HIKING & :Italy: TuscanyTuscany && UmbriaUmbria BIKING FF OO OO DD && WW II NN EE AA DD VV EE NN TT UU RR EE

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e visit the beautiful provinces of and Umbria in the fashion of the locals – on foot and by bike. And as we pedal and step, we also eat and drink our way across these most delicious areas of this most delectable country! Tuscany, with its lovely wheat-covered hills, is tough for bicyclists, but Wis a fantastic place to hike from one medieval town to another. Umbria, centered on the large and flat Umbrian plain with hilltop towns on either side, offers bike routes for all ability levels. We spend half our time on foot in Tuscany and the other half on bikes in Umbria, capitalizing on each region’s wonderful geography and culinary experiences. You’ll appreciate the difference and will return home with fond memories of the vast array of pastas, pizzas, local vegetables, bruschettas, and Italian vinos experienced in one short – but full! – week of your life. I T I N E R A R Y D A Y O N E ...... We will meet you either in the fthe regional wine capital of Montepulciano (if you have arrived the day before), or at the nearby rail station at Chiusi. From there, we will shuttle to the cute town of and walk the valleys and ridges back to Montepulciano, where a wine tasting and cellar tour awaits us. Perhaps an authentic limoncello at the local pub before saying “buona notte” to the group is in order after dinner?

Activity: We will all stay together on this initial six-kilometer walk through the countryside so we can learn from our Italian guide Giovanni.

Accommodation: Albergo Duomo, Montepulciano

D A Y T W O ...... Today we wander small side roads from Montepulciano all the way to the town of , our home for the next two nights. Along the way, we visit the walled city of , where you’ll have the opportunity to taste wines with Daria, the local sommelier, as you look out over the beautiful Val d’Orcia from the balcony of La Porta restaurant. You’ll work up an appetite heading back uphill from the valley floor to Pienza, where you will enjoy the most beautiful views right from your hotel window. Tonight we’ll enjoy a casual talk about Italian culture and an outdoor dinner prepared by our hotel hosts, Marco and Paola.

Activity: You will have the option to walk either 7.5 or 13 kilometers today. A support van will be available!

Accommodation: Piccolo Hotel la Valle, Pienza

RIGHT: Biking in the flat Umbrian valley, with optional rides up to hillside towns along the way, givees you as much (or as little) activity as you want each day! “I am no great cyclist and had never been to Italy, so sightseeing was high on my agenda. I had thought I might be looked down upon by the more ‘hard-core’ cyclists for my priorities, but this was not the case at all. The pace of the days was good...even the medium routes allowed plenty of time to get to the destination and relax before dinner. And the biking allowed me to justify all of that eating!”

– Monica Ferguson, Pennsylvania

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RIGHT: The beautiful landscapes in Tuscany turn an ordinary photo into an extraordinary one.

D A Y T H R E E ...... We continue our Tuscany hiking journey as we head west on small paths and farming roads toward one of the most beautiful Tuscan towns – San Quirico d’Orcia – just in time for lunch! You can choose to shuttle back to Pienza from there and explore the town on your own or continue on with your hike. The long routes ends in the Roman town of , known for its natural hotsprings. Hope you packed your suit and towel! Soaking is a perfect way to unwind and rest after a full day of activity! Prior to our dinner at a small and casual place that has been feeding the local Pienza folks delicious meals for years and years, Giovanni will lead us in a Tuscan wine and Pecorino (local sheep cheese) tasting on the veranda of the hotel overlooking what is arguably Italy’s most beautiful valley, Val d’Oricia.

Activity: Hiking routes of 10 or 13 kilometers with shuttles.

Accommodation: Piccolo Hotel la Valle, Pienza T R I P D E T A I L S D A Y F O U R ...... This morning we’ll transfer by private 2012 DATE June 11 - 17 ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE coach from Tuscany to another part of Zephyr guides meet you in the town of Italy – Umbria. In the quaint town of COST $2400 per person Chiusi in central Tuscany the morning of Torgiano we’ll hook up with our bicycles June 11 or in the town of Montepulciano that and pedal our way blissfully to our next $750 single supplement afternoon. On the last day of the tour, we destination. En route, we’ll find a few (single supplement is always optional; otherwise we will find you a roommate of the same gender) will transport you to the Spoleto train station small towns to visit and the Umbrian after noon, where you can return to Rome Sagrantino wine to try. The biggest Bike rental is 100 euros (27-speed hybrid). or Florence. We highly recommend arriving challenge of the day will come on our at least a day early and also extending your short uphill ride to the town of Spello vacation in Italy if possible! and our four-star hotel, our home for the HIGHLIGHTS next two nights. This will try your legs • Beautiful landscapes that are also rich with history and culture TRANSPORTATION but please your soul when you see the We recommended you travel by train to fantastic views you have earned. Our • Divine local cuisine (each town has its own signature pasta!) and wines Chiusi from Rome (airport code FCO). multi-course dinner and wine tasting You can return home from either Rome is only a short walk • Fantastic hikes in Tuscany and epic bike rides in Umbria or Florence (FLO). We will provide more down the beautiful cobblestoned streets specific travel information upon your of town and we recommend a bedtime booking. Zephyr Adventures | www.ZephyrAdventures.com | 888-758-8687 | [email protected]

