September 12-19, 2021 – Small Group – Limited Space!
Castagneto Carducci, Italy
HURRY – No Single Supplement!
From the shimmering Mediterranean Sea to the rolling hills and ancient villages, while cycling, you’ll absorb the essence of Tuscany and allow our senses to run wild. From the honey-soaked light of the morning glowing over the olive trees, to the golden rays shining through the vineyards in the evening, discover the blissful rhythm of Tuscany. Bike the most charming roads in the world, and delight your taste buds with spectacular local foods, all while learning about our surroundings: art, architecture, history, and the art of making olive oil, wine, cheese and authentic Tuscan cuisine.
All ability levels are welcome and each bike ride is guided. The high staff-to-participant ratio means you’ll have someone to encourage you, as well as teach you cycling tips, whether you’re a beginner or a veteran. This is the trip you always promised yourself you’d take. Come join us in the “La Dolce Vita” sweet life.
Tuscany Cycling Retreat
You’ll split your time between two spectacular regions of Tuscany: the authentic, unspoiled countryside of the Etruscan coast on the Mediterranean Sea, and Val d’Orcia, known as the heart of Tuscany, with gentle, carefully-cultivated hills peppered with picturesque towns and villages.
Some of the towns you will be visiting and riding through are: the Etruscan city of Montalcino, Pienza (the jewel of the Renaissance), Monastero di Sant’Anna (where the English patient was filmed), Castagneto Carducci, Sassetta, Suvereto, Montescudaio, Bolgheri, Monteverdi and Populonia. You’ll have a full day to savor the charms of mystical Siena, considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Italy. An expert local guide will lead you into the heart of Siena’s history and art.
Your home base for the first portion of the retreat is the lovely Campastrello Sport Hotel in the Etruscan coast region. Set in a beautiful Mediterranean garden (voted in the top 10 in all of Tuscany), the hotel is modern but built in charming, traditional Tuscan style. The beautifully landscaped grounds feature fruit orchards and olive groves, a state-of-the-art Olympic swimming pool, and great views of the village and sunsets. Our meals are specially prepared and served in the hotel’s noted restaurant, L’Olivo, which specializes in homestyle Tuscan cuisine.
Spend three nights here, exploring the Etruscan coast by day — a cyclist’s paradise of rolling hills and quiet roads through some of Italy’s most prized vineyards. Stretching from medieval village to medieval village, our select routes take in glorious views with sublime spots to stop for a cappuccino or a gelato.
For the next portion of your adventure, we’ll head inland to the magnificent region of Val d’Orcia, where you’ll spend two nights at Fattoia de Colle (www.cinellicolombini.it). Set in a spectacular setting of cypress-lined lanes, ancient stone villages, and undulating hills studded with castles, Colle is a working wine and olive oil producing estate with beautifully renovated farmhouses and a main villa for our lodging. The estate also includes a small chapel, two swimming pools, and a gourmet restaurant preparing our sumptuous Tuscan meals from fresh, local produce.
The proprietor of Colle, Donatella Cinelli Colombini, is the producer of award-winning Brunello di Montalcino wines. Her signature vintage, Prime Donne, is produced solely by women.
On your daily rides visit Montalcino, the elegant wine town, jewel-like Pienza, considered the most perfect Renaissance town in Italy, Sant’Anna, the graceful monastery where the English Patient was filmed, and, if time permits, the magnificent frescoes in the grand Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, where it is still possible to hear the monks celebrate mass in Gregorian chant.
Arrive back to Campastrello Sport for your last 2 nights of the tour.
What to Expect:
Most mornings begin with yoga to awaken our senses and limber our bodies before enjoying a buffet breakfast with foamy cappuccinos. Then you’ll pedal the Tuscan roads, famous for their cypress trees, lack of traffic, and friendly drivers. Your afternoons will be spent exploring villages, doing art projects or creative journaling, swimming in the calm sea, and rekindling the spark for life. Poetry, and creative processes for clarifying your heart’s desire are sprinkled into the mix of all our adventures, bringing mindfulness to our Italian adventure.
Throughout the retreat, you will have personal and individualized professional instruction and guidance during all activities. The staff consists of world-class athletes and coaches, who will offer you heartfelt support and instruction. They will create small riding groups to ensure everyone rides with others at a similar ability level. Riding options are provided for beginners to accomplished riders. And, all rides are fully supported with a bike mechanic and a sag wagon (full of fruit, water, cookies and, of course, chocolate).
To compliment your cycling, also offered are hiking and running adventures on trails lined with olive trees, and on roads leading to wonderful places. For instance, at Fattoria de Colle we can run/hike to a cheese maker’s house!
Rate – $3,500 (single supplement waived!). Limited space!
What’s included:
8 days, 7 nights accommodations at comfortable, charming, and authentic family-run Tuscan establishments
* Airfare and transportation to and from the airport and bike rentals is not included in the cost. E-bikes available too!
Hurry contact us today for more information or to book this excellent Italy adventure!
Tour Code: QW
Have you enjoyed this adventure? Would you like to share your expeciences?
Submit your review.