“The biking was phenomenal. Everything exceeded our expectations.” —C.C

Tuscany and Umbria: Cycling in the Heart of Italy

Name: Tuscany and Umbria: Cycling in the Heart of Italy
Brand: BikeTours.com
SKU: bt48x1338
Rating: 4.3 (15 reviews)

★★★★★★4.3/5 (15)

7 nights

34 miles/day

Self guided from EUR € 877
Bike tour in Italy

Book this tour

Ask a tour advisor

Why book with us?

Book this tour

Description
Photos
Program
Dates & Prices
Route map
Reviews
Book my tour now

Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour

Tuscany and Umbria

This evocative bicycle tour brings you through the Etruscan and Roman heartlands of Umbria and Tuscany. Water courses and magnificent scenery mark these regions, shaped by both the forces of nature and by human hand.

Beginning in the most atmospheric and mystical town of Umbria, Assisi, you’ll pedal in a setting of palpable harmony, where the fruit of millennia of civilizations have left thick layers of memories and timeless masterpieces.

Tuscany and Umbria are lands of magnificence, where a single fresco can capture thousands of different dimensions and moods. You’ll encounter paths set between rolling hills, rich with vineyards and olive groves. Water courses through lush fields, and intensely blue lakes sit outside medieval villages. Roman and Etruscan remains of incomparable value decorate the landscape. By the end of this tour, after crossing through these two regions, one thing will be clear: humankind and nature can achieve a balanced fusion.

This tour is also available in a 9 night/10 day version. Please inquire for futher details.
View more photos
Highlights
- Historic cities such as Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto, and Todi
- Archeological remains of temples, tombs, and past civilizations
- Nature, culture, history, art of the Valle Umbra and Tuscany
- Food and wine of the region
- Roman baths, plazas, temples, and architecture
Learn More

Learn more about our self-guided tours or see more bike tours in Italy.
CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Cortona in Province of Arezzo & Region of Tuscany. CC:Patrick Denker' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Orvieto Cathedral. CC:Livioandronico2013' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Great wineries in Italy. Anna & Michal@Flickr' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Duomo di Orvieto in Umbria, Italy. CC:Livioandronico2013' data-type='image'>

CC0 - Assisi, Umbria, Italy. CC:Gunnar Bach Pedersen' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Perugia, Umbria, Italy. CC:Dominique Grassigli' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Medieval Aqueduct in Perugia, Umbria, Italy. CC:Scudsone' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-4.0 - Assisi, Umbria, Italy. CC:Sidvics' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-2.0 - Montalcino Tuscany wines! Didriks@Flickr' data-type='image'>

Traveler photos
Tuscany and Umbria

Tour Description Daily Program
Daily program
- 7-night itinerary
- 9-night itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival
  On the first day you arrive in Assisi, a medieval town of global renown which is rich in both famous and lesser-known artistic treasures. Embraced within its old town walls on the slopes of Mount Subasio, Assisi is a magical place and the fact that it has hardly changed since ancient times has preserved its charm. You cannot miss the opportunity to admire the Basilica of St. Francis, an architectural masterpiece which consists of two churches, one above the other, and is brimming with frescos by great masters such as Giotto, Cimabue and Simone Martini.
  
  To fully appreciate this historical town, however, it is also worth visiting historical sites dating back to the Roman period, such as the Roman Forum with its archaeological remains and the Temple of Minerva. Wander the narrow streets and allow yourself to be enchanted by the beauty of all the town's buildings, both sacred and secular. At the end of the day: route briefing and bike setting.
  Overnight in Assisi
  
  Day 2: Assisi – Ponte San Giovanni (19 miles/31 km)
  Following the paths and roads of a part of the 'Valle Umbra' valley, dominated by hills thick with vineyards and olive groves, you arrive at Ponte S. Giovanni. Here you can visit the Ipogeo dei Volumni, which is an Etruscan tomb site discovered in 1840 and now classified as one of the most important monuments of the Etruscan period. This site, along with many other findings, is part of the Palazzone Archaeological Park.
  
  From Ponte San Giovanni you can also visit Perugia, taking the train for Sant'Anna station. In just a few minutes you are in the heart of Etrusca Perusia (Perugia) and you can appreciate the extraordinary Etruscan civilization by visiting the Etruscan Well (Pozzo Etrusco) and the necropolis in the suburbs as well as stopping to admire the old town walls and arches. Perugia is an eclectic and particularly beautiful city, rich in culture, architectural monuments, events, shops and characteristic wine bars where you can taste the famous Umbrian wines.
  Overnight in Ponte San Giovanni
  
  Day 3: Ponte San Giovanni – Passignano (40 miles/64 km)
  To reach Passignano you cycle along paths and roads which enjoy a panorama of the rolling green hills sloping down to the shores of Lake Trasimeno. Passignano is on the gently sloping northern shores, where the lake meets the rocks. The town is often referred to as l'isola felice (“the happy island”) because it is a meeting place for nature and history, art and folklore, peace and vitality.
  
