A bicycle tour from Fano on East Coast to the coasts of the Bella Toscana (11d-10n)
TOUR DETAILS
A Wonderful Tour in the Hidden Heart of Italy, from the classic sand beaches of the Adriatic Sea to the “Bella Toscana.” This tour passes through stunning art cities like Urbino and Sansepolcro, the remote forested areas of the Apennine Mountains, celebrated medieval hilltop towns like Cortona and Montepulciano, Renaissance small villages like Pienza, roads drawn in gently rolling hills of vineyards, sunflower and wheat fields, mountains and valleys… This bicycle adventure is specifically designed for travelers who would like to mix popular areas of Central Italy with “places off the beaten path”. Each of the routes have been chosen for their scenic beauty and lack of road traffic as well as for the incredible variety of food, wine, culture and landscapes they offer. This is a true adventure into the authentic Italia.
Map currently being updated …
Day 1: BENVENUTI! Arrival at Fano
Today is non-cycling day. This is a day pretty much dedicated to shopping and relaxation in the beautiful Roman town of Fano.
Highlights of the Day: The nice beach and the narrow alleys of the historic city center.
Special Event of the Day: A seafood dinner at La Quinta restaurant and a Moretta coffèe.
Day 2: FANO – URBINO
Our Guide will meet you early this morning for breakfast to provide you with the route notes and transfer your luggage to the next inn.
Highlights of the Day: Views of the Adriatic Sea and the rolling hills. A visit to the magnificent medieval and renaissance town of Urbino- a place of architectural and artistic masterpieces.
Ride details: Moderate – Difficult – 70 km (100% asphalt) with rolling hills and some big climbs. A longer route (90 km) is available.
Special Event of the Day: Visit of Mondavio, the Duke Palace of Urbino, and its historic town center.
Day 3: URBINO – S. ANGELO IN VADO-SANSEPOLCRO
Highlights of the Day: Views of towns and countryside, and the beautiful medieval town of S. Angelo in Vado.
Ride details: Moderate – Difficult – 50 km (100% asphalt) rolling hills with a long climb to Bocca Trabaria pass. A longer route (70 km) is available.
Special Event of the Day: The Lamoli Hermitage and the descent from Bocca Trabaria to the Upper Tiber Valley.
Day 4: SANSEPOLCRO Loop
Highlights of the Day: Your first day in Tuscany will be spent riding through nice little towns like the medieval Anghiari and the beautiful countryside of the Upper Tiber Valley. Alternatively, you can just have a day off in town.
Ride details: Moderate – 63 km (100% asphalt) with rolling hills. A longer route (75 km) is available.
Special Event of the Day: Do not miss the frescoes by Piero della Francesca and Rosso Fiorentino in Sansepolcro, and a nice stroll in the narrow alleys of Anghiari.
Day 5: SANSEPOLCRO – CORTONA
Highlights of the Day: Today, experience an epic ride across the pre-Apennines Mountains that separate the Upper Tiber Valley from the Chiana Valley.
Ride details: Moderate – 75 km (1% gravel 99% asphalt) with rolling hills. A longer route (85 km) is available.
Special Event of the Day: A fantastic descent to Cortona with vistas on Lake Trasimeno and Chiana. A glass of local wine in the wine bar on Cortona’s Corso.
Day 6: Cortona – Montepulciano
Highlights of the Day: Views of Tuscan towns and countryside, and Montepulciano – one of the most beautiful hilltop towns of Italy, known since ancient times for its prestigious Vino Nobile wine.
Ride details: Moderate – 42 km (100% asphalt) featuring rolling hills with big final climb to the town. A longer route (70 km) is available.
Special Event of the Day: Visiting the town of Montepulciano and some of the local wineries.
Day 7: MONTEPULCIANO – MONTICCHIELLO – PIENZA – MONTEPULCIANO
Highlights of the Day: Views of Tuscan towns and countryside, and Pienza – the dream town of Pope Pius II, a place of architectural masterpieces where you can shop for ceramics and sample delectable Pecorino cheese.
Ride details: Moderate – 40 km (20% dirt, 80% asphalt) with rolling hills. A longer route (70 km) is available.
Special Event of the Day: Visiting the town of Pienza.
Day 8: MONTEPULCIANO – S. FIORA
Highlights of the Day: An epic ride on the slopes of the ex-volcano Mt Amiata, passing through olive groves and durum wheat fields to the chestnut woods of Amiata.
Ride details: Difficult – 70 km (100% asphalt) with rolling hills. A longer route (80 km) is available.
Special Event of the Day: A beautiful exploratory walk to the Peschiera gardens in S. Fiora.
Day 9: S. FIORA – MAREMMA area
Highlights of the Day: Another fantastic descent! Cycle from the slopes of Mt Amiata to the remote Maremma, a rural area once the core of the Etruscan Territories.
Ride details: Easy – 50 km (100% asphalt) and gently rolling. A longer route (70 km) is available.
Special Event of the Day: A soak in the hot springs of Saturnia, a glass of Bianco di Pitigliano and a glass of Morellino di Scansano.
Day 10: MAREMMA area – ARGENTARIO area
Highlights of the Day: A relaxing, easy ride in the flatlands of Maremma to the scenic promontory of Mt Argentario in front of the Tyrrenian Sea.
Ride details: Easy – 40 km (100% asphalt), gently rolling to flat. A longer route (70 km) is also available. Special Event of the Day: A beautiful exploratory walk in the harbor of the old town.
Day 11: Ciao Ciao!
End of tour after breakfast. Departure: train available to reach Rome, Pisa or Firenze.
