Florence - Rome by bicycle

 

Discover with us a new side of Italy: quiet, sometimes almost mystical! On this tour you will see cities like Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto, or Narni, which have incredible art treasures and carry its visitors back into the Middle Ages. The overall appearance of the cities has hardly changed and the landscapes are harmonious and inviting. On generally lonely roads, the tour takes you through the valleys of the Apennines, over the softly curved hills of Lake Trasimeno, and through the solitude of small Umbrian villages. Raging rivers, fascinating gorges, and the flocks of sheep roaming through the countryside shape this part of Italy. Going by bike is one of the best ways to explore this area. You can smell the sweet odors, rest in a tavern, and fortify yourself for the next stages. We cannot guarantee it, but the probability is high that Italy will welcome you with sunny weather. At the end of your trip, the “Eternal City” of Rome will welcome you. There, you can put your bike aside and enjoy the liveliness of the city and its people while drinking a cup of cappuccino or a glass of red wine.  If you want to leave the stress of a hectic world completely behind you, then you will love this trip and keep lots of great memories of it.

 

Route features

You will cycle on a slightly hilly route during the whole tour; in between there are longer flat sections. You will find yourself almost exclusively on field and farm tracks and quiet side streets. Only very short sections are on more trafficked roads, especially when entering or leaving cities.

 

Tour course

1st day: Arrival to Florence
Welcome reception with your tour guide at the hotel and discussion of the tour; followed by a dinner.

Individual tour:
Welcome briefing and bike fitting.

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.

Individual tour:
In the morning, you will take the train to Arezzo. There, you can visit the beautiful churches and palaces of the city of antiquities and gold. With your bike you will cycle on beautiful trails through the vast plains of the Val di Chiana, constantly accompanied by hill and mountain silhouettes of the southern Tuscany. You will pass Cortona and you will finally get to Lake Trasimeno, the battlefield of Hannibal against the Romans. Moreover, you will have a gorgeous view of Lake Trasimeno. Tonight, you will spend the night in Passignano. 

3rd day: Passignano sul Trasimeno – Perugia approx. 35 km/22 miles
You will cycle along the lake to Torricella. From there you will continue through open fields, rolling hills and idyllic places to Perugia. You will have a guided tour of the city where you can stroll through one of the nicest shopping streets of Italy to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Palazzo dei Priori, or the Arco Etrusco... the Umbrian capital will fascinate you!

4th day: Perugia – Assisi approx. 30 km/19 miles

After having crossed the river Tiber, it is only a few kilometres by bike to the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi. However, before you cycle up to the mystical city, you will take a trip to one of the most beautiful sanctuaries of Umbria: S. M. degli Angeli! In Assisi you will immerse themselves in the colourful world of medieval frescoes by Giotto

Individual tour:
After having crossed the river Tiber, it is only a few kilometres by bike to the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi. However, before you cycle up to the mystical city, you will take a trip to one of the most beautiful sanctuaries of Umbria: S. M. degli Angeli! Immerse in the colourful world of medieval frescoes by Giotto in Assisi.

5th day: Assisi – Spoleto approx. 55 km/34 miles by bike
Your way leads you along the foot of the mighty Mount Subasio to the still entirely preserved medieval town Spello. Afterwards, you will continue through the Valle Umbra to Spoleto. Cities, such as Montefalco, Trevi, and Campello can be seen on the surrounding hills. From the more than 80 m high aqueduct you can enjoy a vertiginous view of the Tessino Canyon, Mount Luco, and the Rocca Albornoz (papal fortress).

6th day: Spoleto – Terni/Narni approx. 35/55 km/13-34 miles
Between mountains, accompanied by the beautiful countryside, you will cycle to Terni or even a little further to Narni.  Do you want to treat yourself? Terni is known for its excellent pastries and for having the most creative cuisine of the region! Narni and its medieval streets will take you back to ancient times.

7th day: Terni/Narni – Rome approx. 65 km/40 miles + train
In the middle of the green heart of Umbria, you will pass huge mountains until you reach Calvi, the last major town of this region. You can still enjoy the quiet and solitude of the Sabine mountains before you take the train to immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Rome.

 

8th day: Rome
Guided city tour of Rome in the morning.

Individual tour: Departure













WHAT´S INCLUDED IN THE BICYCLE TRIP:

Days/nights	8 days/7 nights
Price per person for guided tour	Euro 1148 in a double room Euro 229 single room Half board inclusive Euro 65 bike rental, electro bike Euro 160 Hotel category: 3* and 4* Minimum number of participants: 8 people
Calendar 2013 guided tours	Departure every Saturday 11.05.2013-18.05.2013 08.06.2013-15.06.2013 22.06.2013-29.06.2013 31.08.2013-07.09.2013 14.09.2013-21.09.2013 28.09.2013-05.10.2013
What's included in the guided bike tour	Overnight stays in the selected category Breakfast buffet or ample breakfast Half board: 3-course dinner, mainly in typical trattorias/restaurants Accompanied by an excellent tour guide Support van throughout the whole tour All admission fees and guided tours in the programme Various city walking tours, e.g. in Arezzo and Spello City tours in Perugia, Assisi, and Rome All transfers (by bus and train) in the programme Personal tour information Luggage transfer between hotels Excellently planned routes Detailed travel information
Individual tour
Days/nights	8 days/7 nights
Price per person self-guided tour	Euro 797 in a double room Euro 229 single supplement Euro 65 bike rental, electro bike rental Euro 160 Hotel category: 3* and 4*
Calendar 2013 self-guided tours	Departure every Saturday 04.05.2013-11.05.2013 11.05.2013-18.05.2013 25.05.2013-01.06.2013 08.06.2013-15.06.2013 22.06.2013-29.06.2013 31.08.2013-07.09.2013 07.09.2013-14.09.2013 14.09.2013-21.09.2013 28.09.2013-05.10.2013
What's included in the individual bike tour	Overnight stays in the selected category Breakfast buffet or ample breakfast Personal tour information Luggage transfer between hotels Train journeys from Florence to Arezzo and from Poggio Mirteto to Rome Excellently planned routes Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers) E-signposting Service hotline
Additional nights	Group tour/individual tour Florence 3-star: Euro 78 pp in dbl occ., Euro 40 single supplement Rome 4-star: Euro 85 pp in a double room, Euro 48 single supplement
Travel	Air fares to and from Italy are not included in the price Excellent train connections between Florence and Rome
Extras	Arrival / Parking / Departure Limited number of hotel-owned parking spaces, approx. € 10,-/day, no reservation possible! Individual return from Rome to Florence by train, approx. € 15,- to € 50,- Return transfer by mini bus on Saturday morning only after guided group tours, € 65 per person; limited space; reservation required; payable on spot. Note Any visitor’s taxes are not included in the tour price!