gelato on the return stroll to the hotel. Activity: You can choose to have a Activity: Today we cycle along the valley mellow ride to Assisi and back (20 floor, with options to visit several Activity: Today’s ride is often over kilometers), take a trip to the charming interesting hillside towns. Those doing before people know it! You can choose walled town of Bevagna and the winery the short route (40 kilometers) will find to bike 28, 44 or 50 kilometers through (options of 37 and 55 kilometers) or add this one of our flattest cycling days, while mostly flat terrain. a challenging hilly loop on nearly deserted those wishing for a little more mileage (53 roads to the town of Collepino (80 or 81 kilometers) will have a bit more Accommodation: Hotel Palazzo Bocci, kilometers). altitude gain. Spello Accommodation: Hotel Palazzo Bocci, Accommodation: Hotel San Luca, Spello Spoleto D A Y F I V E ...... Today you’ll find out why we bike in Umbria! From our front steps, we start D A Y S I X ...... D A Y S E V E N ...... with an incredible, mostly-flat ride across We depart Spello this morning and ride, After breakfast, several possible loop a hillside through olive groves, stopping on one route or another, to our next rides will take you out of town and into for a tour and tasting at a local olive mill. town of Spoleto, which offers us a the rolling rural countryside. Upon your Bruschetta with fresh olive oil is amazing! glimpse into the more urban culture and return, there will be time for a shower We then continue to Assisi, home of business lives of the citizens of Umbria. and then a walk to the train station, Saint Francis and a town full of winding Whether you choose to take part in the where your luggage will be transferred streets and amazing architecture. Those optional afternoon hike to the colossal and we will bid one another farewell. interested in a longer ride can head down and original Roman aqueduct, unwind at into the valley to the Roman trading the hotel’s outdoor terrace in the center Activity: Distances for today’s ride are town of Bevagna and an optional stop of town, or shop for souvenirs, you will 19, 34 or 42 kilometers. at a winery, where there is time to savor find Spoleto alive with energy! Tonight Umbrian wines and compare them to we feast and celebrate our last night their Tuscan counterparts. After dinner, together with an Italian cooking class we take an evening walk through the right in our hotel. The “Italian mama” in streets of Spello to see how the Italians us all will make sure that we don’t go to live. bed hungry tonight! A C C O M M O D A T I O N S

Albergo Duomo albergoduomomontepulciano.it Hotel San Luca hotelsanluca.com Set smack in the old town center near Piazza Grande, this family run hotel is charming, This small, charming hotel is family run welcoming and simple and the perfect base from which to explore the lovely town of and features a central courtyard, an 18th Montepulciano. century fireplace, antique furniture and Carrara marble in each bathroom. The fact that it is right inside the city gate Piccolo Hotel la Valle piccolohotellavalle.it makes it easy for us to get to and from on This new brick and stone building overlooks the marvelous countryside of the Orcia our bicycles. Valley, yet is in the midst of the historic center of Pienza. The rooms and veranda are lovely but it is really Marco and his family that make us feel like we are home.

Hotel Palazzo Bocci palazzobocci.com Dating from the 17th century, the four- star Palazzo Bocci sits right on the main plaza in the town of Spello, one of the most charming medieval towns in Umbria. From the fountain in the entrance, to the detailed frescos on the ceilings, to the hanging garden, you’ll appreciate these small details of this beautifully restored property.

WHAT’S INCLUDED? Activities Meals Some optional activities, such as winery All of your dinners and breakfasts are Guides tours and a visit to an olive oil mill, are included. Gratuity for your meals is also At least two Zephyr Guides will accompany included. included. you on the trip. A third will be added if group size necessitates this. Accommodations Not Included Double occupancy lodging is included. You Lunches, bike rental, beverages, desserts, Transportation will share a room with another traveler of gratuities to your Zephyr guides, personal All your transportation is included once you the same gender. However, you may pay a expenses and travel to and from the meet your guides on the first day. single supplement to have your own room. destination.

B O O K I N G D E T A I L S We encourage you to call or email us with questions!

Interested in Joining Us? 888-758-8687 Call us or send us an email to check availability or to ask any questions you may have regarding [email protected] this trip or any other travel ideas you may be considering. Zephyr Adventures requires a $500 deposit at the time of booking. The initial deposit is payable by check or credit card. The remaining balance is payable by check or credit card no later than 60 days prior to the start of the trip. taste · ke · tre You can call us at 888.758.8687 to book your adventure or you can book online at www. bi k · · ZephyrAdventures.com. l e e

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What Happens Next? s Zephyr Adventures will email you a confirmation of your travels after your booking. This email offers printer-friendly and detailed arrival and departure information, suggestions for making travel arrangements, a packing list, your invoice, travel insurance information, information about zephyr the area and a liability waiver. adventures www.ZephyrAdventures.com POB 16 / RED LODGE, MT 59068