Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 Arrive at Volterra Arrive in Volterra where you've time for a dip in the hotel pool and a wander round the town's tangle of cobbled alleys and hidden squares before dinner. (Staying at Park Hotel Le Fonti) Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Volterra to Certaldo 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 medieval Certaldo. (Staying at Hotel Certaldo) Option: 2 Distance - 67km, elevation +986m / -1238m Leaving Volterra we drop down into the valley heading north passing the Theatre of Silence and the family home of Andrea Bocceli, then passing through rich green meadows and before climbing into the stunning countryside, and onto the pretty spa town of Gambassi Terme. A long downhill ride takes you into medieval Certaldo, to your hotel for the next 2 nights. Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 At Certaldo Explore stunning Certaldo, Boccaccio's birthplace. Split into two distinct halves, the mediaeval centre of Certaldo Alto with its fabulous ancient buildings, is accessed by funicular and offers spectacular views across the Val d'Elsa. On the other hand, Certaldo Basso is the more modern part of the town with shops, bars and restaurants. You could also spend time today, relaxing by the hotel pool. (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 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 - 100.3km, elevation: +1571m / -1616m Today you head up to Pancole and then into wine country - a beautiful ride, with vines as far as the eye can see, 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 opportunities and good restaurants. Heading down to the valley you pass the stunning walled village of Monteriggioni and onto Colle Val d’Elsa for your next two nights. Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 5 At Colle di Val d'Elsa: Suggested Day in Siena There is so much to see and do in and around Colle di Val d'Elsa that you really will be spoiled for choice. However, today we recommend hopping on the local bus (from just outside the hotel) for the 30min ride to the great mediaeval city of Siena. Visit the Palazzo Pubblico with its impressive pre-Renaissance frescoes and climb the Torre del Mangia for the best views of the town and surrounding Sienese countryside. For lunch, or simply a drink, there is no better place than Siena's beautiful shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. (Staying at Relais della Rovere) Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 6 At Colle Di Val D'elsa: Suggested Day Exploring Locally Option: 1 After a fairly long day yesterday, we propose that you spend a relaxed morning in Colle di Val d'Elsa. The historic town dates back to Etruscan times with a cathedral, museums and fine Renaissance buildings. After lunch in the old square, maybe spend some time by the pool before a pre-dinner stroll along the lovely River Elsa where limestone-rich rapids come crashing dramatically downstream. (Staying at Relais della Rovere) Option: 2 Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 At Colle di Val d'Elsa: Suggested Day in Florence No trip to Tuscany would be complete without a visit to the charming city of Florence, arguably the most beautiful city in the world! It's just an hour on the local bus (which leaves from just outside the hotel) giving you plenty of time to explore the Uffizi (closed Mon), Duomo and Baptistery. If you want to escape the crowds, we suggest you cross the Ponte Vecchio to the quieter side of the Arno to visit the Boboli Gardens. (Staying at Relais della Rovere) Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Colle di Val d'Elsa to Pescille Option: 1 Get back on your bike this morning and enjoy superb rolling views before the ride 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 through wonderfully scenic countryside, the fabulous mediaeval towers of San Gimignano providing a formidable backdrop as you pedal on to Pescille. (Staying at Hotel Pescille, Breakfast at the hotel and evening meal in a local restaurant) 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. Maybe take a late lunch in walled Casole d’ Elsa, then pass Castel San Gimignano and finish through the vines to Hotel Pescille for the next two nights. Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 9 At Pescille San Gimignano is just a short cycle away, its towers giving this hilltop town a distinctive Manhattan-style skyline. Explore its myriad of narrow streets and many hidden cobbled squares before popping back to your tranquil hotel for a refreshing dip in the sparkling swimming pool. (Staying at Hotel Pescille, Breakfast at the hotel and evening meal in a local restaurant) Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 10 Pescille to Volterra Option: 1 It's a short downhill ride to San Gimignano before a gentle climb up through classic Tuscan landscapes of vines, olive groves and fields ablaze with sunflowers. It's then an almost entirely downhill cycle into the pretty Era Valley. There's a real sense of achievement on your final pedal through open countryside, enjoying spectacular views, before your last climb back to the ancient cobbled streets of Volterra. (Staying at Park Hotel Le Fonti) Option: 2 Distance - 59.4km, elevation: +1078m / -943m From the hotel you head towards San Gimignano, circling the 'town of towers' for 360 degree views of the surrounding area. Pass through wine country before an uphill stretch, followed by a long downhill with views of Volterra. Finish with a climb into Volterra itself, passing through the town and back to your hotel for the last night. Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 11 Leave Volterra Meals included: Breakfast
Italy No visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times. For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Hotels The hotels we've selected for this holiday are among our best, and include a magnificently restored 12th century abbey, a wonderfully renovated, stylish watermill which dates back to the 16th century and belonged to the famous Medici family, and a family-run, traditional hotel overlooking the soaring towers of San Gimignano.
January 17, 2020 Your Guide to Happiness You can’t deny there’s an inextricable link between happiness and travelling.