Self-guided cycling
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
Flights
available
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
Few places can stir emotions quite as intensely as Umbria. To visit here is to embark on a journey into a timeless world of sun-drenched landscapes, ancient hill villages and some of the friendliest people we've ever met.
This 10-night self-guided cycling holiday combines scenic pedalling through olive groves, sunflower fields, vineyards and apricot orchards with the chance to explore some of the most fascinating towns and historic villages in the country. You'll freewheel along the stately Roman Via degli Ulivi and follow in the footsteps of emperors at the sacred springs of Campello sul Clitunno.
Highlights include the lovely hilltop wine village of Montefalco, 'the balcony of Umbria', and the fascinating historic city of Spoleto crammed with exciting Roman remains including Emperor Vespasian's mother's house, and fascinating original atrium, baths and mosaics. And, of course, no trip here would be complete without spending time in magical Assisi - be sure to visit St Francis' Basilica with its beautifully ornate frescoes and his peaceful forest retreat on Monte Subasio where he used to stroll and preach to the birds.
The hotels we've selected for this holiday are pretty special too, ranging from a stunningly restored ancient hamlet, set in its own manicured gardens, to a panoramic 4 star hotel in Spello with a gourmet restaurant and one of the most prestigious wine cellars we've ever stumbled upon!
We meet you at Foligno station and take you (15 mins) to picturesque Spello in time for dinner in your hotel's atmospheric restaurant.
You stay at Albergo La Bastiglia Hotel.
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The La Bastiglia Hotel boasts a beautiful setting at the foot of Mount Subasio, the enchanted mountain of Saint Francis. Originally an ancient mill the hotel has been lovingly restored and transformed into an unforgettable place to stay. There are 33 rooms divided into three categories, many overlooking the typical Umbrian landscape of cypress trees and olive groves. The restaurant serves a mix of ancient recipes and modern creations using the freshest ingredients. On display inside the hotel there is a collection of ceramics, antique furniture and important paintings from the private collection of Schifano and Norberto.
Room upgrades: Deluxe Room or Junior Suite
Deluxe rooms are larger with a balcony and bathroom with a bath. The Junior Suite includes a Jacuzzi in the bedroom and a panoramic terrace with solarium.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Today is level cycling most of the way along the Teverone Valley with some of the best views of the week. We strongly recommend the short uphill detour to Trevi, a beautiful hilltop village dating back to Roman times and capital of the Umbrian olive oil industry. Finally your hotel is situated in the centre of Spoleto near to all the museums and restaurants.
You stay at Hotel Charleston.
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Completely renovated in 2011, Hotel Charleston is set in a 17th century building in Spoleto's historical centre, next to the Modern and Contemporary Arts Museum. Its elegant, individually-decorated rooms feature a modern design. Wi-Fi is free in all public areas. Rooms are individually decorated, and come with exposed wooden beams on the ceilings. Each is equipped with a minibar, and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning, and is served out on the terrace in warm weather.
Room upgrades: Junior Suite.
Junior suites are spacious and elegant with seating area, parquet floors and exposed wood beams.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Pretty hilltop Spoleto and the surrounding area offer a wealth of things for you to do on your 4 night stay here. The city of Spoleto has a wonderful history reflected in its Architecture dating back to the Etruscans, and including a Roman Amphitheatre, 10th century Church, 12th century Duomo and a 80m high 14th century aqueduct. The castle here was a former prison and now houses an impressive art museum. Lots of lovely cobbled squares crammed with traditional trattorie for lunch. You can also take the train to the Emerald City of Rome. For those wanting to be more active why not walk the well signed trail up Spoleto's Monteluco. As you climb the views of the Vale of Spoleto are certainly impressive. Or walk along the famous Spoleto - Norcia railway now a peaceful Via Verde taking you on a journey through the magical Valnerina. For cyclists take a ride passing pretty villages, olive groves and flowering meadows. In July you can also attend the Two Worlds Festival - a celebration of Classic and Opera music.
The wines of Montefalco are known throughout the world, in particular the fine red Sagrantino. There is a climb up to the old village itself, 'the Balcony of Umbria', but you are well rewarded with wine-tasting, magnificent views and beautiful medieval streets. Continue from here past lush green fields, poppies and buttercups before your last climb up to the medieval village of Marcellano. Your 4 star hotel is set within its own lovely gardens - fabulous panoramic views across the entire valley.
