Umbria, Cycling The Green Heart of Italy

Highlights: The well-known artistic centre of Italy: Perugia

Arrive in Perugia today, the ancient and modern capital of Umbria. Perugia is famous for Perugina chocolate and its vibrant old town! Take time to explore it today or tomorrow morning. We'll meet you for bike fitting and briefing in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Hotel La Rosetta, or similar. Upgrades available - please inquire for details

Highlights: Assisi, the town of Saint Francis

Leave Perugia to enter the Umbrian Basin and arrive to Assisi. You'll want to explore the church of Saint Francis, the second most important pilgrimage destination in Italy after St. Peter's in Rome. If you arrive early you might enjoy an extra ride to the hermitage just outside the village where Francis often retreated for meditation.

Short option: Daily Distance: 31 km (19 miles) - Elevation gain: + 394 m (1292 ft) - Terrain type rolling hills
Long option: Daily Distance: 52 km (32 miles) - Elevation gain: + 1255m (4117 ft) - Terrain type very hilly

Accommodation: Hotel Giotto, or similar. Upgrades available - please inquire for details

Highlights: Roman ruins in Spello, medieval wall and Renaissance buildings

You leave Assisi behind you this morning and head south to Spello, a puzzle made of Roman, Medieval and Renaissance pieces. 13th century town walls connect Roman gateways dating to the 1st century BC and AD. Take time to explore and you'll find the 13th century town hall dominating the Renaissance town square. From Spello you pedal to Foligno, another Roman town but with fewer Roman ruins. Enjoy lunch in the square and then head across the Umbria valley to Bevagna. Bevagna is the picture of a well-preserved Medieval village. It, too, dates from Roman times and is centered on the 13th century square and town hall. Unlike most Medieval towns, Bevagna is located on the plains of the Umbrian Basin.

Daily distance: 35 km (22 miles)
Elevation gain: +283m (928 ft)
Terrain type: rolling hills

Accommodation: Hotel Resort Porta Guelfa, or similar. Upgrades not available

Highlights: The preserved town of Spoleto, its fortress, the Roman aqueduct

Your ride todays takes you to the well-preserved medieval town of Spoleto, famous throughout the world for the Festival dei due Mondi, a three week dance, music and opera festival. Arrive early to discover the hidden corners of this fabulous town that dates back to Roman times. Don't miss the Cathedral and a walk to the fortress Fortezza Albornoz on top of Colle Sant' Elia.

Short Option: Daily Distance: 34 km (21 miles) - Elevation gain:+ 211 m (692 ft) - Terrain type rolling hills
Long Option: Daily Distance: 51 km (32 miles) - Elevation gain: +720m (2362 ft) - Terrain type hilly

Accommodation: Hotel dei Duchi, or similar. Upgrades available - please inquire for details

Highlights: Off the beaten track to medieval Todi

You're route today takes you away from the busy heartland of Umbria to the beautiful hilltop town of Todi. Todi's history is one of the region's oldest: three thousand years of continual inhabitance by Umbrians, Etruscans, and Romans. Today its main square "Piazza del Popolo" is often described as the most perfect medieval piazza in Italy. Discover why.

Daily distance: 57 km (35 miles)
Elevation gain: +787 m (2582 ft)
Terrain type: hilly

Accommodation: Hotel Fonte Cesia, or similar. Upgrades available - please inquire for details

Highlights: Orvieto and its Duomo

A quiet ride along the shoulders of the Tiber Valley takes you to the spectacular Renaissance city of Orvieto. Perched on the remnant of a volcanic plateau, Orvieto is one of the most beautiful cities in Umbria. Its cathedral, a transition style between Romanesque and Gothic architecture, is richly decorated with a variety of colored marble and bright mosaics. Orvieto is also famous for its white wine.

Daily distance: 48 km (30 miles)
Elevation gain: +944 m (3097 ft)
Terrain type: hilly

Accommodation: Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini, or similar. Upgrades available - please inquire for details

Highlights: "Ghost town" of Civita di Bagnoregio and Bolsena Volcanic Lake

We suggest a loop ride today to one of several volcanic lakes in this part of Italy, the Lago di Bolsena. Before getting to the lake the ride will take you to the "ghost town" of Civita di Bagnoregio. Take time to explore this interesting village.

Daily distance: 66 km (41 miles)
Elevation gain: +1292 m (4238 ft)
Terrain type: hilly

Accommodation: Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini, or similar.

After breakfast your cycling experience in Umbria ends. We hope you have enjoyed cycling with us! Orvieto is conveniently located on the main rail line to Florence or to Rome. It is also beautiful enough to warrant a relaxing rest day if you are so inclined.

PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. 

Starting point: Albergo La Rosetta - Piazza Italia, 19, Perugia
- We recommend flying into Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO) or Florence Amerigo Vespucci airport (FLR)

From Rome Fiumicino Airport to Perugia:
- A private transfer from Rome Airport to your hotel in Perugia is about 2h30min long. Please inquire about the price
- Train from Rome central station (Stazione Termini):
- Near terminals 1-3 and 5 of Fiumicino airport, a taxi service to Rome is available (Pronto Taxi 6645; Taxi Roma). For further information and booking instructions, check this webpage
- The train takes you from Rome Airport to Stazione Termini, Rome central station
- "Sit Bus Shuttle" offers the best connection to and from Fiumicino Airport. The bus stop at the airport is located outside Terminal 3.

For further information about transportation to and from Rome Fiumicino Airport, check the airport website.

From the Florence airport to Perugia:
- It’s a 30-minute trip from the airport to Florence main train station (Firenze S. Maria Novella). You can catch a shuttle bus or a taxi
- If you want to go by taxi, agree on a fare before accepting the ride (plus the cost of the luggage). It takes about 30 minutes to reach Florence SMN train station, depending on the traffic
- There are several trains every day connecting the two cities. The trip is between 2h and 2h30min long

For further information about transportation to and from Florence Airport, check the airport website.

The meeting time for our self-guided tours is typically set between 2pm and 4pm. We recommend travelers plan accordingly allowing plenty of time to arrive at the determined meeting place. Please note a late fee may be applied for late arrivals - please see our terms page for details

Ending point: Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini – Piazza Ranieri, 36, Orvieto
You can fly out from Rome (FCO) or Florence (FLR) airports that are connected to Orvieto by train.

Private airport transfers available if you prefer to be driven from airport to hotel in a private vehicle transfer, please inquire for cost - we will be happy to include this service in your tour package

Final arrival and departure instructions along with other detailed pre-travel documents, will be e-mailed prior to your travel, with information specific to your departure (including the actual hotels used on your tour dates, which may vary from the hotels listed above.)