Tuscany Wine Tour

Arrival at the hotel in Siena on your own. Siena is a medieval city with beautifully preserved Gothic architecture. The entire city of Siena was built around the Piazza del Campo. Here you will have time to shop while exploring the many hidden medieval walkways.

On this day, the ride explores Montagnola Senese, passing through several charming, little medieval villages and 'borgo' boroughs: Sovicille, Ancaiano, Simignano, Pieve Scola. You will riding along the Via Francigena, and ancient road and pilgrim route running all the way from France to Rome. Here, you will notice the subsoil, mainly made of limestone and full of marble, including the famous yellow marble used for the Duomo of Florence. After making the loop back to Siena, you'll enjoy the night at your hotel in Siena.

Distance : 61 Km (38 mi).

Elevation: 1193m

On today's route you can stop at Castelnuovo Berardenga, a medieval town which marks the gateway to Chianti country. From here you will ride inside the vineyard of famous Chianti classico wine passing through many little hamlets. Not-to-be-missed is Castello di Brolio, a castle and winery. There is also the chance to shop at a first-class ceramics workshop just before Radda in Chianti. Arrive in Radda in time for a light lunch and enjoy the last 10 km of gentle rolling hills to get to Castellina.

Distance : 53 Km (33 mi).

Elevation: 967m

Today you will bike along quiet roads to the three villages that formed the Chianti Alliance centuries ago. Visit Tuscany's forgotten abbeys and hamlets, then enjoy a winery tour and taste their supple reds, fresh honey and rich olive oil. Have a stop at Greve's main piazza, characterized by an original formation of an irregular triangular shape, defined by beautiful long porticos. Back via Panzano with preserved old walls, gates and the keep of the medieval castle. Relax by the infinity pool spilling into the countryside of endless vineyards.

Distance : 55 Km (35 mi).

Elevation: 933m

More vineyards await you today, but you will be amazed at how different they look once you get into the district of San Gimignano. Soon you pass Monteriggioni, literally a town-in-a-castle. Barely two hundred yards across, its eighty residents all reside within the picture-perfect round turreted walls that crown the hilltop visible for miles around. Soft, colorful, rolling hills of vineyards and sunflowers provide the backdrop to pre-Roman Etruscan remnants on your route to San Gimignano's "medieval skyscrapers" in the distance you will see the seventeen towers.

Distance : 58 Km (36 mi).

Elevation: 948m

Today you will leave San Gimignano behind and cycle to the ancient Etruscan town of Volterra. Through a patchwork-like landscape dotted with wheat fields, olive groves and villas, you reach the base of the imposing hill upon which the town is set. One more solid climb before you arrive in the old town. The "magic and mysterious" city of Volterra has its roots in three thousand years of history. It is possible to find evidence and traces from every historical period which gives the artistic city a unique aspect. Back to San Gimignano via another scenic back road.

Distance : 61 Km (38 mi).

Elevation: 1212m

Today is departure day, you can take your time getting started in the morning, have breakfast and depart at your leisure from San Gimignano. (Depart on your own). According to your program, we can arrange accommodations and transportation.