E-bike tour of Tuscany

E-BIKE TOUR OF TUSCANY - ESSENCE OF ITALY

Explore the beauty of the region in a unique and active way. As you pedal through the rolling hills, you'll pass by medieval castles and Renaissance villas, immersing yourself in the rich history and culture of Tuscany. Experience the flavors of the famous Chianti wine region, and take in the breathtaking views of places like Cortona, Lake Trasimeno, and Elba Island.

Florence, Tuscany

Florence, Tuscany

And as you taste the region's famous wine and olive oil, you'll truly understand why Tuscany is one of the most beloved destinations in Italy. This tour is an opportunity to push yourself physically and mentally, and to experience the true essence of Tuscany and Italy in a way that you'll never forget.

This electric bike tour is an active and adventurous journey that will take you through the heart of Tuscany, on famous bike routes such as Strada del Vino, Via Francigena, and Strade Bianche.


8 DAYS (7 NIGHTS)

ACCOMMODATION: COUNTRY ESTATE

DIFFICULTY: ACTIVE

GROUP SIZE: 12 MAX

E-Bike Tuscany Cycling Tour

If you’ve ever dreamed of Italy, there’s no better way to experience it than by bike. But if you had to choose one Italian region to visit, Tuscany cycling tour would always come on top of the list. If you don’t know why already, let us show you.

The rolling hills of its countryside provide plenty of climbs and exhilarating descents. They will leave you feeling like you’ve earned your bruschetta. This tour is more than just an afternoon ride. We will take famous bike routes such as Strada del Vino, Via Francigena, or Strade Bianche. These full-day rides follow scenic routes through vineyards, olive groves, and fields of sunflowers. Passing the medieval castles, and Renaissance villas-they’re all beautiful without being overwhelming.

Siena, Tuscany

Italy’s food and wine are better when you’re part of the landscape. During your Tuscany cycling tour, you will experience local wine, cheese, and olive oil every day. But have you ever thought about how to taste them? It is more than just a matter of taste! During this tour, you will learn to pair your Tuscan wines with pecorino cheeses and virgin olive oils. This will greatly enhance the flavors of both products.

When you get to the end of your Tuscan cycling tour, you’ll have left the stresses of everyday life behind and found a new way to appreciate nature’s beauty.



You’ll Experience

  • Iconic rolling hills dotted with vineyards and olive groves

  • Medieval towns Volterra, Montepulciano, Cortona, and others

  • Piazza del Campo square in Siena

  • Power Towers of San Gimignano

  • Gorgeous Mediterranean Island of Elba

  • Renaissance capital Florence

  • Strade Bianche (White) gravel routes connecting vineyards

  • Outstanding regional wine tastings (Chianti and Montalcino red, Vermentino white)

  • Extra virgin olive oil tasting

  • Pecorino cheese tasting

  • Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea

  • Gorgeous and authentic country estate accommodation during the Tuscany cycling tour

Tour expectations

  • The ride is rolling, not steep but with elevation changes

  • Mostly paved and with maintained white (gravel) roads

  • Rewarding riding days, could be tuned down according to the group’s ambitions

  • 3 to 6 hours of riding daily, 30 to 65 km (18 to 42 mi)

  • No technical riding skills required

  • Daily air temperature range from 10 (50 F) to 30°C (85 F), weather is pleasant but could be unpredictable in April and October

  • Most of the daily routes are from A to B with transfers

  • What to pack? Find out here

Getting There

  • arrival / departure at Florence Airport (FLR)

  • complimentary airport transfer on official arrival and departure dates

Tuscany scenic drive

Tuscany scenic drive

ITINERARY

  • After arrival at Florence Airport our team will transfer you to a beautiful country estate. It will be our Tuscan hideout for the whole week. After welcome drinks, a tour overview and briefing awaits. Your tour leaders will fill you in on all the details of the Tuscany Cycling Tour. It’s best to get to know each other over a welcome dinner of local cuisine and wine produced locally. Your taste buds will be on high alert for the following week!

    Meals: dinner
    Accommodation: Il Casale Del Cotone or similar
    Distance: 0 km (0 mi)

  • Start of your Tuscany Cycling Tour!

    The biggest small city of Tuscany and a synonym for Tuscan architecture is today’s destination, the graceful Siena. Siena was one of the most important cities in medieval Europe and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also famous for its cuisine, art, museum, medieval cityscape, and the Palio, a horse race held twice a year in Piazza del Campo square. The route will take us over typical Tuscan rolling hills countryside. It is dotted with green vineyards and with views of colorful medieval towns like Monteriggioni.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Il Casale Del Cotone or similar
    Distance: 40 km (25 mi) / elevation 600 m (2000 ft) – return by shuttle

  • After getting accustomed to your bikes the day before, we have a long but marvelous riding day ahead of us. Riding the Strade Bianche (white gravel roads) we will be a part of the picture postcard scenery. We'll ride between the vineyards and olive orchards. Don’t let the many hills ahead of us give you a fright, since e-bikes can make them flat or challenging, depending on your assistance setting.
    Today’s highlight is the small town of Volterra, one of the most popular and visited medieval towns of Tuscany. A place of long history, since its being continuously inhabited for almost 3000 years.

