Day
1 cortona
Meet in Arezzo
Savor a picnic lunch of typical Tuscan fare at an
18th-century villa
Pedal the level terrain of the Val di Chiana to
Cortona, immortalized by Frances Mayes in her novel
Under the Tuscan Sun
Postcard-perfect views of the valley are yours to
enjoy from this historic hill town.
Days 2-3 petrignano del lago
Marvel at Cortona’s majestic architecture during a
walking tour with a local guide
Let your wheels do the work on a downhill ride to
the valley floor, followed by a leisurely spin
through a classic southern Tuscan landscape of
rolling fields, cypress-lined roads and quiet
hamlets
Bike to the atmospheric fortified town of
Castiglione del Lago, set on a promontory on Lake
Trasimeno in Umbria
Learn the secrets of Tuscan cooking from a local
expert.
Days 4-6 montefollonico
No visit to southern Tuscany would be complete
without a visit to Montepulciano, the highest of the
hill towns and filled with glorious Renaissance
buildings
A fourth-generation vintner invites us to his
family's cantina for a tasting of Vino Nobile
Ride to Pienza with expansive views of the Val
d'Orcia
In historic Pienza, sample locally made pecorino
cheese, admire exquisite ceramics and wander down
medieval streets
Hike among forests of oak, broom and cypress above
Montefollonico.
TIMELESS BEAUTY : Premiere Inns
Villa Marsili (1 night): This elegant
14th-century palazzo rests within Cortona’s Etruscan walls and
offers outstanding views of the Val di Chiana.
Relais Alla Corte del Sole (2 nights): At
this beautiful 16th-century estate, you’ll find uniquely
decorated guest rooms graced with rich fabrics, antiques,
wood-beamed ceilings and brick floors.
La Chiusa (2 nights): An old stone farmhouse
converted into a charming country inn with an acclaimed
restaurant featuring fresh homemade cuisine.
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide
variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace
may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling
companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a
range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly
what and how much you want to do.