  It was along these north shores, between Malpasso and Passignano, that the epic battle between the Carthaginians and the Romans took place; the battle which marked the beginning of the legendary 20-year war between Hannibal and the Romans.
  Overnight in Passignano
  
  Day 4: Passignano – Cortona – Castiglione del Lago (32 miles/51 km)
  In the morning you leave Passignano to head for Castiglione del Lago, a charming village at the western shore of Lake Trasimeno. Your journey through Tuscany begins here, in the farmlands of the Val di Chiana, with the fragrance of its orchards.
  
  Your route, in fact, crosses a number of 'food trails' - cheese, fruit, olive oil, wine and Chianina beef - adding flavor to the list of attractions alongside history, art, human resourcefulness and water. Your Etruscan journey continues through legends and mysteries, ancient town walls and necropolis such as those of Cortona. This town is an important cultural and artistic center for the valley, well worth exploring and enjoying in all of its aspects, and something of interest can be found here for everyone: enthusiasts of history and art, lovers of nature and adventure, those keen on sport and fitness, food and wine experts and those interested in fashion and shopping.
  
  Castiglione del Lago is built on a promontory and from the old center; you have a nice view over the lake and its islands. Evidence can be found in the town of both Etruscan and Roman origins and there is the 6th century castle Rocca Leone, built by Emperor Frederick II. The town is a real meeting place for nature and history, art and folklore, peace and vitality. From Castiglione del Lago you can visit Isola Maggiore, one of the three islands in Lago Trasimeno. It has less than 100 permanent residents who live in homes dating back to the 15th century.
  Overnight in Castiglione del Lago
  
  Day 5: Castiglione del Lago – Orvieto (43 miles/70 km OR 45 miles/73 km with detour to Chiusi )
  The first part of this stretch offers you some wonderful atmospheric scenery. You pedal immersed in the green landscape slight hilly landscape of the surrounding areas of Lake Trasimeno and will have a glimpse of Lago di Chiusi.
  
  You can decide to make a detour and visit Chiusi, which rises on a hill on the southern side of the Valdichiana. Between 7th and 5th century B. C. Chiusi got to its greatest splendor under King Porsenna’s domination. Among the most interesting monuments to see in Chiusi we point out: the Cathedral, the Chiesa di San Francesco, the Bishop’s Palace, the Museo della Cattedra, the remains of the Fortress and Porsenna’s labyrinth.
  
  You then climb up to Città della Pieve, where are several important monuments from the 13th to 17th centuries. The town is the homeland of Perugino, the Maestro of Raphael. The city retains some of his most important works. Pedaling along a route with short rises and dips until you reach Orvieto, an ancient town rich in art and culture. It is worthwhile to book an extra night in this lovely town.
  Overnight in Orvieto
  
  Day 6: Orvieto – Todi (28 miles/45 km)
  Before leaving the splendid Umbrian town of Orvieto don't forget to visit the Duomo, a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. Its façade is decorated with magnificent bas-reliefs and sculptures designed by the Sienese architect Lorenzo Maitani. Also not to be missed are the Pozzo di San Patrizio, a great work of hydro-engineering built by request of Pope Clement VII to ensure a water supply to the town in the case of a siege. He had taken refuge in Orvieto during the Sack of Rome in 1527.
  
  In the saddle once more, you leave Orvieto to reach a panoramic road by Lake Corbara. Pedal slowly, enjoy all the shades of color nature offers you and stop to breathe the fresh air. If you are a keen historian remember that near here, where the Paglia and Tiber rivers meet, are the remains of what was an important river port in Roman times (The Roman Port of Pagliano).
  
  Today's ride finishes in Todi, which in 1992 Prof. Richard S. Levine of U.S. Kentucky University defined as “the most livable town in the world”. Todi is another Etruscan town, but was founded between the 8th and 7th centuries BCE by the Umbri (whose settlements were on the other side of the Tiber from the Etruscans) and named Tutere, which means 'boundary town'. In 340 BCE the town developed significantly when it was conquered by the Romans. It acquired the name Colonia Julia Fida Tuder (1st century BCE) and was granted the right to mint its own currency. The town's most beautiful Roman constructions were built after it became part of the Roman Clustumina tribe.
  Overnight in Todi.
  
