Internationale groepsreis Tuscany: Cycle Siena & Chianti

Riche

De fietsreis was georganiseerd door Exodus, een uitstekende relatie van Sawadee en werd door de medewerkers van Exodus zeer zorgvuldig begeleid. De reislocaties in Toscane en de fiets routes waren perfect gekozen.

Sandra

Mooie reis in prachtig, maar heet Toscane. Gelukkig waren Martino en 'the van' nooit ver weg. Goede hotels, alleen voorlaatste hotel was verschrikkelijk. Gebrekkige wifi, geen airco, versleten bedden en geen gordijnen. Om te verduisteren moesten luiken aan de binnenkant dicht. Dus ook de ramen (en geen airco), de boel opengelaten. Omdat ik aan de straatzijde sliep veel koplampen auto's en weinig nachtrust. Alternatief voor dit zou wenselijk zijn.

Beautiful HILLY Tuscany

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Tuscany: Cycle Siena and Chianti

This is a great trip: cycling through classic Tuscan landscapes, stopping in beautiful hilltop towns and villages and enjoying the great food and wine of the area with a friendly group and excellent leader and support.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

There were many: the long gradual descent from Castellina in Chianti to Poggibonsi with the smell of pine and wood smoke and unfolding views of the beautiful town of San Gimignano through vineyards; looking out across the countryside in the morning with clouds nestling in the valleys; Siena and its beautiful architecture - a real gem of a city.

What did you think of your group leader?

Radu, our leader was a really friendly, helpful and professional leader with a great sense of humour. He ensured the group's safety and enjoyment of the trip was uppermost and - together with Reece (who was providing the vehicle support) - made the trip really enjoyable. They kept the good quality bikes in excellent order and provided regular coffee, water and snack stops along the way. Radu was a really good cyclist, to boot, and catered for a wide variety of cycling abilities - so that everyone was included and was able to get the most out of the trip.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The usual stuff: cycling shorts, gloves, glasses and waterproofs (we had some cool and wet weather at the start of our September trip - although it steadily improved through the week (so take sun block as well). Always have water with you - even when you have vehicle support nearby. A mobile phone is recommended, too. If you prefer having stuff with you but not on your back consider taking a rack and pannier if your luggage will accommodate it - as these bikes weren't supplied with either (some trips do and it's worth finding out beforehand). Although this is a moderate trip, it is quite hilly - so it's worth going out and doing a few hills before before you go on the holiday.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The Strade Bianche (the White Roads) that we cycled a few kilometres along were an interesting addition to the trip. This holiday is a great introduction to this part of Tuscany and includes all its classic ingredients: rolling hills, beautiful cities, towns and villages, vineyards, friendly people and great food and wine. Cycling is a fantastic way to sample all these ingredients.

Chianti/Sienna

This was my 5th Exodus cycling trip and my favorite to date. The scenery was quite picturesque, the hills challenging and the group was great fun. Radu and Reece were a superb team. The attention to detail was quite amazing if you have been on many prior trips. Riding safety began with inspection of the bikes which were first rate. We had quite a range of biking experience but Radu was accommodating to the entire group. Both Radu and Reece were fantastic mechanics too. I highly recommend this trip.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Probably the finish in Florence and the view of the entire city. A great wow! moment. Riding into Sienna too and looking out at the hills. and of course... riding through the many vineyards in Chianti with the grapes ready to be harvested. The day off to really see Sienna was an added treat.

What did you think of your group leader?

Radu is the man. Attention to detail, Safety, the comfort and security of all guests of varying time in the saddle was truly amazing. An excellent cyclist in the countryside and on gravel who is probably at his best getting the group into and out of cities in traffic. If this is a first trip for you this is the guide you want.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Do some training on gravel if you are not a mountain bike person. Perhaps some hills too since ALL Italian villages and cities seem to be on top of hills. Bring some rain gear. we did not have much rain but if you keep your torso and feet dry it makes all the difference. and of course have an extra day or two to see Florence. Go see David. words fail.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

What an immense pleasure this trip was. I'm already thinking of 2017.

