It just makes sense really. The closer you get to something, the richer your experience. Fly over Tuscany and you may see Florence as a cluster of red clay roofs. Maybe you see the Arno River winding through the patchwork landscape. Take a bus, you get an idea of the hills and scenery. But stroll past its vineyards and olive groves. Smell the cypress and rosemary. Stand in the shade of oak trees. Taste the Brunello and the olive oil on bread toasted in a stone fireplace. There is no better - or closer - way to truly experience Tuscany.

Premiere Inns

Castello di Velona (2 nights): A medieval fortress turned Renaissance castle is now a refurbished luxury hotel located in the heart of the Chianti region. (pool, spa)

Castello di Tornano (1 night): A spectacular 10th-century castle with vineyards, orchards and its own label of wine and grappa. (pool)

Relais Borgo San Felice (2 nights): Overlooking Siena and nestled among vineyards and olive trees, this traditional and elegant Tuscan estate was owned by the Sienese cathedral in the 1200s. (pool, spa)

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1

• Level 1   1 Route Option Available
• 4.1 miles
• 90 feet elevation gain

Day 2

• Levels 1 to 4  3 Route Options Available
• 3.9, 5.8, 7.5 miles
• 310 - 980 feet elevation gain

Day 3

• Levels 1 to 2  2 Route Options Available
• 4, 5.3 miles
• 440 - 850 feet elevation gain

Day 4

• Levels 1 to 3  3 Route Options Available
• 3.3, 6, 7.3 miles
• 600 - 1200 feet elevation gain

Day 5

• Levels 1 to 4  3 Route Options Available
• 4.5, 6.6, 8.8 miles
• 660 - 1310 feet elevation gain

Day 6

• Level 1  1 Route Option Available
• 2.5 miles
• 330 feet elevation gain

Terrain Description

Vineyard footpaths, wooded trails.

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	Biking Average	Walking Average
Level 1	2-3 hours	10-20 mile	2-5 miles
Level 2	2-4 hours	21-30 miles	5-7 miles
Level 3	3-5 hours	31-40 miles	7-9 miles
Level 4	4-6 hours	41-55 miles	9-11 miles
Level 5	5-7+ hours	56-75+ miles	11-13+ miles

2012 Dates & Pricing*

CLASSIC TRIPS

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

Guest Trip Reviews

Our leaders were fabulous. The itinerary and experiences could not have been better - I can't say enough to praise this trip! Having spent a lot of time in Chianti previously, I still learned, saw and experienced new things in unusual ways. My two friends with whom I traveled feel exactly the same way. It was perfect.

Marilyn R. - Scarsdale, NY

Taking a Backroads trip is like enjoying the sweetest part of the watermelon, the planners and trip leaders trim away everything but the sweetest core of the trip. They worry about the logistics, the problem solving, so that as a guest, the most you worry about is what to order at dinner and how far to go on each daily option.

Jeff Tanji - Davis, CA

We were impressed with the comfortableness with the people, the warmth and helpfulness of the guides, the flexibility of the itinerary, the good mix of planned time and free time, the well set up walks that were incrementally longer each day so we could "build up" a bit, the loveliness of most of the lodgings, the first-hand view of the people of Italy, and of course the beauty of the country itself. I met my personal goal of doing all of the walking, and enjoyed every minute of it. I have a lasting image of Vincent, our guide, catching the attention of two boys at the side of the road who were watching us all traipse through his village. He engaged them in conversation, told them who we were, asked them about the soccer ball they were playing with, and talked them into showing us their "moves". With that little dialogue, we moved from being strangers passing through to new friends visiting with local kids. I valued a lot of the personal interaction which the guides sought out with the Italian people everywhere we went. That helped us be more a part of the country. My other favorite memory is hiking on some of the back roads up through the vineyards to a place where the countryside was laid out before us like a quilt, made up of squares of vineyards, olive groves, and forested patches. Beautiful, and memorable.

Susan Mosher - Chicago, IL

This trip was perfect! i have never done a Backroads trip before, but this far exceeded my thoughts about traveling with a group and travel company. As a mother and wife, it was a true gift to be able to have every aspect of my vacation taken care of and organized. The combination of accommodations, cultural experiences, hikes, food, camaraderie and of course leadership made my Backroads experience the most personally wonderful thing I have done for myself in 11 years of motherhood!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Carrie Nitka - Rumson, NJ

We had such a great time and this was the first time we had ever done a vacation like this. It was the trip of a lifetime that we cannot stop thinking and talking about. The people we met on the train platform in Florence started out as strangers and ended up as friends that we are planning on seeing again!

William Bachhuber - New Hartford, CT

Our leaders were incredible. They cared for our every need/desire while ensuring our safety. That translated to our group and by the time we were on the bus in Florence (on day 1!) we were like family. That cohesiveness grew during our hikes and experiences. It was truly a magical week! Thank you and special, heartfelt thanks, to our amazing leaders.

Theresa Bachhuber - New Hartford, CT

 

This was a fabulous trip, I would definitely do it again! I loved every minute of it, and can see why people fall in love with Tuscany. Thank you Backroads!! Travel with you is the BEST!

Suzanne Tanji - Davis, CA