After checking in at Auckland Airport late this afternoon, we board our Emirates flight to Dubai.
On arrival in Dubai early this morning, we clear customs and immigration and transfer to our hotel.
We can check in straight away because we have booked an early check-in.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Early this morning we go to the airport for our flight to Bologna in Italy.
On arrival at Bologna airport this afternoon we are met and transfer to our hotel.
We have a morning sightseeing tour of Bologna with visits to Basilica San Petronio on Piazza Maggiore and the Archiginnasio Palace – Europe’s first University. The walls of the courtyard and staircases are covered with crests and heraldic symbols. Included in our visit is the historic Anatomical Theatre.
This afternoon we travel to our hotel in Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
This morning we go on a walking tour with Helen (your Tour Leader) past all the main sights.
This afternoon we go across the Ponte Vecchio, up the hill to the San Miniato Abbey, which has great views back to Florence and a fascinating Italian cemetery; then down through the Pizzale Michaelangelo, where the huge statue of David is located, then back across the river via the Ponte alle Grazie into the city.
This morning we visit the Uffizi Gallery.
Then there is time at leisure. You might like to visit the Accademia Gallery (not included) to see the statue of David.
Late afternoon we have a pre-tour briefing with our cycle guide.
After a sustaining breakfast we leave Florence by… train; yes to avoid the terrible traffic (and Italian drivers) we have a train take us out into the countryside and our waiting E-Bikes in Figline Valdarno.
We cycle to Greve, a charming town with its famous triangular Piazza Matteotti. The town has two claims to fame: Antica Macelleria Fallorni (butcher’s shop), known for its meat cuts since 1729; and Giovanni da Verrazzano, the local-boy-made-good who discovered the New York harbour.
Being Tuscany we will be in olive tree country. The Riseccoli family is a renowned family, producing olive oil for generations. We will stop and have a look and a taste. Legend has it that Mona Lisa came from this area. Radda is next; surrounded by vineyards it is a tourist hot spot in Chianti.
At the end of our ride is Castellina and that must mean wine time. Castellina is an old Etruscan town (which means older than Roman) and has many lovely corners and vistas. A long time ago it was a frontier town between warring Siena and Florence; today is sleeps in the sun and produces excellent wine.
Today we are heading south towards San Gimignano, a favourite spot for many a traveller. On the way we will be passing through some more fabulously beautiful Tuscan countryside. It’s always a great day when you can breathe the fresh air, look across the countryside and appreciate the greens and blues of the landscape.
We will know when have reached San Gimignano as it is famous for its chimneys. High on its hill, San Gimignano, is a medieval town behind stone walls. Without a doubt we can guarantee some fine Italian food and excellent gelato.
An easy ride today, as we leave San Gimignano and head towards Siena. The distance is not too far and we have some undulating countryside to cross. The reward for powering up to a viewpoint on our E-Bikes is the opening landscape before us. It’s well worth taking a moment to take it all in. Monteriggioni (anything with monte in the name means a hill) cathes our attention from far away. This small town was a forward defensive post in the war between Florence and Siena.
Our destination, Siena is a wonderful example of gothic architecture. More recently Siena is known for its horse races held in the main town piazza, the Campo, the most beautiful square in Italy.
Siena is a beautiful city which once competed against Venice and Florence for power, wealth and artistic beauties.
This morning we have a guided walking tour and this afternoon is at leisure.
A great day is ahead of us as we leave Siena and head towards Montalcino. We are heading south to an area well-known from postcards and calendar pictures.
We will see rolling hills, topped with medieval towns, olive groves and a skyline punctuated with cypress trees.
We turn into the Val di Merse where there is almost no traffic because of the curvy roads and many hills. Along the way we will pass through Vescovado and Buonconvento; sleepy villages surrounded by cypress trees.
The road goes up to Montalcino. The grapes for the famous Brunello are grown here. Late afternoon we will have time to explore the town.
This morning, we leave Montalcino and head towards the South. The road is narrow and curvy and you can smell the countryside around you. On the right is Monte Amiata, a dormant volcano which gives us a hint about the thermal water found in this region.
Our journey takes us along a small unpaved road leading to Bagno Vignoni. This town has been a therapeutic spa since the Middle Ages when the pilgrims came here to cure their muscle aches. The whole market place is a huge thermal pool and quite a different Italian town centre.
We keep going towards Pienza on a panoramic road. When we reach the town we will have an opportunity to look around and enjoy the atmosphere.
Early this evening we have a wonderful cooking class at our accommodation in the Tuscan countryside.
After breakfast it’s back on our bikes as we head south; as they say “all roads lead to Rome”. We are still in a thermal water area and some places are like Rotorua; you can smell them from afar. One such place is Bagno San Filippo, once an overnight stop for the pilgrims in Roman times; today we can also take a dip. So have your swimming togs ready and we’ll take a muscle relaxation in the warm thermal water.
After our therapeutic bath we cross the Via Cassia, the old trading route to Rome. The area is famous for pecorino, the goat cheese. We are entering Umbria, another beautiful region in Italy.
We need to cycle up to Citta della Pieve on top of its hill, but the views are worth it!
Just like the old pilgrims we are heading south towards the Eternal City. At the very northern part of the Lazio region, stands the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve, that was established in 1983 and safeguards wide woods in a gentle, hilly landscape crossed by the Paglia River. The area is lonely and quiet, just perfect for E-Biking.
There is only one cafe along the way, where we can have a last Cappuccino. Crossing the border Latium we will ascend to Orvieto, clinging to a tuff plateau; it’s the last highlight on our trip.
This morning is at leisure and early this afternoon we have a walking tour in Orvieto. The old town has narrow alleyways flanked by thick stone walls and shuttered palazzos, restaurants, cafes and boutiques housed beneath medieval arches and in Etruscan caves.
Late this afternoon we transfer to Rome airport and fly on Emirates to Dubai.
This morning we transit through Dubai airport and fly back to New Zealand.
Home to New Zealand with special memories of enjoying the active life in wonderful Tuscany.