CALL 1-866-563-4248 ITALY - Tuscany & Umbria - Premium Inns Biking Tour RESERVATION FORM

PREMIUM INNS
TRIP DETAILS

Trip Length
6 Days / 5 Nights

2008
Dates & Prices

Premium Trip Hotels

Premium Trip Meals
All breakfasts,
2 lunches and
all dinners but one

What's Included

Other Trip Versions
Self-Guided Trips
Classic Inns

Start - Finish
Florence - Perugia
(Firenze - Perugia)
ITALY

Trip Activity Level
Moderately easy to
Moderate

Rated Ideal for Everyone !

NEED MORE INFO ?
Speak to a
Club Toscana
Senior Trip Leader


Premium Biking in some of Italy's most Beautiful Landscapes

Southern Tuscany and western Umbria combine two of the most beautiful and photographed landscapes in Italy. Imagine a gentle rolling terrain of hilltop villages surrounded by fertile green meadows with grazing sheep, fields of ripening grain, lush oak forests, olive groves shimmering in the sunlight and gentle breezes coming off its undiscovered lakes. Starting in the countryside just south of Siena, we'll discover Medieval monasteries and pre-Roman Etruscan settlements. We'll visit villages renowned for their cheeses, their wines and their small town hospitality. In Umbria, we'll ride along the shores of Lake Trasimeno where the Romans met their match in Hannibal, and we'll discover that Assisi is much more than just the city of San Francesco. Follow the quiet sideroads from Tuscany to Umbria, and discover their ever changing landscapes in one of Italy's most enjoyable and refreshing biking destinations.

Day 1 - The Sienese Landscapes - Rendezvous in Florence or Siena.Private transfer to the 14th-century monastery of Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore for an introductory lunch and a visit into its hallowed cloisters to view its frescos by Signorelli and Sodoma.Cycle into the open clay landscapes of Le Crete and its undulating hills with isolated brick villas and farmhouses surrounded by tall cypress trees.

Day 2 - Pienza and the Val d'Orcia - Follow quiet roads past forgotten hilltop villages dotting stunning landscapes of grazing sheep and Tuscany's prized oxen.Discover Pienza, a perfectly designed Renaissance village that overlooks the spectacular Orcia Valley. Cruise its main village street with shops stuffed with Pienza's favorite food item, Pecorino cheese. Why not do a taste testing from mild to aged.An afternoon ride will take us past small villages, monasteries, fortified villas and castles.

Day 3 - Montepulciano and Lake Trasimeno - Bike to Montepulciano, a hilltop town with a pedestrian street lined with Renaissance palaces.Discover its ancient underground wine cellars and sample its prized Nobile di Montepulciano red wines, regarded as some of the finest in Italy.Continue into the flat Chiana Valley and the border between Tuscany and Umbria. Follow quiet sideroads with grain fields flowing in the wind.Pass by abandoned 17th-century brick farmhouses.Follow along a panoramic ridge overlooking Lake Trasimeno in the distance.Dine tonight at a favorite trattoria, specializing in local produce including Trasimeno's delicious lake fish.

Day 4 - Torgiano & Deruta - Start your biking day with one of the nicest biking routes in Italy.Follow a panoramic ridge past untouristed farm villages. Continue around shallow Lake Trasimeno, scene of a Roman defeat during Hannibal's march on Rome, today, a much quieter place with silvery green olive groves covering its lakeside slopes.Venture into the vibrant green landscapes of the Umbria plain. Take in a Club Toscana picnic in a sleepy Umbrian hilltop village before passing along the fertile slopes of the Tiber Valley, past a patchwork of olive groves, vineyards and small farms. Visit Deruta, home to Italy's finest ceramic shops and discover one of its most illustrious producers to see ceramic production from raw clay to finished product.Follow along the Tiber River to Torgiano, Umbria's wine capital and our home for the next two nights.

Day 5 - Valle Umbra & Assisi - Take a casual visit of the Lungarotti Wine and Olive Oil Museums before biking across the flat Valle Umbra to the town of Assisi.This ancient town of pink and white stone, flowing up the base of Mount Subasio has something for everyone, from the festival of Renaissance frescoes in the Basilica to the sweeping views from the Rocca Maggiore fortress high above the town.Take a casual tour of the Basilica of San Francesco, walk Assisi's medieval streets and discover its vibrant history.

Day 6 - Perugia - Homeward bound.Bid a final farewell to the green landscapes of Umbria and take a private transfer to your post-trip hotel or other travel connections in Perugia.As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Arrivederci and Buon Viaggio !

