Strade Bianchi: White Roads of Tuscany Cycling Holiday

7 Nights Self Guided - 108 Miles
April to October 2012
£765 Per Person Based Upon 2 Sharing

This two-centre holiday, based in Buonconvento and San Quirico, showcases the Val d'Orcia region with its typical Tuscan landscape.

Basic Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Buonconvento
Day 2 Circular to Abbazia Monte Oliveto Maggiore ~ 15 miles
Day 3 Circular to Murlo ~ 17 miles
Day 4 Buonconvento to San Quirico d'Orcia ~ 16 miles
Day 5 Circular to Bagno Vignoni ~ 16 miles
Day 6 Circular to Pienza ~ 22 miles
Day 7 San Quirico d'Orcia to Buonconvento ~ 22 miles
Day 8 Departure.

What's Included:
• Bed and breakfast on a country estate and in a 3* hotel (both with swimming pool)
• Four evening meals on the estate
• 21 gear MTB with pannier bag, pump, tool kit, lock and helmet
• Luggage transfers
• Maps and route details in English
• Transfers on arrival and departure between Buonconvento and the Estate
• Local support

The cycle routes make use of the unsurfaced "white roads", which, though open to cars, carry little traffic. Undulating hills capped by medieval tile-roofed towns and punctuated by cypress trees, churches and stone farmhouses, it is an area as idyllic as it looks in photographs and perfect for an Italian cycling holiday. In the towns you'll appreciate the magnificent architecture with Romanesque churches, Renaissance palaces and Etruscan museums. The area is also famous for its thermal spring-fed pools and, of course, its wines.

Grade: Moderate

Getting there:
Fly to Pisa then by train to Buonconvento.

Day 1 Arrive Buonconvento.

Day 2 Circular ride to Abbazia Monte Oliveto Maggiore.
You cycle through a strange and spectacular landscape of eroded clay then enter the thickly wooded Crete Senesi to reach the renowned monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore with its delightful frescoes and botanical garden. A winding route through lush woodlands returns you to Buonconvento. ~ 15 miles

Day 3 Circular ride to Murlo.
Narrow trails lead you alongside the Crevole River, then up an old railway track to Murlo. Beautiful Tuscan countryside accompanies you to La Beffa, followed by a return to Buonconvento through an enchanting oak forest. ~ 17 miles

Day 4 Buonconvento to San Quirico d'Orcia.
You leave Buonconvento with a descent above the Asso Valley. The Tuscan scenery is at its best today as you have all round views on the ancient pilgrimage route to the fortified medieval town of San Quirico d'Orcia. ~ 16 miles

Day 5 Circular ride to Bagno Vignoni.
Cycle through an oak forest rich in wildlife and soon you will have views of the castle at Ripa d'Orcia. White roads then lead you into the Orcia Valley to reach the medieval hamlet of Bagno Vignoni, famous for its healing baths and hot springs. ~ 16 miles

Day 6 Circular ride to Pienza.
A winding route through the heart of Tuscany gives breathtaking views. Isolated villages and rows of cypress trees bring you to the Sant Anna in Camprena Monastery, famous from the film 'The English Patient'. Continue to the delightful town of Pienza before returning along white roads to San Quirico. ~ 22 miles

Day 7 San Quirico d'Orcia to Buonconvento.
Cycle through fields of sunflowers to the heart of the Brunello wine district. Then its uphill to the fortified hilltop town of Montalcino with its 14th century fortress. The ride from here to Buonconvento is through olive groves and vineyards. ~ 22 miles

Day 8 Departure.