Tuscany biking vacation through Siena & Chianti

Planet

Water:
Water is a really important issue with cycling trips and whilst we must stay hydrated, it is also vital to provide water without causing lots of waste with plastic bottles. Our guides always provide large bottles used to fill the singular bottles.

Activity:
Cycling trips in general have a minimal impact on the environment; clients are briefed on managing food waste on cycling days- litter can be collected by guide in support vehicle and disposed of appropriately, in respect of local recycling policies. As this is a cycling trip, clients will interact with locals on scheduled stops, but also on the roads while cycling.

UK office
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies in place, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.

Group size
We operate small group tours that have a low impact on the communities we visit and we always ensure our operations do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. This allows us to stay in unique and characterful accommodation that may not have otherwise benefitted from tourism due to their limited size.

People

Local Craft and Culture:
This tour is packed with culture: we visit the cities of Florence and Siena and also a number of small towns along our route like San Quirico, one of the most beautiful and charming medieval towns of the Orcia Valley, the thermal baths of Bagno Vignoni and we cycle the Via Francigena.

Community:
This trip is designed to allow a high degree of economic benefit to the local communities; we buy local produce, eat local food including a few gelatos made from artisans parlours, some of which who make unique flavours like blackberry, lavender, gorgonzola cheese and walnuts on top of the favourites, all produced daily with the freshest ingredients. When visiting Castello di Brolio, the guests have the opportunity to taste some of the region’s finest wines including the Barone Ricasoli, recently selected by Wine Spectator as one of the five best wines in the world.
This cycling tour actively encourages guests to chat with local people, visit local cafes and bars, purchase local produce, gifts and crafts and discover the real Tuscan life.

Accommodation and Meals:
On this tour we will spend 7 nights in small hotels. All accommodation is locally owned and staffed, which provides employment and income alternatives for many locals. Where meals are provided, there is a focus on using locally sourced produce and traditional ingredients in locally-run establishments. For meals that are not included, clients are encouraged to eat in authentic, family-run restaurants that showcase the best of Italian cuisine prepared from local produce and to ensure the local communities benefit from our visit. In the village of Vescovado di Murlo we will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by Gianluca, the owner of the small, family owned Albergo di Murlo. The wild Boar Pappardelle or Pici is a must try dish here.