Current as of: July 5, 2019 - 11:16 Valid for departures: From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 Secrets of San Gimignano Self-Guided Cycling Trip Notes Ways to Travel: Self-Guided 9 Days Land only Trip Code: Destinations: Italy Min age: 8 Moderate Programmes: Cycling C08TY Trip Overview This holiday is, quite simply, outstanding in every way - think rich scenery, fantastically contrasting hotels, superb local cuisine and exceptional wines. RidePlus is available on this tour, meaning that on most days you have the option to do a more challenging RidePlus route. Each option comes with GPS navigation and route maps to ensure you get to your destination easily, and you’ll stay at the same hotel regardless of which route you take, although RidePlus cyclists will be provided with an upgraded lightweight road bike. If you’re travelling as a group you can split up for the day to ride independently – so everyone has their perfect day. Find out more about RidePlus here and more about the routes for this holiday in the Itinerary section. At a Glance 8 Nights, hotel-to-hotel 4 Days cycling All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals included Headwater wine service GPS route navigation provided RideWithGPS navigation app RidePlus route options High quality bikes provided Luggage transfers between hotels Countries visited: Italy Trip Highlights Exhilarating cycling through open and totally unspoilt countryside San Gimignano's soaring towers; Volterra's Etruscan treasures; great art cities of Florence, Pisa and Siena Fabulous hotels all with stunning pools; superb cuisine and fine wines Cypress-studded hills, sun-drenched olives, row upon row of sunflowers and world-famous vineyards Pretty hamlets, hidden chapels, timeless vermilion villas Is This Trip for You? You'll start off in Volterra, a beautifully preserved hilltop gem whose eclectic mix of Etruscan, Roman and Renaissance art and architecture has inspired artists and writers for centuries. From here, you pedal north east along quiet, rolling country lanes as you coast towards honey-coloured Pancole, nestled in the Tuscan hills. The cycling is truly glorious as you continue, via fortified towns and hill villages, to medieval Colle, from where you can also head to Florence and Siena for day trips. Then it's on to Pescille, which is perfectly positioned overlooking San Gimignano. Your final stretch takes you through a timeless and kaleidoscopic landscape of ochre- coloured hills and verdant vineyards, giving you a real sense of achievement as you loop back to Volterra for your final night. This is a self-guided cycling trip for those who like to cycle independently, but with back up to take out the hard work and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate) Please see the introductory pages of the cycling holidays brochure or our website for more important information on classification and grading. Av. daily ride: 38km (24miles). No. of days cycling: 4 Terrain & route: The suggested cycling is along quiet, tarmac roads (mainly traffic-free). There are a few ascents and descents along the way. Vehicle Support: A representative will be there to meet you, make sure the bikes are all set up and will be on call throughout the trip should you need. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. Group As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. Please note: the walking and luggage transfers included in this tour are subject to a minimum of 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy of a room will apply if only 1 person travelling on a departure date. Adult min age: 18 Child min age: 8 Child max age: 17 Itinerary Land Only Start City: Volterra End City: Volterra Land Only Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Volterra Arrive in Volterra where you've time for a dip in the pool and a wander round its myriad of cobbled alleys and hidden squares before dinner. (Staying at Park Hotel Le Fonti) Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Volterra to Pancole Option: 1 Today it's a downhill whizz out of hilltop Volterra and into the pretty Era Valley where spectacular views of the surrounding timeless Tuscan countryside open up as you pedal. After climbing out of the valley, you'll soon pass through the pretty hamlet of Castagno where we suggest a well-deserved coffee stop in the local bar. Your route continues on to Gambassi Terme, a well- preserved spa town with cobbled streets, 12th century church and lovely shaded gardens. Lunch here perhaps in one of the many trattorie then, soon after leaving the town, you'll pick up the famous Via Francigena for the gentle, mainly downhill stretch to mediaeval Certaldo where you stay the next 2 nights. (Staying at Hotel Certaldo) Option: 2 Distance - 75.4km (elevation +1036m / -1238m) Leaving Volterra you drop down into the valley heading north passing the Theatre of Silence and the family home of Andrea Bocceli. Ride past rich green meadows, before climbing through the stunning countryside and on to the pretty spa town of Gambassi Terme. A long downhill ride lets you roll into Certaldo. Meals included: Breakfast Distance covered: 35km / 21 miles Day 3 At Certaldo If you fancy a day off from cycling, the pool here is simply gorgeous and nice lunches are served on the geranium-scented terrace. There's also a small shop where you can buy olive oils, produced by the owners, and Tuscan wines. The more energetic might want to cycle past orchards and vines to visit Boccaccio's birthplace, stunning Certaldo. Take the funicular to its mediaeval centre for spectacular views across the Val d'Elsa. (Staying at Hotel Certaldo) Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Certaldo to Colle Di Val D'Elsa Option: 1 Today's route explores the panoramic wine country between Certaldo and Colle di Val d'Elsa. You'll first retrace your route to Certaldo and then follow the official, mainly off-road, Chianti Wine Route where you'll find lots of tasting opportunities - don't forget, we can collect any purchases for you! It's then on to the old town of Poggibonsi, a perfect stop for lunch and to visit the ruins of its unfinished 15th century fortress. The day ends with gentle pedalling through tree-lined meadows and a valley of poppy and sunflower fields to Colle di Val d'Elsa. (Staying at Relais Della Rovere) Option: 2 Distance - 91.9km, elevation: +1521m / -1616m Today you head into wine country on a beautiful ride with vines as far as the eye can see and passing through beautiful hamlets and interesting wine towns. With the climbing over you pass two of the famous Chianti towns, Castellina and Radda, both offering great wine tasting chances and good restaurants. Heading down to the valley you pass the stunning walled village of Monteriggioni before heading on to Colle Val d’Elsa for your next two nights. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Distance covered: 32 km / 20 miles Day 5 At Colle Di Val D'Elsa There's masses of choice today: explore the mediaeval old town which dates back to Etruscan times; take the bus to Siena (30 mins) or to Florence (60 mins); take in the mediaeval town of Monteriggioni, an easy cycle or short bus ride away; or simply laze by your hotel's sparkling swimming pool, surrounded by lovely gardens. (Staying at Relais Della Rovere) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 6 Colle Di Val D'Elsa to Pescille Option: 1 It's easy pedalling this morning as you head south past the old town of Colle di Val d'Elsa, gradually climbing up to Casole d'Elsa, a beautiful village characterised by ancient vermilion-hued buildings and blessed with stunning views from its hilltop position. Take time to explore its 12th century church (frescoes by Gano da Siena) and impressive fortress before an early lunch perhaps, in the lovely piazza. You then wind north, gently uphill, through wonderfully scenic countryside against the backdrop of the impressive medieval towers of San Gimignano as you pedal on to Pescille. (Staying at Hotel Pescille, Breakfast at the hotel) Option: 2 Distance - 87.4km, elevation: +1693m / -1542m Heading to the south of the region today you are rewarded with beautiful scenery, quiet roads with vistas of mountains and hills as you pass pleasant meadows, small forests and lines of cyprus trees. You pass small villages and towns that are well off the beaten track.