Self-guided Siena, Tuscany bike tour, wine and oil tasting

2010 Price
US$ 900 per person
(Single Supplement)

Traveling alone?
Join a self-guided tour that has already been scheduled. We can’t run self-guided trips for one person, but we may have already booked a self-guided tour that works for you. More info

Group of three?
Tour prices are based on double room occupancy. Groups of three on self-guided trips have two options:
Option 1: Request a triple room. With a triple there is no single supplement. Option 2: Pay a single supplement (US$ 50/night) for the single room.

(Siena Palio Surcharge)

During the Palio (Siena's famous horserace) hotel prices triple. A surcharge of US$ 100 (per person) will apply if you stay in Siena 6/29, 6/30, 7/1, 7/2, 8/13, 8/14, 8/15, or 8/16.

Save US$ 100 per person
Use our bike bags (panniers) instead of the luggage transfer
» more info

Optional Charges
» 5th night (US$ 200 per person)
» Cooking Class (US$ 75 per person)

Dates
Any date from March 1 to October 31

5 Days, 4 Nights

Route Rating
Moderate: 10-20 miles per day cycling over hilly terrain.

Meet / Finish
Florence / Siena

Highlights

Winery visit with guided wine and oil tasting
Abbey visit with winery and Renaissance gardens
Towns of Greve, Radda, and Siena
Beautiful Tuscan scenery and peaceful country roads

What's Included

All lodging (3 and 4 star hotels)
All breakfasts
One lunch
Winery visit and wine tasting
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Private van transfer from Florence on day one
4 beautiful rides (15, 7, 13 and 20 miles). Extra miles available.
Use of high-end hybrid bicycle
Use of cell phone for emergencies

Cancellations: Terms and Conditions

» Tour Summary
» Map and Distances
» Hotels
» Photos
» Bicycles

Wineries and Castles

Want an easier tour?
Add a fifth night for US$ 200 (per person)

Make your trip one day longer with EASIER cycling and stay in beautiful Castellina.

Optional cooking class?
Add a cooking class for US$ 100 (per person)

Spend half a day with an Italian chef. Create a three course meal using fresh local ingredients (vegetarian classes available).

What if it rains?

On self-guided bike tours there is no van support. However, we do move your luggage from hotel to hotel. In the event of rain you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags. We provide our guests with a cell phone. You can call in the morning and make arrangements for a lift.

Why Self-Guided?
Explore Tuscany at your own pace. We provide detailed route notes, luggage transfers, great accommodations, restaurant suggestions, and sightseeing notes. You choose the dates we take care of the details.

Self-Guided Siena Cycling

Our Self-Guided Siena bike tour takes you from Renaissance Florence to Medieval Siena. Along the way you stay in Greve, a charming village with a perfect piazza, and Radda, an ancient Florentine fortress. You pedal south through Chianti, Italy's most famous wine making region. On day one you visit a 16th Century villa, tour their winery, and sample their full-bodied, ruby red wines. Outside of Greve you can tour the walled castle of Montefioralle. While known for its wines, Chianti also produces smooth flavorful olive oils as well as fresh cheeses. If shopping is more your style you can always indulge in hand-painted Tuscan ceramics or hand-made shoes.

Day 1 Greve On the morning of day one we mix you with our one-day bike tour group. You meet your tour coordinator in the center of Florence and drive to our bicycle storage in the Chianti countryside (9-miles south of Florence). A short bike ride takes you to a 16th Century villa where they make a ruby red Chianti Classico. You tour the winery and sit down for a guided wine tasting. From the winery you ride to the hill town of San Casciano for a Tuscan lunch in a small "ristorante". Lunch is on us on day one. After lunch a panoramic downhill leads you to the village of Greve. Your hotel is right on the central piazza of town. Before dinner you can explore Greve, or just find a nice spot in an outdoor cafe for a relaxing aperitif.

Day 2-3 Radda Day two takes you deeper into Chianti on your way to Radda. Along the way you can stop and tour the picturesque village of Panzano. The landscape is classic Tuscan with gently rolling hills covered with vineyards and olive groves. In Radda you stay in a four-star hotel in the historic center. The Renaissance palace that hosts the hotel has been remodeled to offer all of the modern comforts while retaining its beautiful character. On day three ride past a family-run ceramics shop on your way to the Abbey of the Good Harvest (La Badia a Coltibuono). This 11th Century monastery is now privately owned. Enjoy a meal at their spectacular restaurant and after lunch you can tour their gardens and wine cellars. Optional cooking class

Day 4-5 Siena Leaving Radda you head south on your way to Siena, a perfectly preserved Medieval town. Your ride takes you off the beaten track past castles and sleepy villages. Siena is best known for its bareback horserace known as the Palio (run twice per year). Your hotel is in the historic center and within easy walking distance of Siena's main sights. Frequent trains and busses make for an easy departure at tour's end.