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Introduction
Think of Tuscany and the image that comes to mind is the classic
picture of the rolling hills of Chianti - hilltop villas, vineyards,
olive and cypress trees and perhaps the cultural gems of San Gimignano
and Siena. Riding a great network of roads we wind our way through
this wonderful region, really getting a feel for the area, its people
and their traditions - a trip for the lover of scenic and cultural
classics.
Tour information
Backroads of Tuscany
Our tour starts fittingly in the Renaissance gem of Siena before
setting off north towards Radda and the heart of Chianti. Our route
is typical of those we will be following over the coming days -
small backroads with little traffic: ideal for cycling. The scenery
is beautiful, quite typical of what one would expect of the region.
Cypress trees line the roads, quaint medieval villages dot the landscape
and large fattorias continue to produce the internationally popular
Chianti Classico wine - there should be time for a tasting today
before we arrive in the 14th century walled city of Radda.
Florence & Tuscany's Heart
We ride on to Greve - another area famed for its viticulture - tracing
a route towards Florence, capital of Tuscany. Spreading along the
banks of the Arno this is Italy's most renowned Renaissance city,
packed with important artistic treasures. Notables associated with
the city include Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, but others
have also left their mark and a full free day allows for some exploration
before we leave for Tavernelle and Colle Val D'Elsa located on the
famous via Francigena, the road that connects Rome with the north.
En route we pass Certaldo, whose upper quarter remains much as it
was in the Middle Ages.
San Gimignano & Siena
Continuing we come upon San Gimignano, whose famous skyline is dominated
by the towers built by warring families in centuries past. Here
we pause to enjoy the atmosphere before we finally arrive back in
Siena. This is not only one of the most fascinating towns in Tuscany
but also one which enjoys a particularly beautiful position. It
preserves its medieval character to a remarkable degree, remaining
largely unspoilt by new buildings and provides the ideal end to
this cycle tour of one of the world's most enchanting regions.
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