Wonderful trip

5 days of cycling through the beautiful Tuscan countryside with an opportunity to see Siena. Well organised and well supported with good bikes that were very adjustable to suit different needs.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The morning descents from Castellina in Chianti trying to stay on the road at high speeds while the mist rose off the breathtaking scenery on either side. Truly exhilarating.

What did you think of your group leader?

Both Radu and Reese were excellent in lead and support. Nothing too difficult for them and they kept the group informed as to the route and what to expect and allowed people to go at their own pace while keeping us together with regular stops for coffee and bananas! Any complaints or comments were dealt with quickly although to my knowledge there weren't any of any consequence. Very professional at all times and great company too.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

There are hills in Tuscany and although not necessarily really steep, they can go on for a while. I was very glad that i had done some training in preparation. I would recommend being fairly fit and comfortable covering some distance on your bike.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This was my first Exodus holiday and i found the experience excellent. Travelling solo can be daunting but the group was really friendly and the leaders fantastic. I have been back for only 5 days and i am already looking at the brochure for my next adventure!

Tuscany Cycle Siena and Florence

One week cycling the hills of Tuscany. One day off in Siena. We finished in Florence. It was like cycling through a postcard of Tuscany: Cypress trees, vineyards, wine tasting places, hilltop mediaeval villages. In 10 years of cylcing in Europe, this scenery and these roads were the most captivating. The food was delicious, loads of salads and veg for people like me who do not like meat but loads of meat if you like it. And the wine, you could get the finest wine that Italy had to offer in the smallest Pizzarias. The bikes: lightweight ridgebacks were really good.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

On the day off in Siena, at night, we visited the Zebra striped Cathedral and they projected film onto the walls. And Siena was so beautiful. Having a whole day midweek to wander round Siena, with the option of a self guided short ride if you wanted it, was inspired. The cycling, the routes, the choice of roads, was inspirational. I don't like gelato but I was told that San Gimingano where we spent a few hours, has the best gelato in the world

What did you think of your group leader?

Radu Man was our group leader. For a Romanian guy he was such an Italian. An obsessive gelato eater and bike stacker and wearer of the best bike gear. He was really funny, organised, warm, energetic, knowledgeable, a great cyclist, a great banterer, and he and his support guide knew how to fix bikes. They checked the bikes even without us asking. He and Reece, who supported him, worked meticulously to behind the scenes and it meant we never got lost, and never lost a cyclist, and knew what we were doing.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

If you don't want to wear a small rucksack, bring a panier rack and panier. Tuscany is hilly, be prepared to cycle up the hills as well as down them. Leave some room in your suitcase shopping. Siena and Tuscany have some great shops. Book one or two nights in Florence at the end. There is so much to see there and we end the tour in a lovely hotel in Florence.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

One of the best cycling trips!

This is our 8th cycling trip with Exodus and one of the best. It has it all- great cycling on mainly quiet roads, but as others have said it would be best to do some hills before travelling so you can enjoy it. Wonderful scenery passing through lovely villages. Great food and wine - lets not forget the wine! I also enjoyed the coffee stops and gelato stops. Enough time was given to look around the places we passed through. Oh and great guides.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Hard to single out one moment - but the view over Florence when we arrived was magical - seeing the Doumo dominate the city, the wonderful Tuscan scenery, Radu reminding me of the best gelato in town awaiting us at the top of the long climb back to Castellina! He was a great motivator.

What did you think of your group leader?

Both Radu and Martin were excellent guides and great company. Radu was very knowledgable and gave lots of guidance and advice. Martin was great in support.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take insect repellent for day and night - a few of us got bitten quite a lot! I would say some of the days are more grade 3/4 .

Is there anything else you would like to add?

There are some sections on 'white roads' essentially gravel roads and there were a couple of falls on our trip so be confident on this type of terrain. We loved it but are used to mountain bike terrain.

Beautiful at every turn

An incredible week of superb food, hill top towns, challenging cycling, new friends of all abilities and a well structured itinerary!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Every turn, every climb, every descent was a "wow this is beautiful" moment! The scenery was incredible

What did you think of your group leader?

