Florence - Rome by bicycle

Bicicling in group on traffic fee Italian tracks 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/180 miles 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!

There is a good train connection between Rome and Florence

Italy by bike

Tour course

1st day: Arrival to Florence
Guided group tour: At 7 pm welcome event in the hotel by our tour guide, introductory talk and dinner. Individual single tour: At 7.30 pm introductory talk in the hotel.

2nd day: Florence – Passignano sul Trasimeno approx. 70 km/44 miles by train; 60 km/38 mi 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/22 miles
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/19 miles Enjoying the italian landscapes by bike

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/34 miles by bike
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/Narni approx. 35/55 km/13-34 miles
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/Narni – Rome approx. 65 km/40 miles (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.

The Eternal city of Rome at Saint Peters square

8th day: Rome
Individual return journey and city tour if booked a guided tour. Travelling back to Florence only possible by train and on your own expense.

WHAT´S INCLUDED IN THE TRIP:

Price per person for guided tour	- Euro 995 in a double room - Euro 188 single room - Euro 60 bike rental, electro bike Euro 140 - Hotel category: 3* and 4**
Calendar 2010 guided tours	Departure every Saturday May 15th, June 5th September 4th and 18th
Price per person self-guided tour	Departure every Saturday April 3rd & 24th, May 15th, June 5th and 26th September 4th and 25th, October 16th -Euro 748 in a double room -Euro 218 single supplement -Euro 60 bike rental, electro bike rental Euro 140 - Hotel category: 3* and 4**
Days/nights	8 days/7 nights
Included services	For the single tour Personal tour information on the spot Accommodation in chosen hotels 4 & 3-stars breakfast buffet or extended breakfast luggage transport from hotel to hotel train tickets Florence-Arezzo and Poggio Mirteto-Rome 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 For the group tour Company of a trained travel courier who knows about the country 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 eventually in Florence Guided tours in Assisi, Perugia and Rome All transfers according to the program
Additional nights	Group tour/Single tour Florence 3-star: Euro 76 pp in dbl occ., Euro 29 single supplement Rome 4-star: Euro 82 pp in a double room, Euro 48 single supplement
Travel	Air fares to and from Italy are not included in the price