Tuscany Biking Tour

Tuscany Biking

Overview
Lodging
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Trip Highlights
  • The quintessential Tuscan journey - great for cyclists of all levels
  • Pedal our favorite Tuscan roads with ample shuttle support
  • Handpicked hotels that represent Tuscany's finest
  • Taste the region’s most acclaimed wines with a local sommelier
  • Visit and dine with a Tuscan chef in his home
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Timeless Landscapes & Renaissance Treasures

Few things in this world live up to the hype. But everything you've ever heard about Tuscany is true. It's not a destination. It's an experience. Rides lined with cypress trees overlooking the patchwork vineyards below will stop you on your bike. And no view will compare to that view. Until you round the next bend and see another. It's a wonder anyone ever finishes the rides. And that's only what you'll see; imagine the wines and the flavors you'll experience.

Day 1 The quintessential Tuscan journey - great for cyclists of all levels  Sample fresh cheeses at an agriturismo before biking quiet roads past olive orchards, farmhouses and wheat fields  Cross through the grand Porta Nova into historic Colle Val d'Elsa, known for its handcrafted crystal, and explore narrow streets flanked by 16th- and 17th-century palazzi.

Days 2-3 Pedal rolling hills in the heart of Chianti to Monteriggioni, an impeccably preserved 13th-century walled village  The hidden nooks of Via delle Volte, Castellina's unique arcaded passageway, tempt exploration  We’re invited to the private Badia a Coltibuono estate to try olive oils crafted under the care of Lorenza de’Medici Ascend to the ancient hilltop town of Radda, the center of Chianti wine production  Dine with a Tuscan chef at his lovely villa.

Day 4 The narrow streets of Montalcino, known for having the region's finest wines, are yours to discover  Point your wheels toward southern Tuscany, where stately cypresses crisscross open rolling hills  Our route leads through the chalk hills of the Crete Senesi, often depicted in 14th- and 15th-century Florentine paintings.

Days 5-6 Taste world-famous Brunello  Pedal through the undulating wheat fields and hilltop towns of the Val d’Orcia  In Pienza, marvel at the famed Renaissance architecture and sample splendid pecorino cheese.

Guests Reviews About This Trip

We had a spectacular trip. I made the comment to my wife after the very first day of biking that I could go home today and feel like all my expectations had been fulfilled - and that was just the first day! We had been dreaming of and planning this trip for so long, that I was afraid I would be expecting too much. But it was so much better than we had even hoped for. Thanks, Backroads, for the trip of a lifetime! Now my only thought is how could the next Backroads trip possibly compare with this one--but I bet it will be exciting to find out!
Michael Kellum - Allen, Texas
This was the best trip I have taken in my entire life! Everything was perfect. Our trip leaders were the greatest, our fellow travelers were great people and Tuscany is amazing. I cannot wait to go on another Backroads trip.
Michele Cummings - Toronto, ON
This was a dream trip! It was definitely challenging (in a good way!) as well as extremely rewarding and enjoyable. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
Gaynell Kellum - Allen, TX

Premiere Inns

Palazzo San Lorenzo
Palazzo San Lorenzo

Colle Val d'Elsa (1 night) Recently remodeled into a stylish modern hotel, this palazzo, tucked within the old town walls, was built as a hospital in 1635 by the influential Usimbardi family. (pool, spa)

Borgo San Felice
Borgo San Felice

San Felice (2 nights) Described by Hideaway Report as an "enchanting resort enclave set within a restored medieval hamlet fringed by olive groves and vineyards in the Chianti Classico region." A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa, tennis)

Castello di Velona
Castello di Velona

Castelnuovo dell'Abate (2 nights) This 11th-century fortress features terra-cotta floors, individually decorated rooms and stunning views of the Val d’Orcia. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool, spa)


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Puglia Biking

Italy's Sun-Drenched Adriatic Coast

Sicily Biking

Ancient Civilizations & Mediterranean Sensations

Tuscany Biking

A Taste of Tuscany from Pienza to Siena & Chianti

Tuscany Easy Biking

Easy Biking South of Siena

This Trip Is Rated Level 2-5

Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Road Bike Average Mountain Bike Average* Walk & Hike Average
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 miles 10-15 miles 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 16-20 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 21-25 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 26-30 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 31+ miles 11-13+ miles

*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Level 1 to 3  2 Route Options Available
  • 19, 31 miles
  • 550 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 2 to 5  4 Route Options Available
  • 29, 40, 52, 60 miles
  • 1900 - 3470 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 1 to 4  4 Route Options Available
  • 20, 31, 38, 48 miles
  • 1910 - 3900 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 2 to 5  4 Route Options Available
  • 25, 34, 45, 66 miles
  • 1100 - 3600 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
  • 22, 39, 55 miles
  • 1900 - 4300 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Level 1  1 Route Option Available
  • 14 miles
  • 800 feet elevation gain

For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Tuscany tour experts. See our award-winning Europe Italy biking tours, Europe Italy walking and hiking tours and Europe Italy multisport tours.

Biking

Premiere Inns

6 days, 5 nights
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Trip Price*
  • $4,298 to $4,698 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$1,630 to $1,930 for sgl. occ.)
Meet/Depart

Florence, Italy


Roll over dates below for specific prices
2012 CLASSIC DATES

* Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Trip Notes

All meals included except 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

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When Is Small
Too Small?

You may find some companies singing the praises of traveling in a very small group. We know this rarely works unless you’ve handpicked your closest friends for a
private trip.

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When Is Small
Too Small?

You may find some companies singing the praises of traveling in a very small group. We know this rarely works unless you’ve handpicked your closest friends for a private trip. Otherwise, you may find yourself going crazy with the constraints that a very small group puts on you: there’s one van, and it’s leaving at one time, and you’re all in it. You’re sitting with the same people every night at dinner, and although pleasant, not necessarily captivating after the fifth dinner. You may feel more self-conscious about doing your own thing, since the group moves more as a unit—not through anyone’s intention but just through human nature. Backroads group sizes are small enough to move through the world in a low-impact way but big enough to invite compelling group dynamics.

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Not too small

"Excellent! Loved it. I thought it would be fun, but it was even more fun than I thought it would be. And I was most pleasantly surprised and pleased by my fellow guests - they were smart, interesting, outgoing and fun and easy to talk with. I felt comfortable immediately and really enjoyed getting to know them."

Bill Maris
Burlington, VT

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