It's tempting to spend the day relaxing by the pool in the hotel's tranquil grounds, but it would be a shame to miss the Roman walled town of Bevagna (10 mins by taxi; or you can cycle) - Umbria's hidden gem. Visit the 13th century Gothic Palazzo dei Consoli, the golden medieval theatre, or the 2th century Roman temple and baths that include a spectacular lobster mosaic. Alternatively, you can opt for a circular cycle to Ceralto Castle.
It's picture perfect views all the way this morning as you arrive at the impossibly photogenic medieval village of Gualdo Cattaneo with its imposing 15th century castle and 13th century crypt. There's a downhill whizz before gentle, flat cycling across the plain and a final short ascent into the old wine town of Torgiano, famous for its Lungarotti cellars.
You stay at Grand Relais Laurenti.
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Just outside the walls of the pretty hilltop village of Marcellano lies the supremely welcoming Grand Relais Laurenti, where nothing seems to be too much trouble. A recently restored former convent (formerly known as the Palazzo Gradoli), parts of the hotel date to as far back as 1516. Opened in 2006, the owner Laurenti Torrello spent thirteen years restoring the premises in order to ensure that all work was done to a suitably high standard. The well put together rooms have a distinctly cosy feel to them and retain original features such as the wooden beams on the ceilings.
In addition to the hotel, the Grand Relais Laurenti owns 90 hectares of the surrounding land which is used by their own farm to raise livestock such as cattle and lamb to supply the restaurant with meat. They also produce their own olive oil from their own olive groves and pride themselves on their ability to source only the finest ingredients (such as truffles and porcini mushrooms) from the surrounding area. The restaurant itself has two chefs who provide a mixture of traditional regional food and more elaborate international fare.
There is a dedicated wine and olive oil museum - with tastings - in Torgiano's pretty centro storico. Alternatively it's a short bus or taxi ride (approx 15 mins) to the university town of Perugia, famous for one of Italy's finest art collections and home to the renowned Baci chocolates. For the more energetic we provide route notes for optional cycle rides to the panoramic town of Bettona, which dates back to Etruscan times, or the capital of painted ceramics, Deruta.
Your last day's cycling takes you along the 'Wine and Art Road' to Brufa - lovely views of Perugia and Assisi - and on through the Chiascio Valley, on country lanes passing sunflower fields, ochre coloured farmhouses and meadows redolent with wild apricots and figs. There's time to visit spectacular Assisi - the beautiful Piazza del Comune, the 13th century Giotto frescoes and of course, the UNESCO recognised Saint Francis' Basilica - before cycling on along the lovely traffic free Via degli Ulivi and through olive groves back to Spello.
You stay at Hotel Al Grappolo d.
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Situated in the centre of the medieval town of Torgiano is Al Grappolo d'Oro (The Golden Bunch of grapes), a recently restored 19th century residence. The hotel has 15 rooms, each individually decorated in a modern style with warm colours and furnished to a high standard, offering a cosy, welcoming stay. The art filled reception/lounge area gives the hotel character from the start but features such as the pool in the garden to the rear and the downstairs bar (along with the well-stocked breakfast buffet) mean that despite the B&B nature of the hotel, there is still the possibility to spend time relaxing here during the day.
The owner Antonello Rossi also owns the wonderfully traditional Italian restaurant 'Siro', which lies around 300 metres away from the hotel and where evening meals will be taken.
Room upgrades: Junior Suite.
Junior Suites are more spacious with ample and bright, classic furniture and wooden floors.
Leave Spello after breakfast for your flight home. Alternatively, perhaps spend extra nights in Rome - we can easily arrange these for you.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel Astoria Garden, Rome; Hotel Fortuna, Perugia.
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The 3 star Hotel Astoria Garden has a most unusual feature: an internal garden complete with banana and orange trees! Centrally located near the main railway station, but in a quiet residential street, this is a really good base from which to explore. There are 34 rooms, all air-conditioned and recently refurbished. They have telephone, television, and ensuite bathrooms.
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The traditional 3 star Hotel Fortuna is set right in the heart of the historic city. The building itself dates to the 14th century and was tastefully renovated in the early 1990's. There are still some original features - look out for the arched windows downstairs. All rooms are en suite with satellite TV, telephone, minibar and radio. There is a roof garden terrace - great views over the city and a bar/ lounge area. The hotel has also recently added a gym
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 01606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment. *Unfortunately, due to the airline themselves we are unable to book Ryanair.
Self-guided cycling
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
Flights
available
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
