The Original & Best Tours
The Original Tuscany Bike Tour
from € 74,00
A fabulous easy day-bike tour through the Chianti countryside near Florence.
A fun and unique Tuscany bike tour with Artviva’s renowned bike tour guides. This is the only eco-friendly bike tour that leaves from Florence. Enjoy a fabulous easy day-bike tour through the Chianti countryside near Florence, a wonderful lunch at a famous Tuscan restaurant, a winery visit, wine tasting at a stunning Renaissance villa, great guides, fascinating stories that bring the past to life and a small group guaranteed.
This small-group Tuscany bike tour starts by winding its way through Florence, offering spectacular views of the Ponte Vecchio before heading to the nearby Tuscan countryside.
Enjoy a leisurely bike ride in the Tuscan countryside passing through stunning vistas of rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves, villas, and castles.
Stroll through a beautiful and historic private royal hunting estate learning about life on the land from ages past. Visit the estate's olive groves and vineyards while learning about the vintage and olive harvesting. Savour a delicious gourmet lunch at a famous Tuscan restaurant with fantastic views and soak up the atmosphere during a wine tasting of fabulous new designer wines in a 1000-year-old cellar. See how olive oil was pressed for eons and taste the estate's delicious virgin olive oil chosen to represent Tuscany internationally.
The highlights of the Original Tuscany Bike Tour:
- Stunning views of Florence city and classic Chianti countryside
- A gourmet lunch in a famous restaurant
- Wine tasting of fine boutique wines in an historic cellar plus vineyard visit
- A grand renaissance villa visit with a historic Italianate garden
- See olive groves, have an olive oil tasting, visit an ancient olive press
- Enjoy a walk through an extraordinary royal Tuscan hunting estate
- See the most beautiful church in Tuscany, typical picturesque Tuscan villages, and fantastic views of Florence
- Be accompanied by our great bi-lingual Tuscany bike tour guide
The run-down of the Original Tuscany Bike Tour:
After a short ride through Florence, we arrive in the beautiful Tuscan countryside where we visit a fabulous Renaissance Tuscan Villa celebrated by artists and writers over the centuries and walk through an exquisite example of an Italian garden with sculptures inspired by commedia del arte. We'll experience the awe inspiring grandeur of Tuscany's most beautiful church -Michelangelo's favourite- while we explore an ancient sacred place of sun worship. Ride through picturesque Tuscan villages replete with cobble stoned streets, and quintessentiel stone walled paths bursting with poppies and herbs. Finally before heading home we will see the best views of Florence possible from a fantastic vantage point. What more could you want in a perfect Tuscan day!
This is a great tour for bikers who are looking to get their exercise while enjoying the beautiful Tuscan countryside! This is not a tour designed for experts, however you must feel comfortable riding a bike and you must be fit and healthy. Because the guide keeps to the pace of the slowest in the group we have classed this ride as easy to medium at your own pace.
The Tuscan restaurant where you will be treated to a light, traditional lunch is one of Tuscany's most famous restaurants recommended by most good food guides. Experience classic Tuscan countryside ambience, great food, stunning views of the Tuscan countryside and a charming deli attached where you can browse some of the gourmet products you will taste. Your menu for the day will include a variety of classic Tuscan dishes, changing seasonally and served in tasting portions so that you can savor a variety of the best of what Tuscany has to offer. You will also be able to sample wine from a famous medieval Tuscan castle estate and also taste Tuscan olive oil. Lunch is followed by tea or coffee. Vegetarians can also catered for upon request.
The finer details of the Original Tuscany Bike Tour:
Price: Adults - 74 euro per person
Students (13-26) - 69 euro per person
Included in tour price: Delicious gourmet lunch with wine at a famous Tuscan restaurant (winner of Bon Apetit Best Tuscan Views). Vineyard and Olive Grove Visit. Stunning views of classic Tuscany Olive groves, cypress pines, rolling hills, villas, castles. A picturesque Tuscan village. High quality mountain bikes and helmet. A great tour guide for moral support up hills! Smaller groups. Quality helmet, all equipment required for your tour. Wine Tasting in a historic cellar. Olive Oil Tasting. Tuscan Villa visit. A bottle of water. And most importantly, the surety of us being a fully-licensed and bonded tour operator!
