Cycling in the middle heart of Tuscany
Are you ready to take a ride in the heart Tuscany self guided bike tour?
Heart Tuscany self guided bike tour is the right way for discorver all the province of Siena. If you like gravel bike this self guided tour is available also by gravel roads.
Be aware there are many hills to climb but your efforts will be very well rewarded.
The route we have selected in this self guided tour, takes you along quite country lanes passing through farmland and small villages, vineyards, golden fields, rolling hills, ancient monasteries and medieval forts.
Visiting Pienza, Montalcino, Siena and the Chianti area. The Heart of Tuscany.
You will experience the true essence of Tuscany, where history and nature fill the heart as water fills a well.
But Tuscany nourishes your appetite too … After all your cycling you can not miss to savour the pecorino cheese, homemade pasta and “pici”, organic olive oils and sip Tuscan wines like Brunello and Nobile of Montepulciano o il Chianti red wine.
The Heart Tuscany self guided bike tour is all this and something more that you have to discover!!
Highlights
Journey into the heart of Chianti – Siena and Castellina in Chianti
Follow the path of l’Eroica – one of the best international bike rides in the world
In ancient cellars, taste super Tuscan wines, from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano to Brunello di Montalcino and red Chianti wine.
Day by Day
Day 1 – Rapolano Terme – hot spring Town
We meet in Rapolano Terme for the bike fitting.
Rapolano Terme is a small renaissance town located in the valley of Ombrone, in the heart of Tuscany, Crete Senesi, 30 km from Siena.
In the province of Siena rise 10 spas, for this reason the area is also called “land of waters”: the thermal spa here have ancient origins, Etruscan and Roman.
Rapolano Terme is a unique nature resort, with two thermal sources (Terme Antica Querciolaia e Terme San Giovanni).
Day 2 – San Giovanni D’asso town of white truffle
The tour starts with a long loop. We follow the street to Asciano in the middle of the the Crete Senesi area where the distinctive colouration of the soil gives the landscape of sculpted curves an appearance described as lunar.
Soon we start uphill one of the most scenic roads we have in Tuscany and reach San Giovanni d’Asso the town of the white truffle.
After a short break we keep on going up and down until we reach Trequanda and take our way back to Rapolano Terme.
Total Distance: 55 km/75km
Day 3 – Pienza – the perfect town
From Rapolano we ride to Pienza across the Crete Senesi via San Quirico d’Orcia.
You will pass through the Parco naturale della Val d’orcia – an Unesco site, cycling up and down in a painting scenery until you reach the town of Pienza a remarkable example of Renaissance-era town planning.
If you have even the least appreciation for beautiful architecture, it is a treat to stroll around its cobblestone streets.
Total distance :50km/70km
Day 4 – Montalcino Brunello Wine Land
Ride from Pienza to the wine town of Montalcino, with a pause in fairy-tale Bagno Vignoni, a unique miniature spa .
Before the day is over we’ll be in Montalcino, ending up at the Fortress for one long last look at the beautiful countryside.
Here you can reward yourself with dinner at your favourite wine cellar.
Total Distance: 55km
Day 5 – Siena & Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey
From Montalcino to Siena.
Following a picturesque crest road you’ll ride by Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey, a large Benedictine monastery built in the 13th century: Its buildings, which are mostly of red brick, are conspicuous against the grey clayey and sandy soil—the Crete senesi which give this area of Tuscany its name.
From here the verdant hills give way to little domes of clay and Tuscany reveals another face of its identity, an unusual, almost lunar landscape of chalk cliffs .
Finally we reach Siena , famed for the “Palio”, one of the most beautiful cities of Tuscany.
Set on three hills, the city is drawn together by winding alleyways and steep steps, whilst the Piazza del Campo stands at its heart, and the Duomo and St Maria della Scala serve as additional cultural landmarks.
Total Distance: 65km
Day 6 – Castellina in Chianti
From Siena we take direction to Castellini in Chianti .
This is the best route for the serious wine lovers. It wends through the vineyards, past abandoned and renovated farmhouses on the way to one of Tuscany’s most renowned castles, Brolio.
This is the heart of the Ricasoli empire, family headquarters since 1067 and center of countless battles between Florence and Siena during the Middle Ages.
Many people consider that the wine we now know as Chianti was born inside its hallowed cellars, which we can visit.
In Brolio we can have a break in the Agribar Eroica caffè.
From here we continue on to reach Castellini in Chianti .
Total Distance: 55km
Day 7 – Arrivederci!
Enjoy the breakfast and wander in Castellini in Chianti.
Departures: trains and buses available to reach Firenze where extension of vacation is suggested or where you can take fast train to other towns.
Extra stage on request: from Castellina in Chianti to San Gimignano
More vineyards await us today, but you’ll be amazed at how different they look once we get into the district of San Gimignano. Pretty soon you pass Monteriggioni, literally a town-in-a-castle. Barely two hundred yards across, its eighty residents all reside within the picture-perfect round turreted walls that crown the hilltop visible for miles around.
Also seen in the distance are the seventeen towers of San Gimignano.
You’ll have plenty of time to wander through the cobblestoned streets, window shop and buy a few last-minute Tuscan mementos for our friends and…why not, for ourselves too!
Distance: 60km
Price & Inclusions
Price
Cost: € 1390 per person in double occupancy
Single room supplement € 350
Inclusions
Six nights in excellent four & three-star superior hotels
Six breakfasts, maps, elevation gain and city map and Garmin Edge GPS
Sightseeing, restaurant and shopping suggestions
All Baggage transfers
Pick-up of bikes and gear in Castellina
Keepsake
water bottle
Sales taxes
Not Included
Bike Rental per entire tour
Hybrid bike euro 280
Race bike euro 350
E-Bike euro 315
City Tax each village charges a tax per day between euro 0,70 to euro 4,00
Optional
We will upload all the route notes and you will have really no problems in finding your way to the next town
TRIP DETAILS
Type
Self Guided
Level
Moderate Challenge
Best Time
Any time from March to October
Town
Rapolano Terme
Asciano
Pienza
Montalcino
Siena
Castellina in Chianti
San Gimignano
Begin
Rapolano Terme
End
Any time from March to October
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