    Meals: breakfast, tastings / lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Il Casale Del Cotone or similar
    Distance: 65 km (40 mi) / elevation 1600 m (5200 ft) – loop

  • Tuscany is more than just medieval history and dazzling countryside. For some, its main allure is its cuisine, and more importantly wine. The wine center of Tuscany is situated in the hilly region of Chianti which is the home of the red wine of the same name. Our visit to the Chianti region won’t be complete without tasting its exquisite top-quality wine
    Today’s route winds between numerous vineyards and wine-tasting rooms. We’ll try to whisk and sip a few authentic wines and other delicacies.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Il Casale Del Cotone or similar
    Distance: 40 km (25 mi) / elevation 900 m (3000 ft) – return by shuttle

  • To reach the southern part of Tuscany, we’ll employ our shuttle and get straight to the point. Authentic and tranquil villages of Montepulciano and Cortona will delight you with their charm. Montepulciano, the route start, is a Renaissance hilltop town, the center of the wine-producing region of the wine of the same name. The route will also take us along the shores of the largest lake in Tuscany and the fourth largest in Italy, Lake Trasimeno.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Il Casale Del Cotone or similar
    Distance: 60 km (37 mi) / elevation 600 m (1900 ft) – there and back by shuttle

  • Experience the Mediterranean Elba Island on two wheels. The island of Elba is the largest in the Tuscan Archipelago and a popular holiday destination for cyclists. It was a famous banquet place for Napoleon Bonaparte and it’s also home to one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Portoferraio Fortress.
    The shuttle will bring us to the port in Piombino, where we will embark on an hour-long ferry crossing. What awaits us on Elba is the spectacularly charismatic Portoferraio town and views of turquoise Mediterranean beaches. Follwing, a relaxing route over the ridge of the island with 360 degrees stunning views.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Il Casale Del Cotone or similar
    Distance: 40 km (25 mi) / elevation 1100 m (3600 ft)

  • A seemingly easy day will be full of cultural delights, photo stops, and fine architecture. We’re heading to the Renaissance world capital, Florence. To give you a head start, the shuttle will take us to the Chianti region. From there we’ll descend slowly to the city of Florence and cross probably the most famous bridge in Italy, Ponte Vecchio (The Old Bridge).
    Florence was the center of medieval European trade and finance. It was one of the wealthiest cities of that era, putting Florence in a position of enormous influence in Italy, Europe, and beyond. Florence City Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's full of spectacular basilicas, churches, monuments, and art galleries. Like the iconic basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Uffizi and Accademia museums, and the peculiar Fontana del Porcellino.
    Our final group dinner will take place in the crown jewel of the Tuscan towns. It's our neighboring town of San Gimignano. A town of medieval towers, authentic ambiance, finger-licking meats, and artisanal gelato. Last day of cycling on your Tuscany Cycling Tour.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Il Casale Del Cotone or similar
    Distance: 30 km (19 mi) / elevation 500 m (1600 ft)

  • Departure day from Florence Airport. We suggest extending your visit for a few days to give yourself a few days of well-earned rest. Explore southern parts of Tuscany. Dive into cities of Bologna, Modena, and Pisa at your own pace, for more culture and gastronomic pleasures .

    Meals: breakfast
    Distance: 0 km (0 mi)

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Airport transfers on official arrival and departure dates
    Experienced and certified bilingual tour leader and support leader in the vehicle
    Support vehicle for the luggage, refreshments, and maintenance
    Transfers between planned rides and ferries
    Tour description booklet with maps and highlighted routes
    24/7 support from your Tour Leader and Tour Director during the tour

  • Small group guarantee (maximum of 12 cyclists)
    Handpicked family-owned country estate or agrotourism

  • All breakfasts, lunches*, snacks* (fruit, bars, nuts), and dinners*, always aimed to be in authentic local restaurantsWater and soft / isotonic drinks during the day and dinner (tap water is perfectly drinkable and of high quality)
    *except on rest/free days, as in itinerary

  • Locally produced wine, virgin olive oil and cheese tastings
    Entrance fees

  • Premium full suspension mountain bike with electric motor assistanceBike luggage enough for small daily necessities (snacks, windbreaker, personal items, etc.)
    Premium Welcome package

Volterra, Tuscany

Volterra, Tuscany

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

  • cycling gear (if needed, please let us know in advance)

  • airline tickets

  • coffee breaks (drinks or food besides breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

  • additional drinks at lunch and dinner

  • personal spending

  • traffic violation penalty tickets

  • Tour Leader gratuities are welcome

  • anything else not listed under “Included in the price”.

