Backroads

Meet in Orvieto Picnic in San Casciano dei Bagni, long acclaimed for its therapeutic thermal waters Pedal along quiet roads past vineyards and farmland, accompanied by views of Monte Amiata—an extinct volcano and Tuscany's highest peak  Explore the hilltop village of Sorano, known for its rich Etruscan history and volcanic tufa  After tacking hearty climbs, take in some of the region's premier vistas  Visit the noteworthy Ildebranda Tomb, an Etruscan necropolis  Stroll through breathtaking Sovana with a local expert, who shares with you the town's history and gems   Get to know Pitigliano, a medieval town steeply stacked on a rock outcrop and connected by a 16th-century aqueduct  Kids carve tufa rock with a local artisan and enjoy a pizza dinner with the leaders.

Pedal through wide-open land crosshatched by vineyards and dotted with an occasional farmhouse  Walk along the well-preserved medieval walls of Magliano in Toscana  Soak your muscles in Saturnia Hot Springs, like Etruscans and Romans did centuries ago  Visit the Romanesque church of San Bruzio, set amid a vast olive grove  Savor the region's Morellino di Scansano wine at a local vineyard Explore the quaint village of Scansano, where time seems to stand still  Kids take a horeseback riding lesson and the whole family learns about il buttero (the traditional Maremman cowboy) before enjoying a BBQ dinner by the hotel pool.

Get a feel for Italy's Wild West as you pedal through seaside flatlands and sail along some exhilarating downhill stretches  Enjoy the coastal breeze as you ride past Maremman farms and grain fields  Explore the Gaudi-inspired open air museum of the American/French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle  Lounge on the beach and snack on a delicious panini when you're hungry  Take a dip in the azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.