Luxury Tuscany By The Sea Bike (Italian Vineyards & Romantic Coast) 6D5N, Fully Guided

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 16 km (10 miles), Elevation gain: 30 m (100 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 37 km (23 miles), Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 63 km (39 miles), Elevation gain: 549 m (1800 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders at 9.30 am at the Orvieto train station in Orvieto, Italy. Please arrive dressed in your biking clothes and bring your luggage and a day pack and anything else you want for today’s ride (your luggage will be transported to our first night’s accommodation). If you want to change to your gear after our shuttle, please be aware that a proper changing area may not be available.

After meeting in Orvieto, we journey by shuttle to the rolling coastal hills of Southern Tuscany. Begin your adventure with a beautiful lunch featuring country-style dishes; our first taste of traditional Tuscan cuisine. Afterwards, your trip leaders fit your bike and give you a brief talk on biking techniques and safety before heading out on today’s ride.

We cycle along the natural rises and falls of our route through the hills, passing through a classic Tuscan Tableau: rural inland landscape with rustic farms, verdant forests and stunning vineyards. We make our way through secluded mediaeval villages before descending to the coastal plains of Southern Tuscany’s Maremma.

Meander through the Ombrone Valley where our path brings us along farming settlements all the way to Tenuta La Badiola and our hotel. Let the ocean breeze course through your face as you draw closer to the Tyrrhenian coast. If you desire more challenge, continue riding and reach a climb though coastal oak forest to the Tirli lookout point, where the Mediterranean shines in the distance.

We ride under a shade filled with cypress and umbrella pine to our breathtaking hotel, L’Andana, an enchanting Mediterranean resort that was once a Medici family villa. After settling into your room, relax by the pool or subject your body to otherworldly treatment at the exotic spa (at own expense).

Tonight, we convene for a welcome aperitivo (cocktail) and dinner featuring a slew of Mediterranean delights.

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 35 km (22 miles), Elevation gain: 216 m (700 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 50 km (31 miles), Elevation gain: 305 m (1000 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 55 km (34 miles), Elevation gain: 488 m (1600 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 84 km (52 miles), Elevation gain: 640 m (2100 ft)

After a hearty breakfast this morning, we set out on our bikes to explore the surrounding foothills. The highlights of today’s adventure are the lush area surrounding the ancient seaside town of Castiglione Della Pescaia. If you want an extra challenge, go on a steady climb to Ravi, an ancient red-roofed village offering breathtaking panoramas of the coast and sea.

Ride on to Castiglione Della Pescaia, a thriving mediaeval city poised on the Tyrrhenian Sea and a popular highlight of the region. Rest from cycling and peruse the numerous shops before sitting down for lunch on your own expense at one of the town’s excellent restaurants. You have time this afternoon to wander the spectacular streets of this seaside village, stroll along the beach promenade, or relax on the sandy beach and swim in the crystalline waters. When you’re ready, hop back on your bike and ride back to your hotel along a picturesque tree-lined route or take a longer way on the Litoranes road.

Tonight, we will enjoy an exclusive dinner experience at the Antorini wine estate, Le Mortelle, which has a magnificent underground cellar and a variety of Tuscan wines.

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 35 km (22 miles), Elevation gain: 183 m (600 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 47 km (29 miles), Elevation gain: 396 m (1300 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 63 km (39 miles), Elevation gain: 366 m (1200 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 84 km (52 miles), Elevation gain: 610 m (2000 ft)

Relish a hearty breakfast at the hotel before hopping on your bike. On today’s ride, the Tuscan hills begin to smooth and give way to Maremma’s high grass and maritime plains. Ride out from L’Andana and make your way north on Via Clodia, an ancient Roman road connecting Pisa and Roma along the coast.

