TUSCANY: CYCLE SIENA & CHIANTI

Ride along the quiet roads of classic Tuscany! Tuscany has been a classic destination for the British since people set off on the 'Grand Tour' to acquaint themselves with the knowledge and customs of European art and society. The appeal of the fine Renaissance cities and beautiful countryside has not faded over the intervening years. This trip covers two distinct regions of Tuscany - well-known Chianti and the less-visited area of Crete, south of Siena. Le Crete, with its classic scenery of lonely hilltop villas surrounded by cypress trees is home to some of the best towns and villages in Tuscany. Siena contains the fabulous Campo, one of Europe's most beautiful city squares and scene of the famous Palio horserace. Continuing north, we enter the Chianti region, which fulfils most people's idea of what Italy should be like, with mediaeval villages, vineyards and ancient woodlands and hills reflecting the warm sunlight. We end our tour in the magnificent city of Florence, considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. Following quiet roads, we mix point-to-point and circular rides to make a perfect cycle tour of this region, without the need to transfer at the beginning of each day.