Italian Cycling Holiday

I can see the whole of Florence from my bedroom window. We are staying at the top of the tower in the villa. My fiancé was right, this is one of the most romantic places I have been. I can’t believe I finally get to spend some quality time, and ride with him in a place like this.

I am seeing the most lush green countryside I have ever set my eyes upon. No wonder the Tuscans are so famous for their olives. I haven’t seen any soil without olive groves on them today. Life moves slowly here. I am nursing my full bodied cappuccino as we rest for a minute - none of this skinny milk nonsense. The piazza is timeless, people are just relaxing in the midday sunshine. It’s only May so its nice and warm but with a cool breeze.

Down towards the Chianti region this morning. Must tell my friends that I have been pedalling through the vineyards that produce so much of what they drink back home in their Belsize and Primrose flats. Can’t wait to sample the wines tonight.

There is a sommelier bringing wines to the villa for a tasting this evening. Long day today and the villa’s pool has been calling out to me this afternoon. Going to head back with a couple of the girls and let the boys ride a bit harder this afternoon.

Cycling out towards Parco Nazionale Foreste Casentinesi. Can’t help but say that in a broad Italian accent clenching two fingers and a thumb together. The forest is alive with animals and birds, and the whirr of ten bicycles meandering through the tree lined paths. Then back towards the villa this evening. Can’t stop chatting with a couple getting married next year like us. Their Amalfi coast wedding will be very similar to our Cote D’Azur wedding. Think it’s time for my daily massage.

This is the life. Great food, great wine, great company.

Paradise. The rolling hills, the endless olive groves and the sunbaked landscape of Tuscany make for a sensational setting in which to spend a week with your other half. Come to Tuscany on our lovers trip to cycle through the most enchanting of regions and to eat and drink from God’s very own kitchen and ride through his back garden!

From the airport, you will be driven for an hour or so through gorgeous Tuscan countryside to a sleepy hamlet just outside Fiesole, famous for its absolutely sensational views over Florence. The 16th century villa is classically Tuscan and retains its amazing charm, but it has been fully restored to provide absolute luxury.

We will ride each day from the villa. On some days we will be heading east towards the Parco Nazionale Foreste Casentinesi and surrounding areas, on others we will head in different directions to the south to discover the Chianti region.

It is of course sacrilegious to explore Tuscany and regions such as Chianti and ignore the world famous wines. We have therefore taken pampering to a new level. You will have a wine tasting evening at the villa courtesy of a renowned Italian sommelier - don’t worry, the following day’s ride will be nice and relaxed (!), as well as a cooking evening where we will give our chef the night off and you will learn to cook traditional Tuscan food.