Tuscany by bike: Siena and val d'Orcia Cycling in Italy, round tour from Siena, Volterra, Pienza,

A memorable journey in one of the most beautiful regions of Italy: Tuscany, which every year attracts visitors from all over Europe, many of whom have even chosen to stay there forever, fascinated by its rolling hilly landscapes, its art treasures, the refinement of its culture, its wines and its delicious, rustic cuisine. The itinerary passes through Val d'Elsa, Chianti, Val d'Arno, Valdorcia, the Crete, the Via Francigena, among vineyards and beautiful hills. You pedal along delightful little roads with gentle ups and downs, touching Certaldo, the birthplace of Boccaccio, the beautiful S. Gimignano with a hundred towers, Volterra, an ancient and unique city that stands on the top of a hill in the center of an unforgettable landscape, Siena with the extraordinary Piazza del Campo, the Duomo and its characteristic medieval streets overlooked by splendid noble palaces.

1st day Individual arrival in Siena.
2nd day Siena – Brolio – Castelnuovo Berardenga – Asciano approx. 49 km – elevation gain 830 m
Features: up and down route through the Chianti Senese and the Crete, 13 km of dirt road in good condition
Points of historical and artistic interest: the castle of Brolio, the village of Villa a Sesta, the town of Asciano
Points of naturalistic interest: the panorama of the Chianti with its vineyards and woods that as if by magic transforms into the most rugged landscape of the Crete.
3rd day Asciano – Monte Oliveto – San Giovanni d'Asso  – Pienza approx. 52 km – elevation gain 800 m.
Features: 12 km on dirt roads, the rest on paved roads with no traffic between the Crete and Val d'Orcia.
Points of historical and artistic interest: The monastic complex of Monte Oliveto, the medieval village of San Giovanni d'Asso, the monastery of S. Anna a Camprena and Pienza, the jewel city of the Renaissance.
Points of naturalistic interest: another change in the character of the territory as you look out over Val d'Orcia.
4th day Pienza – S. Quirico – Montalcino – Buonconvento – Murlo approx. 56 km  – elevation gain 750 m.
Features: 15 km of dirt roads, the rest on paved roads.
Points of historical and artistic interest: the historic center of S. Quirico, the city of Montalcino, the small medieval village of Murlo.
Points of naturalistic interest: the wide views of wheat fields and cypress groves and the passage into Valdarbia.
5th day Murlo – Radi – Sovicille – Monteriggioni  – Colle Val d'Elsa approx. 64 km  – elevation gain 680 m.
Features: mixed asphalt/dirt road towards Montagnola and Valdelsa, on the trail of the Via Francigena.
Points of historical and artistic interest: the walls of Monteriggioni and the historic centre of Colle Vald'Elsa.
6th day Colle Val d'Elsa – Casole d'Elsa – Ulignano   – Volterra approx. 47 km  – elevation gain 1110 m.
Features: mostly on asphalt, last kilometres uphill to reach Volterra.
Points of historical and artistic interest: the towns of Casole d'Elsa and Volterra.
Points of naturalistic interest: the views that range from Val di Cecina to Valdelsa.
7th day Volterra – Il Castagno – San Gimignano – Certaldo  – train transfer to Siena approx. 47 km  – elevation gain 1110 m. 600 m.
Features: entirely on asphalt; return to Siena by train from Certaldo.
Points of historical and artistic interest: the city of San Gimignano and the historic center of Certaldo.
Points of naturalistic interest: the panorama of the Valdera hills.
8th day Siena. End of the trip after breakfast 

Travel type Self guided

Departures   minimum 2 people
STANDARD : every day from March 1st to October 15th
DELUXE : every day from March 22nd to October 4th

On the days of the "Palio" (July 2nd and August 16th) the tour may not be available.

Duration   8 days/7 nights

Difficulty level  medium
The characteristic of the Tuscan countryside is the hill: therefore the routes are almost always undulating, with never challenging ups and downs; only in short stretches does the road have a steeper slope. Medium-easy difficulty, the route is mainly on asphalt; the dirt roads are in good condition, there are from 5 to 15 km of dirt road each day: the route is not suitable for children under 12 years old.

Total km  315

Type of bike  city bike or touring bike

Luggage transport  yes

Information meeting/briefing in the first hotel  no

Tour price per person 
STANDARD   € 865.--
DELUXE   € 990.--

The price includes

STANDARD - Overnight stays in 3* hotels (1 night in 4* hotels)
DELUXE - 6 nights in 4* hotels and 1 night in 3* hotels with swimming pool
Buffet breakfast
Luggage transport from hotel to hotel (1 luggage per person per person)
GPS tracks
24-hour medical/baggage insurance
Emergency telephone support
Registration fee

The price does not include

The journey to reach the starting points and back

The train from Certaldo to Siena

Lunches and dinners

Visits and entrances

The tips

Personal extras

Everything not specified under "the price includes"

On request

Tour cancellation insurance
Additional nights in Siena
Car parking

Estimates for guided tou

To book, fill out and send the registration form; pay 25% of the participation fee; pay the balance approximately one month before departure.