Florence - Rome

Travelling across the countryside by bike in Italy means mostly travelling while the sun is shining. As the tour leads you through the ‘green heart’ of Italy, a really good atmosphere is guaranteed. This tour, from Florence to Rome shows the country from another side: calm, mystical and sometimes unexplored. During the approx. 290 km you will see cities like Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto or Narni, displaying an incredible wealth of art treasures, which take their visitors back to the Middle Ages. Because the shapes of the cities have hardly been changed, the landscape appears harmonious and inviting. On mostly lonely roads the tour leads through the valleys of the Apennines and through the softly curved hills of the Trasimeno Lake. Raging torrents, fascinating ravines and the roaming flocks of sheep shape this part of Italy. You can reconnoitre this terrain by bike. Then you smell the sweet odours, rest in taverns and fortify yourself for the next stages. At the end, the Eternal City of Rome awaits you. There, you should put aside your bike and enjoy its vitality by having a cappuccino or a glass of red wine. You will never forget the previous stages through the small and secluded villages in Umbrian. The experience will become alive once again in your memory and you will promise to yourself that you will go on another biking tour through Tuscany and Umbria.

 

Route features

The stages from Florence to Assisi are mostly flat; then hilly. Nearly just on small roads, country lanes and little used side streets. Only some very short sections are on normally used streets. There are fascinating stages along the bank of the Trasimeno Lake, along rivers and through the untainted nature of Umbrian.

Parking/arrival and departure

Car park at the first hotel for € 10,- per day; reservation not possible!

Transfer Rome – Florence via mini-bus € 60,- per person (bike included), reservation necessary, payable on spot.

There is a good train connection between Rom and Florenz.

Tour course

1st day: Arrival to Florence
Guided group tour: At 7 p.m. welcome event in the hotel by the travel courier, introductory talk and dinner. Individual single tour: At 7.30 p.m. introductory talk in the hotel

2nd day: Florence – Passignano sul Trasimeno approx. 70 km by train; 60 km by bike
In the morning a trip to Arezzo by train. Visit to the splendid churches and palaces in this city of antiquities and gold. By bike on beautiful lanes through the wide plain of Valdichiana, constantly accompanied by the hill and mountain silhouettes of Southern Tuscany. You pass Cortona, up to the Trasimeno Lake, the battlefield where Hannibal fought against the Romans. Wonderful view over the Trasimeno Lake. Overnight stay in a village at the lake.

3rd day: Passignano sul Trasimeno – Perugia approx. 35 km
Along the lake to Torricella. On small and secluded lanes to Perugia – through wide fields, softly hilly landscapes and idyllic villages. Sightseeing tour in Perugia: buildings like the San Lorenzo Cathedral, Palazzo dei Priori and the Arco Etrusco are impressive.

4th day: Perugia – Assisi approx. 30 km

Only a few kilometres to the home town of St. Francis, Assisi. Discover the beautiful town and cathedrals while a city tour (group tour: guided tour)

5th day: Assisi – Spoleto approx. 55 km
Along the enormous “Monte Subasio” to Spello (town of middle age). Along the dam to Spoleto. Towns like Montefalco, Trevi and Campello situated around the hills.

6th day: Spoleto – Terni approx. 20-35 km
Embedded between mountains, accompanied by a wonderful landscape, you bike to Terni. Terni is well-known for its pastry shops and the most creative cuisine in the whole region! In the afternoon the famous marble falls can be visited.

7th day: Terni – Rome approx. 65 km (group tour) + train
Individual tour: by train from Terni to the cosmopolitan city Rome. HINT: The luggage has to be taken along with the train!

Guided tour: the first stage from Narni to Calvi is quite hilly. Enjoy the calmness and seclusion of the small Umbrian town at the foot of the ‘Sabine mountains’, before you go by train into the hectic large city Rome. Dinner and overnight stay near the Termini station. “All roads lead to Rome”, it is said and that’s why we are here.

8th day: Rome
Individual return journey and city tour at guided tour.

WHAT´S INCLUDED IN THE TRIP:

Prize per person	- Per person in a double room € 938,- € 687, - Surcharge single room € 199,- € 199, - Surcharge half board included not possibleRental bike € 55,- € 55, - Category: 3*** and 4**** hotels
Calendar 2007	Arrival every Saturday April: 28; March: 12, 26; June: 09, 23; September: 08, 22; October: 06.
Days /nights	8 days / 7 nights
Included services	Single tour Personal tour information on the spot Accommodation in chosen hotels breakfast buffet or extended breakfast luggage transport from Florenz to Terni best elaborated route detailed travel documents (maps, route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers) service – hotline during the tour All transfers according to the program train tickets Florence – Arezzo and Terni - Rome E-signposting Group tour Company of a trained travel courier who knows about the country Eurobike-bus during the whole tour Accommodation in chosen hotels Breakfast buffet At least a 3-course evening meal often in restaurants or trattorien Luggage transport from hotel to hotel All admissions and guided tours according to the program Detailed travel material best elaborated route Sightseeing tours in Arezzo, Spello and Spoleto and partly in Florence Guided tours in Assisi, Perugia and Rome All transfers according to the program
Additional nights	- Florence*** Rom 3*** Rom 3*** Group tour/Single tour - Per person in a double room/B&B € 80,- € 60,- from € 60,- (on request) - Surcharge single room € 29,- € 40,-