  Day 7: Todi – Bevagna – Cannara – Assisi (34 miles/55 km)
  In the morning you leave Todi and pedal through a hilly landscape of farmed fields and vineyards to get to Bevagna.This charming medieval village, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, is rich in art, history and cultural events which celebrate folklore and traditions (such as the 'Mercato delle Gaite'). If you visit the village starting from the upper part you find some important Roman monuments dating back to the 1st -2nd century C.E.
  
  You can see the remains of the Roman forum and of a Roman temple with half-columns and pilasters. Not far from this is the site of the Roman baths, of which the frigidarium remains. This is decorated with a very fine mosaic in black and white tiles with designs inspired by the sea. Walking along the narrow streets you come across the Roman theatre, of which evident and significant signs are still visible and which determines the curve of the houses built on the remains of this great civilization. The other buildings are of medieval and renaissance origin and demonstrate a perfect example of architectural harmony between the forces of municipal hegemony and ecclesiastical power.
  
  Leaving Bevagna you pass through lush, fertile land which belongs to the Sagrantino DOCG area. This is a wine with definite character and intense flavor, which is famous worldwide. Your route takes you to Cannara, which rises on the left bank of the Topino river and is situated almost at the center of the Valle Umbra in an area which in ancient times was wetland (known to the Romans as Lacus Umber). Cannara, in fact, derives its name from 'canna' (cane), an aquatic plant which still thrives today. Historians reckon that the first settlements in this marshy area were founded in around 1000 C.E.
  
  You are now coming to the end of this evocative journey through the art, history and nature of the two unique and uncontaminated regions of Umbria and Tuscany. The last stretch of your trip brings you to Assisi.
  
  Embraced within its old town walls, Assisi is a serene and atmospheric town which is a symbol of peace and harmony. It is a place of saints, churches, monasteries, and convents; buildings in which devotion and art live together in a symbiosis which few places have ever equaled. A grand example of this is the Basilica of St. Francis.
  
  Nevertheless, in Assisi the secular buildings in the town also blend in perfectly with the religious architecture. Crossing the main square, Piazza del Comune, you can admire secular medieval buildings such as the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo along with the Roman temple of Minerva, which has now become the Church of Saint Mary above Minerva. At the end of the town square, if you go into the Museo del Foro Romano, you are effectively turning back to pass under the present-day square. In the vaults here you can admire the original paving and the remains of impressive masonry and sculptures. The magic of this town can also be felt in the evening, sipping a glass of wine in one of the characteristic local wine bars, or at night when you wander the tastefully lit streets and alleys.
  Overnight in Assisi.
  
  Day 8: Departure from Assisi
- Day 1: Arrival
  On the first day you arrive in Assisi, a medieval town of global renown which is rich in both famous and lesser-known artistic treasures. Embraced within its old town walls on the slopes of Mount Subasio, Assisi is a magical place and the fact that it has hardly changed since ancient times has preserved its charm. You cannot miss the opportunity to admire the Basilica of St. Francis, an architectural masterpiece which consists of two churches, one above the other, and is brimming with frescos by great masters such as Giotto, Cimabue and Simone Martini.
  
  To fully appreciate this historical town, however, it is also worth visiting historical sites dating back to the Roman period, such as the Roman Forum with its archaeological remains and the Temple of Minerva. Wander the narrow streets and allow yourself to be enchanted by the beauty of all the town's buildings, both sacred and secular. At the end of the day: route briefing and bike setting.
  Overnight in Assisi
  
  Day 2: Assisi – Ponte San Giovanni (19 miles/31 km)
  Following the paths and roads of a part of the 'Valle Umbra' valley, dominated by hills thick with vineyards and olive groves, you arrive at Ponte S. Giovanni. Here you can visit the Ipogeo dei Volumni, which is an Etruscan tomb site discovered in 1840 and now classified as one of the most important monuments of the Etruscan period. This site, along with many other findings, is part of the Palazzone Archaeological Park.
  
  From Ponte San Giovanni you can also visit Perugia, taking the train for Sant'Anna station. In just a few minutes you are in the heart of Etrusca Perusia (Perugia) and you can appreciate the extraordinary Etruscan civilization by visiting the Etruscan Well (Pozzo Etrusco) and the necropolis in the suburbs as well as stopping to admire the old town walls and arches. Perugia is an eclectic and particularly beautiful city, rich in culture, architectural monuments, events, shops and characteristic wine bars where you can taste the famous Umbrian wines.
  Overnight in Ponte San Giovanni
  
  Day 3: Ponte San Giovanni – Passignano (40 miles/64 km)
  To reach Passignano you cycle along paths and roads which enjoy a panorama of the rolling green hills sloping down to the shores of Lake Trasimeno. Passignano is on the gently sloping northern shores, where the lake meets the rocks. The town is often referred to as l'isola felice (“the happy island”) because it is a meeting place for nature and history, art and folklore, peace and vitality.
  
