checking in, there will be a bike and equipment fitting followed by an introductory talk on the itinerary. You may want to take a short warm up loop ride before dinner. After dinner you can soak up the true Tuscan atmosphere with a stroll through the historic town.
Montepulciano: Il Marzocco Hotel
Day 2 – Montepulciano Loop Ride
The ride is a circular route from Montepulciano,taking you through beautiful vineyards and olive groves. There are visits to Monticchiello, a medieval walled village, and Pienza, the Utopian town designed by Pope Pius II, where you can shop for ceramics and sample the delectable local pecorino cheese. A section of this ride is on strade bianche. An optional extension takes you to Bagno Vignoni where you can have a relaxing soak in the hot springs.
Montepulciano: Il Marzocco Hotel
Day 3 – Montepulciano to Cortona
Today’s ride is on generally easy terrain with some gentle rolling hills – and there are short sections on the white strade bianche so typical of rural Tuscany. The route offers magical views of the Val di Chiana and visits the beautiful town of Castiglion Fiorentino which occupies the site of an ancient Etruscan settlement. At the end of the route there is a stiff climb to the impressive heights of the town of Cortona, of “Under the Tuscan Sun” fame. The town is a paradise of arcade-lined squares, narrow alleys, fine mansions and and steep paved streets.
Cortona: Hotel Italia
Day 4 – Cortona to Montone / Umbertide
There are wonderful views of the Chiana Valley and Lake Trasimeno from the slopes of the Pre-Appenine Mountains followed by a gorgeous gradual descent on a minor road to the Upper Tiber Valley. This is followed by another climb to the village of Montone.
Montone: Hotel Fortebraccio
Day 5 - Montone / Umbertide to Assisi
We continue south along the Tiber Valley, passing medieval cstles and abbeys on a road flanked alternately by fields and forests to the town of Assisi on the lower slopes of Mount Subasio.
Assisi: Hotel Alexander
Day 6 – Assisi to Spoleto
The day starts with a ride along the Via degli Olivi (Olive Grove Way) around the lower slopes of Mount Subasio with great views over the plains below. The picturesque town of Spello is the perfect lunch stop. From Spello we next cross the Umbra Valley to the foothills of the Montefalco Territories to the Roamn settlement of Bevagna. This is the source of the superb Sagrantino red wine. Spoleto, the final destination is a major centre for the arts and one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Italy.
Spoleto: Hotel Clitunno
Day 7 – Spoleto Loop Ride
Today for your final ride you have the option of a gentle half-day ride, leaving you plenty of time to explore the delights of Spoleto, or a challenging climb into a remote area of the Umbrian mountains.
Spoleto: Hotel Clitunno

Day 8 - Departure
After breakfast there is a transfer to Spoleto Railway Station to catch a train to your departure airport, or on to another part of the country to continue your vacation.

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