Cycling Hidden Tuscany: San Gimignano and Volterra to the Etruscan Coast

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1 Cycling Hidden Tuscany: San Gimignano and Volterra to the Etruscan Coast Date: Oct 10 -Oct 14 Activity: road/touring bikes, hybrid bikes, tandems and e-bikes available Difficulty: Moderate (level 3) due to some hilly sections Highlights: While the Etruscans gave Tuscany its name, after the classical age the epicenter of Tuscany moved to the valley of the Arno River to the north of Siena, and this area of (southern) Tuscany was largely forgotten-- until today. Modern Italians have re-discovered this scenic area for its beaches, landscapes, thermal towns and historical Etruscan sites. Cycle through medieval Tuscan towns including Volterra (famous for its alabaster workshops) and San Gimignano (iconic for its skyline made by towers thrust high in the air), and then head to smaller towns like Casciana Terme and Venturina. Pedal through olive orchards and vineyards and taste their fruits in the evenings. A final day at the Populonia Etruscan necropolis showcases the ancient history of this land. Art cities of Volterra and San Gimignano Thermal/Hot Spring pools Etruscan and Roman sites of Volterra and Populonia Cycling beautiful quiet roads Online Map Includes: 4 nights lodging in 3 and 4 star hotels or agriturismi, 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners with local wine, premium bicycle options: road, hybrid, tandem or e-bike, experienced bilingual cycling tour leader(s), support vehicle and driver, transfer from Florence airport to tour start and from tour end to Montecatini Terme, Activities as described in itinerary, including - wine tasting, visit to Volterra alabaster, entrance to Populonia Etruscan site with guided visit.

2 For optional pretour night in Montecatini: driver and shuttle service from Montecatini hotel to Florence train station. Excludes: Airfare or travel to Florence airport (optional pre-tour night includes shuttle from Montecatini hotel to Florence airport); personal expenses; drinks other than what is included in the meals; tips or gratuities; any activity that is not specified in this itinerary. Price: Tour start from Florence airport, Oct. 10 at 10 AM Shared double, per person 750 Euro euro Single room (pending availability as small properties might not have enough) 115 Euro euro Participants: 4-16; Optional extra night in Montecatini: (Oct 9) and transfer to Florence airport Oct. 10 at 8:30 am About Cycle Europe: Family owned and operated by sisters - Monica and Maria Elena Malpezzi Price, and Monica s husband, Michele Boglioni, Cycle Europe s mission is to help others slow down and experience the world from the seat of a bike. Cycle Europe is a tour operator based in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. Beyond offering self-guided bicycle tours, Cycle Europe outfits groups with bicycle equipment rentals along with associated services including: route planning, ground operations, and guiding services. Detailed Itinerary: Optional: Oct 9: for those arriving independently at Montecatini, we will book a hotel for you please see extra cost above. Oct 10: From Montecatini: 8:30 departure to transfer to Florence Airport to meet other arrivals. 10 am: Meet at the Florence airport this morning to then transfer to San Gimignano, one of the best preserved 14th Century villages in Europe. It is most famous for its medieval towers that dominate the landscape. We'll enjoy a short walk through town and then get on our bicycles during a light lunch stop. From here, we'll pedal to what used to be one of the nine most important Etruscan towns in pre-roman times. As with most of these towns, Volterra it is strategically placed on top of an impressive hill. pedal

3 your way up slowly or hop into the support vehicle! We'll visit an alabaster workshop together this afternoon, another important tradition from this town. Mileage: 31 km, 700 meters of elevation gain. Meals: L, D Oct 11: After a short walk through Volterra to visit the Roman ruins, which remind us of how Rome took over most of the Mediterranean 2000 years ago, we'll head north (downhill!) through gentle hills. We are in the birthplace of Andrea Bocelli, the famous Italian singer whose voice is said to parallel Luciano Pavarotti and other important opera singers. We'll have the chance to visit a gourmet pasta factory which exports all over the world. In the evening you will enjoy our quiet lodging immersed in the Tuscany countryside. Mileage: 45 km, 500 meters of elevation gain. Meals: B, L, D Oct 12: Today we'll pedal south parallel to the coast, enjoying quiet roads and passing through small towns with unexpected twists (Buddhist retreat center anybody?) and lazy living in the central piazze. We're cycling on ridges which allow vistas toward the sea until we speed downhill to reach our country residence for the night. Enjoy a wine tasting of local wines, including the Sassicaia, famous from this region. Mileage: 50 km, 700 meters of elevation gain. Meals: B, L, D Oct 13: Today we enter the Maremma region of Italy, famous for its "cowboys" and small, medieval towns. The first part of our ride is along the coastal plain; this entire section underwent agricultural reclamation from the late 19th century through Mussolini's rule in the early-mid 20th century. Swamps were drained and roads and infrastructure were built, and the region is now rich in olive oil and wine production. We pedal through the tiny fortress town of Bolgheri, famous for its red wines, including "Sassicaia". Talk with the locals if you can find one; according to one spry 89-year-old we met in the town square, there are only twenty-six residents left! Another gentle, forested climb brings us to a gliding downhill which some riders have called, "the best ride in the world" ending in a tiny stone village that is almost as stunning as the town where we ll be staying tonight. Our hotel tonight is in the tiny town of Campiglia Marittima. We ll be staying in medieval homes and estates restored as bed and breakfasts throughout the center of town. Tonight we ll be treated to a special dinner with traditional dishes from the area. Mileage: approximately 67 km, 1061 meters of elevation gain. Meals: B, L, D Oct 14: A casual bike ride today gives you a taste of history and geography from the Etruscan era through modern times. We ll first head to the ancient Etruscan port of Populonia, the most important Etruscan port town. We'll have a guided visit of the tombs and the "industrial" area, learning about the Etruscans' practice of metallurgy, where they mined tin and iron from local deposits and processed them into valuable