  It was along these north shores, between Malpasso and Passignano, that the epic battle between the Carthaginians and the Romans took place; the battle which marked the beginning of the legendary 20-year war between Hannibal and the Romans.
  Overnight in Passignano
  
  Day 4: Passignano – Cortona – Castiglione del Lago (32 miles/51 km)
  In the morning you leave Passignano to head for Castiglione del Lago, a charming village at the western shore of Lake Trasimeno. Your journey through Tuscany begins here, in the farmlands of the Val di Chiana, with the fragrance of its orchards.
  
  Your route, in fact, crosses a number of 'food trails' - cheese, fruit, olive oil, wine and Chianina beef - adding flavor to the list of attractions alongside history, art, human resourcefulness and water. Your Etruscan journey continues through legends and mysteries, ancient town walls and necropolis such as those of Cortona. This town is an important cultural and artistic center for the valley, well worth exploring and enjoying in all of its aspects, and something of interest can be found here for everyone: enthusiasts of history and art, lovers of nature and adventure, those keen on sport and fitness, food and wine experts and those interested in fashion and shopping.
  
  Castiglione del Lago is built on a promontory and from the old center; you have a nice view over the lake and its islands. Evidence can be found in the town of both Etruscan and Roman origins and there is the 6th century castle Rocca Leone, built by Emperor Frederick II. The town is a real meeting place for nature and history, art and folklore, peace and vitality. From Castiglione del Lago you can visit Isola Maggiore, one of the three islands in Lago Trasimeno. It has less than 100 permanent residents who live in homes dating back to the 15th century.
  Overnight in Castiglione del Lago
  
  Day 5: Castiglione del Lago – Città della Pieve (19 miles/30 km)
  The first part of this stretch offers you some wonderful atmospheric scenery. You pedal immersed in the green landscape slight hilly landscape of the surrounding areas of Lake Trasimeno and will have a glimpse of Lago di Chiusi.
  
  You can decide to make a detour and visit Chiusi, which rises on a hill on the southern side of the Valdichiana. Between 7th and 5th century B. C. Chiusi got to its greatest splendor under King Porsenna’s domination. Among the most interesting monuments to see in Chiusi we point out: the Cathedral, the Chiesa di San Francesco, the Bishop’s Palace, the Museo della Cattedra, the remains of the Fortress and Porsenna’s labyrinth.
  
  You then climb up to Città della Pieve, where there are several important monuments from the 13th to 17th centuries. The town is the homeland of Perugino, the Maestro of Raphael. The city retains some of his most important works.
  Overnight in Città della Pieve
  
  Day 6: Città della Pieve – Orvieto (27 miles/43 km)
  Depart from Città della Pieve and begin pedalling along a route which rises and dips until you reach the first small town of Fabbro and then onward to Orvieto, an ancient town rich in art and culture.
  Overnight in Orvieto
  
  Day 7: Orvieto – Todi (28 miles/45 km)
  Before leaving the splendid Umbrian town of Orvieto don't forget to visit the Duomo, a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. Its façade is decorated with magnificent bas-reliefs and sculptures designed by the Sienese architect Lorenzo Maitani. Also not to be missed are the Pozzo di San Patrizio, a great work of hydro-engineering built by request of Pope Clement VII to ensure a water supply to the town in the case of a siege. He had taken refuge in Orvieto during the Sack of Rome in 1527.
  
  In the saddle once more, you leave Orvieto to reach a panoramic road by Lake Corbara. Pedal slowly, enjoy all the shades of color nature offers you and stop to breathe the fresh air. If you are a keen historian remember that near here, where the Paglia and Tiber rivers meet, are the remains of what was an important river port in Roman times (The Roman Port of Pagliano).
  
  Today's ride finishes in Todi, which in 1992 Prof. Richard S. Levine of U.S. Kentucky University defined as “the most livable town in the world”. Todi is another Etruscan town, but was founded between the 8th and 7th centuries BCE by the Umbri (whose settlements were on the other side of the Tiber from the Etruscans) and named Tutere, which means 'boundary town'. In 340 BCE the town developed significantly when it was conquered by the Romans. It acquired the name Colonia Julia Fida Tuder (1st century BCE) and was granted the right to mint its own currency. The town's most beautiful Roman constructions were built after it became part of the Roman Clustumina tribe.
  Overnight in Todi.
  
  Day 8: Todi – Bevagna (21 miles/33 km)
  In the morning you leave Todi and pedal through a hilly landscape of farmed fields and vineyards to get to Bevagna.This charming medieval village, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, is rich in art, history and cultural events which celebrate folklore and traditions (such as the 'Mercato delle Gaite'). If you visit the village starting from the upper part you find some important Roman monuments dating back to the 1st -2nd century C.E.
  