"Thank you so much for making our honeymoon and second trip with Club Toscana so special"
- Francine and Christian, New York NY
Our Italian Travel
Specialists are Ready
to Help you with
All Your Travel Needs

  • Viewing the frescoes among the cloisters of the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore

  • Riding through the open landscapes of Southern Tuscany

  • Meandering among the Medieval palaces in Montepulciano

  • Discovering Tuscan wines, olive oils and food specialties in Pienza

  • Exclusive tour of Deruta's oldest ceramics producer

  • Exploring the sacred hilltop town of Assisi
Click on Image for
TRIP MAP

More Club Toscana
Biking Trips

TRIP DATES & PRICES

Dates Premium Inns Guided Single Room Availability Detailed Itinerary Self-Guided
2008 Price pp dbl. occ. Add for sgl. occ. printer version Version

March 31 - April 5 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
April 7 - 12 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
April 14 - 19 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
April 21 - 26 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
April 28 - May 3 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
May 5 - 10 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
May 12 - 17 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
May 19 - 24 $ 3,998. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
May 26 - 31 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
June 2 - 7 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
June 9 - 14 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
June 16 - 21 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
June 23 - 28 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
June 30 - July 5 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
July 7 - 12 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
July 14 - 19 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
July 21 - 26 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
July 28 - Aug 2 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
Sept 8 - 13 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Sept 15 - 20 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Sept 22 - 27 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Sept 29 - Oct 4 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
Oct 6 - 11 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Oct 13 - 18 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Oct 20 - 25 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Oct 27 - Nov 1 $ 3,898. $ 1,450. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.

Other Trip Dates - to find other trips with space available on your preferred travel dates, click on our 2008 Calendar.

Trip Prices - are per person based on a room with double occupancy. Single room charges are additional for guests traveling solo wishing a double room with single occupancy. Self-Guided prices are listed as a savings per person. Once you book a trip, your trip price will not change.

Featured Trips when listed above have space available and include guaranteed departures hosted by one of Club Toscana's Senior Trip Leaders.

OTHER TRIP VERSIONS

Classic Inns Trips - the above information represents our Premium Inns trip.
Click here to view trip prices and itinerary details for the Classic Inns version of this trip.

Self-Guided Trips - the above information represents our Premium Inns Guided trip.
The Self-Guided version of this trip uses the same itinerary as above with the exception that only breakfasts are included, with the rest of your meals "on your own" with our well researched recommendations list, paid site admissions are not included allowing you more trip flexibility and trip guiding is provided on a limited basis.
A minimum of 4 participants are required to reserve space on any trip except any featured dates highlighted above.
For additional exempted dates, please e-mail or call our office.
For more information on the differences between our Guided and Self-Guided trips, please click here.

PREMIUM INNS SELECTION

Casa Bianca - Asciano (2 nights) - an historic Sienese olive oil estate with a manor surrounded by a hamlet, is now a luxury residence with lovely rooms and exposed wood beam ceilings, magnificent gardens, a welcoming pool, spa services, and dining on Sienese specialties in their renowned restaurant.

Residenza Alla Corte del Sole - Petrignano del Lago (1 night) - "At the Sun's Court", a luxuriously restructured 16th-century farm hamlet with stone buildings, stupendous gardens and a welcoming pool.

Le Tre Vaselle (pictured) - Torgiano (2 nights) - a five-star luxury inn with spa facilities and a terraced pool set among olive trees. This 17th-century manor hotel maintains its historic character with stone walls, wooden beams, terracotta floors, embroideries and antique furnishings.

Please note: The above selected inns are subject to accommodations availability upon trip request. As there are many beautiful Premium Inns located along our route, if we need to choose an alternative lodging, it will meet or exceed the above selection in ratings, settings, amenities and views.

TRIP START AND FINISH INFORMATION

Trip Start - Florence (Firenze) or Siena, Italy
As a convenience to our guests, we will meet you at your hotel in Florence at 9:00 am. or by special arrangement, the main train station or airport. We can also meet at 10:00 am at your hotel in Siena.

Florence is serviced by an international airport with connections to most major European cities and a main train station located on Italy's main express and high speed train service routes. Florence Santa Maria Novella main train station can be reached from Milan in about 2 - 3 hours depending on the train speed or from Rome in about 1.5 - 2.5 hours. Florence is also served by inter-European flights to Florence Peretola Airport. We would recommend spending your pre-trip evening in Florence. Siena is located about 1 hour south of Florence by train or bus. Our reservations office can make all your pre- & post-trip hotel, flight and train travel arrangements.

For Italian train information and online tickets, please go to the Italian FS National Train Schedules web site.

For pre-trip accommodations, we suggest a visit to Tripadvisor.com for a list of the most recommended hotels based on visitor reviews.

