CYCLING IN ITALY
Day 12 – Train trip all day to Florence. No cycling.
We'll relax for a pleasurable and scenic train ride from Zurich to Florence that will roll past stunning mountain vistas, lakes, chalets and farms. Watch as the landscape changes to the Mediterranean hills and olive groves of northern/central Italy. See the bright colors of the Italian villas and buildings. For those with private bikes, cycles will be transferred on a special car put on the train by Swiss trains. We'll arrive late afternoon in Florence for the Italian portion of our trip.
Day 13 – Florence
Casual Riders.
Off - no ride today. Save a day of bike rental charges. Enjoy Florence!
In the morning, join the art students on an amazing tour of one of the world's great museums - the Uffizi – with a private guide. Take in Botticelli's Birth of Venus or Primavera and get to know the Three Graces and cupid, the blindfolded God of love. From the gallery window you can look down at the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge where you can watch the sculling boats glide timelessly down the river.
In the afternoon, visit the Basilica of Santa Croce and the tombs of Michelangelo and Dante.
Advanced .
Two options in the morning.
Option 1 - Moderate 29 miles.
Ride to Fiesole, the nearby hillside town with a magnificent view of Florence. Stop for coffee with the locals at the café on the piazza. Continue on uphill to the Monte Senario Convent and the villages of Bivigliano, Pratolino, and Pain di San Bartolo. It will be a treat to see the breathtaking views of the rolling hills, farms, vineyards, olive groves, and Italian architecture. It's a fast ride to the hotel down the hill.
Option 2
Join the Casual Riders and art students at the Uffizi (see above) for the guided tour.
Afternoon
Visit the Uffizi Museum on your own. If you have time, you can visit the Basilica of Santa Croce and the tombs of Michelangelo and Dante.
Day 14 – Florence
Casual Riders. Easy and short – 15 miles
Bus ride up to Monte Senario Convent, where the downhill bike adventure begins. The Italian countryside views are superb. Ride to Fiesole, the hillside town with a magnificent view of Florence. Stop for coffee with the locals at the café on the piazza then cruise down the hill to Florence.
Advanced. Morning. Moderate – 29 miles.
Ride to a different set of lovely, authentic Italian hillside villages: Plan di Magnone, Polcanto, Santa Brigidon, Molin del Plano, Sieci, and back to Florence.
Afternoon.
Visit, with Professor Turkel, the Academia Gallery that houses Michelangelo's David. You will see a unique collection of 13th century painters including Giotto and an extraordinary studio room filled from floor to ceiling with plaster casts that will stir your senses. Just next door we will experience the fascinating Museum of Musical Instruments from the Medici collection including an exceptionally rare viola and violin crafted by Antonio Stradivari. Santa.
Day 15 – Florence to Greve to San Gimingnano.
Casual Riders and Advanced.
Morning – 22 miles, Moderate.
Off to Tuscany, on bikes! Do part or all of ride from Florence to Greve, on the famous Chianti Road. This ride will be hilly. Casual Riders can do part of this ride and take the bus forthe rest. On the Chianti Road, you will begin savor the joys of cycling in Tuscany – lightly traveled and smooth roads, sun-splashed scenery, long but not overly steep climbs and descents, castles and old homes, and vineyards and flowers.
Afternoon.
Both groups will participate in cooking lesson in Greve area at an eco-tourism farm, where we will learn about the olive oils and wine produced in this region.
Advanced.
Afternoon: 25 to 30 additional miles, moderate.
Dive into Tuscany! There are lots of hills to help you burn up those calories we ate at the cooking lesson! Advanced riders will continue on rustic roads through the countryside to San Gimingnano. Riders can bus to San Gimingnano, just outside the medieval walled city of in San Gimingnano. Our hotel has a great pool with a view of the Tuscany countryside and you may well be ready to enjoy it after your ride! Dinner will be at one of the intimate cafes is just a short walk away.
Day 16 – San Gimingnano to Siena.
Casual Riders.
Option 1
Join the art students for an outstanding tour of the museums and churches of San Gimingnano.
Option 2
20 miles, moderate.
Ride lightly traveled roads to the walled medieval towns of Colle di Val d'Elsa and on to Monteriggioni. Walk on top of the wall and have authentic Italian pastry in a café on the piazza. Bus to Siena with the art student for a tour of the Duomo, San Domenico Cathedral, and al Campo.
Advanced.
Morning and afternoon - 60 miles, difficult, hills, hills, hills.
San Gimingnano to Colle di Val d'Else, Monteriggioni, where we will have a planned break for a walk on top of the wall and have authentic Italian pastry in a café on the piazza. Ride on quiet, rolling roads to Siena, absorbing all the hillside wonders.
Both groups will see San Domenico, Duomo and al campo in Siena.
Day 17 – San Gimingnano to Voltera.
Casual Riders.
Morning. Approximately 20 miles Moderate/Difficult.
San Gimingnano to the base of a steep hill leading up to Voltera, a walled medieval city with the charm of San Gimingnano, but without the crowds. Bus up to Voltera. After sight-seeing, take the bus back to San Gimingnano.
Advanced.
Morning. Approximately 40 miles, Moderate/Difficult.
Take the challenge of the hill! Ride from San Gimingnano to Voltera and back.
Both groups tour Voltera for 1-2 hours. Located on a steep hill, Voltera features some great ruins, art works and architecture from different periods, with tranquil squares and great restaurants. You can view the Etruscan walls, built in the 4th century B.C. and known for its alabaster. The lovely garden located at the highest spot in town is near two Etruscan temples. The vistas are breathtaking and on clear days you see the Tyrhennian Sea.
Day 18 – San Gimingnano .
Casual Riders .
Morning 14 miles. San Gimingnano to Castel Florentine – (downhill). Easy.
Wind up your Tuscan bike rides with a relaxing ride through sunflower fields, vineyards, and gentle fields that roll on under the Tuscan sun. Bus back.
Advanced.
Morning. Approximately 35 miles, Moderate/difficult (8-9 mile hill climb back to San Gimingnano).
We'll plan and do a final ride through the Tuscan countryside. From San Gimingnano ride to Castel Florentine and back.
Afternoon. Bus to Florence.
It's time to disassemble the bikes (with assistance, if needed, from the mechanic from Best Tuscan Tours) or return rentals and enjoy some free time.
Day 19 – Fly to San Diego. Job well done!
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