  You can see the remains of the Roman forum and of a Roman temple with half-columns and pilasters. Not far from this is the site of the Roman baths, of which the frigidarium remains. This is decorated with a very fine mosaic in black and white tiles with designs inspired by the sea. Walking along the narrow streets you come across the Roman theatre, of which evident and significant signs are still visible and which determines the curve of the houses built on the remains of this great civilization. The other buildings are of medieval and renaissance origin and demonstrate a perfect example of architectural harmony between the forces of municipal hegemony and ecclesiastical power.
  Overnight in Bevagna.
  
  Day 9: Bevagna – Montefalco – Assisi (23 miles/37 km)
  Leaving Bevagna you pass through lush, fertile land which belongs to the Sagrantino DOCG area. This is a wine with definite character and intense flavor, which is famous worldwide. Your route takes you to Montefalco a hilltop town, called "the balcony of the Valle Umbra", because of its stunning views over the Valley. You then descend into the valley and you pass Foligno, a lively town famous for its cosy restaurants and shopping. The route continues on through Spello, another well preserved medieval town.
  
  You are now coming to the end of this evocative journey through the art, history and nature of the two unique and uncontaminated regions of Umbria and Tuscany. The final stretch of your trip brings you to Assisi. Embraced within its old town walls, Assisi is a serene and atmospheric town which is a symbol of peace and harmony. It is a place of saints, churches, monasteries, and convents; buildings in which devotion and art live together in a symbiosis which few places have ever equaled. A grand example of this is the Basilica of St. Francis.
  Overnight in Assisi.
  
  Day 10: Departure from Assisi
Surface and terrain

This tour will cycle through a hilly country side with daily distances between 22- 42 miles (35- 68 km). This is a tour for experienced cyclists in good condition (recommended for children 14 and older). The route follows quiet asphalted country roads or dirt roads. The total distance cycled over all the stages is 205 miles (330 km).

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

You will be accommodated in hotels, bed and breakfasts, and historic accommodations
- Superior
- Classic
- 4-star hotels or superior room upgrade
  
  Assisi: Hotel Dal Moro Gallery (or Hotel la Terrazza, which is more centrally located in a superior room with surcharge)
  
  Ponte San Giovanni/Perugia: Deco Hotel
  
  Passignano: Hotel Lido
  
  Castiglione del Lago: B&B Antica Gabella
  
  Città della Pieve: Hotel Vannucci - 9-night itinerary
  
  Orvieto: Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini
  
  Todi: Hotel Bramante
  
  Bevagna: B&B Porta Perugina - 9-night itinerary
- 3 and 4-star hotels
  
  Assisi: Hotel la Terrazza
  
  Ponte San Giovanni/Perugia: Deco Hotel
  
  Passignano: Hotel la Vela
  
  Castiglione del Lago: Hotel Aganoor
  
  Città della Pieve: Hotel Vannucci - 9-night itinerary
  
  Orvieto: Hotel Filippeschi
  
  Todi: Hotel Villa Luisa
  
  Bevagna: Hotel Palazzo Brunamonti - 9-night itinerary
Local hotel taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to each hotel (approximately €1-3 per person/night).

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Sant' Egidio Airport (PEG), Italy
Nearest train station: Assisi, Italy

Tips on getting to and from your tour
Tuscany and Umbria

Tour Photos Dates & Prices
Dates
Daily: Apr 1 - Aug 3, 2024 and Aug 19 - Oct 31, 2024 (minimum 2 persons)

Prices
7-night itinerary
9-night itinerary

Tour package

Superior Classic

Per person, double occupancy €1015 €877

Single use room (1 person/1 room) €1362 €1095

Bike Rentals

Standard touring bike €85

Electrically assisted bike €200

Gravel bike, carbon frame €210

Helmet €5

Additional Services

Dinner package* €200

Assisi, Superior room upgrade**

Per person, double occupancy €18

Single use room (1 person/1 room) €33

* Please note dinner package includes 6 dinners and is only available in Classic hotels. May be possible in Superior hotels, but is on request only.
** Upgrade is to the Hotel la Terrazza in a superior room.

