DURATION: 7 days/6 nights
PRICE FROM: 2980,00 €
WHERE: Chianti - Siena - Montalcino - Val d'Orcia - Crete Senesi
WHEN: all year long
Itinerary
1
Day 1 - Benvenuti in Toscana
Individual arrival and accommodation at Castello di Spaltenna, an ancient monastery of the 10th century. It offers 2 swimming pools, one of which is heated, a restaurant and spacious rooms.
At your arrival you will receive road book, maps and all the informations to complete the route of L'Eroica.
2
Day 2 - Castello di Brolio and Siena
36 km – elevation gain: 630 meters
The Eroica route starts in Gaiole in Chianti, winding among historical vineyards that lead you to Castello di Brolio, with its cypress-lined entrance. The breath-taking panorama below the walls, over the vineyards, represents one of the most wonderful parts of the permanent route. You can decide also to visit the Castle, owned by the Ricasoli family since 1141, or taste a glass of Chianti Classico at the enoteca.
After a few kilometers, near San Giovanni a Cerreto, Siena will appear on the horizon. The visit to this wonderful medieval city with its Dome, Piazza del Campo and the perfect medieval city center will make your trip special.
Dinner and accommodation at Certosa di Maggiano, XIV century monastery turned in Hotel.
3
Day 3 - Val d'Arbia hills and Buonconvento
41 km – elevation gain: 540 meters
The ordinates cultivation of vines is fading into a more various landscape, painted with terra di Siena color. Just outside the city of Siena you’ll ride through a very typical segment of the route, located between “Colle Malamerenda” and Radi, deep in the gentle hills of Siena, studded of farmhouses, medieval villages, merging your ride with the Via Francigena itinerary. The village of Murlo will be the last part of the easiest segment of the whole permanent route. Before to arrive to the next hotel we’ll stop at Buonconvento and visit this beautiful medieval village.
Dinner and accommodation at Villa Armena, an exclusive hotel with just 10 rooms with stunning views over the Villa grounds or the wonderful Crete Senesi.
4
Day 4 - Montalcino and Val d'Orcia
61 km – elevation gain: 1180 meters – Shorter option: 40 km
Climbing Castiglion del Bosco, one of the most challenging segments of L’Eroica permanent route, you will reach the medieval village of Montalcino over the beautiful and panoramic lands of Brunello di Montalcino. Montalcino, also famous for olive oil and honey, it’s a nice village perfect for a stop for lunch or visit to the town center, even to admire the incredible panorama opening over the Val d’Orcia area.
The descent from Montalcino will be a dive surrounded by the Brunello vineyards and will take you to the Val d’Orcia and Lucignano d'Asso, where you can take a rest with a typical snack or just to refill your bottle before to arrive at the farmhouse.
The gravel road between Torrenieri and Lucignano it’s one of the most fascinating and characteristic of the Eroica route.
Dinner and accommodation at Villa Armena.
5
Day 5 - Crete Senesi and Monte Sante Marie
48 km – elevation gain: 850 meters
From the vineyards and rolling hills to the suggestion of the lunar landscape is a short step. Left the villages along the Cassia immerse you in the Crete Senesi with the characteristic gullies. Oak and cypress trees indicate isolated farms where they produce cheese and tables are enriched by the diamond of Crete Senesi: the white truffle. This part of the route includes the challenging gravel road of Monte Sante Marie, very famous steep road that will take you back in the Chianti area.
You will back in Chianti area through Castelnuovo Berardenga, the village on the border with the Crete Senesi.
Dinner and accommodation at Villa Curina Resort Villa Curina Resort, little sixteenth century villa full of history and fascination.
6
Day 6 - Back to Chianti
38 km – elevation gain: 810 meters
A kind of summary of what you saw and what you will see is the road to Pianella that presents different landscapes. The road to Radda in Chianti will be a sequence of vineyards and woods, passing through pretty villages and farms, that could offer you a wide range of typical products, wine and olive oil tasting, temptations that will delight your itinerary and your senses. You’ll reach Radda in Chianti that merits a visit to its historical village, for example at lunch, lost into its nice little alleys. After Radda in Chianti you’ll be headed to Gaiole, town where L’Eroica was born on 1997, going downhill through Vertine, a nice little pearl of the Chianti.
At the end of the stage you'll receive the personal diploma of “Eroici”, souvenir of an incredible ride!
Dinner and accommodation at Castello di Spaltenna, start and finish of your ride.
7
Day 7 - Arrivederci
Breakfast and individual departure.
- 6 Nights stay with breakfast
- 6 Dinners, drinks not included
- 5 Lunches
- Ticket to the garden of Castello di Brolio
- Expert bike guide during each stage
- Van support during your daily stages, to let you enjoy your bike holiday
- Water and fresh fruits for your daily ride
- Baggage transportation between the hotels
- Pick-up of anything you buy during your daily stage: wine, gift and more
- Maps and information for your daily stages
- GPX tracks for GPS
- Road book and final diploma of “Eroici”
- Official bike jersey of L’Eroica
- Phone assistance by Anima Toscana staff
- Tourist city tax
- Drinks
- Medical insurance
- Medical insurance
- Bike rental (Road, hybrid, MTB, Gravel, vintage bikes or e-bikes)
- Chianti and Brunello wine tour and tasting
- Activities for non-cyclist (cooking classes, horseback riding, trekking and more)
- Activities along the route (wine tasting, truffle experience, etc.)
- GPS rental
- Guided tours of cities and villages