Excluded from tour price: Optional gratuities
Tour meeting time and dates:
8.45 am: March 19 to December 2 each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
The Original Tuscany Bike Tour meeting point: Our office at Via de' Sassetti 1 (2nd floor) in central Florence. See map for details.
Tour length: 6 hours with a short break, including a total of 14 kilometres/8.6 miles riding at a leisurely pace.
Minimum participants: 4 persons
Maximum participants: 16 persons
Weather: This tour does not run in heavy rain - alternative tour activities can be arranged however, so please contact us before the tour time if in doubt.
Terrain and conditions: Paved roads, rolling hills with one 2 kilometre uphill climb near the beginning of the tour with rest stops.
Assistance: friendly guide to fix any flat tires!
Please note: To do this tour, you must be confident and comfortable on a bike both in the historical city centre of Florence and on country hills and you must be fit and healthy. There are approximately 25 minutes of in-city bike riding (on bike paths) before heading across the River Arno into the hills where there is an uphill section before lunch. Please wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Due to the nature of the ride and the size of the bicycles, children 12 and under cannot participate in this tour. For any dietary restrictions, please make a note in the Notes section so we can inform the kitchen and do our best to accommodate your requirements.
For your peace of mind: We strongly recommend when choosing a bike tour company that you check the company is a fully-licensed tour operator, as is legally required in Italy. Not being fully licensed means under local laws you travel at your own risk as it is impossible to have adequate or appropriate liability insurance for carrying tourists by van to any destination or for operating tours by bike if not licensed. Our company, The Original and Best Tours, is a fully licensed and bonded travel agency Reg. Lic 516411 and is a member of ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents.
FOR LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS CALL OUR OFFICE NOW: ++39 0552645033 (Mon-Sat 8am-6pm).
The time in Italy now is 08:42 am.
Read the latest feedback comments about this Tuscan bike tour
Some suggestions:
The Best of Tuscany Tour with your own exclusive Guide
Private Exclusive Tuscany Bike Tour just for you
Tuscany Villa Swim and Lunch Available every day
Tuscany Bike Tour with Villa Swim
A Perfect Morning in Tuscany Tour
Artviva The Original and Best Tours is a fully licensed and bonded travel agency reg Lic 516411 and is a member of ASTA the American Society of Travel Agents
Related Blog Entries:
Florence, Italy: foodie heaven
Dining on traditional local dishes is a reason to visit Italy in itself. But for foodies in Italy, it is the selecting of food items from the local vendors, just as the locals do, which truly presents one of the … Continue reading
American Contemporary Art in Florence, Italy
2012 Florence, Italy: This year is the 500th anniversary of the death of Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512). Amerigo Vespucci, the man after whom America was named, was born in Florence, Italy and was an explorer, navigator and cartographer. To mark the … Continue reading
25th April in Italy: Festa della Liberazione Italiana
25th April is la Festa della Liberazione Italiana – Liberation Day in Italy. It commemorates the anniversary of the 1945 end of the Italian Social Republic led by Mussolini, who was captured a few days later as he attempted to … Continue reading
Artisans & Art in Florence, Tuscany – Mostra Internazionale dell’Artigianato
Florence, the majestic capital of Tuscany, is known for being the capital of the Renaissance. Some of the history’s greatest artists produced some of the world’s best artworks here. This artistic flair has also been applied to artisan crafts the … Continue reading
Wild About Asparagus in Tuscany (including recipe!)