Tour package

Superior Classic

Per person, double occupancy €1245 €1085

Single use room (1 person/1 room) €1664 €1397

Bike Rentals

Standard touring bike €95

Electrically assisted bike €242

Gravel bike, carbon frame €253

Helmet €5

Additional Services

Dinner package* €237

* Please note dinner package includes 7 dinners and is only available in Classic hotels. May be possible in Superior hotels, but is on request only.
Included services
- 7-night itinerary
- 9-night itinerary
- 7 nights accommodation
  
  Breakfast
  
  Luggage transportation
  
  Ride with GPS App 1 access code per room: GPS tracks/cue sheets/tour info*
  
  Client assistance in case of emergencies
  
  Route briefing
  
  GPS tracks (upon request)
- 9 nights accommodation
  
  Breakfast
  
  Luggage transportation
  
  Ride with GPS App 1 access code per room: GPS tracks/cue sheets/tour info*
  
  Client assistance in case of emergencies
  
  Route briefing
  
  GPS tracks (upon request)
Local hotel taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to each hotel (approximately €1-5 per person/night).

*Paper route descriptions and maps on request with supplement of €10.

Bike rentals

Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:
- Standard touring bikes, 21- or 24-speed
- Carbon gravel bike - Canondale Topstone 3 Carbon
- Electrically assisted bike*
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:
- Rear saddle bag
- Tool kit (spare inner tube and pump)
- Map holder (one per party)
- Odometer (one per party)
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. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are available for € 5 and must be booked in advance. We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own helmet.

Tour Company
Tuscany and Umbria

Daily program Route Map
Route Map

Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.

Tuscany and Umbria

Dates & Prices Tour Reviews
Reviews

Write a review
- ★★★★★ Louise C van Vonno 6 months ago
  
  Fantastic but more challenging then we are used to!
  
  My husband and I have done over 10 bike tours around the world and this was by far the most challenging. If we had received the itinerary earlier than 6:30pm the day before we started we might have requested some route adjustments but there just wasn't time. We were assured by the local cycling company that provided the excellent e-bikes that we should be careful about battery usage but we would be OK. We were ok but truly exhausted at the end of most days. The route was excellent and we wanted to go back to some of the towns we visited when we weren't so tired.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  June/ July 2023
  How many tours have you completed?
  10+
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Much harder
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  First-time bike tourists
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 2/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ KAY SINGLETON December 9, 2022
  
  Most challenging of all bike trips we've done
  
  There was a great sense of accomplishment each time we reached the hilltop towns, often after an over 1000m climb; all of the towns were beautiful with awesome views; the accomodations were excellent; we found the descents scary at times and were glad to have good brakes; sooo glad we got the road bikes! would not do this trip without them!
- ★★★★★ Elizabeth Bevier October 15, 2022
  
  Tuscany Umbria biking
  
  It was a fun experience although a bit more strenuous than we anticipated. Lesson learned - check the difficulty level when you book a bike tour.
  The ebikes worked well and we were able to follow the directions on our self-guided tour. Our luggage was always at the next hotel before we arrived.
  Looking forward to doing another bike tour at some point in the future.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  October2022
  How many tours have you completed?
  1
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat harder
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 5/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ John (Jay) Bonitt August 12, 2022
  
  Significant elevation!
  
  This was our fourth self-guided Biketours.com trip, the firs three were five-star successes. This one was the most disappointing, not because of the region or places to stay…all were good! But, this trip had over 16,400 ft. Of elevation..even on E-bikes (for the first time) it was VERY difficult. We saw only one or two road bikers the entire trip, whereas on the previous trips we saw lots of road bikes. As experienced bike tours.com travelers we’re pretty attuned to following direction…this particular trip had poor written and app directions. If you are interested in this particular trip you had better be in the best shape of your life. It is not a moderate level trip…even on an e-bike.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  June 2022
  How many tours have you completed?
  6
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Much harder
  Do you recommend this tour?
  No
  - BikeTours.com staff reply from Kirsten from Biketours August 19, 2022
    
    Hi John,
    Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us feedback. We do realize this tour is difficult and that is a likely reason you saw fewer cyclists on the route than in past trips. We're sorry to hear you had trouble with the GPS application. For future, we'd be happy to review it with you ahead of time to ensure there are no troubles on your tour. And remember, help is always a phone call away! I hope you were able to bring home some good memories from this beautiful area.
  - 3/5 Value
  - 3/5 Included meals
  - 2/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 4/5 Scenery
  - 1/5 Ease of navigation
  - 1/5 Tour documents
  - 3/5 Local tour company services
  - 2/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ Revtodd June 16, 2019
  
  A great adventure!
  
  Our tour through Umbria and Tuscany was inspiring on many levels. The landscape, the food and the small cities full of history made the trip deeply meaningful. The hotels were all high quality, and the carbon frame bikes were excellent. BikeTours staff was great at helping us, since we added a couple of days, and explored different options. I highly recommend both Umbria and BikeTours.com.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  May 15, 2019
  How many tours have you completed?
  1
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers, Families with teens
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 4/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ AAWT2017 June 13, 2019
  
  Vines, Olives, Castles ...
  
