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.
Biking
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Tuscany Bike Tour - For Families with Teens & Kids
Cortona to Chianti: Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside
Best for ages 9+ (Ages 4+ ok) | Min. age to ride own bike: 9+ | Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Family — Teens & Kids
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 1-4
Casual Hotels
From: $3,999 - $4,199 pp dbl occ
($600 for sgl occ)
Tuscany scores top marks for family fun. Enjoy miles of smiles on kid-approved routes. Discover ancient hill towns (fueled by gelato, of course!). Wine tasting for the adults. Hands-on pizza making for the youngsters. Fun for everyone. Your perfect family adventure... in Toscana!
Italy Tuscany Family Biking Tour
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 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
Videos
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Casual Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Description
Bike through the picturesque countryside of the Val di Chiana past cypress trees, sunflower fields, grazing sheep and 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 village, is an ideal place for rest and play.
Accommodations
Borgo Tre Rose
Valiano
| Casual Hotel Originally a 12th-century residence, this hotel is depicted in a Leonardo da Vinci painting. (pool)
Day 3
Description
Follow cycling routes to the town of Castiglione del Lago, with views of an iconic Umbrian landscape and Lake Trasimeno | Kids sail across the lake while the grown-ups bike rolling terrain back to Tuscany | Step back in time as you stroll the historic streets of Cortona | Lounge poolside at our welcoming 17th-century retreat.
Accommodations
Relais Villa Baldelli
Cortona
| Casual Hotel Once a country villa, this hotel offers spectacular views of Cortona's medieval skyline. (pool)
Days 4-6
Description
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.
Accommodations
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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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
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From our Guests
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#MyBackroadsTrip
Share your adventure #MyBackroadsTrip
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. Most routes we follow are paved, though on occasion there are some rough sections.
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! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike
Included in your trip price
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
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this 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
Electric-Assist Bike
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
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.
$650 rental fee; subject to availability
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
Included in your trip price
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
Included in your trip price
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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