I Bike Tuscany

You'll bike through hills and valleys, past ancient hilltop villages, olive groves, stone farmhouses, lone cypresses and vineyards.

This is quintessential Tuscany in a concentration of nature, art and architecture.

Advanced skill level: Suitable for those who bike regularly and are comfortable cycling a hilly terrain with some longer and more challenging climbs.

Highlights: Greve, Vignamaggio estate (Mona Lisa birthplace), Lamole, Volpaia, Panzano.

That's right -- no more tough decisions to make. No more sacrificing one for the other due to time or budget limitations. Now, we're happy to say, you can have it all!

We start out bright and early with pick up at or near your hotel and transfer by van to one of Tuscany's most lovely medieval villages in the breathtaking Chianti countryside. While we prep your bikes you'll have a chance to stroll its historic center, maybe grab a cappuccino in the piazza. Before taking off, there's time for a quick visit to a small but prestigious winery right there in town. You'll enjoy a tasting not just of their esteemed wines, but their own production of Tuscany’s famous olive oil. Once on our bikes, we'll be pedaling quiet roads through picture postcard vineyards and olive groves, past cypresses and stone farmhouses.

With scenery this stunning you'll wonder how it can get any better. And then we arrive at our destination: a charming agriturismo set in a magical landscape; its ancient stone buildings (some dating back to the 11th century) restored with great care and in keeping with their original character. It's like something out of a movie or a fairy tale, and it's here where we’ll say goodbye to our bikes and hello to our accomplished chef and teacher who, over the next few hours, will show us step by step and hands-on how to prepare mouth-watering Tuscan dishes, including a delicious dessert (using the highest quality local ingredients that are mostly organically grown). And yes, this will be lunch (paired with wines of the Chianti, of course)! Beginner or not, we’re willing to bet it will be one of your best meals in Italy, and definitely one of your best days.

Highlights: Chianti Classico wine tasting, quiet country roads, vineyards, olive groves, visit to a beautiful medieval village and cooking class performed by a professional English speaking Italian chef.

No pedaling, no sweat, just pure FUN as you relax and enjoy the scenery, coasting for miles on a perfect gentle downhill. And the scenery is, of course, spectacular -- the Chianti Classico region with its castles, vineyards and olive groves. Just when you're thinking it can't get much better, it does. At the bottom of the hill the tour continues by van to nearby San Gimignano, UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most famous village in Tuscany. You'll have two hours to explore the beautiful streets of this amazing town, also known as the "Manhattan of Tuscany" due to its fourteen medieval stone towers that make for its dramatic and unusual skyline in the bucolic surrounding. A wine and olive oil tasting will be the perfect cap to this perfect day.

You will now glide nearly effortlessly through the rolling countryside on the hills of Tuscany, barely breaking a sweat as you simply relax and enjoy the scenery. Of course you'll still have to pedal, but trust us, it'll be MUCH easier. And did we mention they're a blast to ride? And just so utterly cool? And that you’ll still be getting exercise, burning calories, etc? Which brings us to our next point: for those who prefer the old-fashioned way, and to work a little harder -- no problem. These bikes ride beautifully under your own steam entirely as well. Use the (silent) motor some of the time, all of the time or not at all. Or just for that last little push up the hardest hill. It's up to you, and therein lies the miracle of "Toscana in bicicletta" for all! If you can ride a bike you can do this. Keep your camera always ready as the itinerary includes frequent stops.

There is, however, one caveat: book early as, unlike our other excursions we offer, this is a group tour (still small - max 8 people) and space is limited.

The "Big Three" of course being Tuscany's renowned Chianti Classico wine, its exquisite and buttery olive oil (the real thing and rated best in the world) and, last but not least, its artisan gelato in every flavor you can imagine, each one creamier and most luscious than the last.

And in between all these gastronomic pleasures there is (it goes without saying) biking!  A relaxing an easy pedal through charming villages, vineyards and olive groves with expansive views as far as the eye can see of one of the most uniquely beautiful countrysides on earth.  At the end San Gimignano (UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its medieval towers) awaits.

