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Trip Overview
An invigorating bike vacation in historic Tuscany |
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Bike in Tuscany, Italy: Frequently-Asked Questions about The Flavors of Tuscany Bike from Florence, center of the Renaissance, into "Chianti Classico" wine country. A winding, panoramic route takes us to the fairy-tale village of San Gimignano, with its turreted, 12th-century skyline; and on to the crooked streets and palaces of Siena, frozen in the middle ages. This FAQ page is intended to accompany other pages about this trip and about our company (see links at left). Some of the answers below may include links to other other sites; please use the BACK key of your browser to return to this page. Contents:
When does this bike trip start and end?
Each trip ends after breakfast. There are no group activities on that day, so if you have tight travel connections, you can get up and leave as early as you wish. When your schedule allows it, you'll probably want to spend some time sightseeing in town, with others from the trip, before departing. Should I schedule my flight home on the last day of the trip?
This is called a 7-day trip. Exactly what does that mean?
Our "7-day" trip thus consists of 6 full days and two partial days. Some companies promote a trip of this length as being 8 days since it includes pieces of 8 different days. We feel it's more accurate to refer to this as 7 days. I'm traveling alone. Will everyone else be in couples?
You don't need to pay the single supplement if you're traveling alone. We'll be happy to match you with a roommate. Pay the single supplement only if you want a bedroom to yourself. Just how difficult is Flavors of Tuscany?
A beginning cyclist should not go on this trip. If you have moderate biking experience, then it largely comes down to how you feel about hills. If you cringe at the thought of a hill, skip this trip. If you see hills as an enjoyable challenge, then come to Tuscany! Our more general biking page will help you compare the relative difficulty of each trip. Can I talk to someone who's been on this trip?
Our website includes a full page of comments from past travelers. Most of them have volunteered to talk about their experiences with future potential travelers. Please call for the names and phone numbers of references in your area. What kind of bikes do you use?
We also supply a lock, spare tube and patch kit, and a handlebar bag or back rack for carrying a few small items. I want to bring a gel seat cover for my bike trip. What size is best?
How does the van support work for cyclists?
The specific van schedule varies day to day, based on a number of factors: the route, whether there's a picnic that day, and whether riders are all likely to be on the same road, or off on different options. Typically, the driver stays with or behind most of the group until about lunchtime (or earlier, if there's a picnic to set up), then drives ahead to deliver luggage into your rooms. If most of the group is likely to be on the same road, the driver may then circle back to see if anyone needs the van. However, we suggest various optional routes each day, and many people on our trips like to explore independently. That means cyclists may be spread out over many miles, and over several routes. In most cases, we find that a cyclist who needs help will get it fastest by calling the driver at the hotel or calling their cell phone, rather than waiting for the van to patrol all the spots where cyclists could be riding. We'll go over the details in more depth at the briefing when the trip starts. On paper (or on a computer screen) the system can seem uncertain because so many variables are involved. In practice, it works out well. There are many weeks when no one ever needs the van. If you do need assistance, generally you're able to get to a cafe or other comfortable spot while you wait for help. I'm an avid cyclist but my partner is not. Is this a good trip for us?
A perfect trip for couples with different levels of cycling experience is The Provencal. It includes two layover stops (when biking is optional, as we don't change hotels), during which your partner can shop, hike, or go sightseeing, while you loop through the hilltop towns of the Luberons. On the other days of this trip, our "official" route from one hotel to the next is fairly short, but (as with all our bike trips) we've planned enjoyable longer options for those who want more biking. Our two Loire Valley trips are also ideal for less experienced cyclists, yet offer longer route options and other activities for those keeping a faster pace. You can compare all of these trips on our Biking in France page. This trip looks fun, but is probably too hard for me. Is it okay to come anyway and ride in the van some days?
However, this is a bike tour, not a van tour. The van's route and itinerary are set up to accommodate cyclists, not van passengers. You'll miss some of the sights, and some of the fun, if you're in the van. We offer trips in a variety of terrains; you should be able to find a bike trip on which you can complete each day's biking. (They're summarized on our biking tours page.) You'll have a much better vacation if you select a trip that's right for your abilities. Is a stationary bike a good way to get in shape?
How do I get to Florence?
Pisa Airport (PSA), which is about 60 miles west of Florence, is treated as the same "city" in airline computers, and you can take a bus from Pisa Airport directly to the Florence train station. They depart about every 90 minutes and cost 10-15 euros. You could also visit the Leaning Tower and then take a train to Florence. Or, there's good train service into Florence from Milan, Rome, Geneva, and many major European cities. Note: Milan has 2 airports. Both have bus transfers into town, but the smaller Linate airport offers much easier access to the city and train station; from the international airport, Malpensa (MXP), it will take longer. From Siena, where we end, you can make train connections to your final destination. Or you can take a bus back to Florence. Where can I get a train schedule for Italy?
Where can I get European train schedules?
What's the weather like in Tuscany?
While you should always be prepared for rain, and it's not uncommon to have a light rain for half a day during the course of a week, it's unlikely that heavy rain will greatly interfere with outdoor activities between late April and late September. Precipitation increases in October, and reaches its peak in November and December. Who were these Etruscans?
For half a millennium, the Etruscans developed their own art, culture, weapons, and political systems. Then they lost out to the growing power of Rome. The Etruscans vanished as a civilization, but many of their religious customs and architectural styles were adopted by the Romans. Most Etruscan buildings apparently were made of wood, and did not survive. But some of their cities, such as Volterra, Cortona, and Chiusi, live on. The Etruscans developed elaborate burial rituals, with massive stone tombs and burial chambers. Although robbers have long ago looted these tombs, we can still walk inside them. And, of course, the Etruscans survive in the present-day name for the region where they lived: Tuscany.
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