Classic Chianti Cycling
Classic Chianti Cycling
Classic Chianti Cycling
11 Days Starting and ending in Volterra
Visiting: Italy
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C10TY
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This ten night holiday has been carefully crafted to cleverly balance cultural highlights and historic treasures with natural beauty and stunningly scenic cycling. It's a perfect choice too if you like the idea of combining timeless countryside cycling with the use of local transport to explore the eternal cities of Siena and Florence on foot.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive At Volterra
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in Volterra where you've time for a dip in the hotel pool and a wander round the town's tangle of cobbled alleys and hidden squares before dinner.
You stay at Hotel San Lino (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 2 : Volterra To Certaldo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today it's a downhill whizz out of hilltop Volterra and into the pretty Era Valley where spectacular views of the surrounding timeless Tuscan countryside open up as you pedal. After climbing out of the valley, you'll soon pass through the pretty hamlet of Castagno where we suggest a well-deserved coffee stop in the local bar. Your route continues on to Gambassi Terme, a well-preserved spa town with cobbled streets, 12th century church and lovely shaded gardens. Lunch here perhaps in one of the many trattorie then, soon after leaving the town, you'll pick up the famous Via Francigena for the gentle, mainly downhill stretch to medieval Certaldo.
You stay at Hotel Certaldo (breakfast included)
Day 3 : At Certaldo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore stunning Certaldo, Boccaccio's birthplace. Split into two distinct halves, the medieval centre of Certaldo Alto with its fabulous ancient buildings, is accessed by funicular and offers spectacular views across the Val d'Elsa. On the other hand, Certaldo Basso is the more modern part of the town with shops, bars and restaurants. You could also spend time today, relaxing by the hotel pool.
You stay at Hotel Certaldo (breakfast included)
Day 4 : Certaldo To Colle Di Val D'elsa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today's route explores the panoramic wine country between Certaldo and Colle di Val d'Elsa. You'll follow the official, mainly off-road, Chianti Wine Route where you'll find lots of tasting opportunities! It's then on to the old town of Poggibonsi, a perfect stop for lunch and to visit the ruins of its unfinished 15th century fortress. The day ends with gentle pedalling through tree-lined meadows and a valley of poppy and sunflower fields to Colle di Val d'Elsa.
You stay at Palazzo San Lorenzo (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 5 : At Colle Di Val D'elsa: Suggested Day In Siena
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
There is so much to see and do in and around Colle di Val d'Elsa that you really will be spoiled for choice. However, today we recommend hopping on the local bus (from just outside the hotel) for the 30min ride to the great medieval city of Siena. Visit the Palazzo Pubblico with its impressive pre-Renaissance frescoes and climb the Torre del Mangia for the best views of the town and surrounding Sienese countryside. For lunch, or simply a drink, there is no better place than Siena's beautiful shell-shaped Piazza del Campo.
You stay at Palazzo San Lorenzo (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 6 : At Colle Di Val D'elsa: Suggested Day Exploring Locally
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a fairly long day yesterday, we propose that you spend a relaxed morning in Colle di Val d'Elsa. The historic town dates back to Etruscan times with a cathedral, museums and fine Renaissance buildings. After lunch in the old square, maybe spend relax in the hotel's spa before a pre-dinner stroll along the lovely River Elsa where limestone-rich rapids come crashing dramatically downstream.
You stay at Palazzo San Lorenzo (breakfast included)
Day 7 : At Colle Di Val D'elsa: Suggested Day In Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
No trip to Tuscany would be complete without a visit to the charming city of Florence, arguably the most beautiful city in the world! It's just an hour on the local bus (which leaves from just outside the hotel) giving you plenty of time to explore the Uffizi (closed Mon), Duomo and Baptistery. If you want to escape the crowds, we suggest you cross the Ponte Vecchio to the quieter side of the Arno to visit the Boboli Gardens.