THE BIKE - Giant Stance

premium full suspension mountain bike with electric motor assistance.

PRICES & ENQUIRY

Tuscany Cycling E-Bike Tour - Essence of Italy

Tuscany • Italy • 8 days

€5 350 per person

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT €95

DATES:

April 15 - April 22

April 23 - April 30

October 7 - October 14

October 15 - October 22

ENQUIRE NOW

The land of magic - e bike tour in Istria county

CROATIA: ISTRIA - THE LAND OF MAGIC e-bike tour 2023

Croatia | Istria county | Adriatic Sea, Green Hills, Vineyards, Olive Groves & Truffles | ebike cycling Tour

E-bike tour Istria: Parenzana

8 DAYS (7 NIGHTS)

ACCOMMODATION: BOUTIQUE

DIFFICULTY: CHALLENGING

GROUP SIZE: 12 MAX

Cycling Tour in Istria county

What connects Provence in France and Tuscany in Italy? Besides outstanding wine, unforgettable cuisine, and captivating landscape?

It’s their geographical vicinity to the 45th parallel is the sweet spot for growing wine. But there are other parts of Europe, equally charming, but less known. The ancient Romans called it Terra Magica, The Land of Magic.

Olive oil

Meet Istria, a fairytale triangular peninsula and the westernmost county of Croatia. Surrounded by the Adriatic Sea on the west and east, and mountains in the north, Istria offers an abundant diversity in landscape.

Its divine cuisine is fabled with three distinct gems – wine, olive oil, and truffles. The Istrian countryside is dotted with picturesque olive orchards and vineyards, due to the critically acclaimed extra virgin olive oil and splendid wines.

Parenzana railroad route

Join Istria Cycling Tour, as we take on a bike ride through most of Istria. Get to know its gorgeous hilly central region with medieval villages as you descend to gorgeous Istrian coast. Marvel the stuning views of the Adriatic sea, and experience the best sights, smells, and tastes you can imagine.

Istria will sneak up on you and win you over with distinctive Mediterranean charm.

You’ll Experience

  • Medieval hilltop towns Motovun, Grožnjan, and Buzet

  • Grimani Castle in Svetvinčenat

  • Ancient Roman amphitheater in Pula

  • Gorgeous Adriatic seaside town of Rovinj

  • Parenzana railroad turned to a bicycle route

  • Outstanding regional wine tastings

  • World-class extra virgin olive oil tastings

  • Istrian made brandy tasting (mistletoe, teran red wine, and more)

  • Truffle tasting

  • Swimming in the turquoise Adriatic

OPTIONAL: sea kayaking in Pula, extended stay in Pula

Expectations

  • The ride is rolling, not steep but with frequent elevation changes

  • Mostly paved and with maintained white (gravel) roads, occasional forest dirt road

  • Long but rewarding riding days, could be tuned down according to the group’s ambitions

  • 3 to 6 hours of riding daily, 30 to 70 km (18 to 44 mi)

  • Basic technical riding skills required (bumpy dirt roads and gravel)

  • The temperature difference between morning and afternoon, min 10°C (50 F) to max 35°C (95 F)

  • What to pack? Find out here

Getting There

  • arrival / departure at Pula Airport (PUY)

  • complimentary airport transfer on official arrival and departure dates

E-bike tour of Istria

E-bike tour of Istria

ITINERARY

  • After arrival to Pula our team will transfer you to a beautiful heritage hotel which will be our base for the next two days in the northwest of Istria. After welcome drinks, a tour overview and briefing await, where your tour leaders will fill you in with all the details. It’s best to get to know each other over a welcome dinner of local cuisine and wine produced localy. Your taste buds will be on high alert for the following week!

    Meals: dinner
    Accommodation: Heritage Hotel San Rocco
    Distance: 0 km (0 mi)

  • Start of your Istria Cycling Tour!
    The northwest part of Istria is most famous for its wines. So let’s take it easy on the warm-up day and visit a couple of winemakers and their surrounding medieval towns. Wine tastings of local teran (red) and malvazija (white) sorts. will get you acquainted with one-third of Istrian gastronomic gems. Highlight towns of the day might be wine-centric Momjan or arty Grožnjan. The view of Adriatic from these picturesque little towns is nothing short of spectacular.

