Secrets of San Gimignano Cycling
Secrets of San Gimignano Cycling
Secrets of San Gimignano Cycling
9 Days Starting and ending in Volterra
Visiting: Volterra, Certaldo, Pancole, Poggibonsi, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Monteriggioni, Hotel Pescille, San Gimignano
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C08TY
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Physical rating:
Moderate
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$3230
$3141 (USD)
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$89
Tour Overview
You'll start off in Volterra, a beautifully preserved hilltop gem whose eclectic mix of Etruscan, Roman and Renaissance art and architecture has inspired artists and writers for centuries. From here, you pedal north east along quiet, rolling country lanes as you coast towards honey-coloured Pancole, nestled in the Tuscan hills. The cycling is truly glorious as you continue, via fortified towns and hill villages, to medieval Colle, from where you can also head to Florence and Siena for day trips. Then it's on to Pescille, which is perfectly positioned overlooking San Gimignano. Your final stretch takes you through a timeless and kaleidoscopic landscape of ochre-coloured hills and verdant vineyards, giving you a real sense of achievement as you loop back to Volterra for your final night.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Volterra
Location: Volterra
Meals Included: dinner
Arrive in Volterra where you've time for a dip in the pool and a wander round its myriad of cobbled alleys and hidden squares before dinner.
You stay at Hotel San Lino (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 2 : Volterra To Pancole
Location: 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 where you stay for the next two nights.
You stay at Hotel Certaldo (breakfast included)
Day 3 : At Pancole
Location: Pancole
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 the Hotel Certaldo (breakfast included)
Day 4 : Pancole To Colle Di Val D'elsa
Location: Poggibonsi, Colle di Val d'Elsa
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
Today's route explores the panoramic wine country between Certaldo and Colle di Val d'Elsa. You'll first retrace your route to Certaldo and then 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
Location: Colle di Val d'Elsa, Monteriggioni
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
There's masses of choice today: explore the medieval old town which dates back to Etruscan times; take the bus to Siena (30 mins) or to Florence (60 mins); take in the medieval town of Monteriggioni, an easy cycle or short bus ride away; or simply enjoy the spa facilities of your **** hotel.
You stay at Palazzo San Lorenzo (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 6 : Colle Di Val D'elsa To Pescille
Location: Colle di Val d'Elsa, Hotel Pescille
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
It's easy pedalling this morning as you head south past the old town of Colle di Val d'Elsa, gradually climbing 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, gently uphill, through wonderfully scenic countryside against the backdrop of the impressive medieval towers of San Gimignano as you pedal on to Pescille.
You stay at Hotel Pescille (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant)
Day 7 : At Pescille
Location: Hotel Pescille
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
San Gimignano is just a short cycle away; explore its myriad of narrow streets and many hidden cobbled squares before returning 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 8 : Pescille To Volterra
Location: San Gimignano, Hotel Pescille, Volterra
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
It's a short ride to San Gimignano today before a climb up through classic Tuscan landscapes of vines, olive groves and fields ablaze with sunflowers. Enjoy the 16km, mainly downhill run into the Era Valley. There's a real sense of achievement on your final climb through open countryside and you'll enjoy spectacular views before heading back to the ancient cobbled streets of Volterra.
You stay at Hotel San Lino (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 9 : Leave Volterra
Location: Volterra
Meals Included: breakfast
The tour ends in Volterra.
What's Included
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All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals included
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Route notes and maps provided
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High Quality BIkes
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Luggage transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
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Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
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Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation
Superb 3-star and 4-star contrasting hotels. In Colle di Val d'Elsa, you stay in a fabulously restored 12th century Benedictine abbey, complete with original frescoes, whilst in Volterra, your 4-star hotel has a panoramic infinity pool, with stunning, sweeping views over the Tuscan countryside.
Food
All continental 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 on bread (very nice with a sprinkling of salt!). Of course the Chianti region is best known for its regional wine (the very best ones are Chianti Classico and have a black cockerel stamped on the label). Chianti is produced in the vineyards dotted around the Tuscan hills; we actually visit the hills to the north of Siena, where the Chianti Colli Senesi wine is produced. Made from the Sangiovese grape, this is an excellent light, fruity red. Although best known for its red wine, a good white wine is also produced in the Chianti region. Made from the Vernaccia grape, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a crisp dry white which has greatly improved over recent years. It is best drunk young.
Check out our Q&As
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus 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.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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