WHERE WE STAY
We’ll pass the entire tour at a family run inn, Hotel Zi Martino. We’ve become family with the crew at Hotel Zi’ Martino, a simple inn built by a former Tour de France rider, Carlo Guarguaglini, and his wife, Isa. Now run by their son, Fausto, the Guarguaglini family understands what we’re looking for in a vacation– the best riding, a great kitchen, and a family atmosphere with fun people.
We are also a few kilometers away from the beach and sparkling Mediterranean Sea. We’ll show you the way early on in the week in case you want to spend some afternoons laying in the sand.
GEARED FOR
You get a bit of everything on this itinerary–
This area of Tuscany is a great introduction to Italy while offering plenty of culture in a quiet atmosphere. With plenty of roads through the hilly countryside we have the flexibility of riding more or less based on the group dynamic. Our rides will take us through ancient villages where we’ll meet local artisans, through olive groves and forests, and vineyards, whose wines we’ll feature at meals throughout the week. Our rides will offer a pause to really soak up the views, have a snack, and a cafe stop, of course!
We will offer various off-the-bike activities most days for our non-cycling guests, including visits to nearby villages and cooking lessons with several local cooks. As a group we’ll take advantage of the season and visit a local farm during the wine harvest to understand how their wine is made.
The terrain is rolling hills with some sustained, shorter climbs, and very little flat. Cyclists should come prepared for the terrain and be willing to ride at a 2-pig level pace despite their earned summer fitness. On several days we’ll have the opportunity to ride longer for those interested, but our goal most days is to be back at the hotel in time for lunch.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
This is a quiet, untrammeled corner of Italy known as the Maremma. First inhabited by the Etruscan people this once marshland was late to develop and remains abundant in agriculture. We’ll be immersed in the surrounding nature, chestnut forests, olive groves, vineyards, and vegetable gardens.
Wine enthusiasts will be pleased to be in the heart of the Bolgheri DOC, one of the youngest wine domains in Italy, that offers plenty of exciting expressions of the unique terrain.
Our rides will take us on the quiet roads around Castagneto during our shorter days, with longer rides taking us to through ancient villages of the Maremma and in to the wilds of the Metaliferi hills. The Mediterranean sparkles from the hill tops and we hope to be lured to the beach at least one afternoon.
Cooking lessons will be taught by local cooks focusing on regional recipes with the fresh ingredients of the season. Cooking lessons are limited to 10 people and non-cycling guests are prioritized for each lesson. If you are interested in mixing cycling and cooking throughout the week let us know on your booking form. Lessons begin at 10:00 or 11:00 to allow for some light exercise beforehand and last roughly 3 hours. Our rides leave at 9:00 meaning you will have to choose between cycling or cooking that day.
TRAVEL DETAILS
This tour begins and ends with transportation from/to Pisa airport [PSA] or the local train station [Castagneto Carducci-Donoratico]:
Pick-up: 11:00 Saturday, Sept 13th at the Pisa Airport
Drop off: Sunday, Sept 21st: we will coordinate a morning shuttle time to the Pisa Airport and/or the local train station in Castagneto Carducci-Donoratico, exact times tbd based on need.
Transportation outside of the scheduled pick up/drop off days and times is not included in the price of the tour
Departure flights scheduled before 8 a.m. may not be accommodated in our shuttle times, so please alert us if you have an early flight.
INCLUDED IN TOUR
Airport and local train station transportation on the first and ninth day
8 nights, 8 days accommodations
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
Guide support on all rides, follow vehicle support on most days
Food and drinks on rides
Transportation and admission to scheduled tastings, sightseeing & special events
Cooking Classes and scheduled activities with a dedicated guide for non-cycling guests
TOUR DETAILS
Payment:
A $1,000 deposit is required upon booking confirmation to reserve your space
A second payment of $1,000 is due on March 13, 2025
Final Balance payments due on June 12, 2025
Single Supplement of $300 extra, please indicate on booking form
Please see our payment and cancellation policies on the FAQ page
Weather: Mid 70’s to mid 80’s and cooling off at night
Road bike rentals available, town bike rentals available for cooks 90 euros/week