Our route takes us through the Bruna River valley, past wheat fields, sheep-filled pastures, fruit and olive orchards, and iconic Tuscan vineyards. We’re also surrounded today by the World Heritage Geopark of the Colline Metallifere, hills so-named for their metal rich earth. Ride past centuries-old caves and mines that rest beneath the mediaeval hilltop towns that once defended them from raiders. If you’d like to climb more today, make your way to the fairytale hamlet of Montemassi and bask in the awe-inspiring panoramas. We stop for lunch at a local farm before riding the short distance back to our coastal retreat for some relaxation this afternoon.

Tonight, we enjoy an exclusive Tuscan dinner before turning in for the night.

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 32 km (20 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 48 km (30 miles), Elevation gain: 366 m (1300 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 64 km (40 miles), Elevation gain: 640 m (2100 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 84 km (52 miles), Elevation gain: 1067 m (3500 ft)

Enjoy a tantalising breakfast before shuttling to Talamone, a lovely seaside hamlet whose surrounding fertile lands have cultivated wine grapes for centuries. Begin rolling towards Monte Argentario, a wooded promontory connected to the mainland by three narrow strips of land. As you ride down one of the isthmuses, you can choose to stop and rest on the beach under the shade of a pinewood tree or get your feet wet. With the wide expanses of fine sand and tranquil azure waters, it’s easy to see why this area is known as the silver coast and is a popular summer resort destination.

We break for lunch at a favourite beachside restaurant featuring an abundance of local seafood plus breathtaking views of the Argentario Bay. If you’re up for some more biking this afternoon, head out from our lunch spot along the Giannella isthmus, making your way along Orbetello’s lagoon.

We park our bikes for the day at Argentario Golf Resort and Spa, a sleek resort gracefully nestled into the green Mediterranean landscape and our home for the next two nights. Take a soothing dip in the pool, relax at the spa or perhaps play a round of golf at the seaside course. (Spa treatments and golf are at own expense).

This evening, we take a short shuttle ride into lovely Orbetello. Relish an aperitivo and evening stroll before settling in one of the town’s delightful restaurants for dinner at your own expense. Line-caught sea bass, bubbling pizzas and handmade pastas are some of the delights featured here.

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 29 km (18 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 45 km (28 miles), Elevation gain: 427 m (1400 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 60 km (37 miles), Elevation gain: 549 m (1800 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 64 km (40 miles), Elevation gain: 671 m (2200 ft)

Today’s route exposes the natural beauty of the Tuscan coast. After breakfast, a quick lift in the shuttle brings us to the start of our ride on the Maremma coast. Warm up your legs, then tackle the short climb to the hilltop town of Capalbio, a mediaeval treasure with expansive views of the grassy Maremma plains stretching all the way to the sea. Break for a coffee and the opportunity to explore this mediaeval gem.

Hop back on your bike and ride downhill toward Burano’s World Wildlife Foundation nature reserve, home to an abundance of native flora and fauna filled with a variety of migrating birds. Continue riding to the breathtaking beaches of Ansedonia, cross Orbetello’s lagoon and arrive in Porto Ecole, a fascinating port town crowned by an imposing Spanish fortress. Lunch today is on your own, stroll along the harbour and keep your eyes peeled for an outdoor trattoria or cliffhanging cafe.

After lunch, a special treat awaits. Board a private boat for a cruise and swim in the crystal waters of the Mediterranean Sea and around the cliffs of the Argentario promontory. Or, if you’d prefer to go to the hotel straight away, you can bike or shuttle to our resort where you can pamper yourself with a massage, play a friendly round of golf or tennis or relax at the pool. (Massage and golf are at own expense).

We gather this evening for a celebratory farewell on the resort’s scenic terrace followed by dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Level 2, Approx. 21 km (13 miles), Elevation gain: 457 m (1500 ft)

This morning, take one last challenging ride up Monte Argentario. At the beautiful Passionisti Convent, spectacular views of the wooded hills and blue-green Orbetello lagoon await. Relish the mostly downhill spin back to the hotel, where there’s time to freshen up. If you choose to sleep in today, skip the ride and enjoy a leisurely breakfast or simply laze by the pool. Perhaps take advantage of the private sea access or superb spa. Afterwards, bid farewell to your leaders before shuttling to Rome, your final destination.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.