Tuscany Bike Tour of Chianti

Tuscany Bike Tours offer a one day bike tour in the Tuscany Hills – or Colli Fiorentini around these parts – just south of Florence in the heart of the Chianti wine region. They offered me a chance to go out with them, take some video, try some wine and olive oil, get some great views, eat a nice lunch and, oh yes, do some cycling.

The single day bike tour starts at Castello di Poppiano, a charming 12th century medieval castle which is home to a Count and Countess. Once you arrive, you are taken on a tour of the Castle and its wine making facilities and up to the amazing views from the tower. There was so much to see, I had to do a separate video which you can see here:

Castello di Poppiano – Tuscany Bike Tour

We started our Tuscany bike tour with helmet fitting and a short safety talk. then Keith (the Irish one), Andy (the Scottish one) and Alessio (the Italian one) handed out bicycles ensuring everyone had the right seat height and was comfortable. I had “James Bond” – each bike is named – whilst one of the girls on the trip was delighted to see that she was, erm, riding Brad Pitt. The morning’s riding started gently and took us on a breathtaking cycle through the hills of Chianti passing vineyards, villas and olive groves.

The morning flew by and before long, it was time for a lunch break. We sat down to a full lunch at a quaint family owned restaurant nestled amongst the Florentine hills. There was a choice of pasta dishes, salad, dessert and coffee. Though I had opted for the fruit rather than the ice cream, I was ready for a nap but there was no chance as we moved on to the afternoon ride. More vineyards and lovely scenery plus a hill. Ah, the one downfall of cycling in beautiful Chianti: hills. And, more specifically, going up hills. But it’s no problem as there was a man with a van waiting at the bottom! The more sporting-inclined can brave the ascent while anyone who doesn’t fancy it can put their bike on a trailer and drive up. Very civilised.

But, what goes up… So, after a well deserved (for some!) rest at the top of the climb, there is a more downhill flavour to the second part of the afternoon which was welcome. This ride includes what is, in my opinion, one of the best views from a road in Chianti; you can see it in the video.

Find out more about a Bike Tour of Chianti at the Tuscany Bike Tours Site

A Short Tour Of Chianti

Read more

Cycling In Tuscany

Read more

Villa Mangiacane – the Perfect Tuscan Romantic Getaway

Greve in Chianti

This video was taken at the beginning of August at Greve in Chianti (known simply as Greve before 1972) in the heart of Tuscany. As the principle town of the Chianti region it is a mecca for wine lovers and visitors on wine tours. It’s a great day trip from Florence, plus you get to see the lovely Tuscan countryside in between! Easily the best (and most stress free) way to see the beautiful countryside of Chianti is with an organised tour;

The town was very quiet, as many smaller Italian towns are on Sunday, so don’t let that fool you! On weekdays, there is a market in the town that has been running almost continuously for hundreds of years. The centre has a triangular piazza with lovely walkways along the two longest sides which house artisans shops, restaurants and bars. There is a monument to Giovanni da Verrazzano (who discovered New York harbour) in the Piazza.

If you’d rather stay in Greve in Chianti, Venere have 5 properties in and around the town.

Our favourite is Villa Le Barone, with an average guest rating of 9.1 (including a perfect 10 for the surroundings!) it has to be on the prospective list for anyone planning a tour of Greve in Chianti or Tuscany.

View Larger Map

Impruneta and the Surrounding Tuscan Countryside

Impruneta is a small town south of Florence. It can be a short day trip (it is quite small) or combined with somewhere else in Chianti. It is close to Greve in Chianti so the two can be combined for a day out so that’s what we did! On sundays Impruneta reminds you of an Italy from years ago; everywhere is closed! Especially in August.

Although popular cities like Florence have embraced the tourist season and now are pretty much open all summer, smaller places will close up and it’s not unusual to arrive in a town in the middle of August and all the restaurants and shops are closed. So, if you are planning a holiday to Tuscany or Chianti in August bear this in mind.

View Larger Map