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A road bike tour through Umbria with a touch of Tuscany and the Marche.
This
tour is for those who would like to discover Umbria in all its aspects, because you
will find a combination of nature, culture, history and local traditions. In the
tranquil Umbrian landscape you will find rolling hills covered with woodland,
vineyards and olive grooves alternated with colourful fertile valleys. The
nature in the North of Umbria becomes more rough and unspoilt. Here the friendly
hills change into a mountain landscape with scenic views of the Apennines.
But everywhere after the tranquillity of nature you will find friendly little towns
bubbling over with life. Atmospheric town squares surrounded by monumental palazzo's,
little alleys and the many impressive churches and castles will take you back to
a time long-gone.
Programme
in short:
1. arrival Viole di
Assisi (3 km outside Assisi)
2.
to Torgiano passing Spello, Foligno, Spoleto, Montefalco and Bevagna (65
or 108 km)
3.
to lake Trasimeno (80 km)
4.
around lake Trasimeno passing the etruscan town of Chiusi in Tuscany (99 km)
5.
to Umbertide passing Cortona in Tuscany (46 or 86 km)
6.
to Gubbio passing Cagli in the Marche (95 km)
7.
to Viole di Assisi passing Assisi (50 or 85 km)
8.
departure
Programme
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1° giorno
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Arrival
in hotel Viole close to Assisi (3 km)
The start of this cycle tour is close to Assisi in
the village of Viole. In Assisi many places and monuments have a
strong unbreakable bond with the saints Francis and Clare, who
lived here in the 13th century. The medieval character of Assisi
is well-preserved.
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2°
giorno
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to Torgiano passing Spello, Foligno, Spoleto,
Montefalco and Bevagna (65 or
108 km)
Today’s
bike is through the valley of Spoleto. You will pass many little
towns like Spello, which is situated on the southern slopes of
mount Subasio, Bevagna and Montefalco, famous for its excellent
wines. You can choose for a longer route passing Spoleto, a town
with a long history or a shorter route.
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3°
giorno
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to S.Feliciano at lake Trasimeno (80 km)
You will bike through an
undulating landscape with now and the a steep climb to conquer, to
be rewarded with a magnificent view of Lake Trasimeno. You will
pass small, typical Umbrian towns such as Montegiove with its
impressive castle, Montegabbione and Panicale, which has still a
good preserved 13th century Palazzo del Podestà.
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4°
giorno
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tour around lake Trasimeno passing Chiusi in Tuscany (99 km)
Today you can have a rest
day or cycle around the lake. Lake Trasimeno is the fourth largest
lake in Italy. It is surrounded on three sides
by a backdrop of gentle rolling hills covered with olive trees. On
the side facing Tuscany, a wide open plain stretches out. You will
cross this plain going to the Tuscan town of Chiusi, which has an
Etruscan origin. After your visit you return to your hotel at the
lake.
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5°
giorno
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Also today the
choice between two rides:
the longer route to Umbertide pass Cortona in Tuscany (87 km)
A very nice ride through the
valley of the Tesse brings you to Cortona. This lovely Tuscan town
is built on a hilltop. Leaving it you will cycle over a ridge
through a mountainous terrain with magnificent views over the
surrounding mountains. Your overnight stay will be just outside
Umbertide.
the
shorter route from the lake to Umbertide (46 km)
This shorter ride is through
unspoiled scenery to the quiet little town of Umbertide, whose
town center is dominated by a majestic tower, the remains of a
castle dating back to 1385. A steep climb brings you to Castel
Rigone from where you will have a magnificent view over the lake,
then it goes undulating to Umbertide.
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6°
giorno
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to Gubbio passing Cagli in the Marche (95 km)
Today you will reach the
fortified hill town of Gubbio. You will cycle through the
mountains. It is a beautiful tour through the green hills of the
lower Apennines. You visit Montone, a quiet little town built
(482m) on a hilly ridge, situated between the Lana and Carpina
streams, which are both tributaries of the Tiber. It’s going
slowly uphill to Pietralunga with its old partially, walled-in
centre and the Long bards Castle (8th century). You will pass
Cagli in the region Le Marche and from there you arrive to Gubbio,
where you will stay in a hotel in the center of town.
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7°
giorno
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to Assisi
(50
or 85 km)
On this
last day of the tour you will cycle through a beautiful hilly
landscape passing quiet mountain villages. The first stretch
begins with a steep climb, but after that the road undulates
gently till it brings you to the bottom of a valley. The last
stretch brings you through characteristic little villages and
finally you will see Assisi from afar, built on a spur of mount
Subasio. When you still have energy left, you could decide to
cycle some extra and cycle around mount Subasio.
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8°
giorno
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departure
after breakfast
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This
trip includes:
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Overnight stays
in good *** star hotels on the basis of B & B (Half
Board and upgradings are possible)
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luggage
transportation
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route
notes in English,
Italian or Dutch and maps
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local
backup service
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route
briefing in starting hotel
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tour
information
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insurance
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Period
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from 1st April until beginning of November
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Level
4
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Rolling hills and mountainous country with long and steep climbs. Day distances
between 90 and 115 km.
Mostly on quiet asphalted roads.
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Price 2012
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Per person in a double room B&B
€ 615,00
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Single room with breakfast
€ 770,00
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travelling alone € 815,00
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3rd person in triple with breakfast
€ 383,00
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half board supplement € 143,00
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On request
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road bike rental are possible, wine-tasting, tracks for gps available
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