  • First part of today’s route will be the very popular Parenzana cycling route. It was an Italian nickname for a pre-WW2 narrow-gauge railway. It connected Trieste in Italy and Poreč in Istria (then the Austro-Hungarian Empire). The route will take us along Mirna Valley, which is world-famous for its mythical white truffle. After a truffle tasting, traversing a few green hills with splendid views of Central Istria, we’ll arrive to the fairytale town of Hum. Known as the smallest town in the world and according to legends, built by giants. Our day will be concluded in the Istrian truffle capital, the town of Buzet.

    Meals: breakfast, tastings / lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Vela Vrata
    Distance: 68 km (42 mi) / elevation 1400 m (4600 ft)

  • Continuing along the peaceful Mirna Valley, we’ll reach the top of the hill where Motovun town is nested. Valley climate often shrouds Motovun in dense fog. When viewed from afar, fogs make Motovun and surrounding hills seem like green islands above the clouds. Traversing those hill islands will take us across hidden ruins and picturesque villages. We then descend to the bottom half of Istria, a mostly flat and historically agricultural region. Our destination is the charming town of Svetvinčenat. It is known for its centrally located medieval Grimani Castle and local craft beer brewery Kampanjola.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Foscari the fine B&B
    Distance: 65 km (40 mi) / elevation 1100 m (3600 ft)

  • An easier day, exactly what is needed after an exciting and long ride the previous day. Taking it through green forest tunnels on easy gravel routes, the ride will be mostly flat. Tak time to relaxi, listen to chirping birds and crickets hiding in the bushes. Town of Bale is on the route, a settlement occupied by humans since 2nd century BC. But before there were humans, there were dinosaurs! Histriasaurus dinosaurs, to be exact. It's this area where their fossils were found. Besides fossils, there is something else hiding in the dense forest of the area. It's a tiny St. Peter Church perched on a natural boulder.

    Posibility for a rest day on your Istria Cycling tour if you feel like you need to recharge.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Foscari the fine B&B
    Distance: 32 km (20 mi) / elevation 300 m (1000 ft)

  • An easy flat route will guide us to the pearl of Istrian seaside towns, Rovinj. The magnificent view of Rovinj Old Town, situated on an island protruding into the Adriatic Sea, is truly unforgettable. Continuing to the very south of Istria the road is still flat, but the scenery is still captivating. South’s red soil and Mediterranean climate are perfect for olive growing which will be obvious by many olive groves we’ll pass by today.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Foscari the fine B&B
    Distance: 50 km (31 mi) / elevation 400 m (1300 ft)

  • Olive groves are abundant in the South. Especially in the town of Vodnjan, home to world-renowned premium olive oil producers. A brief ride along the most southern and biggest town in Istria, Pula, will reveal its rich history. Venetian fortress, ancient Roman temples, and Austrian military forts and tunnels. But Pula’s highlight is a 2000-year-old Roman oval amphitheater, one of just the world’s six largest surviving ones. Last day of cycling on your Istria Cycling tour.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Oasi Boutique Hotel or similar
    Distance: 55 km (34 mi) / elevation 400 m (1300 ft)

  • Departure day from Pula Airport. We suggest extending your visit for a few days to give yourself a few days of well-earned rest and to explore Brioni Island near Pula or the spectacular Kvarner islands of Lošinj and Cres at your own pace.
    Meals: breakfast

INCLUSIONS

  • Airport transfers on official arrival and departure dates
    Experienced and certified bilingual tour leader and support leader in the vehicle
    Support vehicle for the luggage, refreshments, and maintenance
    Transfers between planned rides and ferries
    Tour description booklet with maps and highlighted routes
    24/7 support from your Tour Leader and Tour Director during the tour

  • Small group guarantee (maximum of 12 cyclists)
    Handpicked small family-owned boutique hotels, upscale B&Bs, estates, or similar

  • All breakfasts, lunches*, snacks* (fruit, bars, nuts), and dinners*, always aimed to be in authentic local restaurantsWater and soft / isotonic drinks during the day and dinner (tap water is perfectly drinkable and of high quality)
    *except on rest/free days, as in itinerary

  • All locally produced wine, extra virgin olive oil, truffles and cheese tastings
    Entrance fees

  • Premium full suspension mountain bike with electric motor assistanceBike luggage enough for small daily necessities (snacks, windbreaker, personal items, etc.)
    Premium Welcome package

NOT INCLUDED

cycling gear (if needed, please let us know in advance)

  • airline tickets

  • coffee breaks (drinks or food besides breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

  • additional drinks at lunch and dinner

  • personal spending

  • traffic violation penalty tickets

  • Tour Leader gratuities are welcome

  • anything else not listed under “Included in the pric

THE BIKE: GIANT STANCE

premium full suspension mountain bike with electric motor assistance.

DATES

  • May 15 - May 22

  • June 5 - June 12

  • June 13 - June 20

  • September 9 - September 12

PRICE

Istria • Croatia • 8 days

€4 950 per person

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT €950


ENQUIRY