Tantalize your taste buds on a blissful bike tour of Tuscany

Embark on an irresistible bike tour through Tuscany, one that combines breathtaking bicycle routes with captivating cookery classes designed to give you an authentic overview of some of Tuscany's most tantalizing dishes.

La Cucina Toscana is simplicity in its purest form. Tuscan cooks enjoy having the freshest seasonal ingredients right at their disposal, including sumptuous olive oil, gorgeous wines, and flavorsome cheeses - Tuscan cuisine is natural, fresh, and spectacularly appetizing. Most days of your wonderful cycling tour will include a hands-on cooking class or a delicious food tasting provided by a local artisan. You'll also enjoy special dining out opportunities at a simple osteria, family trattorias, and elegant restaurants.

As a cyclist, you'll explore magical loop rides in beautiful Val d'Orcia, visiting the highlights of Pienza, Montalcino, and San Quirico, amongst other attractions. The routes will cross Val di Chiana, pass through stunning Cortona and Crete Senesi, and lead you onwards to sublime Siena.

You'll return home inspired, carrying not only a new recipe book, but the enthusiasm to incorporate these dishes into your everyday lifestyle!

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Highlights

• La Cucina Toscana
• Traditional Tuscan cooking classes
• Olive oil, cheese, and wine tastings
• Bagno Vignoni Roman spa
• Sant'Antimo Abbey
• Montalcino
• Pienza
• Montepulciano, the 'Pearl of the 16th Century'
• Val d'Orcia
• Spa day in San Casciano dei Bagni
• Radicofani, medieval fortress village
• Cortona
• Siena
• Etruscan architecture
• Monticchiello, the quintessential Tuscan hill town

Learn More

Learn more about our guided trips or see more bike tours in Italy.

Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Rome, Florence, and Pisa.

Daily program

Day 1: Welcome to the villa, Pienza
Arrive at the Chiusi train station (a major stop on all the Rome-Florence lines) at 1:00-1:30 pm. A private van transfer will transport you to the farmhouse, just a short drive from Pienza. You'll check in to your room, meet your guides, and start the bike fitting session. Once everyone is set up with a bike and equipment, there'll be a short test ride in the valley.

Get ready for your first cooking session with Paolo - a perfect way to get to know your fellow travelers and introduce yourself to the tantalizing Tuscan cuisine! After a rest, accompanied by Italian Classico sparkling wine for an aperitif, you'll share the table and savor a tasty dinner.

Day 2: Montalcino and Brunello (30 miles/48 km)

Begin today riding through fields of San Giovese grapes in the heart of Brunello di Montalcino. The route takes you through the landscapes that inspired many Renaissance paintings. Visit the city of Montalcino and explore it's medieval history including a towering fortress built by the Sienese in the 14th century to defend itself in battles against the Florentine. Visit the piazza and enjoy some of the famed Brunello wine at the Enoteca.

A relaxing ride downhill to Castelnuovo dell’Abate where you can visit the Abbey of Sant'Antimo. Here you will enjoy a light lunch with a wine tour of the Tenuta Fanti Estate. After lunch, return to the farmhouse where the day will conclude with a second cooking lesson, cheese and olive oil tasting and dinner.

Day 3: Pienza and Montepulciano (29 miles/46 km)
Today's ride takes you from the villa to Pienza, a pristine jewel of the Renaissance founded in 1458. Pope Pius II chose the famous Florentine architect Rossellino to transform his home village of Corsignano into one of the few surviving examples of 15th century architecture. Take some time to visit the Piazza Pio II where you can see many historic buildings from the Palazzo Piccolomini to a beautiful lodge and the stunning Duomo.

You will then make your way through Castelmuzio, Montisi, and Trequanda, several villages that showcase the beauty of small town Italy. Along the route, you will enjoy a picnic lunch in the countryside before continuing back to the farmhouse.

In the evening, transfer to Montepulciano, the 'Pearl of the 16th Century', where you can walk the streets of this hilltop town before dinner at la Porta di Bacco.

Day 4: Monticchiello & Bagno Vignoni & spa day (23 miles/36 km)

Today you will ride to the charming, medieval village of Monticchiello. From here you cycle on to Bano Vignoni, known for the ancient healing pools that you will have the opportunity to visit after the picnic lunch. The thermal waters are considered healing and have been a major attaction for those making their pilgrimmage on the Via Francigena.

Tonight be prepared to enjoy another cooking lesson!

Day 5: Radicofani and the Legend of Ghino di Tacco (40 miles/65 km)
Today boasts another terrific bike ride. Starting out from the villa, you'll ride to Radicofani, a charming medieval village with one of the most impressive fortresses in Tuscany. This village is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Park of Val d'Orcia and Via Francigena (the main route once followed by pilgrims on their way to Rome). This will be the quietest day, biking off the beaten track.

Uncover the tale of Ghino di Tacco, a charismatic gentleman bandit who roamed the Via Francigena, mentioned even in Dante's Divine Comedy. Walk along the streets of the old town and visit the Palazzo Pretorio before having a memorable dinner at Abbadia Sicille At Fondo.

