Classic Chianti Cycling
Classic Chianti Cycling
Classic Chianti Cycling
11 Days Starting and ending in Volterra
Visiting: Volterra, Castagno Val d'Elsa, Certaldo, Poggibonsi, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Siena, Florence, Hotel Pescille
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C10TY
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Medium, Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
From:
$3635 (USD)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
Location: 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. (Staying at Park Hotel Le Fonti)
Day 2 : Volterra To Certaldo
Location: Castagno Val d'Elsa
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. (Staying at Hotel
Certaldo)
Day 3 : At Certaldo
Location: Certaldo
Meals Included: breakfast
Explore stunning Certaldo, Boccaccio's birthplace. Split into two distinct
halves, the mediaeval 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. (Staying at Hotel Certaldo)
Day 4 : Certaldo 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 follow the official, mainly off-road, Chianti Wine
Route where you'll find lots of tasting opportunities - don't forget, we can
collect any purchases for you! 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. (Staying at
Relais della Rovere)
Day 5 : At Colle Di Val D'elsa: Suggested Day In Siena
Location: 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
mediaeval 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. (Staying at Relais della Rovere)
Day 6 : At Colle Di Val D'elsa: Suggested Day Exploring Locally
Location: Colle di Val d'Elsa
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 some time by the pool before a pre-dinner
stroll along the lovely River Elsa where limestone-rich rapids come crashing
dramatically downstream. (Staying at Relais della Rovere)
Day 7 : At Colle Di Val D'elsa: Suggested Day In Florence
Location: 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. (Staying at Relais della Rovere)
Day 8 : Colle Di Val D'elsa To Pescille
Location: Colle di Val d'Elsa, Hotel Pescille
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
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 mediaeval towers of San Gimignano providing a formidable backdrop as
you pedal on to Pescille. (Staying at Hotel Pescille, Breakfast at the hotel
and evening meal in a local restaurant)
Day 9 : At Pescille
Location: Hotel 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. (Staying at Hotel
Pescille, Breakfast at the hotel and evening meal in a local restaurant)
Day 10 : Pescille To Volterra
Location: Volterra
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
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. (Staying at Park Hotel Le Fonti)
Day 11 : Leave Volterra
Location: Volterra
Meals Included: breakfast
LEAVE VOLTERRA
What's Included
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Headwater wine serviceÂ
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Luggage transfers between hotels
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All buffet breakfasts and 6 evening mealsÂ
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All accommodation
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Route notes and mapsÂ
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High quality bikesÂ
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Meals
10 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 6 dinners.
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All accommodationAll buffet breakfasts and 6 evening meals Route notes and maps High quality bikes Luggage transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Travel insurance
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Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Visas or vaccinations
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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
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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.
Reviews of this Operator
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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.