Food in Tuscany is dictated by the seasons, constantly changing according to what the landscape presents. In Tuscany right now, for those in the know, it is possible to find wild asparagus growing in the stunning surrounds. There is nothing … Continue reading
Italian Easter Food Traditions – Long lunches & lamb recipes
Most festivals and special occasions in Italy are marked by the preparation of specialty dishes enjoyed at wonderfully set tables around which all the family gather. Preparations can take days, and in the lead up to special feast days walking … Continue reading
Chianti Castle
It was a lovely, sunny Tuscan morning when we climbed into our small van and headed off to tour the world-famous wine country in Tuscany – Chianti. Winding through the roads that cling to the Tuscan hillsides, we passed … Continue reading
OutrunCancer – charity run around Italy
One man (and his faithful support team) is presently putting a lot of energy into raising awareness and funding for prevention of cancer. Luca Turrini is running 20 marathons in 29 days, one in each region of Italy. Spurred on … Continue reading
Vinitaly: Verona, Vines & Vino
Verona has been historically known as the home of Shakespeare’s lovebirds Romeo and Juliet. But for 46 years, a new -and much more enduring- romance has been taking place there. We’re talking Vinitaly, Italy’s most celebrated wine fair. Each year … Continue reading
Florence Sunshine – just brilliant!
Walking around the historical city of Florence at various times of the day, we are gifted with the most spectacular sights of marble-façade churches asterisked by the brilliant morning sun behind, statues perfectly chiaroscuroed, historical palaces back-dropped by a perfect … Continue reading
Giotto’s Bell Tower, Florence: Great sights from a great height of 5 flights
It may come as no surprise that life is not too bad* when you live it in Florence, Italy. And one of the 4879** things we absolutely adore about this wonderful Renaissance city is that there are always so many … Continue reading
The night of nights: Seracini and Renzi, Vinci and da Vinci, the US Consol General… and Artviva!
We at Artviva have long been supporters of the project to find the lost da Vinci masterpiece, ‘The Battle of Anghiari’, having worked with da Vinci sleuth Maurizio Seracini himself for some years in promoting his cause. This week we … Continue reading
New clues in lost Da Vinci saga come to light!
News sites around the world are reporting on the exciting update on the search for the lost Leonardo da Vinci being sought out by our good friend Maurizio Seracini. The Leonardo da Vinci work was started in 1505 and lost … Continue reading
FAIR FIESOLE: Parks, Parkour and Precious Objects
From Florence, Fiesole is but a short drive (or a longer but lovely hike!) up a winding ancient road that gives the gift of spectacular Tuscan views with each curve of the road. Normally a quiet little village overlooking the … Continue reading
Current-ly in Florence: The River Arno
It is afternoon and the remnant light of day is starting to creep up and up further across the stunning marble façades of Florence’s most iconic churches and historic buildings. We have been walking through the cobbled streets of Florence … Continue reading
Florence: barrels of fun, fashion & fascination
Italians have a saying, ‘nella botte piccola c’è il vino buono’ – in small barrels there is good wine, which is basically the Italian way of saying that good things come in small packages. And nothing demonstrates this more than … Continue reading
Making an Impression: American artists in Florence’s Palazzo Strozzi
Think of Florence and you’re not likely to think of Americans. You might, strangely enough, be more inclined to think of, say, Italians. But being a centre of art and culture (and shopping!), Florence is actually home to quite a … Continue reading
So much for the good ol’ days – children in Florence during the Renaissance
The Little Princes – children in the Renaissance. Cross-dressing toddlers, baby cages, superstitious baby toys, pet monkeys, baby binding, pint-sized cardinals and a range of toddler weaponry that gives a whole new definition to the term ‘infantry’!
Book Now
While you're there...
You may also like...
What people say about us:
Michael Palin
Actor/Presenter (Monty Python and a list of fabulous films too long to list here)
Lou Reed
Rockstar
Richard Kind
Actor (Mad about You, Spin City)
Alex Rodriguez
Baseball Star (In December of 2000 Rodriguez became the best-paid ballplayer of all time when he signed a $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers)
Mike Munro
One of Australia's finest investigative journalists and well known media personalities.
Bill Kurtis
Acclaimed documentary host and producer, network news anchor and multimedia production company .