What more can you ask for?

You'll bike on incredibly scenic paved, dirt roads and bike trails through vineyards and olive trees. Along the way you'll pass castles, old farms and villas.

This is the perfect ride if you stay in Florence and you want to experience the thrill of mountain biking in its surroundings.

Advanced skill level: Suitable for those who bike regularly and are comfortable cycling a hilly terrain with some longer and more challenging climbs.

Highlights: Maiano, Vincigliata, Settignano, Montebeni, Fiesole

You'll spin through the hills of the Chianti countryside (at your own pace, and yes, van supported!) along some of the most idyllic cypress and olive tree-lined roads in Tuscany. Visit the quaint medieval towns of San Donato and Castellina in Chianti.

Siena is ahead, waiting for you to stroll in the afternoon its ancient streets, visit its remarkable Duomo and perhaps enjoy a gelato in the famous Piazza del Campo. No need to conserve energy. You'll relax in the van for the return trip to Florence (or surrounding area) where we'll drop you directly at your hotel.

Could there be a more perfect day??

Advanced skill level: Suitable for those who bike regularly and are comfortable cycling a hilly terrain with some longer and more challenging climbs.

Highlights: San Donato in Poggio, Castellina in Chianti.

A challenging climb on scenic and quiet back roads from just outside Florence to the ancient monastery of Monte Senario, standing on a hilltop at 3280 feet.

The visit to the monastery will take you back to the middle ages. Of course the 360° view over the valley is breathtaking!

Advanced skill level: Suitable for those who bike regularly and are comfortable cycling a hilly terrain with some longer and more challenging climbs.

Our 40km one day taster menu will see you collected from your hotel and transferred to Borgo Sicelle where we will set you up on one of our finely tuned De Rosa Idol carbon frames with Campagnolo groupsets and set off into the countryside.

The route takes us through the enchanting medieval towns of Radda in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti where we will stop as the locals do for a coffee and look around the historical centers before heading back out onto the very roads used in the Giro D’Italia. The last leg of cycle will be a long sweeping descent with incredible panoramic views over Chianti before the short climb back up to the villa.

Having burned some calories and taken in the beautiful views that Chianti has to offer we shall stop at Fattoria Montecchio for some well deserved lunch and wine tasting. Finally, full of wine, photos and hopefully ever lasting memories we will take the short drive back to Florence.

Advanced skill level: Suitable for those who bike regularly and are comfortable cycling a hilly terrain with some longer and more challenging climbs.

Highlights: On the roads of the Giro d'Italia through the Chianti Classico region, light lunch and wine tasting.

From Florence you will be transferred by van to the town of Castellina in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. Here you will enjoy a visit to the Gelateria, where proud owners will briefly explain and illustrate just how artisanal gelato is created. We will get to take a peek at the actual machinery utilized for the process as well, in their new gorgeous state of the art facility. This gelateria, carefully selected as an I Bike Tuscany exclusive place, has been featured in many Italian national newspapers for its high quality, one of a kind ice cream creations.

Afterwards get ready for one of the most amazing downhills in Tuscany... No pedaling, no sweat, just pure FUN as you relax and enjoy the scenery, coasting for miles on a perfect gentle downhill. And the scenery is, of course, spectacular -- the Chianti Classico region with its castles, vineyards and olive groves. Just when you're thinking it can't get much better, it does. At the bottom of the hill the tour continues by van to nearby San Gimignano, UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most famous village in Tuscany. You'll have two hours to explore the beautiful streets of this amazing town, also known as the "Manhattan of Tuscany" due to its fourteen medieval stone towers that make for its dramatic and unusual skyline in the bucolic surrounding. Then you will be delivered back to your hotel by your guide after an memorable day of riding, gelato tasting and touring.

Beginner skill level: Suitable for the occasional or casual cyclist.

Highlights: Gelato tasting, olive groves, gentle curving downhill and quaint medieval villages