TUSCANY TO PROVENCE
The ultimate blend of European town and country, this trip is ripe with scenic wonders, cultural treasures, and sumptuous cuisine. A moveable feast through two of the world's most inviting regions, it's one of our most popular destinations. And though knowing a little Italian and French - say, deliziozo and incroyable - will prove handy, even the most tongued-tied traveler can get by with mmmmm and wowwwww.
Day 1 - Florence, ItalyWe’ll shuttle you from the airport to our first night’s lodging in Florence and that night we’ll enjoy a sumptuous group dinner together, some of the cities best Gelato and a lot of anticipation of the exciting adventure ahead. Day 2 - Florence to GreveDuring the ride from Florence, we enter the area known as Il Chianti, the only region authorized to produce Chianti Classico wine. You'll fall under the spell of the picturesque Tuscan countryside with its rolling hills trussed with vineyards and olive groves. 23 miles Day 3 - Greve to SienaWe’ll continue riding through the beautiful region of Chianti, riding through the scenic wine towns of Radda in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti, before finishing our ride at the fortified town of Monterregioni. 35 miles Day 4 - Siena layover dayWe’ll have a morning walking tour and then the rest of the day will be yours to discover Siena (the jewel of Tuscany). A metropolis by medieval standards, Siena was ravaged by plague and invasion in the 13th century. Thus diminished, it never experienced the convulsive effects of industrialization and remains a perfectly preserved Gothic city. Be sure to visit Siena’s monumental cathedral, or Duomo, and its vibrant main square, the Piazza del Campo, site of the annual Palio horse race. Don’t forget to sample one of the region’s chief exports, ruby red Chianti from the outlying hills. Day 5 - Siena to San GimignanoFeatured in Franco Zefferelli’s film, Tea with Mussolini, San Gimignano is famous for its many medieval towers. Because car traffic is very limited in this hilltop town, it’s the ideal place to stroll after a restorative Tuscan meal. 33 or 44 miles Day 6 - San Gimignano, Italy to Vence, France En-route to France, we’ll stop along Italy’s Ligurian coast for lunch in the charming coastal town of Sestri Levante and enter France in the afternoon in the region bordering the Cote d'Azur. The evening will be yours to sample one of the many charming restaurants that fill Vence’s fountained squares. Day 7 - Coursegoules to CastellaneOur first French ride follows the ridge of the Pre-Alps region known as Haute-Provence, a tranquil spot seemingly made for cycling. You’ll follow deserted roads through pine forests and high alpine valleys, finishing at the Gorge du Verdon launching point of Castellane. 36.5 miles Day 8 - Castellane to MoustiersThe ride from Castellane is a very picturesque ride that winds through the Canyon du Verdon, a massive limestone escarpment along the Verdon River, finishing at the unbelievably blue, lac St. Croix 28 miles Day 9 - Moustiers Layover DayOn your Moustiers layover day, choose from a host of outdoor activities including cycling, hiking, kayaking or sunbathing on the shores of Lac Ste. Croix. Day 10 - Moustiers to St Maximin de BaumeToday's ride cruises along quiet country roads, with vineyards, sunflower fields and quaint provencial towns being the only distractions from the sun washed vistas. Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume, where we end our days ride, is a cozy town with a lively main square and ancient basilica. 39 miles Day 11 - St Maximin de Baume to Aix-en-ProvenceWe’ll spend our final day riding through Provence, with its rioting colors and rich history. We’ll mark the end of our journey with an unforgettable group dinner in Aix-en-Provence, an enchanting University town and cultural hub, and the perfect place to end our adventure. 42 miles Day 12 - Depart for Home.
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