Food and wine in Italy, coupled with cycling, is a match made in heaven. Picture yourself riding through the vineyards that surround us and frequenting the best restaurants and wineries in the area. Not to mention a trip to a beautiful little boutique vineyard in Arezzo for a personalized food and wine tasting. Your day out will be a great ride from the famous town of Cortona through olive groves and vineyards to Montepulciano, famous for its vino nobile wine.
Total Distance |
Elev. Gain |
Days |
Rating |
Location |
154 KM |
2,500 M |
5 |
2/3 |
tuscany |
for full itinerary ensure your smartphone is in landscape mode
ride 1 ponte alla piera and anghiari
distance 28kms
elevation gain 500 metres
estimated moving time 1 hour 30 minutes
estimated calories 650
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
elevation gain 500 metres
estimated moving time 1 hour 30 minutes
estimated calories 650
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
ride 2 cortona and montepulciano (excursion day)
distance 65kms
elevation gain 1,000 metres
estimated moving time 3 hours
estimated calories 2,500
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
driving to destination time 1 hour each way
elevation gain 1,000 metres
estimated moving time 3 hours
estimated calories 2,500
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
driving to destination time 1 hour each way
ride 3 arezzo via scheggia
distance 61kms
elevation gain 1,000 metres
estimated moving time 2 hours 45 mins
estimated calories 1,500
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
elevation gain 1,000 metres
estimated moving time 2 hours 45 mins
estimated calories 1,500
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
DAY 1
Arrival day in Italy
Collection from Italian airport
Transfer to your retreat
Collection from Italian airport
Transfer to your retreat
DAY 2
Rolling out of Anghiari towards Carmine before our first descent into the Riserva naturale dei Monte Rognosi. It’s then quickly on to our first steady climb of the day as we make the 5kms ascent on our way to the sleepy picturesque little village of Ponte alla Piera with a population of just 70 people. The downhill homeward leg through quiet winding roads with spectacular views across to Monti Rognosi is one to remember. A stiff test greets our approach to a 16th century church at Carmine (Sanctuary of the Madonna) as we make our way back to circle around Anghiari and sample some fantastic Italian cuisine at a local pizzeria. A well deserved afternoon of relaxation at our retreat will be followed by dinner served by our excellent in house local chef.
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DAY 3
An early start for the big day out. We start off in the charming town of Cortona in the Chiana Valley. Cortona is enclosed by stone walls dating back to Etruscan times. So we will be riding out of Cortona catching a glimpse here and there of the gorgeous Lake Trasimeno, passing through olive groves and vineyards and onwards to the fabulous Montepulciano, a medieval town of rare beauty most famous for its vino nobile red wine. We’ll take a break here for cake and coffee and possibly a bit of wine and cheese tasting. Back on the bike to Cortona with a 5kms climb finish makes for a well deserved lunch in one of our favourite restaurants. After that we will head on back to our retreat for a well earned rest and evening meal cooked by our in house chef.
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DAY 4
A long and rewarding day in the saddle with a fantastic loop ride of hills and vineyards around Arezzo. Soon after leaving Anghiari we are hit by our first big hill climb of the day as we head through Tavernelle and approach the 8kms climb of Scheggia. With a lovely bar/restaurant at its summit, it is a great place to stop for quick refreshments after an early heavy burst of exertion. Any weary legs will appreciate the 15kms or so of winding downhill hairpin bends as we make our way through Chiassa-Tregozzano. Our second small climb of the day is rewarded with the magnificent surroundings of the historic vineyards of San Fabiano, owned by the Count Borghini Baldovinetti. It’s then onwards, avoiding the busy city roads of Arezzo, to a lovely quiet family run restaurant for a well-deserved snack and further refreshments. On to another major climbing test of the 7kms of the Scopetone climb through Staggiano. Our efforts are rewarded with a lovely 17kms descent using the quiet old roads through Palazzo del Pero and Molin Nuovo. It’s then on through the farmer’s fields of Catigliano and a final climb back into Anghiari. What better way to end the perfect tour than with a relaxing afternoon by the pool, followed by a lovingly prepared home cooked dinner with the obligatory bottle or two of locally produced wine!
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DAY 5
Departure day
Collection from your retreat
Transfer to your Italian airport
Collection from your retreat
Transfer to your Italian airport
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Photos from Graham of the Wheels Graham of the Wheels
