Visit the natural, artistic and cultural treasures of the UNESCO World Heritage area of Val d'Orcia, on an 8-day self-guided cycle tour of Tuscany. This lovely area of gently rolling hills and quintessential Tuscan towns and villages is a cyclist's dream and on this tour you can travel at your own pace through the wonderful region, discovering all it has to offer on a relaxing bicycle tour. Starting and ending in the charming medieval town of Buonconvento, you will spend 8 leisurely days enjoying beautiful Tuscany and benefitting from the tour operator's extensive local knowledge that has created a tour of diversity and pleasure.
The Tuscan landscape of the Val d'Orcia will warm your heart like a classic photograph as you cycle the waves of undulating green hills, captured in time as if the Etruscans just rode through. Glance at the picturesque farmhouses nestled amidst the olive groves and vineyards. Pass walnut and fig trees on your way to the hot spring town of Bagno Vignoni, and then explore the phenomenal labyrinth streets and artisan workshops of Montepulciano. You shall visit Renaissance palaces, Romanesque churches, thermal baths, and prestigious wineries serving the divine local red "Brunello". Soaring up high to fascinating hilltop towns, you will revel in delight.
During the tour, you will spend half the time in a delightful Tuscan estate with onsite wellness resort and benefit from the organic food grown at the estate and served in their restaurant, and the other half in a lovely hotel near the historic centre of Pienza. As you pedal the quiet country lanes, you will enjoy the wonderful landscapes, wide open fields, cypress-lined hills and vineyards that populate this glorious part of Italy. You will also discover and explore incredibly well preserved medieval and renaissance villages and spectacular hilltop towns, all the while enjoying the hospitality and friendliness of the local Tuscans along the way. Of course, there will also be plenty of food and wine diversions on the tour. You'll enjoy everything this special part of Italy has to offer, all at your own pace, as you travel self-guided by bike in Tuscany.
This tour is classified as a moderate trip on hilly terrain, with very little shade on roads and with a daily climb of 350 to 750m (1148-2460ft). The rides follow mostly well-asphalted country lanes and smooth turf roads (approx. 35% of the time) with very little traffic. More traffic near larger towns as you would expect.