4 commodities for trade throughout the Mediterranean. After our ride, we'll shuttle back to Montecatini Terme later this afternoon. Mileage: 28 km, 340 meters of elevation gain. Meals: B, L Cancellation Policy: full payment is due 60 days before the trip. If cancellation happens within 29 0 days before trip start no refunds will be given. Packing List this is to inform you on what clothes to bring for this cycling tour. It is not a complete packing list for your entire trip to ATWS Passport (required: check it now for expiration) Insurance information - health and travel information including policy numbers and phone numbers. General Tips for Clothing & Shoes: October is shoulder season and rain is always a possibility and days and evenings can be cool. Therefore, lightweight, fast drying clothes are best, as are clothes you can layer. City Clothes: 1-2 pair casual pants and/or skirts 3-4 wash and wear shirts 1-2 pair shorts or capris (depending upon season of travel) 1 light to medium weight long-sleeve/fleece top for layering 3 pair socks undergarments swimsuit for swimming or sunning or saunas hat (scrunchable) Footwear: (Do not bring new shoes, break them in now.) Comfortable sandals or casual shoes, your tour may involve walking on cobbles. If you are not bringing cycling specific shoes, bring stiff-soled athletic shoe (light trail runners or tennis shoes are good, running shoes sometimes are too flexible in the sole). If you use only one all-purpose shoe for bicycling and walking, then bring a second pair of sandals or shoes to give your feet a rest, or in case one pair of shoes get wet. Cycling clothes & shoes - We recommend wearing bright colors that make you visible to traffic: 2-3 pair padded cycling shorts or knickers, or other cycling comfortable bottoms 2-3 brightly colored (for visibility) cycling jerseys, athletic tops, or shirts comfortable for cycling 1 long-sleeved, performance-type fabric shirt jersey for layering 3-4 pair cycling socks Water-resistant wind breaker You should also plan to bring some cooler weather gear for chilly mornings and rainy days: Cycling tights or leg-warmers and arm warmers Rain jacket and pants, Head warmer (hat and/or headband or buff), Cycling shoes either stiff-soled athletic shoes or clipless cycling shoes with your pedals. If you are using cycling shoes with cleats we strongly recommend mountain or touring style shoes that have a recessed cleat so you can comfortably explore during the day. We do not recommend road style cycling shoes as they are difficult to walk in or if you do bring sandals you can change into as you will be visiting places during the rides. If you bring your clipless cycling shoes with cleats then also bring your pedals that are specific to your type of cleat. Our staff will put your pedals on and take them off for you at the end of the tour.

5 Biking Gear Your bike will be equipped with: a men's saddle or women's saddle (we have a variety of styles to choose from), a quick release style seat post adjustment, rear rack and pack (approx.11 X 6 X 7 and expandable) so you don t have to bike with a backpack pump, patch kit, spare tube, cable lock, toe cages on pedals if you are not using clipless pedals (optional), cyclometer, rear lights water bottle cage and a water bottle. Helmet (required for the trip) if requested, although we recommend you bring your own Here are items you SHOULD bring: Sunglasses Bring some good-quality eye protection. Cycling gloves Cycling helmet for safety and hygiene we recommend you bring your own, but we will have loaner ones available if requested in advance. Here are items you MAY want to bring: Small tool kit/multi-tool (optional, but useful), small rag for chain grease (ever wonder why cyclists wear black shorts?) Other personal items as you would normally on any other trip such as cosmetics and toiletries that you may need.