16th June

We will transfer you to the first hotel, in the Val d’Orcia, an area so beautiful that UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site and the movie Gladiator’s famous wheat field scene was filmed here.

After a fitting, we’ll take our high-end bikes on a warm-up loop ride to the town of Pienza, an architectural gem thanks to its namesake, Pope Pius II, who made it a pet project to turn his hometown into the ideal Renaissance city.

After a taste of some famous local Pecorino cheese, it’s time to complete the loop home to our hotel, and relax in its award-winning spa.

Ride : 50 - 60 km 1200 mt elevation gain
Visited : Pienza, Montalcino
Hotel : 5 stars accommodation in Val d’Orcia area
Meals : welcome lunch and dinner

17th June

Today an absolutely epic ride awaits you, as you set off today for Tuscany’s pre-eminent climb: Monte Amiata, a dormant volcano from the top of which you can see central Italy for hundreds of Kilometers.

Our first stop is the interesting Roman baths in Bagno Vignoni. The riding here is superb as it passes through the typical Tuscan scenery of the Val d’Orcia.

After the stop, the riding gets a bit more challenging as we ride up Monte Amiata on a regular but very long 20+ km climb. We will reach the clouds on the top at 1700 mt elevation.

Not too bad for the Apennines! Enjoy a well-earned, scenic lunch in the restaurant at the top before the long descent and the final climb back to our castle.

Tonight we’ll celebrate with a glass of Brunello di Montalcino in an intimate tasting at our friends’ local winery.

Ride : 100 km 1800 mt elevation
Visited : Monte Amiata, Sai Quirico, Castiglione
Hotel : 5 stars accommodation in Val d’Orcia area
Meals : B,L,D

18th June

Say goodbye to the Val d’Orcia as we ride through the mystic morning light that bathes the Romanesque Abbey of Sant’Antimo and towards Siena.

Spin through forests and pastures before the landscape opens up as we enter the magnificent Crete Senesi, an absolute classic must-do ride for anyone visiting Tuscany.

Crete Senesi are literally ‘Sienese clays’, and the distinctive gray coloration of the soil gives the barren landscape an appearance often described as lunar.

We will continue to cycle past Siena and into the region just beyond it, il Chianti, where the bare clays will give way to forest and vineyards and castles, and where the most famous wine is made.

Our hotel, a Relais & Chateaux property is located in the middle of its own extensive vineyards.

Rest your legs with a well-deserved massage, before we head out into the medieval city of Siena to explore and dine there tonight at one of our favourite local restaurants.

Ride : 75km 1300 mt elevation
Visited : Crete Senesi, Chianti Classico, Siena
Hotel : 5 stars accomodation in Chianti area
Meals : B, L, D

19th June

Today we will ride into the beautiful area of Chianti Classico, a word that conjures images of a well-known wine, revered around the world.

Nestled in the hills between Florence and Siena, Chianti is blanketed with oak forests where native Tuscans and wild boars alike search out portabella mushrooms and chestnuts each fall.

These lush woods open into deep valleys full of vineyards, castles, and noble estates. Almost car-free roads, lined with short stone walls and olive trees lead from charming town to charming town.

Our loop ride will follow much of the same loop the pros rode in the time trial on Stage 9 of the 2016 Giro d’Italia. In Gaiole or Radda there are some great places to stop for Lunch to taste “Pici cacio e pepe” at a local trattoria, and maybe to buy a “Chianti Classico” bike jersey as a keepsake.

Tonight we dine in the most exclusive and interesting Chianti winery and taste their precious vintages.

Ride : 60 – 100 – 125 km variable elevation
Visited : Castelnuovo Berardenga, Radda, Gaiole, Eroica route, Pianella
Hotel : 5 stars accomodation in Chianti area
Meals : B, L, D

20th June

Grab one last cappuccino on the terrace of the hotel or stroll through the streets of Chiantishire for some last few gifts, before we transfer you to Florence and your next destination.
Arrivederci.