Southern Tuscany bike tour, Montalcino, Pienza, Brunello wine

Price
US$ 1,550 per person
(Single Supplement)

Traveling alone?
Join a self-guided tour that has already been scheduled. We can’t run self-guided trips for one person, but we may have already booked a self-guided tour that works for you. More info

Group of three?
Tour prices are based on double room occupancy. Groups of three on self-guided trips have two options:
Option 1: Request a triple room. With a triple there is no single supplement. Option 2: Pay a single supplement (US$ 50/night) for the single room.

Save US$ 250 per person
Use our bike bags (panniers) instead of the luggage transfer
» more info

Dates
Any date from March 1 to October 31

7 Days, 6 Nights

Route Rating
Moderate: 10-30 miles (15-50 km) per day cycling over hilly terrain.

Meet / Finish
Buonconvento / Cortona

Highlights

Winery tour with wine tasting
Swim at a thermal spa
12th century castle visit
8th century abbey
The Tuscan hill towns of Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano and Cortona
Beautiful vistas of vineyards and olive groves
Peaceful country back roads

What's Included

All lodging (3 and 4 star hotels)
All breakfasts
Lunch on Day 1
Winery visit and wine tasting
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Private van transfer from Florence on day one
6 beautiful rides. Extra miles available.
Use of high-end hybrid bicycle
Use of cell phone for emergencies

Cancellations: Terms and Conditions

» Tour Summary
» Map and Distances
» Hotels
» Photos
» Bicycles

Wineries and Castles

What if it rains?

On self-guided bike tours there is no van support. However, we do move your luggage from hotel to hotel. In the event of rain you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags. We provide our guests with a cell phone. You can call in the morning and make arrangements for a lift.

Why Self-Guided?
Explore Tuscany at your own pace. We provide detailed route notes, a cell phone, luggage transfers, great accommodations, restaurant suggestions, and sightseeing notes. You choose the dates. We take care of the details.

Self-Guided Southern Tuscany Bike Tour

Most travelers to Tuscany visit the northern part of the region including Florence, Chianti, and Siena. Fewer venture off the beaten path exploring southern Tuscany. Equally beautiful, but less touristy, southern Tuscany is known for its sun-drenched farmlands, picture perfect hill towns, and Italy’s best red wines. Spend seven days cycling through beautiful hill towns including Montalcino, Pienza, and Cortona. Explore a 14th century castle. Tour a family-run winery and sample their Brunello wine, Italy’s best red. Soak in hot thermal waters at a Roman spa. Feast on local specialties including pici pasta (a thick spaghetti), wild boar, and a sheep cheese called pecorino. You will be enchanted by the warm people, quiet villages and natural splendor.

Day 1 Buonconvento We meet in Florence and shuttle to Buonconvento. Lunch in Buonconvento with your tour coordinator who reviews the tour and provides route notes and maps. Cycle to Monte Oliveto Maggiore a stunning abbey perched on top of a cliff.

Day 2-3 Montalcino Ride to the perfectly preserved medieval village of Sant’Angelo in Colle. Listen to Gregorian chants in Tuscany’s most beautiful Romanesque church. Enjoy a winery tour and learn how sangiovese grapes are transformed into the sublime Brunello wine.

Day 4 Pienza Pedal at your own pace to Pienza, built by a Pope to represent the perfect Renaissance city. Swim or soak in the geo-thermal waters of Bagno Vignoni. Tiny Bagnoni Vignoni, population 16, has been soothing weary travelers since the Romans consecrated the waters to the Nymphs.

Day 5 Montepulciano Zig-zag through the stone streets of Montichiello, a tiny village with great views. Cycle to Montepulciano, a town known for its ruby-red wine called Vino Nobile. See wine and cheese aging in the labyrinth of cellars at the Ercolani winery. Taste sheep cheese aged in laurel leaves.

Day 6 Cortona Bike to the town made famous by Frances Mayes in her book Under the Tuscan Sun. Nestled high on a hill, Cortona is a delightful village with a medieval air. Tour ends in Cortona. Frequent trains make for an easy departure on day seven.