  Wonderful way to see Umbria and (a little bit of) Tuscany at our own pace. It was a pleasure to be welcomed by small bars in areas less frequented by tourists. All details provided by the tour operator were first class. Bikes were good quality, trip notes were easy to understand (and although it only happened a couple of times, it was clear when we went wrong!). All accommodations were welcoming and friendly and all had secure, undercover places for the bikes. The B&B in Castiglione del Lago is particularly worthy of compliment.
  We upgraded to road bikes (we are keen road cyclists) and were glad that we had. In hindsight, we should have realised that all mediaeval towns are built on hilltops so although the pre-ride info suggested rolling hills, be prepared for some very steep (although not long) climbs. According to my Garmin, the approach to Orvieto reached nearly a 20% slope for 500m.
  Italian drivers all appeared to be very courteous and we had no problems negotiating traffic. The route has been chosen to avoid traffic as much as possible and I would not expect even timid cyclists have a problem with other road users. Unfortunately, some of the quieter roads are also less well maintained, so be prepared to pick your line carefully to avoid potholes and rough road surfaces in some places.
  We will treasure our memories of riding through centuries old town gates towards our nightly accommodation - that's not an experience we can have in Australia.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  May 2019
  How many tours have you completed?
  1
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Much harder
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 5/5 Ease of navigation
  - 5/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ franks June 8, 2019
  
  A great trip but you had better be in good shape!
  
  This is an excellent trip. The scenery was incredible. It would be good to leave early in the morning or take some extra days so you can explore the towns; there is a lot to see. Hotels were a mix of great and medium quality. The food and wine were outstanding and very reasonable in price. We used the hybrid bikes which were very good, but a bit heavy. I would recommend the road bikes, although at times the roads are not so good. My wife and I are in good shape and experienced cyclists but had some difficulty with the very steep, long hills. Our sons are in their late 20's and did fine. Some of the climbs were more than 8 km long and quite steep, up to 15% grade. The directions in general were very good, but a bit vague at times, especially on leaving Todi and Orvieto. You had better be in good shape to do this tour. I would say it is closer to a level 4 than a 3. However, you cannot see Umbria or Tuscany on bike without doing a lot of steep hills. Overall a great experience.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  May 31 to June 7, 2019
  How many tours have you completed?
  6
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat harder
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers, Families with teens
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 4/5 Included meals
  - 4/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ KSBowman April 29, 2019
  
  50Th B-Day Celebration
  
  It was an amazing trip with excellent weather. The rides were mostly off the beaten path, through rolling terrain with steep uphill climbs to various towns/forts. The hotels were great, we upgraded. We ate locally and did not purchase the dinner with the room package. I will say, we are in very good shape and bike 3-4 days per week at home. It was a difficult ride at times, especially getting into Orvietto, Todi, Cortona, Assisi and Chuisi. Very, Very steep climbs, but well worth the effort. The B and B, Antica Gabella, in Castiglione del Lago was our favorite. Givanna was the ultimate host. The hotel in Todi was also amazing with great views and use of a pool if its warm. I highly recommend taking your time through the small towns and site seeing, wine taste and eat off the beaten path. The written maps and Mapsme got us to our destinations with a few u-turns. Next time we will see if we can have an extra day of not riding scattered in, so we can explore more. We also had a few days on the coast prior to riding and then finished in Rome for a few days. It was perfect!
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  April 14-21
  How many tours have you completed?
  4
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Much harder
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ karnhaus September 22, 2018
  
  It was an adventure!
  
  Beautiful trip through Umbria and Tuscany; although the elevation on some days was more than we expected. The views were spectacular, and all of the accommodations were excellent. Loved the B&B in Castiglione del Lago - it was our favorite. Could have used more tips of places to see along the way, such as wineries, local farms, etc. Ecologico Tours did a great job organizing the trip, the bikes were top notch, and they were very accommodating in helping us switch out our pedals, provide carriers, etc.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  9/6 - 9/14
  How many tours have you completed?
  0
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat harder
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 4/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ Severa July 6, 2018
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  June 22
  How many tours have you completed?
  5
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 4/5 Value
  - 4/5 Included meals
  - 4/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 4/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ CCandPC July 3, 2018
  
  Gorgeous scenery and perfect weather!
  