Nat Young
World Surfing Champion
As recommended by:
Find us on:
Facebook Users Reviews
On
2011/12/09
John Brade said:
cooking class
I took the Cooking Class and Market tour (in San Lorenzo Market). It was awesome! The market had the most incredible fresh ingredients, and the most amazing seafood selection I have ever seen. The cooking class was extremely professional, and the lunch afterwards was great! I recommend this class for anyone.Mark
On
2011/12/07
Aurelija Dugnaite said:
A truly life changing experience
Absolutely amazing.Words can hardly express how much we enjoyed our experience with ArtViva! From the minute we stepped in their lovely office, we felt attended, looked after and taken care of. The friendly staff advised us in detail of what would suit our tastes and knowledge best, and as they have so many beautiful tours to choose from, that help was very appreciated. Florence's cultural richness can be overwhelming, but relying on ArtViva made everything easy and utterly enjoyable for us.The small group walking tour of Florence exceeded all expectations. Our guide Paul was tremedous: a true Florence insider, with amazing knowledge of arts and culture, engaging story telling and great local tips you won't find in a guide book. The memories of the tour will stay with me and my sister for many many years. Booking with ArtViva is the best single thing you could do to have the ultimate Florence experience.Thank you, ArtViva.
On
2011/11/29
Sepideh Emami said:
On
2011/11/24
Eddi Frantz said:
Friendly and Knowledgable.
An essential part of visiting such an historical city as Florence is a smart, knowledgeable tour guide. Artvivas guides are fun, friendly and really know their stuff. Plus they know all those great places not on most guidebooks that only a passionate local world know. Dont even contemplate a visit to the Uffizi or Michaelangelos David without one!
On
2011/11/24
Kathleen Marriott said:
Hightlight of Italian Trip
Thanks so much for the great walking tour we did in Florence in May. It was fun, informative and we were treated like VIPS! The guide made us feel welcome and got to know exactly what we were interested in seeing to make sure all was covered. If we had tried to do everything we did on the tour on our own, we would have spent days getting hopelessly lost! I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in the art, architecture, history and the culture of Florence.
On
2011/11/22
Caroline Beck said:
Feels like you have hired a first-class guide from a first-class outfit – at a fraction of the price.
If you are the type to shy away from “packaged” tours, preferring to go it alone in a brand new city, Art Viva might just be your new BFF (best friend forever) when on tour in Florence. Comfortably small groups - instead of large crowds moving en-masse. Personalized insights by well-educated guides – instead of canned presentations. ArtViva’s walking tours are the next best thing to hiring a private art historian to walk you around this fabulous city – at a fraction of the price. Their 3-hour walking introduction to Florence’s history and a follow-up tour of the Uffizi dispelled all my preconceptions that tour groups were not for me. Even if you’ve been to Florence before, start your vacation off right in 3 quick hours. It will set the stage for a perfect stay.
On
2011/11/22
Brigitte Reynolds said:
Incredible!
My husband and I had the good fortune of taking ArtViva tours of Florence while on our honeymoon. We started with the walking tour, followed by the David tour. We were so impressed we immediately signed up for the Uffizi tour the next day. The guides we had (Sasha/Sylvia & Brenda) were all amazing; they were incredibly knowledgable, friendly and spoke perfect English. What was best was their genuine enthusiam and love of the arts and history of Florence; their excitment was contagious and inspired us to want to know and learn more! I couldn't have asked for a better experience.Brigitte Reynolds
On
2011/11/22
Nadia LaMantia said:
a wonderful experience!
I loved my tour, and the artviva staff were so great and extremely helpful!!
On
2011/11/16
Jade Farley said:
GREAT Tours!
Best tours I have ever been on! The guide's knowledge was just incredible, and I can't wait to come back to do more tours.
On
2011/11/09
Alexandra Buscaino said:
Educational and entertaining!
Our tour was great - very informative, and the guide just fabulous! He not only knew so much about the history, but also had a knack for storytelling that kept us all fascinated.
Live Tweets
Artviva is guaranteed by:
