Tuscany and Umbria combine everything that's fascinating about Italy. Etruscan and Roman history, the Renaissance, wonderful architecture, and surely some of the most amazing and beautiful cathedrals in the world.
Tuscany in particular offers wonderful wines from Chianti, and more traditionally the deep, rich 'Brunello' from Montalcino and the 'Vino Nobile' of Montepulciano.
The food is gorgeous, fresh and rich, using herbs and local olive oils. It's hard to eat badly in Tuscany and Umbria, so long as you avoid anywhere with the menu in English!
The cycling in Italy can be fairly challenging, as this is the land of the hill town. This is not cycling for softies. Historic towns and cities like Siena, Perugia, Assisi, Todi, Pitigliano, Pienza and Spello, and dozens more.
Each boasts distinctive architecture, cathedrals and museums full of frescoes, and historical riches like the ancient wells of Orvieto and the Jewish quarter of Pitigliano.
Umbria in particular was home to St Benedict and St Francis, separated by almost a millennium, but key figures in the development of the monastic tradition.
Their history, and the history of the conflicts between the city states, lends a unique backdrop to an already fascinating region. On each of our Italian cycling holidays, we'll show you the very best of the Italian regions of Tuscany and Umbria. We look forward to seeing you soon on one of our cycling holidays in Italy.
The most notable wines from Umbria, are the white wines of Orvieto.