Liz and Paul worked so well together! Liz was incredibly well organized and her restaurant recommendations were 100% outstanding! They structured the riding around everyone's capabilities and frequent stops and clear instructions meant a well run trip.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Late May was still COLD and wet so take appropriate clothing even if the weather forecast before you leave says warm and dry! It is extremely hilly, know what 1000m of ascent means before you go. I did and I knew what I was riding but others didn't. The distances are not long but the hills are :-) I ride a carbon road bike so I was nervous about the bikes but they were absolutely perfect.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Do this trip! This is my 4th Exodus cycling trip and one of the best. Great food, scenery and stops along the way make for a great week!

Florence to Lucca

Wonderfully challenging and great routing. Good hotels and super guides

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Great views good roads and ability to push a little harder than expected with good results

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent. Would go on any trio radu and Liz lead

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Train for hills. Some steep and long

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Don't over pacj

Tuscany May 2015

This is our second Exodus bike trip - we will definitely keep coming back. The Tuscany region is exactly like you would see in the photos, rolling (undulating) hills, vineyards, and wonderful historic cities. We appreciated the stops to see the towns and scenery and of course enjoy a well deserved gelato. The food and wine was more delicious than we could ever have imagined. Our guides Radu and Liz were able to give great tips on where to go and what to see. You can never totally plan on the weather cooperating - the rain and cold on the last day to Florence were a bit much but it certainly didn't ruin what was a perfect trip.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Riding through the gates of Siena. A city full of incredible history.

What did you think of your group leader?

Radu and Liz were great. We enjoyed their humor, hints and tips and care they put into making it a great trip. Very good friendly competition on who could make the best picnic lunch. I'm sure the jury is still out.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Definitely make this on your "to do" list! It is well worth it.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Beautiful HILLY Tuscany

So as a complete novice to cycling I discovered it is a wonderful way to see a country, but damned hard work in this hilly part of the world! Great group of people to share the holiday experience with. Helpful supportive guides, but make sure you prepare for this trip with hill training.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The end! Knowing I had finished, achieved and arrived at beautiful Florence

What did you think of your group leader?

Alex was very knowledgeable about the region having guided this trip before. Together with Tug, I found them to be encouraging and supportive. I particularly liked the distraction techniques Tug used to help with the hill climbs

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Train, train, train! I was totally unprepared in terms of how much cycling I had done pre trip. In particular I had not done enough hill training and there are lots of hill climbs. In Tuscany, all the villages and towns we visited sit atop a hill. This means you spend a short time cycling down and then most of the day cycling uphill. September was a great time of year to go as it was warm, but not too hot. I can only imagine how hard this trip would be in the heat of summer.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I had a great time, so much so we are looking at another cycle trip next year! The trip was well organised, the hire bikes were of good quality and the guides friendly, helpful and supportive. I particularly liked the fact that the days included plenty of fequent stops for drinks and food. It gave you enough time to look around, but more time in San Gimiagno would have been nice. Of note the trip notes underestimate the distances cycled, but as Alex always said, it's not the distance that matters but the climbs! You will find yourself feeling a great sense of achievement by the end of it all, and Tuscany is beautiful.

Cycle Tuscany and Chianti

A spectacular cycling trip with a 'wow' at every turn and summit. It blends fantastic scenery with exactly the right amount of culture which a cycling holiday in this region rightly deserves. The food and wine are likewise to the exquisite standard you would expect;so don't go in the hope of loosing weight.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Cycling in to all of the beautiful Tuscan towns in which we stayed were inspirational. However, our triumphal entry to our very own room with a view, Florence was extra special.

What did you think of your group leader?

Alex and Simon were both extremely encouraging, professional and knowledgeable. Being relatively new to cycling I found their advice and guidance plus technical tips extremely useful.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Buy yourself a little handle bar bag (available on line) they are big enough for everything you need with you throughout the day and for any extras the van is never too far away. If you want to treat yourself to a commemorative cycling jersey go to the little sports shop on the square in San Gimignano they're expensive in all the towns but slightly cheaper there and well worth investing in as a great memento of the trip.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Don't waste time thinking about this holiday just get booked. You won't regret it. I went in early October and had excellent cycling weather.

Susan, Christchurch

A wonderful tour of a beautiful region, using quiet roads and enjoying authentic Italian cuisine

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

meeting the challenge of some meaty climbs and longer cycle rides. The changing scenary, the fun and banter between the other members of the group.

What did you think of your group leader?

