CYCLING IN TUSCANY
A trip to Tuscany is a trip that nourishes the soul. This is a grand, sweeping statement maybe, but the central Italian region has a habit of affecting people who visit on a deep level.
Its vivid Renaissance history, stunning art, lyrical landscapes and incredible cucina contadina (farmer’s kitchen) all mean that it’s a place like no other in Italy. For centuries it has charmed the pants off poets, writers and artists, who needed no excuse to either wax lyrical about its verdant, fertile valleys and foothills, or the world-renowned cities that positively drip with art and stunning architecture.
Tuscany is the home of Florence and Leonardo da Vinci, Chianti and its world-famous wine, Pisa and its leaning tower, and Siena and all of its medieval splendour.
But on top of all of that, it’s also a true bucket-list destination for cyclists.
Thanks to its diverse landscapes — all of which you’ll want to fill your Instagram feeds with — there are routes for every level of cyclist. From steep climbs, to flat, leisurely rides through fragrant vineyards, Tuscany has something for everyone.
It’s almost a cliché now to say that Tuscany is one of Italy’s premier regions for tourists, but there’s a reason. In fact, there are dozens of reasons. And now, as the world opens back up after Covid, it’s the right time to make that once-in-a-lifetime trip to the region.
The Art
Simply put, to say that this is one of the world’s most important regions when it comes to art, is selling it short. At the heart of all this jaw-dropping culture is the city of Florence.
The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence was one of the most influential cities in the world back in medieval times. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the good news for all of us is that it hasn’t changed too much from the heady days of the 15th and 16th century. That means you can still walk in the footsteps of da Vinci, Michaelangelo and Dante along cobbled streets.
Medieval candlelit chapels, palazzi galore, basilicas, a grand Duomo and elegant, eye-opening frescos… they’re all still here. As are galleries like the Ufizzi, that house masterpieces by Botticelli, da Vinci and Michaelangelo.
The La Dolce Vita
Florence is also an irresistible mix of the old world and the new; where classical art meets boutique shopping.
The country’s infamous fashion industry was also born in Florence.
Gucci and Ferragamo opened haute-couture boutiques in the city in the 1920s, and today that sense of fashion and cool chic still oozes from every street.
Back streets are home to family-run workshops (or botteghe) and artisanal businesses, while A-listers and the rich and famous still flock to the city to open their wallets and splash out on the big-brand threads.
The Food And Wine
While Florence is the epicentre of Tuscany, there’s a lot more to the region. Namely food and wine. Really, really great food and wine.
Tuscany is famed for its local, seasonal produce, which produces a sensational array of dishes, now known all over the world.
When it comes to wine, you’ll encounter the ubiquitous Chianti, but also the likes of Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. And, when it comes to food, dishes like panzanella (a salad made from leftover bread and tomatoes), Ribollita soup, wild boar pappardelle, and sweet dishes like cantuccini and panforte will excite the taste buds.
Food really is important here, with the sweet foothills, shimmering-silver vineyards and the rolling, fruitful fields producing some of the most sensational fresh produce in the country.
Our Trips To Tuscany
When it comes to cycling in Tuscany, our tours endeavour to make sure you sample the most authentic experiences possible.
Our Tuscany Sip And Cycle tour takes in both beautiful rural landscapes and the best of city life, too. For a five-night trip, you’ll visit Florence and see where da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, as well as stroll across the world-famous Ponte Vecchio by night and also visit the Piazza del Campo Siena.
Equally as important, a visit to Chianti will allow you to sample THAT world-famous wine. This trip also includes sunrise rides through the heart of the Tuscan Hills. Bellissimo!
Elsewhere, our White Roads Of Tuscany tour takes you away from the major cities and allows you to breathe in the real Tuscany.
Our routes take in stunning spins through the same roads used by the world-famous Stade Bianche race. That means riding through gorgeous olive groves, idyllic villages and past medieval castles.
Contact us to create memories that will last a lifetime
Our specialist and dedicated team, who is based here in northern Italy, can’t wait to help you choose your bike tour to Tuscany.
If it’s a bucket-list ride in one of the most beautiful regions you’re after, whilst taking in some of the world’s best art, culture and food — then there’s nothing quite like cycling in Tuscany.