Trip Finish - Perugia, Italy
On the final trip day, we would be pleased to drop you off at your post-trip Perugia hotel, the train station (express trains to Florence 3 hrs. or Rome 2 hrs.) or the Perugia airport (connector flights to major airports).

Usual arrival in Perugia is around 10:00 am with earlier arrivals by request.

For Italian train information and online tickets, please go to the Italian FS National Train Schedules web site.

For post-trip accommodations, we suggest a visit to Tripadvisor.com for a list of the most recommended hotels in your destination city based on visitor reviews.

TRIP ACTIVITY LEVEL

THIS TRIP IS DESIGNED FOR ALL ABILITIES - Though rated moderately easy to moderate, we have designed this trip to be suitable for everyone, from the casual or occasional biker with other travel and site seeing interests to the experienced biking enthusiast looking for that extra challenge. Since your preferred biking pace and your biking interests might vary from day to day, we have a daily list of optional routes, distances and route sections to give you exactly the kind of cycling you would like to experience. To learn more about how we rate the activity levels on our trips, please go to our Activity & Terrain Levels web page.

Please note that the above itinerary and it's routes are typical for this trip and can be adjusted to accommodate different hotel choices, your choice of optional routes, optional shorter or longer daily distances, your personal daily biking pace and interests, and special local events that you might wish to join. Weather conditions and unannounced road repairs, etc. can also alter the routes, distances and daily schedules.

In an effort to enhance this itinerary and to help you get the most out this destination and your traveling experiences with Club Toscana, we are continually in the process of researching additional local routes, accommodations, dining establishments and interesting places to visit. Some of these "new finds" could be included in your specific trip.

WHAT'S INCLUDED ON YOUR CLUB TOSCANA BIKING TRIP

Over 20 years of European adventure travel experience.

Cheerful, professional and trusted bilingual trip leadership with intimate knowledge of this trip's travel area, its culinary secrets, art history and cultural distinctiveness.

All transportation from trip start to finish.

Exclusive lodging with private amenities in wine & olive oil estates, charming country inns and historic town houses.

All buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners featuring regional favorites and local specialties.

Private support vehicle for shuttles (throughout the trip), for welcome lifts (to bypass that extra effort or for a quick short cut to your hotel), bicycle repairs and on-board refreshments.

Special events, private tours, local experts and entrance fees to historical sites and museums, and other events or tours listed on the itinerary.

Use of a professionally maintained, fully equipped 24-27 speed aluminum TREK road bike or TREK hybrid bike with gel seat & suspension, an insulated rear rack bag, a Pro bike helmet and a new personal water bottle.

Detailed trip maps, route directions with options and a complimentary Club Toscana T-shirt.

All baggage transportation from rendezvous to final drop off.

Unsurpassed customer service to compliment one of Italy's great biking vacations.

TOP REASONS WHY TRAVELING WITH CLUB TOSCANA IS SO REWARDING

Since our beginnings, Club Toscana has prided itself in producing active vacations that are the closest thing to a private trip complete with all the comforts and companionship that comes from visiting old friends.

We have spent over two decades designing itineraries that take in the most interesting countryside destinations, the most stimulating mix of history and culture, the best selection of terrain from flat to invigorating, and the region's best accommodations -- always with an eye on exceeding your expectations.

Flexibility - We design our daily routes and itineraries for maximum flexibility so you can have as much or as little activity as you would like each day -- with us you never need to follow the group.

Service - We take care of everything -- from meeting you at your pre-trip hotel, to making sure your luggage is taken care of, to always having a refreshment or a welcome lift when needed, and always allowing you as much free time as you would like to get the most out of your European active vacation.

Knowledge - Traveling with Club Toscana is about discovering beautiful locations, its people, history and culture, all in a private-group-like setting -- the ideal vacation experience.

Trip Leadership - Our pleasant natured, well organized and informative North American trip leaders individually have at least 20 years of experience guiding active travelers throughout every region visited by Club Toscana.

NEED MORE TRIP INFORMATION?

Click here for a fully detailed trip itinerary (printer version), e-mail our office or call our professional travel advisers at
Club Toscana Reservations at 1-866-563-4248 toll free 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (EST) Mon. to Fri., 8:30 am to 1:00 pm Sat.
They are ready to answer your trip questions and arrange all your pre and post-trip travel needs for a truly all-inclusive European Active Vacation.

Royal City Travel / American Express Travel Services
10 Paisley Street, Suite 8, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1H 2N6
North America Toll Free 1-866-563-4248
Contact Us      info@clubtoscana.com

Copyright © Club Toscana, Inc.