After our Pedal and Sea Croatia cycling tour, we moved to Tuscany in Italy with 7 of our Whistler friends and did a self-guided cycling tour. We were lucky to find bike tour concierge Andrea Rossi to help us with transporting our bikes/luggage from place to place, and providing us with suggested cycling routes and transfers.
We had an amazing week of cycling from one unbelievable view to the next in the lush hills and vineyards of Tuscany. The architecture, the quaint cobble-stoned villages, the delicious pecorino cheese, homemade pasta, fruity olive oils and Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino wines all made for a quintessential Tuscan experience.
Few things in this world live up to the hype, but Tuscany did, and when you add in the best of friends and some memorable adventures (diverted plane and 2 hour taxi ride from Bologna to Florence; freezing rain and thunderstorm with near hypothermia; infected saddle sore spots; flooded rooms from open windows; and NO PIZZA at the ‘best pizza place’ in town, to name a few) …. we got to experience a very special week.
San Gimignano
We stayed at Hotel Casolare le Terre Rosse just outside San Gimignano which is the epitome of a Tuscan hill town. About 25 miles from both Florence and Siena, it is located in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Known for its distinct skyline, the town is characterized by a cluster of towering medieval towers that rise above its historic center. These towers were constructed by wealthy families during the 12th and 13th centuries as symbols of their status and power. While originally there were around 72 towers, only 14 remain today, contributing to the unique and picturesque landscape of San Gimignano. It is a very popular destination for tourists seeking an enchanting step back in time.
Chianti Classico
We then moved on to Villa Curina, a country estate which exudes an air of tranquility and timeless charm. Surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves, and vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see, this secluded retreat was just gorgeous. We sipped the local wine on a sunlit terrace until it started to downpour.
Montalcino
This ancient hilltop town is renowned for its connection to wine, most notably the illustrious Brunello di Montalcino, a red wine of “exceptional” character. Cobblestone streets wind through the town’s historic center, revealing medieval architecture, charming piazzas, and a sense of preserved authenticity. Montalcino charmed us for sure, though there were a few choice words for the steep ascent at the end of each day given its location on the top of the hill.
We happened to catch the Mille Miglia vintage 1,000 mile car race when we cycled into San Quirico. This famous rally started in 1927 and “Among the aims of the 1000 Miglia is to demonstrate that, with the cars normally on sale, you can travel on existing roads in our country, at high speeds, certain of safety and regularity…Our task is therefore to give the race a technical social and, why not, tourist function.” – Giovanni Canestrini, 1927
