CALL 1-866-563-4248 ITALY - Southern Umbria - Biking Tours RESERVATION FORM

TRIP DETAILS

Trip Length
6 Days / 5 Nights

2010
Dates & Prices

Trip Hotels
Choose
Premium Inns
or Classic Inns

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

What's Included

Start - Finish
Orvieto - Perugia
ITALY

Trip Activity Level
Moderately easy to
Moderately challenging

Rated Ideal for Everyone !

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

Click on Image for
TRIP MAP


Biking through Umbria's Beautiful and Varied Southern Landscapes

Discover the enchanted landscapes of undiscovered Umbria from the vineyards surrounding Orvieto to the flat fertile valleys and celestial forested hills that inspired Saint Francis of Assisi. Umbria, considered Italy's "green heart" for its extensive agricultural plain and its scenic forest-covered slopes combined with a history of Roman, Medieval and Papal influences have fashioned a provincial culture of quiet hilltop stone villages, delicious cuisine based on local garden produce blended with the fruits of the forest, and a deep fascination for the teachings of Saint Francis. Take spectacular rides along old Roman roads and quiet byways, enjoy the hospitality of untouristed towns and raise a glass of Umbria's crisp Sagrantino wine to the sacred landscapes of Saint Francis.

Day 1- Orvieto - Meet in Orvieto just north or Rome.Private transfer from your hotel or the train station for a ride into the rolling landscapes north of Orvieto through the Monte Rufeno Natural Reserve for stunning views from a quiet ridgetop road.Dine tonight on Umbrian specialties with the evening lights of Orvieto illuminating the sky.

Day 2- Lake Bolsena - Ride a panoramic route with sweeping views of Orvieto to Lago di Bosena.Follow along the lake past lake side villages, castles and ancient ruins.Drop in on an ancient olive oil mill located in the isolated crag-top village of Bagnoregio Civita, an almost abandoned village gradually sliding into the valley below.Follow a meandering route along ancient roads cut through the area's soft rock passing by "Orvieto Classico" white wine vineyards.Enjoy a wine tasting at a local wine producer.

Day 3 - Todi - Bike quiet roads overlooking the Tiber River valley and Lake Corbara to the small hilltop castle village of Prodo for a Club Toscana picnic of regional specialties.Arrive in Todi, considered one of Italy's most quaint towns with beautiful views of the Umbrian countryside from its Romanesque-Gothic central piazza.Continue into the open countryside to Collevalenza and our lodging for the next two evenings.

Day 4 - The Tiber River Highlands - Follow the fertile slopes of southern Umbria through a rolling landscape of small untouristed villages perched above the Tiber River Valley.Today's route is filled with up and down rides, and the panoramic bliss and picture post card views are well worth it.

Day 5 - Deruta and Assisi - Follow the fertile slopes of the Tiber Valley, past a patchwork of olive groves, vineyards and small farms to Deruta, home to Italy's finest ceramic shops and a visit to one of its most illustrious producers to see ceramic production from raw clay to finished product.Spin to Assisi. This ancient town of pink and white stone, flowing up the base of Mount Subasio has something for everyone. Visit the Basilica of Saint Francis with its festival of Renaissance frescoes.Take an optional ride to charming Bevagna, a quiet town resting at the base of the Martani hills and once a vibrant Roman settlement still with vestiges of its illustrious Roman and Renaissance past.Cycle along the canals of the Val Umbra surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Umbria complete with Sagrantino vineyards and silvery olive groves.

Day 6 - Perugia - Bid a final farewell to the green landscapes of Umbria and take a private transfer to the local (Foligno) train station for connections to Rome, or to your post-trip Perugia hotel.As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Arrivederci and Buon Viaggio !


"Thanks for a wonderful trip. Your careful guidance, smiling face at each intersection,
and endless patience with logistics made all the difference."
- Bruce and Ellen, London England


Our Umbria Travel
Specialists are Ready
to Help you with
All Your Travel Needs

  • Convenient pick up in Orvieto and drop off in Perugia

  • Cycling along the shores of Lake Bolsena

  • Discovering ancient pre-Roman Etruscan villages

  • Seeing ceramics being made and painted at Deruta's oldest ceramics producer

  • Viewing the frescoes at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi

  • Biking through the Val Umbra to Montefalco

  • Orvieto Classico & Sagrantino wines, truffles, porcini mushrooms and olive oils

TRIP DATES & PRICES
Please click here to see if your preferred travel dates below have been sold out.

Dates
2010
Premium Inns Guided
US $ Price p.p. dbl. occ.
Single Room
Charge
Classic Inns Guided
US $ Price p.p. dbl. occ.
Single Room
Charge
Self-Guided
Trips
March 29 - April 3
April 5 - 10
April 12 - 17
April 19 - 24
April 26 - May 1
May 3 - 8
May 10 - 15
May 17 - 22
May 24 - 29
May 31 - June 5
June 7 - 12
June 14 - 19
June 21 - 26
June 28 - July 3
July 5 - 10
July 12 - 17
July 19 - 24
July 26 - 31
Aug 30 - Sept 4
Sept 6 - 11
Sept 13 - 18
Sept 20 - 25
Sept 27 - Oct 2
Oct 4 - 9
Oct 11 - 16
Oct 18 - 23
Oct 25 - 30
All Dates

$ 3,598.

All Dates

$ 1,020.

All Dates

$ 2,998.

All Dates

$ 525.

Premium Inns Trips
Save $ 400. p.p.

Classic Inns Trips
Save $ 300. p.p.

TRIP PRICE REDUCTIONS (above itinerary only)
When booking 4 people together, reduce your trip price by $ 200. per person
When booking 5 - 8+ people together, reduce your trip price by $ 400. per person

Price Guarantee - Please note that if your booked trip (name, version and departure date) receives a price reduction from your original booked price, we will automatically give you the new reduced trip price. Additionally, as always with Club Toscana, once you have booked a trip (name, version and departure date), we guarantee that you will not have to pay any potential trip price increases above your original trip combo price before your departure.

Reduce your Trip Price - We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express for all your trip payments. Club Toscana offers a reduction of 2% off your trip payments when you pay by check, money order or bank transfer.

Trip Prices - Price variations (if above) are a reflection of seasonal hotel rates. All 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 all to themselves. Self-Guided prices are listed as a savings per person off the Guided Trip Prices. Self-Guided trips require a minimum of 2 participants to reserve space on any of the above trips except dates highlighted above.

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

Other Trip Dates - to find other trips with space available on your preferred travel dates, click on our 2010 Calendar.


PREMIUM INNS HOTEL SELECTION

Hotel La Badia - Orvieto (2 nights) - luxury and charm immersed in the peacefulness of this ancient 8th-century abbey with a unique 12 sided tower is also regarded as one of Italy's oldest hotels.

Relais Todini (pictured) - Todi (1 night) - a majestic 14th-century hilltop villa surrounded in Umbrian perfection, this elegant lodging with spa facilities and riding stables is located in the heart of Todi's beautiful countryside.

Le Tre Vaselle - 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.

UPGRADE YOUR TRIP HOTEL SELECTION
Upgrade the accomodations on your Club Toscana trip with any of the area's luxury hotels:

Have a favorite hotel or seen a recommendation in a travel magazine or internet site, or have you received a glowing recommendation from a friend. We can include any hotel located along our trip route to make your vacation experience customized to your specifications. Give us a call to see how we can include your favorite hotels into your trip. Some additional charges might apply to cover changes in hotel rates.


CLASSIC INNS HOTEL SELECTION

Orvieto - (2 nights) - a 16th-century aristocratic palace, this four star inn is considered by many to be the best hotel in town. It retains much of its palatial grandeur in grand salons and the remnants of decorative frescoes.

Todi - (pictured) Todi (1 night) - a 17th-century noble palace located in the heart of Todi's medieval center is steeped in the warm traditions and elegance of its past residents.

