Travel Guides: Italy Travel Guide: Overview
In Southern Europe—right in the heart of the Mediterranean—lies a boot-shaped country stuffed to the brim with culture, history and fine cuisine.
DESTINATION ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
There are currently special requirements for travelers to this region. Learn more.
Biking
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Tuscany Family Bike Tour - Teens & Kids
Cortona to Chianti: Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside
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!). Chianti tasting for the adults. Hands-on pizza making for the youngsters. Your perfect family adventure... in Toscana!
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Casual Hotels
FROM:
$3,899 - $4,099 pp dbl occ
($600 for sgl occ)
Tuscany Italy Map
Italy
Start Arezzo / End Florence
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Bike and play in the family-friendly, postcard-perfect Tuscan hill towns of Cortona and Radda in Chianti
- Cruise by bike on peaceful roads through lush colorful fields of sunflowers, corn, sugar beets and tomatoes
- Adventure across Umbria's Lake Trasimeno on small boats or up through the trees on a rope course park (just for kids)
- Taste exceptional Tuscan wines, dine at authentic trattorias and pair up with the kids to learn the art of pizza-making
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Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Casual Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Bike through the picturesque countryside of the Val di Chiana past cypress trees, vineyards, grazing sheep and stone farmhouses | Savor farm-fresh products over a family lunch | Ride to the hilltop town of Montepulciano while kids take to a high ropes course | In the evenings, have your fill of pasta, kid-friendly contorni and—for the adults—wines | Our hotel, a former medieval villa, is an ideal place for rest and play.
Borgo Tre Rose
Valiano
| Casual Hotel Originally a 12th-century residence, this hotel is depicted in a Leonardo da Vinci painting. (pool)
Day 3
Follow cycling routes through the Umbrian valleys to the town of Castiglione del Lago, with views of an iconic Tuscan landscape and Lake Trasimeno | Kids sail across the lake while the grown-ups bike rolling terrain to Etruscan ruins | Step back in time as you stroll the historic streets of Cortona | Lounge poolside at our welcoming 17th-century retreat.
Relais Villa Baldelli
Cortona
| Casual Hotel Once a country villa, this hotel offers spectacular views of Cortona's medieval skyline. (pool)
Days 4-6
Ride along the Strada dei Castelli (Road of the Castles) to Radda in Chianti, known today as a major center for Chianti Classico wine production | Young artists try their hands at painting their own ceramic souvenirs in a fun art class | A memorable family dinner experience awaits as budding kid chefs put together a well-rounded meal—pizza! | Ride scenic routes through Chianti's inviting hills | Shop for hand-painted souvenirs and admire Renaissance-style designs at Ceramiche Rampini | Visit Badia a Coltibuono (Abbey of the Good Harvest) and taste the honey produced on-site | Wonderful vistas abound during a ride through the heart of Chianti | Pause to enjoy delicious gelato in ancient towns | Celebrate a Tuscan family vacation with a meal amid the olive groves at our charming hotel.
L'Ultimo Mulino
Gaiole in Chianti
| Casual Hotel Travel back in time at this country hotel, housed in an antique mill dating from the 15th century. (pool)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
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Activity Level: 1-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
This region is known for its rolling terrain and hilltop towns. We'll flatten some of the hills by incorporting liberal van shuttling into the itinerary, and the mileage is moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.
Daily Route Options
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
NEW! Electric-Assist Bike
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Carbon Bike
Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS. Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package—it’s built for hard-core riders.
$400 rental fee
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Tandem Bike
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
Child's Bike
Kids' Bikes
Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On our Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bikes.
Burley Kazoo Trailer Bike
Trailer Bike
The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 4 dinners, 4 lunches
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
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