Eat, Drink and Ride Across Tuscany
Tuscany consists of all the elements of the perfect lifestyle, and as cyclists, there is no better way to experience this than on a bike ride. A perfect combination of challenging hills, sweeping descents, quiet back roads and magnificent scenery are woven among daily life in the Tuscan hills. Owner operated vineyards and artisan farmers straddle the strade bianche - white roads- that form the backbone of Tuscan life and have been crossed for centuries by every form of agricultural entity that has worked the fields in pursuit of a simple and authentic lifestyle. We'll indulge in this lifestyle to enjoy an authentically Tuscan week that will challenge your legs, fill your stomach and nourish your soul.
World-Class Cycling
Cycling the Tuscan countryside is a cyclist's dream. Painfully beautiful, I never tire of the iconic elements that define it: tall and thin Cyprus trees rising above the slanted vineyards, the token castle on a hill, a patchwork of colors across the undulating horizon in stunning orchestration. Two rides are offered daily, providing cyclists with a choice of distance and taking advantage of the different terrain throughout the region. L'Eroica and Gino Bartali are both legends in the sport of cycling in Tuscany. Modern cycling honors the Eroica annually with the Montepaschi Strade Bianche, raced over the classic white roads made popular by the Gran Fondo Eroica. Bartali was born and raised on the outskirts of Florence and won the Giro in 1936 and 1937. We'll celebrate both, with an option to ride the roads of the L'Eroica and a visit to the Bartali Museum. This is the ultimate Tuscan experience.
Authentic Culture
Our insider's tour of the real Tuscany isn't limited to cycling. We'll visit the Benedictine abbey of Sant'Antimo, a Romanesque masterpiece, the Utopian village of Pienza and the towers of San Gimignano. We'll enjoy a private tasting of one of the most exclusive wineries in Chianti; learn how to make olive oil and specialty vinegars (a forgotten art) and enjoy refined Tuscan cuisine served amidst the graceful arches of a family wine estate. We'll practice the art of preparing the perfect traditional Tuscan meal, visiting the farmers markets and shopping locally for the freshest seasonal ingredients. This is Tuscany at its most authentic.
Exemplary Service
Family is the key word in Italy, and our villa provides unique accommodations offering unparalleled beauty. You'll enjoy the stunning landscape and grounds of our secluded hilltop villa in Chianti. Our week will include the perfect blend of cycling, nutritional expertise and training advice, delicious local foods, and a relaxing environment that offers the freedom to choose- this is vacation after all, and this is Tuscany at its most exclusive.