Secrets of San Gimignano Cycling

9 days
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Small Group Tour
You'll start off in Volterra, a beautifully preserved hilltop gem whose eclectic mix of Etruscan, Roman and Renaissance art and architecture has inspired artists and writers for centuries. From here you'll pedal through the archetypal Tuscan countryside, cypress dotted rolling hills, olives, vines, sunflowers, and on, via postcard-pretty Certaldo. The cycling...
$4,361
From$3,230
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Exhilarating cycling through open and totally unspoilt countryside
    • San Gimignano's soaring towers; Volterra's Etruscan treasures; great art cities of Florence, Pisa and Siena
    • Fabulous hotels all with stunning pools; superb cuisine and fine wines
    • Cypress-studded hills, sun-drenched olives, row upon row of sunflowers and world-famous vineyards
    • Pretty hamlets, hidden chapels, timeless vermilion villas

What's this trip about?

    You'll start off in Volterra, a beautifully preserved hilltop gem whose eclectic mix of Etruscan, Roman and Renaissance art and architecture has inspired artists and writers for centuries. From here you'll pedal through the archetypal Tuscan countryside, cypress dotted rolling hills, olives, vines, sunflowers, and on, via postcard-pretty Certaldo. The cycling is truly glorious as you continue, via fortified towns and hill villages, to medieval Colle di Val d'Elsa, from where you can also head to Florence and Siena for day trips. Then it's on to Pescille, which is perfectly positioned overlooking San Gimignano. Your final stretch takes you through a timeless and kaleidoscopic landscape of ochre-coloured hills and verdant vineyards, giving you a real sense of achievement as you loop back to Volterra for your final night.This eight night holiday is, quite simply, outstanding in every way - think rich scenery, fantastically contrasting hotels, superb local cuisine and exceptional wines.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityVolterra
End CityVolterra

Travel Themes

  • Cycling & Biking

Destinations

Attractions

  • San Gimignano
  • Siena

Activities

  • Cycling

Trip includes

    • All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals included
    • Route notes and maps provided
    • High Quality BIkes
    • Luggage transfers between hotels

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arrive in Volterra

Arrive in Volterra where you've time for a dip in the pool and a wander round its myriad of cobbled alleys and hidden squares before dinner. You stay at Hotel San Lino (breakfast included)

Day 2 Volterra to Certaldo

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 whe...

Day 3 At Certaldo

Explore stunning Certaldo, Boccaccio's birthplace. Split into two distinct halves, the medieval 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 ...

Day 4 Certaldo to Colle di Val D'Elsa

Today's route explores the panoramic wine country between Certaldo and Colle di Val d'Elsa. You'll first retrace your route to Certaldo and then follow the official, mainly off-road, Chianti Wine Route where you'll find lots of tasting opportunities! It's then on to t...

Day 5 At Colle di Val D'Elsa

There's masses of choice today: explore the medieval old town which dates back to Etruscan times; take the bus to Siena (30 mins) or to Florence (60 mins); take in the medieval town of Monteriggioni, an easy cycle or short bus ride away; or simply enjoy the spa facilities of your **** hotel. You stay at Palazzo San Lorenzo (breakfast and evening meal)

Day 6 Colle di Val D'Elsa to Pescille

It's easy pedalling this morning as you head south past the old town of Colle di Val d'Elsa, gradually climbing up to Casole d'Elsa, a beautiful village characterised by ancient vermilion-hued buildings and blessed with stunning views from its hilltop position. Take t...

Day 7 At Pescille

San Gimignano is just a short cycle away; explore its myriad of narrow streets and many hidden cobbled squares before returning to your tranquil hotel for a refreshing dip in the sparkling swimming pool. You stay at Hotel Pescille (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant)

Day 8 Pescille to Volterra

It's a short ride to San Gimignano today before a climb up through classic Tuscan landscapes of vines, olive groves and fields ablaze with sunflowers. Enjoy the 16km, mainly downhill run into the Era Valley. There's a real sense of achievement on your final climb thro...

Day 9 Leave Volterra

The tour ends in Volterra.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,230
Price per day$359
Last Updated: 5/22/2024

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Apr 2025

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
    • Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
    • Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation

Superb 3-star and 4-star contrasting hotels. In Colle di Val d'Elsa, you stay in a fabulously restored 12th century Benedictine abbey, complete with original frescoes, whilst in Volterra, your 4-star hotel has a panoramic infinity pool, with stunning, sweeping views over the Tuscan countryside.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals included Italy’s most famous export is probably its cuisine and the traditional dishes of Tuscany are the most influential and revered. The region’s food is based on cucina povera, ‘poor/peasant cookery’, a rural cuisine based on available natural ingredients: olive oil, unsalted bread, pulses and vegetables, wild mushroom or porcini, and salt-cured meats such as salame and prosciutto. In particular, Tuscan olive oil is renowned for its quality and is the most important ingredient in the region’s cookery. You will find it in almost every dish - as a salad dressing, poured over vegetables and into soups and even as a replacement for butter on bread (very nice with a sprinkling of salt!). Of course the Chianti region is best known for its regional wine (the very best ones are Chianti Classico and have a black cockerel stamped on the label). Chianti is produced in the vineyards dotted around the Tuscan hills; we actually visit the hills to the north of Siena, where the Chianti Colli Senesi wine is produced. Made from the Sangiovese grape, this is an excellent light, fruity red. Although best known for its red wine, a good white wine is also produced in the Chianti region. Made from the Vernaccia grape, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a crisp dry white which has greatly improved over recent years. It is best drunk young.
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-C08TY

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