-- To cycle through Chianti is a pleasure for all
of the senses --
This
newly created three-day bike tour takes
you through some of the most beautiful parts of the Chianti, the glorious
wine country in the heart of Tuscany.
You will appreciate the way the natural beauty of the land has been preserved
by those who have cultivated it, and you will enjoy the fruits of their
labor: the incomparable
wine and olive oil and the
Tuscan dishes which use only these and other local ingredients.
The terrain is hilly but it not technically challenging. It is
the
perfect tour for those new to mountain biking.
DAY
ONE
The bike ride begins with a gradual climb out of the valley on a quiet dirt
road, through a forest of chestnut and oak trees. At the top of the climb,
the road opens up and suddenly we find ourselves in a
sea
of vineyards.
A nice descent takes us through another beautiful wood on our way to the
town of
Monteriggioni where we can enjoy a
hearty Tuscan lunch, take a scenic walk around the outer perimeter of the
walls and relax in the lovely piazza.
The Sienese founded the town of Monteriggioni at the northwest border of
the Sienese state as part of its defensive structure against Florence, with
whom Siena was at war throughout the Middle Ages.
Its'
beautifully preserved fortifications--encircling
wall and 14 towers--make it one of the best examples of a "terra murata"
in Tuscany.
The afternoon's ride is relaxed as we descend
from Monteriggioni and head towards a fortified medieval monastery, Abbadia
Isola, at one time an island-"isola"-in the middle of the swamplands that
once covered the area.
we'll ride our bike through the area's characteristic fields of rich, red
soil, in which is grown, by turns, sunflowers, canola and various grains.
Afterwards, we can enjoy a
winetasting at a family-run
winery nestled on a hillside covered with vineyards. They have a
variety of lovely wines, from a Chianti Classico DOCG to a Cabernet-Merlot-Sangiovese
blend. They also make
excellent olive oil.
If you have never tasted Tuscan olive oil, you are in for a treat!
Our next stop is our home for the next two nights,
a
quiet, beautifully situated villa. We will have a chance to swim,
play golf and relax before a delicious meal of hand-made pasta and grilled
meats (vegetarian options also available).
Tour level :
Easy
Length :
15.6 miles (25 km)
Altitude gain :
1050 ft (350 m)
Terrain :
Wide trails - dirt roads - paved roads
See
Dates and Prices for more details
Contact us to reserve a tour
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