Cycling Tuscany: Florence to Montepulciano

This road cycling tour is graded moderate to challenging. Tuscany is well known for its rolling roads and is a firm favourite with the pro's. Each day ride includes hill climbs between 5-8km with gradients of up to 12% in places. At the end of each ride soak up Italian life in the buzz of a piazza with rustic regional dishes and a large glass of Chianti or Montepulciano!

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

Foodie, Wine

This cycling tour is graded moderate to strenuous. The grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some rides may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. The route is mainly on quiet country roads wherever possible but there will be busier stretches as you approach and exit towns.  

This cycling tour is suitable for regular cyclists looking for a sense of achievement at the end of the day, who are comfortable with longer distances and hilly terrain with occasional steep ascents and descents. Each day ride includes hill climbs between 5-8km with gradients of up to 12% in places. Please note that the optional loop ride on Day 7 has a higher grade (strenuous), with challenging ascents and descents. Not only is the ride 90km, but the total elevation gain and loss for that day is 1434 metres ascent and 1434 metres descent. We do however offer a shorter 50km ride for this, whcih can be followed via our route notes - this shorter option is not yet available as a GPX track in our app.

Each Tuscan accommodation is different and full of character. Typical B&B's and hotels are listed below, though on occasion we may have to book you alternative accommodation especially during the busier periods of the year. We always book an equal or better alternative hotel or bed and breakfast.

Meals

Included are 4 breakfasts, which usually consist of fresh pastries, breads, fruits, yogurts, cheeses, meats and granola. If you have special dietary requirements do let us know at the time of booking.

Lunches and dinners are not included. Never too far from a piazza, your route notes suggest a number of local places to dine and of course, being in the heart of Chianti and Montepulciano, there is fine red wine in abundance.

Single Rooms

If you're travelling with friends or family but prefer your own room, single rooms are subject to availability and a supplementary payment.

Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure app which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route info. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost.

The roads are also well signposted and are generally cycle-friendly. The cycling in this region follows well surfaced roads through towns, villages and minor country routes. Make sure to always be mindful of other road users, especially on roads shared with traffic. Although the riding is not technical you must feel comfortable with rapid and sometimes narrow hairpin descents and be equipped to deal with a change in weather and road conditions.

Should you require assistance, 24/7 telephone support will also be available throughout your trip

This trip is available to start on any day from May to October and we suggest that you contact us as soon as possible if you are considering a departure during the peak season of May-June and September.

July and August are the hottest months with little to no rainfall. The temperatures rise into the 30-degree celsius during the day. The months before and after the high season will be sunny but a little cooler, which could be preferable when cycling. Always make sure to stay hydrated, take plenty of water and wear sunscreen and a sunhat.

Florence Airport is served by a limited number of scheduled and low-cost airlines and is approximately a 20 minute bus or taxi journey to Florence Central Station. 

Alternatively Pisa Airport is just over a 60 minute train journey from Florence. From the airport a ten-minute connecting bus service will take you from the airport to Pisa Central station. From here hourly services run through to Florence.

Rome Fiumicino airport train station also connects with Florence via an approximate 2.5hr journey time.

Information on train journey times and booking, tickets can be accessed at The Trainline Europe.

Montepulciano does not have an airport but is only a 20 minute drive from Chiusi Train Sation which has connections to the following cities. We can easily arrange a short transfer to Chiusi train station if required.

Pisa, 3hrs journey time. Daily services, up to 1 per hour.

Florence, 1.5-2 hours journey time. Daily services, up to 1 per hour.

Rome, 1.5-2 hours journey time. Daily services up to 1 per hour.

For more information on train times and tickets The Trainline Europe.

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.