Tuscany Active Gourmet | Food Focused | Guided Cycling Tour

After welcome breakfast ready to start – a short transfer by van just outside Montepulciano village to let you start the first ride with a nice gentle downhill through the vino nobile vineyards. After will be flat terrain: the Val di Chiana, once a swampy lowland, except for the final climb to reach the old town on the hill Cortona, one’s of Italy’s oldest towns. The first set of city walls were built by the Etruscans in the 4th century BC. It became famous by Frances Mayes in her bestselling book “Under the Tuscan sun” also a movie!! Stroll the winding narrow – and steep! – medieval streets for a while. Transfer back to the country house by van in the afternoon, for stronger cyclist option to ride back!
Dinner in Monticchiello at Ristorante Da Daria.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our ride today starts from the villa – First stage is Pienza, a pristine Renaissance jewel created in 1458. Pope Pius II chose the famous Florentine architect Rossellino to transform his home village of Corsignano into one of the few examples left of 15th century architecture. The main product is the pecorino the delicious pungent cheese made using only sheep milk – continue to next village Montepulciano known as the Pearl of the Sixteenth Century. After the lunch at la Porta di Bacco where our friend Andrea will show the Etruscan caves, let’s go to have a wine tour at Cantine de Ricci and explore underground wine cellar. This Cantina not only is it right in the center of town just off Piazza Grande, it had been dubbed “the most beautiful wine cellar in the world.” It is also called the Cathedral of Vino and you’ll quickly understand why. Back in the saddle last stop in the village of Monticchiello, the quintessential Tuscan hill town. Bold cypress trees line our route to the Orcia valley where you bike through the fields that inspired Renaissance painters.
Dinner at Dopolavoro at La Foce
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our ride start from the villa: first stop after 10 km easy ride is the ancient Roman spa of Bagno Vignoni. Legend has it that Saint Catherine and Pope Pius II both bathed in the thermal waters here. It is a tiny village, water has a constant temperature of 51 degrees Celsius, at the heart of the village is the “Square of sources”, namely a rectangular tank, of 16th-century origin, which contains the original source of water that comes from the underground aquifer of volcanic origins.
Now the climb to Castiglione d’Orcia is the challenge part of the day. Once at the top enjoy a long downhill till Romanesque abbey of Sant’Antimo that dates back to the time of Charlemagne. Last effort -9 km gentle up to Montalcino – the hill town is very famous for Brunello wine made with the Sangiovese Grosso grape and aged a minimum of four years. After the visit let’s reach all together Corte Pavone winery: you will taste this biodynamic & organic Brunello wine, learn about the aging and enjoy the lunch at cellar. Back to the villa for the second Cooking lesson
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today another terrific bike ride: start from villa reach Radicofani a medieval and enchanting village with a 1000 dating Rocca, one of the most impressive fortresses in Tuscany. Radicofani is included in the Park of val d’Orcia – Unesco site and Via Francigena (which was the main route followed by pilgrims in antiquity who went to Rome), bust still is off the beaten path – so will be the most quiet day – from Radicofani now we will reach another secluded road called le Conie and reach Bagni San Filippo Enjoy the downhill back to the valley. It rise along Francigena road near the old Spedaletto Castle, shelter for wayfarer which, in the Middle Ages, wanted to get to Rome from all over Europe, in the XV century. Castle was readapted in a granary, a real fortified farm. Back to the country house by bike
This afternoon let’s learn the classic pasta of the area: pici all’ aglione sauce and pici al ragu di chianina. Pici is a fresh spaghetti, handmade one by one.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast departure by bike from the villa. First stop is San Quirico, an Etruscan origin village with a superb example of the Italian garden: the Horti Leonini. Pass through Asciano and Le crete area, with strange rock formations and lone farmhouse flanked by twin cypress tree. Let’s pedal through vineyards and forest we’ll arrive in Siena, a medieval city with beautifully preserved Gothic architecture. The entire city of Siena was built around the Piazza del Campo. Here we’ll have time to shop while exploring the many hidden medieval walkways Go soon to visit the shell shape square where the Palio horserace is run and enjoy a free lunch on your own. Back to the country house late afternoon. Farewell dinner at restaurant la Bandita townhouse in Pienza
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a breakfast all together there will be transfer to Chiusi train station around 10.00/11.00
On request we will arrange transfer at different time.
Meals included: Breakfast