  My partner and I did this trip, self-guided, and it was great. BikeTours.com was very responsive to our questions, pre-trip, and the local tour company was great too. We rented carbon road bikes from them, and the bikes were excellent. We brought our own pedals, and I brought my saddle, and they helped swap them and ensured we were happy with the setup. As a level 3 tour, the mileage was mostly 50-75 km per day, which was perfect for us. A bit more hilly than expected, but that was fine too. I'd estimate it at a 3.5. The views were gorgeous, and each little town we passed through or stayed in was beautiful. The hotels were nice, with large buffet-style breakfasts, usually in hill-top old fortress towns. We went in late June and the weather was upper twenties celsius. One thing to watch out for is that Italian roads (secondary roads) are not always well-maintained, so while the scenery was stunning, the poorly maintained roads were a surprise and impacted our speed at times. Other than that, it was dreamy and I'd recommend it highly!!
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  June 14-22, 2018
  How many tours have you completed?
  1
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat harder
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 4/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ Dave64 June 19, 2018
  
  Loved this tour!
  
  We enjoyed our tour very much. We loved this method of touring the Italian countryside. The itinerary took us on very quiet country roads (sometimes on dirt roads) where we could stop at our leisure and take pictures. We are both 64 years old, and ended up using e-bikes for this trip, which turned out to be a very good decision. We worked just hard enough, we could enjoy the countryside, get a good physical challenge each day, but have enough gas in our tank to enjoy the evening tour and meal in town. The towns we visited were very enjoyable, a break from the crowds in Florence and Venice. Other bikers we met on our travels were friendly and helpful with tips. The Italian drivers were very courteous to bikers. It was a fantastic trip.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  May 17-24 2018
  How many tours have you completed?
  Only this one
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  As expected
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 4/5 Ease of navigation
  - 5/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ CapeCodders October 4, 2017
  
  Best vacation EVER !
  
  A big thank you to the entire staff at BikeTours and a special thank you to our Umbrian Tour operators Pablo and Petra. Everything was incredible ! The biking was phenomenal, the scenery, the food, and hotels exceeded all of our expectations. Pablo and Petra went above and beyond providing detailed maps and GPS tracks for our self guided tour in addition to historical facts and sites to be seen in each of the beautiful villages we visited .
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  9/26/17 - 10/4/17
  How many tours have you completed?
  First bike tour, but avid cyclists
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat harder
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - BikeTours.com staff reply from Brittany October 5, 2017
    
    We're glad to hear you had a great time on tour and thank you for the pictures! I visited Umbria by bike this year and what a hidden gem. We hope to help you plan another bike tour in the future!
  - 5/5 Value
  - 5/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 5/5 Ease of navigation
  - 5/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ Ana outsubo August 8, 2017
  
  Needs improvement
  
  They need to improve. We were three... but we only had 1 map, I had to ask for at least one more.... the full package like odometer.... bike tray to put the map... direction booklet... they did not have it all, although we paid 3 packages. They forgot our greeting meeting. Good points: they tried to provide everything we had asked... they were helpful. But definitely they were overwhelmed with the amount of tours and needed help.
  
  What was the date of your tour?
  July 4 th- 11
  How many tours have you completed?
  5
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Much harder
  Do you recommend this tour?
  No
  - 3/5 Value
  - 3/5 Included meals
  - 3/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 4/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 3/5 Ease of navigation
  - 2/5 Tour documents
  - 3/5 Local tour company services
  - 4/5 Route selection
- ★★★★★ dave403 May 8, 2016
  
  Outstanding route and operator for central Italy - Awesome trip!
  
  Really excellent self-guided trip run by a first class small operator (Petra and Paulo). Stunning terrain, mostly in Umbria which is quieter and perhaps even more charming than Tuscany. Accommodation was excellent quality and value. Not over-the-top fancy but great. Breakfasts good - usual European-style. Generally on our own for dinners and so many incredible choices - Umbria has first class food and wine. Luggage transfers perfect. Directions provided excellent. Relatively challenging rides which we expected. At the higher end of level 3. Terrain is hilly (and gorgeous) which isn't an issue where roads are switch-backed. Tougher when they're not but we managed fine. Best to be in decent shape. We're 60 and in good fitness. Winter training via spin classes helpful. Would be more challenging on hybrids - we upgraded to road bikes and were happy we did, riding with our own shoes and clips. Took an extra day in Orvieto which helped give a recovery day and was very interesting/worthwhile. Lots of history and art along the way. Great trip! Highly recommend this operator and this trip.
  
  How many tours have you completed?
  4
  Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
  Somewhat harder
  Who is this tour suitable for?
  Solo travelers
  Do you recommend this tour?
  Yes
  - 5/5 Value
  - 4/5 Included meals
  - 5/5 Bikes + equipment
  - 5/5 Hotels or boat
  - 5/5 Scenery
  - 5/5 Ease of navigation
  - 4/5 Tour documents
  - 5/5 Local tour company services
  - 5/5 Route selection
Tuscany and Umbria

Route Map Book This Tour