Florence to Rome: Through the Heart of Italy (Guided)

Florence to Rome

On this tour, you'll explore 3 of Italy's regions: from Tuscany through Umbria into the Latium region. From the Renaissance metropolis of Florence through the agricultural countryside to Caput Mundi Rome. You'll enjoy dream landscapes, rivers, and lakes as well as rich history and culinary highlights. This is a guided bike trip into the pulsing heart of Italy.

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Highlights

• Umbria, the green heart of Italy
• Impressive Etruscan towns: Florence to Perugia
• Assisi, city of Saint Francis

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Learn more about our guided tours or see more bike tours in Italy.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival
At 5:00pm, we meet in the hotel lobby for a guided city walk around the capital of the Renaissance. The rest of the evening is free to spend.
Overnight in Florence

Day 2: Florence – Piazzano (22 miles/36 km)
After breakfast we are leaving Florence by train and reach the fertile Chiana Valley of which beauty already Goethe raved about. On small side streets we pedal southwards. The smooth ridges are often crowned by mighty forts which go back to the Etruscan settlement. One of the oldest and for sure the most beautiful settlements is Cortona.

This place stretches high above the lowlands, enchanting with an incomparable panoramic view over the Chiana Valley and its tangle of alleyways and squares. We invite you to lunch before we ride our bikes back to the valley. In the afternoon we reach our destination.
Overnight in Piazzano

Day 3: Piazzano – Perugia (28 miles/46 km)
Just like Hannibal with his Punic army, we approach Lake Trasimeno. Soon we roll across the battlefield where he vanquished the Romans in 217BC. Our 16-mile ride along the lake reveals beautiful views on the sea and its islands. In the afternoon we get to Perugia, where we are going to stay the night. Also the nice spa area invites you to relax.

On a guided city walk we get to know the extraordinary city with its crooked streets and numerous cultural monuments. A special highlight is the underground part among the Rocca Paolina. There is enough time for an aperitif on one of the lively places before dinner in one of the best restaurants in the city.
Overnight in Perugia

Day 4: Perugia – Montefalco (24 miles/39 km)
In the morning, we take the bus to Assisi. Hardly any other town in Umbria has preserved its medieval character as well as Assisi. The highlight of our city tour with a local guide is the Church of St. Francis, decorated with the wonderful frescoes by Giotto.

In the afternoon, our cycling tour starts with a panoramic route through the olive groves on the flanks of Mount Subiaso to Spello. Situated a little below Montefalco, our secluded accommodation has its origin in the 16th century. The wide parks have the ideal setting for finding relaxation and rest.
Overnight in Montefalco

Day 5: Montefalco Loop (19 miles/30 km)
In the morning we will visit Montefalco, the balcony of Umbria. The small town arises far beyond the surrounding area and provides a fantastic surrounding view of the splendid landscape. If the day is fine, one can see Perugia und Spoleto. The Etruscan establishment awaits you in the San Francesco church with the fresco cycle of Benozzo Gozzoli, a true work of art. Afterwards, there is enough time to stroll through the pleasant small town and to linger on the main square, before we mount our bikes and leave the Falkenberg in a haste. Grapes thrive on the sunny slopes of Montefalco, from which several of the best wines in Italy are pressed, which is reason enough for us to visit one of the numerous wine estates in the afternoon. Enjoy a second night in Montefalco.
Overnight in Montefalco

Day 6: Montefalco – Rieti (30 miles/48 km)
Our morning route to Spoleto passes mostly on flat terrain. We load our bikes and take an escalator to get to the old town. A round walk takes us through a maze of narrow streets and places to the cathedral and the Ponte delle Torri. After that a bus takes us to a place called Piediluco, situated directly on a beautiful lake. After having lunch, you could even take a refreshing bath before our bikes carry us on southwards.

Soon we will have reached the border to the Latium region. The landscape seems to be wilder here. Our destination for today is the beautiful city Rieti which luckily was spared from the earthquake in August 2016. As on Sunday, since lunch is included in the tour price, the evening is free to spend. There are numerous excellent restaurants.
Overnight in Rieti

Day 7: Rieti – Rome (22 miles/35 km)
After breakfast a bus takes us up to the Sabine mountains to the Lago del Turano. Craggy cliffs tower high in the air all around the lake. It is hard to believe that we are just a few miles away from the rolling hills of the Tuscany and Umbria region. Passing the little town Castel di Tora, we cycle along the lake.

Our route continues through cliffy landscape before our bus takes us to Rome. There is enough time for a city walk to the Colosseum or to take an aperitif before we meet for dinner in a typical restaurant.
Overnight in Rome

Day 8: Departure
In the morning we do a city walk through the antique part of Rome. We visit the Colosseum (from the outside) and the Forum Romanum. Our walk ends at the statehouse with a wonderful panoramic view over the city. By noon our trip ends at the hotel. From there you can get to the train station or different airports by public transport or a cab.

Surface and terrain

This tour takes place on paved country roads and packed gravel lanes. You'll experience very little traffic, and your guides are always on hand to stop traffic at busy crossings.

On the second day short tracks with a bit more traffic, otherwise cycling is free nature without any disturbing car traffic. Many flat sections with just short ascents. Only on the sixth day there is a section of more difficult track.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary by availability.

Hotel Albani, Florence
www.hotelalbanifirenze.com

Villa Piazzano, Piazzano
www.villadipiazzano.com

Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia
www.brufanipalace.com

Villa Santa Barbara, San Luca
www.hotelvillasantabarbara.com

Hotel Quattro Stagioni, Rieti
www.hotelquattrostagionirieti.it

Mercure Centro Colosseo, Rome
www.mercure.it

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start
Nearest airport and train station: Florence, Italy

Tour end
Nearest airport and train station: Rome, Italy

In order to participate completely in the travel programme, your flight would have to land at the latest 3pm. Your return flight from Rome can be planned from 2pm onwards.

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation
• Breakfast
• Luggage service
• Guide during the whole tour
• 5 multi-course dinners with water
• 1 multi-course lunch with water
• All visitors and tourist taxes
• All transfers as mentioned in the tour description
• All entry fees as mentioned in the tour description
• Touring bike rental including a a waterproof double-sided luggage bag
• Support vehicle
• City tours in Florence, Perugia, Assisi, and Rome
• 2 travel guides
• Wine tasting

Bike rentals

Bikes available on this tour and included in the tour costs (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Hybrid touring bikes

Bikes available on this tour at an additional cost (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Electrically assisted bikes (upon request)*

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:

• Saddlebag (water-repellent), rear
• Rotalis waterbottle souvenir

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmet rental is not available on this tour. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

Tour Company