Day 6: Siena and Le Crete (34 miles/55 km)
After breakfast, you'll cycle towards San Quirico, an Etruscan village with a superb Italian garden - the Horti Leonini. You'll pass through Asciano and Le Crete, home to intriguing rock formations and a lone farmhouse flanked by twin cypress trees - a traditional Tuscan scene.

You'll pedal through picturesque vineyards and forests and arrive in Siena, a medieval city with beautifully preserved Gothic architecture. The entire city of Siena was built around the Piazza del Campo, where you can visit the shell-shaped square where the Palio horse race is run and enjoy lunch on your own. There'll be time for a spot of souvenir shopping and for exploring the hidden medieval walkways. Back at the villa, enjoy a swim and rest by the pool before the farewell dinner at the La Bandita townhouse restaurant in Pienza.

Day 7: Individual departure
After a farewell breakfast all together, you'll be transferred to the Chiusi train station between 10:00-11:00 am (on request, transfers can be arranged for a different time).

Don't want the adventure to end? Consider taking a cycling day tour in Rome, Florence, or Pisa to top off your holiday.

Surface and terrain

The daily cycling itinerary is designed to be a vacation, not a race! The pace is relaxed to enable you to enjoy the scenery. The terrain will be gently rolling with some hills. Each day will cover an average of 25-35 miles (40-56 km). If you are an advanced cyclist wanting more mileage, that can be accommodated. Backup transportation and support is always available.

It is possible to have non-riding participants, as there will be optional activities to do instead of cycling. Shorter options are always available, enabling riders of all abilities to have a selection of distances to choose from each day.

Hotels

La Pieve di Palazzo Massaini
The farmhouse is located in Pienza close to the Palazzo Massaini. It has been restored in a classic Tuscan style with 6 double rooms and 2 suites with an infinity pool and private gardens.

Please note that the May 17th departure will be accommodated in the Podere Palazzi, val d’Orcia.
This farmhouse was built in the 1930s by the Marquis Origo, replacing an old inn where the Eminences used to rest as they journeyed along the Via Francigena. The villa has 9 rooms.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Florence, Italy (FLR); Rome, Italy
Nearest train station: Chiusi-Chianciano

From Fiumicino Airport, the Leonardo Express train (around 30 mins) departs each half hour to Termini Station.

From Fiumicino Airport to train station: the first trains at 07.37, 08.07, 08.37, the last at 22.37.

From Termini Station to airport: the first trains at 06.51, 07.21, 07.51, the last at 21.51.

From Florence Peretola, bus or cab to Florence train station.

To get into Chiusi by train, there are many trains from Rome and Florence. Check the timetable (English version) on the official website: https://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en. Some trains are marked IC (intercity: faster) or R (regional: slow).

The tour company will transfer you to and from the Chiusi train station. On Day 1, the tour company will meet you around 1:00-1:30 pm. On Day 7, you will be transferred to the train station after breakfast. This service is included in the cost of the tour package.

Tips on getting to and from your tour.

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 6 nights accommodations
• Breakfast each morning; 6 dinners and 2 lunches
• All maps, trip notes, and detailed route directions
• All shuttles and technical assistance
• Support van
• Services of an experienced guide
• 2 cooking classes
• 2 wine tastings and cheese tasting
• Branded water bottle
• Transfer on Day 1 from Chiusi train station
• Transfer on Day 7 to the Chiusi train station
• Sales taxes

Local hotel taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to each hotel (approximately €1-5 per person/night).

Bike rentals

Bikes available for rent (in advance at the time of booking) on this tour are:

• Standard touring bike, 27 or 30 speed, equipped with:
  • Aluminum frame
  • Full Carbon
  • Shimano Deore components 
  • Gel saddle
  • Upright handle bar
  • Wheelset: Shimano RS30
• Road bike, 20 speed, equipped with:
  • Full Carbon fiber 
  • Carbon forks
  •  Shimano Ultegra  or 105  – 11/32 –  11 speed
  • Drop handle bar
  • Wheel set: Shimano R561
• Gravel bike
  • Addict Gravel Disc Hmf / Imp Carbon
  • Shifters: Shimano St-R8020 Disc  Dual Control  22 Speed
  • Seat: Syncros Tofino T-Cutout 2.0
  • Wheel set:Syncros Rp2.0 Disc  Syncros Rws
• Electrically assisted bike with 250w Sunstar motor
  • Frame E-Sub 6061 Alloy
  • Bosch Performance 250w System W/ 500wh Power Tube Battery
  • Brakes: Shimano Br-M365 Disc
  • Rear Derailleur: Sram Nx 11 Speed

Equipment included with bike rental:

• Helmet
• Water bottle
• Handlebar bag or map holder
• Repair kit (mini pump, inner tube, tire levers)
• Computer mileage counter
• Lock (one lock with key per 2 bikes)
• E-bike and standard, we include a front bag
• Gravel and race bike, we include saddle bag

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. You can also bring your own pedals and shoes, along with the necessary equipment for installing the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are required on this tour. Helmets are included in the tour package; however, we recommend you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons.

Tour Company