A gay bike vacation in Tuscany.

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Bike in Tuscany, Italy with Alyson Adventures

It's easy to get to know the other travelers in our small, friendly, gay and lesbian groups.

An active, outdoors vacation with Alyson Adventures.

Starting in Florence we'll ride the Tuscan hills from Radda to Siena. Along the way, we'll see peaceful forests, vibrant vineyards, and classic architectural sites. Our efforts will be rewarded as we enjoy world class wine and exquisite Italian cuisine.

The Flavors of Tuscany: Bike in Tuscany, Italy

A rousing ride through Chianti wine country!

Our bike trip begins in Tuscany, in the fabled Renaissance city of Florence, and home of Michelangelo's "David." The next morning, we bike into the heart of Chianti Classico, a region famous for both beautiful landscapes and superior wines. Refresh yourself in the charming hilltop towns of Impruneta, Greve in Chianti, and Panzano. Our two-night stay in Radda offers many options: Walk to the nearby medieval village of Volpaia, bicycle to the castles of Meleto and Brolio, or simply explore the historic streets of Radda itself.

From Radda we follow a winding, panoramic route through the charming walled village of Castellina, with a stop to visit ancient Etruscan tombs, on our way to San Gimignano. You'll spot the fairy-tale skyline of this remarkably intact medieval town, sculpted with 12th-century towers, from miles away. Our layover day again offers several choices: Our recommendation is the scenic bike loop to Volterra, dramatically set against craggy hills and surrounded by walls dating from the Etruscan era.

The road from San Gimignano to Siena passes through multi-leveled Colle Val d'Elsa and the ancient walled city of Monteriggioni. Our trip ends with two nights and a sightseeing day in Siena, considered (with Florence) to be one of the two jewels of Tuscany. Explore the maze of crooked streets, splendid palaces and museums.

After the first night in Florence, we spend two nights at each hotel, allowing time to get to know each region in more depth. Tuscany has hills, and part of the fun of this trip is riding over the hills, and enjoying the vistas as you descend the other side. On the last day of the trip, we leave our bikes behind so we can explore the medieval wonders of Siena on a guided tour.

Highlights:

Stroll along Florence's picturesque Ponte Vecchio, crammed with leather shops, admire Michelangelo's David, then check out Tuscany’s nascent gay scene.
Enjoy lunch in a medieval town in the heart of "Chianti Classico", sampling the red wine that made the region famous.
Watch for the wild boar, pheasants, and occasional wolves that still inhabit the forests of scrub oak and pine.
Sip a cappuchino in Siena's breathtaking Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful public plazas in the world.
At every turn, enjoy the scents and flavors of Tuscany: Fresh-picked wild mushrooms, robust cheeses, crusty Italian breads, and ruby Chianti wines.

Is it the right vacation for you? Tuscany has hills! This is a trip of moderate difficulty, for cyclists who can comfortably bike 35 to 40 miles a day over rolling terrain, and who have basic map-reading skills.

Past travellers comment on this trip: "The best trip of my life. Everything including the weather was perfect."— Bill Venne, Minneapolis, Minn.

"Difficult for the novice but if you are in decent shape and love adventure, this is the trip for you!"— A.J. Shepard, Corte Madera, Cal.

Dates and Price:
Sept. 14 to 21, 2008: $2,695: A trip for gay men.

Prices are per-person, based on double occupancy. Tours often fill up months before departure. We regularly update our travel schedule to show the status of this and other trips.

Travelling Alone?
So are most of the people who travel with us. You do not need to pay extra to travel by yourself. Prices are per-person, and the single supplement applies only if you'd like a room by yourself.

Location: Starts in Florence, Italy; ends in Siena

Price includes: Comfortable hotels each night; Services of two tour guides; Use of 21-speed hybrid bike; All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 5 dinners, with wine included; Five biking days, and a sightseeing day in Siena; Transportation to get luggage (and tired riders!) to destinations; A wine-tasting; Map of Tuscany and detailed routes.

Not included: Travel to Florence and from Siena; 4 lunches; 2 dinners; Souvenirs, snacks, admissions; Gratuities for guides.

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