Tuscany Family Biking
- Iconic hill towns of San Gimignano and Radda in Chianti
- Family-friendly routes past cypress trees, vineyards, grazing sheep and stone farmhouses
- Tour a medieval abbey, now a private estate producing its own olive oil and honey
- Savor classic Tuscan indulgences, including truffles and gelato
- A night of pizza- and cookie-making for the kids, and wine tasting and feasting for the adults
Pedaling, Painting and Pizza North of Siena
Is this the trip on which your kid develops an eye for Etruscan figurative art? Or learns the key features of Quattrocento Renaissance architecture? Maybe not. But it doesn't take a genius to know that Tuscany scores top marks for family fun. Enjoy miles of smiles on kid-approved routes. Discover ancient hill towns and climb a medieval tower (fueled by gelato, of course!). Taste truffles - and meet the dog that sniffs them out. Chianti tasting for the adults. Hands-on pizza making and watercolor lessons for the youngsters. Enjoy your perfect family adventure in Tuscany.
Day 1 Family-friendly routes past cypress trees, vineyards, grazing sheep and stone farmhouses 
Enjoy a warm-up spin from the 16th-century chapel of San Vivaldo through picturesque countryside and quaint towns.
Day 2 Savor classic local delicacies, including truffles, pasta and gelato It's a quick downhill ride to Corazzano, with a stop at Tartufi Nacci to learn about truffles While adults sample the goods (think truffle oil, cheese and pasta), kids accompany a truffle-sniffing dog on a hunt! Break for a gourmet picnic at an agriturismo (country retreat and working farm).
Day 3 Discover iconic hill towns brimming with history, including San Gimignano Pedal through Volterra, known for its alabaster and wealth of Etruscan and Roman ruins Kids dabble in watercolor techniques with a local artist, giving grown-ups the chance to gaze at San Gimignano from our scenic country abode.
Day 4 Adults taste notable regional wines and dine at a trattoria, while youngsters put together a well-rounded meal - pasta and cookies! Bike through rolling pastureland, wheat fields and grape vines to the "crown" on the hill, Monteriggioni, whose medieval ramparts sport 14 stone towers.
Days 5-6 Visit Badia a Coltibuono (or "Abbey of the Good Harvest"), a private estate producing its own olive oil and honey Wonderful vistas abound during a ride through the heart of Chianti Explore ridgetop Radda, the center of Chianti wine production, before hitting the shops and gelaterie of Castellina, an ancient village with a unique arcaded passageway.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
One of the best trips we ever had as a family. The kids would have been miserable sightseeing countless museums and churches. What a fabulous way to really experience Italy and the culture while being with a fun social group. My teenagers truly enjoyed having the other kids their age on the trip. We all had a wonderful time. It was great blend of exercise, sightseeing, and cultural experiences. LOVED IT!!!! We had three amazing leaders. All wonderful!!! There will definitely be more Backroads trips in our future!!- Greensboro, NC
Biking Tuscany was a great experience for my family. Our leaders were excellent and catered to our every need. Their knowledge of the region was excellent and they were a constant source of information. In addition, the chemistry between them was very energetic. The choice of lodging and cuisine was superb and offered a great sampling of the area. Thank you, Backroads. We will definitely return.- Bethesda, MD
This trip ranks as one of my favorite all-time vacations. The setting in Tuscany is breathtakingly beautiful. This trip was everything I imagined and more! I especially enjoyed meeting the other families. There was also a very nice mix of kids. The Trip Leaders were exceptional - very personable and took a very special interest in the group. All of them were very good with kids. They provided excellent van support. By the end of the trip, the leaders and the entire group had really bonded. It was really hard to leave such a nice group of people.- Houston, TX
Casual Inns
Palazzo Mannaioni
Montaione (2 nights) Originally a 16th-century residence - and still maintaining its historic granary and olive oil mill - this hotel is set along the medieval walls of Montaione. (pool)
Hotel Pescille
San Gimignano (1 night) Once a country villa, this hotel offers spectacular views of San Gimignano's medieval skyline. (pool)
Relais Fattoria Valle
Panzano (2 nights) Situated just outside the village of Panzano, this former private residence overlooks vineyards and the surrounding valley. (pool)
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This Trip Is Rated Level 1-4
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
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 8, 20 miles
- 350 - 600 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 21, 31, 38 miles
- 200 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 15, 20, 37 miles
- 1000 - 2900 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 25, 37, 46 miles
- 600 - 2200 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 18, 24, 45 miles
- 600 - 2700 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 8 miles
- 850 feet elevation gain
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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.
