Toscana & Emilia Romagna Tour
May 20-29 and September 16-25

Imagine rolling hills with panoramic views of vineyards and landscapes, climbing and descending through ancient towns while experiencing two totally different but equally intriguing regions: the famous region of Tuscany and the little explored but equally cherished Emilia Romagna. Toscana is the land of the “cinghiale,” incredibly tasty tomatoes, Chianti wine, and world-famous fine art. Her ancient culture and natural beauty have beckoned cyclists for years. In contrast, Emilia Romagna is softer, quieter—a wonderful contrast to Tuscany, and famous in its own right for its tortellini, “pasta fresca,” vino Sangiovese and for the warm hospitality of its people. In both regions we will stay in beautiful, family-run hilltop agriturismo, where you will be pampered while enjoying fresh and homegrown meals. You’ll know you could only be in Italy when you’re riding the dazzling routes in both regions, especially when you cycle back to your agriturismo in the afternoons to enjoy a fabulous “merenda,” a wholesome and delicious snack, and refresh in the pool before dinner.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Bologna airport and van transfer to our agriturismo in Tuscany, a beautiful 17th century villa located a few minutes drive from Castagneto Carducci, Bolgheri, Marina di Castagneto and the other beautiful beaches of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Here we will spend two nights.

Day 2: We ride a beautiful loop on rolling hills heading to the beach. Dinner and overnight at our agriturismo.

Day 3: Today we leave Castagneto Carducci and from the coast we ride to the Chianti region, visiting the hill top village of Volterra enroute. We will settle into our agriturismo in the heart of the Chianti region, where we stay for three nights.

Day 4-5: Three days, three different 70-100 km loops on the rolling hills of the Chianti region, as we ride through the famous vineyards and visit the medieval villages of San Gimignano, Castellina in Chianti, Radda, Greve and the ancient town of Siena. Dinners and overnights in our agriturismo.

Day 6: We leave the Chianti region and ride towards Florence. After lunch, we van transfer to the region of Emilia Romangna and our agriturismo in the hills of Faenza, where we will delight in our hosts' local food and wine.

Day 7-9: Three days, three different cycling loops of 75-85 km, pedaling from the rolling hills surrounding Faenza to the east coast of the Adriatic Sea, the Brisighella loop, a section of one of the 2009 Giro d'Italia stages, concluding with the Bertinoro loop, to the medieval town of the hospitality. Dinners and overnights at our agriturismo.

Day 10: Drop-off at Bologna airport and "Arrivederci Italia."

Note: Routes, riding options and daily itineraries will be based on the ability levels of the final group of participants.