Spello - (2 nights) - once the ancient town grain mill, now a distinctive four star inn with spectacular views overlooking the Umbrian plain with the Italian Appenine mountains located in the background.

Please note: The above selected inns are subject to accommodations availability upon trip request. As there are many charming Classic 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 - Orvieto, Italy
As a convenience to our guests, we will meet you at the Orvieto train station on your arrival around 10:00 am from Rome (1 - 1.5 hours) or Florence (1.5 - 2 hours) or at your Orvieto pre trip hotel at 10:00 am.

Orvieto is located on Italy's main express and high speed train service routes between Florence Santa Maria Novella main train station and Rome Termini train station. 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 Perugia main train station for trains heading north to Florence (1 - 1.5 hours). We can also drop you off at the nearby Foligno train station for trains south to Rome (1.5 - 2 hours).

Usual arrival in Perugia or Foligno 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 moderately challenging, 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 terrain 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.

TRIP DAILY DISTANCES & BIKING TERRAIN
DAY 1 (41 kms. - 25 miles) - Easy to moderately easy with 2 short moderately challenging uphill sections.
DAY 2 (68 kms. - 42 miles) - Easy to moderately easy with 2 short moderately challenging uphill sections (with a 47 km / 29 mile longer option).
DAY 3 (54 kms. - 33 miles) - Easy to moderate with 2 long uphill sections and one long downhill section (with a 17 km / 11 mile longer option).
DAY 4 (83 kms. - 51 miles) - Easy to moderate biking over an undulating route (with a 20 km / 12 mile longer option).
DAY 5 (80 kms. - 49 miles) - Easy riding in a flat valley with 1 short uphill section (with a 29 km. / 18 mile option).

Each of the above daily distances are typical on quieter, smooth surface paved roads and can be increased or decreased to suit your individual biking style, endurance and interests. Your Club Toscana trip guide and vehicle are always available to offer assistance including lifts up hills or to bypass any difficult sections.


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 trail maintenance, 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

Convenient pick-up directly from your pre-trip hotel's front door.

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), 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.

Convenient drop-off directly to your post-trip hotel or the nearby major rail station, airport or rental car agency.

Unsurpassed customer service to compliment one of Italy's great walking & hiking vacations.


TOP REASONS WHY NEW GUESTS CHOSE CLUB TOSCANA & WHY OUR PAST GUESTS HAVE CHOSEN TO TRAVEL WITH US AGAIN

Since our beginnings, Club Toscana has prided itself in producing active vacations that are the closest thing to a private trip, complete with the sort of comforts and camaraderie 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 most characteristic accommodations -- always with an eye on exceeding your expectations.

The Personal Touch - Many Club Toscana guests have traveled in large groups with some of our industry's major outfitters and have found traveling in those larger groups a little less convenient and relaxed compared with Club Toscana. These outfitters' somewhat inflexible rendezvous and trip drop-off locations, scheduled group meeting times and fixed dining locations & times are good for some, but perhaps a little too rigid for our guests.

Flexibility - We adapt every one of our trips to the interests and abilities of the guests that are booked on that particular trip. 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 schedule. We are ready to go when you are ready to go, we are waiting at the start of every hill just in case you need a lift and we adjust each trip to your specific interests and time schedule.

Service - We take care of everything -- from making sure your luggage is safely transported to the next hotel, to always having a refreshment or a welcome lift when needed, to pointing out that special wine or antique shop, 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. After over 20 years traveling in this trip's location, we know the trip area intimately.

Trip Leadership - Our pleasant natured, well organized and informative North American trip guides individually have at least 20 years of experience guiding active travelers throughout every region visited by Club Toscana. We maintain a guest ratio of 8 guests to 1 guide plus a dedicated trip vehicle to ensure your comfort and security.


NEED MORE TRIP INFORMATION?

E-mail our office at travel@clubtoscana.com 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
travel@clubtoscana.com

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