Tour of Tuscany
Date: _______ to _______
Terrain: Moderate | Daily Miles: 40-60
Difficulty Level: 2
$4,295
Few places match the timeless allure of Tuscany. Birthplace of Renaissance art and architecture, its towns offer beauty surpassed only by the natural delights of the surrounding countryside. We combine classic Tuscan landmarks such as the perfectly planned center of Pienza, the medireview Duomo in Montepulciano, and the artistic splendor of Siena, with the tranquillity and unequaled riding to be found in the Chianti hills and the Pratomagno mountains. Each day presents another feast of sights and sensations as we ride on smooth roads past stately villas, walled castles and medireview hill towns. Each dinner becomes yet another culinary experience featuring typical Tuscan dishes and renowned wines. Cycling along ancient roads that wind among undulating hills, past sloping vineyards and twisted olive trees, bright yellow sunflowers and red poppies creating a carpet of color, you will understand why Tuscany has long been a mecca for cyclists.
As part of the 2003 Tour di Toscana, you'll have the chance to see two stages of the 86th Giro d'Italia as it passes through Arezzo. Cheer with the tifosi as some of cycling's best riders jockey for position in hopes of wearing the Maglia Rosa.
Stage One • Figline Val d'Arno. 17 mile loop - 350 feet or 34 mile loop - 700 feet. Warm up with a ride in the Chianti hills followed by some delicious gelati. The owner of the local bike shop, the winner of the 1991 Giro d’Italia, Franco Chioccioli, welcomes our visit. Back at our villa, just down the hill from where Sting has his place, we toast our arrival with a fine Chianti wine and enjoy our first unforgettable dinner.
Stage Two • Figline Val d’Arno to Arezzo. 40 miles - 1215 feet. Follow the ancient Road of Seven Bridges as it meanders through fragrant pines and silvery olive groves. This winding, rolling road is our favorite. There are great views of the Chianti region and each small town along the way offers a special delight around each corner - a perfect town square or a great bakery. From our hotel, it is a short walk to Arezzo's treasured frescos in the church of San Francesco and the interesting Piazza Grande. At a popular trattoria we sample Tuscan ribollita, a hearty vegetable and bean soup and home made pasta bursting with the flavor of fresh porcini mushrooms.
Stage Three • Arezzo to Cortona. 42 miles - 2625 feet. A pretty ride in a cool, green forest gradually rises over the mountain and onto a fantastic descent. The road is lined with cypress trees and bright, red poppies as we wind our way down. We cross the valley riding through fields of every type of crop and climb up to the stone walls of Cortona. Inside the town center, we are transported back in time. See Fra Angelico's famous painting of the Annunciation, visit the Etruscan museum or enjoy the street life over a caffe. Our luxurious hotel was a medieval palazzo.
Stage Four • Rest Day in Cortona. Optional loop ride to Lake Trasimeno. Take a ride through the fertile hills around the area and visit the local shops selling Deruta ceramics. Spend some time in Cortona seeing the Renaissance paintings in the church museum or the famous Etruscan antiquities. The town is well known for it's role in Under the Tuscan Sun and soon will be featured in the upcoming movie.
Stage Five • Cortona to Montepulciano. 50 miles - 3156 feet. Descend out of Cortona past blooming roses and fields golden with billowing wheat. Stop at Lake Trasimeno, just over the border in Umbria to shop for hand decorated Deruta ceramics. Montepulciano sits high atop a vine-covered hill. A gentle climb brings us through the portals of its ancient walls. We are invited for an interesting tour and tasting of prized Vino Nobile and the top quality olive oil produced at one of the town's oldest and most characteristic wineries. Dinner is simply a feast for the senses.
Stage Six • Montepulciano to Siena. 55 miles - 3461 feet. A landscape of golden, rolling hills leads to Pienza, the quintessential Renaissance city. At the red brick Abbey of Monte Oliveto we admire Signorelli’s fresco paintings and enjoy an al fresco picnic. Ride through the eroded clay hills known as Le Crete. The colors of the landscape change from green to gold to purple as the sun crosses the sky. From your first magical glimpse of the clock tower soaring above the Piazza del Campo, to the awe you will feel upon entering the magnificent Duomo, you will know Siena is a very special place.
Stage Seven • Siena. 45 mile loop ride - 2820 feet. Ride through a forest of chestnut trees and over the ridge where the striking stone towers of San Gimignano appear on the horizon as we near the irresistible town. Linger over a cappuccino at an outdoor cafe and take in some local color. We stop for lunch and a visit at Monteriggione, a hill town still encircled by ancient, fortified walls. Return to Siena in time for some shopping before dinner along the bustling Banchi di Sotto followed by an apertivo in the Campo.
Stage Eight • Siena to Figline. 42 miles - 3380 feet. The ancient Via Chiantigiana winds through the Chianti countryside past picturesque villas and acclaimed wineries. Ride on unrivaled back roads through acres of olive trees and lush vineyards to timeless towns like Castellina in Chianti and Greve. Many local cyclists join us as we climb to the Sugame pass on our way to Figline. Relax at the pool until dinner in the magical starlit garden.
Stage Nine • Cool down Chianti Loop. 40 miles - 2800 feet. A final loop into the Chianti region takes us up to the Badia a Coltibuono abbey. Now home to an excellent cooking school and restaurant. It's a perfect stop for a gourmet lunch before rolling down hill the whole way back to Figline. Return to our villa with plenty of time to wind down. All in all, the perfect tour for a first visit to Italy.
Sign up for ANY La Corsa Tour and you can buy a Garmin GPS-Enabled Cycle Computer for $299.
Proudly Offering Challenging Bike Vacations Since 1992!
