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VIA
FRANCIGENA BY BIKE: FROM SIENA
TO ROME
A 5 cycling tour in
Tuscany & Lazio
The Via Francigena was an
ancient way of connection with the Alps, namely France. In fact,
pilgrims came from France from the Via Tolosana, leading to Santiago de
Compostela, and from Northern Europe. They crossed the Alps through
Monginevro, Moncenisio and the Great St. Bernard Pass, went down to the
Po Valley, and then crossed the Apennines (in Parma). From Monte Bardone
pass, they arrived in Tuscany. After mayor centres like Lucca, San
Gimignano, Siena, Bolsena, Viterbo, they came to the final destination
of their pilgrimage: Rome. Today, the Via Francigena includes different
trails, which have changed over the centuries. As the number of pilgrims
traveling to Rome increased, abbeys, monasteries, churches, cathedrals
and religious shrines were built in places where important relics were
kept and where miracles or apparitions had happened. This amazing
journey starts in Siena and ends in Rome, it is a journey by bike which
gathers the inheritance of our ancestors: you will cycle along the
ancient route of the Via Francigena, through unspoilt and panoramic
ways, tasting the pleasure of nature and exploring this famous way of
pilgrimage. The route develops mostly on dirt roads, through Tuscany and
Lazio, where you can cycle in the Val d’Orcia, pass the village of
Radicofani, Lake Bolsena and Tuscia, until you get to the centre of the
capital city of Italy: a final visit of Rome will be one of the
highlights of this journey by bike.
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Programme
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Day
1
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Individual
arrival at Siena.
Individual
arrival in your 3 star hotel situated just 1 km from the town
centre of Siena. Welcome briefing with one of our
representatives (the evening of arrival or the next morning,
before departure of your first stretch). Siena
is a town we could call a masterpiece of art, full of treasures
such as the cathedral with the Piccolomini Library and its
frescoes by Pinturicchio, the cathedral museum ‘Museo
dell'Opera del Duomo’, the ‘Museo Civico’, the ‘Palazzo
Pubblico’ ,a lot of other impressing palaces and
churches…and the Piazza del Campo. It is also well known for
the Palio, the most famous historical horse race in the world,
and for its culinary tradition with delicious plates as ‘i
pici’, la zuppa ribollita served on toasted bread and cakes
like Panforte, Berricuocoli and Ricciarelli. Overnight stay with
breakfast in Siena.
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Day
2
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Siena - San Quirico
After breakfast, ready for a ride to discover the first
stretch of this amazing journey. You’ll say goodbye to Siena
and, once out of the historic centre, you will cycle along the
sweet hills of Val d’Arbia. The route of Via Francigena is the
same of the famous way "L’Eroica" up to Buonconvento,
a lovely medieval village. Today’s destination is the Val d’Orcia,
Unesco World heritage. An alternative route will lead you to
Pienza, a charming little Renaissance town, famous also for its
Pecorino cheese. On request you can book a wine-tasting Brunello.
Dinner in a typical Tuscan restaurant and overnight with
breakfast in a 3 star Hotel in San Quirico d’Orcia.
Distance: 60 km/37 miles; Ascent / Descent +700m - 490m
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Day
3
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San
Quirico to Bolsena
Today you will taste the magic of the landscape of Val d’Orcia,
cycling through the famous thermal village of Bagno Vignoni. You
will pass the valley of river Paglia, following the ancient Via
Cassia for some stretches.
You will see Contignano and the charming village of Radicofani,
set on a hill, from which the view dominates the whole val d’Orcia.
Then you will get to Acquapendente, before you reach today’s
final destination, Lake Bolsena. Dinner and overnight in a
farmhouse on Lake Bolsena.
Distance:81 km/50 miles; Ascent/Descent + 1300m -1070m
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Day
4
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Bolsena
to Sutri
Today, after breakfast, ready to ride your bike: you will
cross the hills with beautiful views of Montefiascone, up to
Viterbo and its historic centre. You will pass the small towns
of Vetralla and Capranica. End of today’s stretch: Sutri,
small town with ancient origins where rock tombs dating from the
6th-7th century BC are still visible, where you can see a Roman
amphitheatre and the small rock church of Madonna del Parto. The
little town is famous also for its artistic ceramics. As an
alternative, you will have the possibility to cycle along Lake
of Vico. Dinner and overnight stay in a 4 star Hotel situated a
few km from Sutri.
Distance:65 km/40 miles; Ascent/Descent +1050m -930m
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Day
5
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Sutri
to Rome
Today you will pass Monterosi and the waterfalls of Monte
Gelato, a park where you can relax and take a bath before
reaching Campagnano di Roma. Then the park of Veio and later you
will continue on the cycle path of the Tiber river until Rome.
An alternative route will lead you on the shores of Lake
Bracciano, before your arrival in Campagnano di Roma. Overnight
in a 3 star hotel situated close to the centre of Rome.
Distance:65
km/40 miles; Ascent/Descent +780m -820m
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Day
6 |
Departure
after breakfast or extend of your stay in Rome (on request) |
Included
in the tour:
s,
excluding drinks
luggage
transportation
Road book
with route instructions and maps
gps tracks on
request
Emergency
number
Briefing in the hotel of
arrival (in evening of arrival or next morning)
Not
included in the tour:
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Period
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daily from March to November (other periods on
request)
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Level
3/4
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(for experienced cyclists). Hilly
terrain with average daily distances of 60 – 81 km, for bikers
with cycling experience or a good degree of fitness. Significant
differences in level Cycling along dirt roads and asphalted roads.
Total km 271 /169 miles |
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Participants
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Minimum
two persons (single traveller on request)
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Prices
p.p. 2019
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Standard
Tour 6 days/5 nights
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In
double room € 860,00
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Single
room
and/or single traveller on request
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Bike rental (4 days)
€ 80,00 |
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Ebike
rental (4 days) € 160,00 |
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