You stay at Palazzo San Lorenzo (breakfast included)
Day 8 : Colle Di Val D'elsa To Pescille
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Get back on your bike this morning and enjoy superb rolling views before the ride up to Casole d'Elsa, a beautiful village characterised by ancient vermilion-hued buildings and blessed with stunning views from its hilltop position. Take time to explore its 12th century church (frescoes by Gano da Siena) and impressive fortress before an early lunch perhaps in the lovely piazza. You then wind north through wonderfully scenic countryside, the fabulous medieval towers of San Gimignano providing a formidable backdrop as you pedal on to Pescille.
You stay at the Hotel Pescille (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant)
Day 9 : At Pescille
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
San Gimignano is just a short cycle away, its towers giving this hilltop town a distinctive Manhattan-style skyline. Explore its myriad of narrow streets and many hidden cobbled squares before popping back to your tranquil hotel for a refreshing dip in the sparkling swimming pool.
You stay at Hotel Pescille (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant)
Day 10 : Pescille To Volterra
Meals Included: Breakfast
It's a short downhill ride to San Gimignano before a gentle climb up through classic Tuscan landscapes of vines, olive groves and fields ablaze with sunflowers. It's then an almost entirely downhill cycle into the pretty Era Valley. There's a real sense of achievement on your final pedal through open countryside, enjoying spectacular views, before your last climb back to the ancient cobbled streets of Volterra.
You stay at Hotel San Lino (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 11 : Leave Volterra
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends in Volterra.
What's Included
-
Headwater wine serviceÂ
-
Luggage transfers between hotels
-
All buffet breakfasts and 6 evening mealsÂ
-
All accommodation
-
Route notes and mapsÂ
-
High quality bikesÂ
-
Meals
10 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 6 dinners.
-
All accommodationAll buffet breakfasts and 6 evening meals Route notes and maps High quality bikes Luggage transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
-
Visas or vaccinations
-
Single accommodation (available on request)
-
Travel insurance
-
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Visas or vaccinations
-
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)Visas or vaccinations
Food
All buffet breakfasts and 6 evening meals included.Italy’s most famous
export is probably its cuisine and the traditional dishes of Tuscany are the
most influential and revered.The region’s food is based on cucina povera,
‘poor/peasant cookery’, a rural cuisine based on available natural
ingredients: olive oil, unsalted bread, pulses and vegetables, wild mushroom
or porcini, and salt-cured meats such as salame and prosciutto. In
particular, Tuscan olive oil is renowned for its quality and is the most
important ingredient in the region’s cookery. You will find it in almost
every dish - as a salad dressing, poured over vegetables and into soups and
even as a replacement for butter onbread (very nice with a sprinkling of
salt!).
Accommodation
The hotels we’ve selected for this holiday are among our best, and include a magnificently restored 12th century abbey, a wonderfully renovated, stylish watermill which dates back to the 16th century and belonged to the famous Medici family, and a family-run, traditional hotel overlooking the soaring towers of San Gimignano.
Check out our Q&As
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Wednesday - Saturday
Sep 18, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024Friday - Monday
Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 30, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Sep 22, 2024 - Oct 02, 2024Tuesday - Friday
Sep 24, 2024 - Oct 04, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Sep 26, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024Saturday - Tuesday
Sep 28, 2024 - Oct 08, 2024Monday - Thursday
Sep 30, 2024 - Oct 10, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 02, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024Friday - Monday
Oct 04, 2024 - Oct 14, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 16, 2024Tuesday - Friday
Oct 08, 2024 - Oct 18, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Oct 10, 2024 - Oct 20, 2024Saturday - Tuesday
Oct 12, 2024 - Oct 22, 2024Monday - Thursday
Oct 14, 2024 - Oct 24, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 16, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024Friday - Monday
Oct 18, 2024 - Oct 28, 2024What are travellers saying about Tourhub
Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is held in a dedicated client account until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."