Cycling & Cooking in Tuscany

Overview

Tuscan lifestyle bike tour: a captivating fusion of great bikes rides, gravel experience, history, wine, and cuisine. An unforgettable journey through Tuscany, where we've blended the thrill of cycling with the art of culinary delight. This immersive tour showcases not only the breathtaking landscapes but also the timeless traditions of the Tuscan kitchen. Return from your trip with actual know-how to create a Tuscan dinner back home—it's the ultimate keepsake! Food & Wine Journey in Tuscany — by Bike: An active culinary tour combining daily rides with cooking and wine experiences. Includes hands-on cooking classes with Chef Paolo, rides to wine tastings in Montalcino (Brunello focus), welcome tasting of local cheeses and extra virgin olive oil, Tuscan trattoria / osteria / one special dinner, and Val d’Orcia UNESCO landscapes + hill towns (Pienza, Montalcino, Siena area). La cucina Toscana - simplicity in its purest form. Tuscany cooks take advantage of the freshest seasonal products and tamper with their natural state as little as possible. The cooking and the cycling aspects will please anyone who has a strong interest in one or both of these great passions. A variety of bike rides pursuits get you deep into some of the world’s most iconic and famous landscapes, while a sampling of food and drink experiences keep your mouth watering as you dig into the real way Tuscan people eat. How much cooking will we do? After you have worked up an appetite, we will feed you very well! Most days include a hands-on cooking class or a visit to taste local food artisan. Our dining-out experiences range from a simple osteria, to a family trattoria, and an elegant restaurant. You will come home inspired, not only with new recipes, but also with the enthusiasm to cultivate these lessons into your lifestyle. This is a guided Tuscany tour with an experienced guide and support throughout the week. You’ll be based in one private villa in Val d’Orcia for six nights—an ideal hub for loop rides and relaxed evenings together. Included are two hands-on cooking classes, a wine tour, and a cheese tasting—plus dinners and lunches as listed in the “What’s included” section. Bike options vary by tour and include e-bikes, gravel, hybrid, e-gravel and road bikes. We’ll help you choose the best match for your route and riding style. Day 1: Welcome to Val d’Orcia Test ride. Meet at Chiusi train station; private van transfer to the villa; short bike test ride; meet Chef Paolo; cheese and olive oil tasting & welcome dinner. Day 2: Montalcino & the Art of Brunello. Cycling journey through Sangiovese grape landscapes; visit Montalcino and its Enoteca; downhill ride to Castelnuovo dell’Abate; wine tour and lunch at Tenuta Fanti Winery. Day 3: Charming Pienza. Visit Pienza; ride through villages like Castelmuzio and Montisi; first cooking lesson with Paolo followed by dinner at the villa. Day 4: Le Crete & Monte Oliveto Abbey. Cycle through the Le Crete area and visit the Benedictine abbey with its frescoed cloister. Back to the villa for the pizza party. Day 5: Monticchiello & Bagno Vignoni. Gravel experience, picnic lunch and spa day at thermal waters; dinner at La Terrazza del Chiostro. Day 6: Radicofani & the Legend of Ghino di Tacco. Cycle to Radicofani; visit the fortress and old town; cooking lesson with Paolo and farewell dinner at the villa. Day 7: Arrivederci! Transfer ~9:30. Private transfer to Chiusi train station around 9:30. DAY 1: Friday: Welcome to Val d'Orcia. Meet at Chiusi train station at 14:00. Begin your journey with a private van transfer to La Pieve di Massaini, your charming Tuscan accommodation. After all guest are set with bikes and equipment let’s have a very short bike ride test. At 18:00 ready for introduction total week and the chef Paolo will talk about the cooking lesson ad start with a cheese and olive oil tasting, followed by dinner at the villa. DAY 2: Saturday: Montalcino and the Art of Brunello. Saddle up for a 40 km cycling journey that takes you through landscapes reminiscent of a Renaissance painting. First half of the ride to get to Montalcino is 80 percent gravel. Pedal through San Giovese grapes, f _rom sangue di Giove_, and visit the city bearing its name. Enjoy a wine tour and lunch at Tenuta Fanti winery before returning to La Pieve. Dinner at Montefollonico at 13 gobbi - speciality tonight is _Pici cacio e pepe_. DAY 3: Sunday: Charming Pienza. Venture out for a 38 km bike ride that includes a visit to Pienza, the epitome of Renaissance architecture perfection by Pope Pius II. Back to La Pieve and ready at 16:30 Ready for your first cooking session with Paolo. Hands-on lesson: prepare fresh pasta as _primo piatto,_ after a rest with a Italian spumante metodo Classico sparkling wine as aperitif, let’s share the table with all guest and savor the dinner. DAY 4: Monday: Le Crete & Monte Oliveto Abbey. After breakfast departure by bike from the villa: Following a picturesque crest road, you’ll ride by Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey, a Benedictine abbey built in the 13th century and famous for its frescoed cloister and stunning setting. Afterwards, you'll travel through the fascinating area called Le Crete, Tuscany's answer to the Badlands. Tonight Pizza party at villa! You can't do a food & wine vacation in Italy without dedicating an evening to gourmet pizza Let’s sample a variety of delicious pizzas. Prepare to be surprised how great is the wine paired we selected. DAY 5: Tuesday: Bagno Vignoni Spa day. Embark on a bike ride to Monticchiello, a charming village with a medieval look preserved through the ages. Make your way to Bagno Vignoni, known for its ancient healing pool. Today a gourmet pic-nic lunch before you enjoy the thermal waters that have attracted travelers on the Via Francigena pilgrimage for centuries. Explore the healing history of this remarkable village as you wander through the streets. Dinner at Podere il casale. DAY 6: Wednesday: Radicofani and the Legend of Ghino di Tacco. Today another terrific bike Cycle through gentle uphills and rolling hills, leading you to the medieval village of Radicofani. Explore the impressive fortress, offering extraordinary panoramic views over the Val d'Orcia, Amiata, the Apennines, and the Trasimeno and Bolsena lakes. Ready for another cooking lesson with chef Paolo followed by the farewell dinner? All you need is appetite & an apron! DAY 7: Thursday : Arrivederci al prossimo bike tour. After a breakfast all together there will be transfer to Chiusi train station around 9:30. On request we will arrange transfer at different time. La pieve di Palazzo Massaini: The old farmhouse, carefully restored into a farmhouse, offers you an infinity pool overlooking the surrounding countryside, a private garden and common areas where you can host parties and events. A place with a surreal atmosphere, where the rustic style of the ancient sandstone structure and the modernity of current technologies will make your stay a unique experience in authentic Tuscan style. Far away from the noisy city life and surrounding villages, every corner of the estate offers wonderful panoramic views and enchanting atmospheres, giving a unique feeling of peace and serenity. Just 500 meters from Palazzo Massaini. Price & Inclusions: Cost: € 3600 per person in double occupancy | Single room supplement € 790. Six nights in private villa; Six dinners & Two lunches; Two cooking classes; One wine tour; One cheese tasting; All maps, trip notes and GPX route directions; All Shuttles and technical assistance; Support Van; Services of experienced guide; Cicloposse water bottle; Transfer on day one from station; Transfer on day seven to the station; Sales taxes. Bike Rental for entire tour: Hybrid bike € 190 | Gravel, E-Bike € 260 | E-Gravel € 350.

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Villa

What's Included