Radu was a very professional leader and a real motivator. He was informative and able to cater for the wide range of abilities within the group. Somehow he found the energy to be sociable in the evenings and his local knowledge meant he could locate good restaurants.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Read carefully the experience and ability required for the cycling. This trip was rated moderate to challenging which is fair. Sometimes we cycled over 50 miles in some hilly sections. It is not appropriate for cyclists that have little understanding of gears and only cycle occasionally at a leisurely pace.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The hotels were rated 3 and 4 star. Although clean, they were closer to 2 star accommodation by UK standards.

Cycle Tuscany and Chianti

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Cycling in Tuscany, Siena and Chianti

This was our first cycling holiday and we really enjoyed it. Wonderful views, great food and wine and good company. It was well-organised and well-led.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The day we spent in San Grimignano when it was too wet to ride (although we enjoyed the cycling a lot).

What did you think of your group leader?

The group leaders, Radu and Natalie, were excellent. They were very knowledgeable, well-organised and good at solving problems.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Tuscany is quite hilly. It might be a good idea to try some hills in England first. If a hill is really formidable you can get a lift in the support vehicle so you don't need to worry about the hills too much. In September the weather in Tuscany can be wet. Taking good quality waterproofs is a good idea because although it may be possible to take a day off cycling because of bad weather there will be days when you have to cycle whatever the weather because you need to get to the next destination.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Overall, this was a fantastic holiday.

CYCLE THROUGH SIENA & CHIANTI

What a fantastic holiday. The views and towns were amazing, a fantastic guide and challenging cycling. I would seriously recommend this holiday to someone that loves excercise, sightseeing, eating and drinking.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The towns we visited were like film sets. Picture perfect.

What did you think of your group leader?

Fantastic group leader. Excellent knowledge of the routes.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Get fit before you travel as there are a lot of hills, but the cycling is well paced and plently of opportunity for resting/eating/drinking.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

You must visit Tuscany. An inspiring part of the world.

TUSCANY: CYCLE SIENA & CHIANTI

This was a really brilliant trip, the climbs were perhaps a little longer than what I expected but the downs were as good as anywhere I have ever been!The views were absolutley beautiful and all the Villages so well preserved. Road surfaces were excellent as were the Hotels.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Getting to the top of each hill and seeing the amazing views.Eating outside in the Piazza Del Mercato in Seinna on a beautiful moonlit night. 

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent ,he was always ready to give information about the local history and was full of good humor and a very relaxed guy but always in control. 

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You need to be fairly fit to enjoy the biking and don't drink too much wine,  energy drinks will help you get up the hills!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would thoroughly recomend this trip to any body who likes biking ,ice creams,wine,good food,history,and wonderful countryside. 

TUSCANY: CYCLE SIENA & CHIANTI

This trip was a great balance of exercise, culture and all round fun. The accommodation was very good too. No surprise to learn there were lots of hills, but the pacing was good for the slower ones like me, and the support was excellent. 

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

We had a very good group - guides and fellow travellers. This helps a lot, but in the end it's the quality of the itinerary that makes or breaks a trip, and it was in my view a very good one. I particularly liked the way it was set up so that we had one night in the starting point hotel, then 2 nights each at each hotel with loops on the second day at each. 

What did you think of your group leader?

Guido was excellent, as was Emanuele. Both thoroughly decent people, with excellent local knowledge and always ready to help. Their recommendations for, and organisation of, meals were much appreciated. 

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take less warm clothing if you go in mid September. My cold weather gear came back with me entirely unused. Do some hill training before you go. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I recommend this trip to anyone who wants a relatively relaxed touring holiday but wants a bit of a challenge to go with it. 

TUSCANY: CYCLE SIENA & CHIANTI

Fantastic cycling trip, beautiful picture postcard scenery and a very lovely crowd of active people and group leader and helper.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Cycling fast down the avenue of Cedar Trees and noticing the group leader managing to cycle one handed and video in hand capturing the moment. The experience was good for the soul.

What did you think of your group leader?

Brilliant.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Make sure you are ready for some very steep long hills, but the exhilaration of reaching the top and free wheeling through some of the most breath taking scenery is well worth it.  Wouldnt have missed it for the world.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I am looking forward to my next trip !