Florence - Rome 2024

The stylish Hotel Albani**** awaits us in Florence, this hotel is only a short walk away from the main train station and the loveliest sights worth seeing. We will meet up in the hotel lobby at 5:30 pm for a guided city tour through the Renaissance capital. You will then have the rest of the evening to your own disposal, where you can visit one of the numerous pubs and restaurants in Florence.

After breakfast, we will leave Florence by train and will reach the prosperous Chiana valley, of which Goethe already once enthused about during his travels in Italy. We will then cycle southwards on small side-streets. The soft range of hills are often crowned with small towns with mighty fortifications, which often date back to the Etruscan settlement. One of the oldest and surely the loveliest of these settlements is Cortona. Situated high above the plain, this place is enchanting with its maze of alleys, places and a panoramic view of the Chiana valley. Here you are invited to lunch, before we cycle back into the valley. In the afternoon, we will reach the historic Villa Piazzano  (Small Luxury Hotels of the World), a renaissance villa which was lovingly restored only just a few years ago, with a lovely garden and swimming pool, which invites one to relax.

Travelling on the tracks of Hannibal, we will approach the Trasimeno Lake. We will soon cycle across the battle-field of the large Roman defeat of 217 BC. From here, our route leads along the lake for about 25 km. One can enjoy the lovely views of the lake and its islands time and again. In the afternoon we will reach Perugia, where the noble Hotel Hotel Brufani Palace***** welcomes us. This hotels’ excellent location is ideally suited for exploring the city and the lovely wellness area also invites one to relax. During a guided round tour, we will get to know the extraordinary city with its crooked alleys and numerous cultural monuments. At the end of the city tour, we will enjoy dinner in a restaurant which is popular with the locals.

In the morning, we will travel by bus to Assisi. We will spend the morning in the city of Holy Francis. We will visit the famous church with its Giotto-frescos and then stroll through the excellently preserved medieval old city. We will then cycle along the slopes of the Monte Subasio through olive groves to Spello. The numerous florally decorated alleys add a certain sparkle to our midday break. Afterwards, our route leads further in the direction of Montefalco. Just outside the small town, the Villa Santa Barbara**** awaits us, the former country estate of the noble Zuccari family (two overnight stays). The expansive park area with its lovely swimming pool provides the ideal setting for rest and relaxation.

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 area in the afternoon. We will then travel a short distance back to our lovely Villa Santa Barbara****, where we will enjoy the rest of the afternoon. We will then have dinner together.

Our route to Spoleto this morning runs pleasantly on flat terrain. We will load our bikes and will travel by escalator up to the old city, situated at a higher elevation. We will take a walk through a maze of alleys and squares to the cathedral quarter and the Ponte delle Torri. We will then travel by bus for approx. one hour to Piediluco, a lovely place situated at the lake. One can have a quick swim after lunch if one wishes, before we cycle southwards again. We will soon cross the border to the Latium. The landscape is rougher here. Daily destination is the city of Rieti with its lovely squares. We will be staying in the Hotel Quattro Stagioni**** directly on the main square in the quiet pedestrian zone. As lunch on Sunday is included in the travel price, you will have the evening to your own disposal. Numerous pubs invite you to relax.

After breakfast, we will travel by bus high up into the Sabiner Mountains at the Lago del Turano. Jagged rocks rise up around the lake and it is hard to believe that we are just a few kilometres away from the soft hilly landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria. We will pass the small place Castel di Tora and cycle along the lake. The number of inhabitants of this small remote mountain town in this region has decreased significantly over the last century. The youth look for work in the cities, while the older generations remain behind. Our route leads further through the rugged landscape, and after a last descent, we will take the bus to Rome. We are awaited by the pleasant townhouse Mercure Centro Colosseo****, just 300m away from the Colosseum. There is enough time to take a walk to the Colosseum or to enjoy an appetizer on one of the nearby squares, before we meet up for dinner in a local restaurant.

In the morning, we will take a round trip through ancient Rome. We will visit the Colosseum (from the outside) as well as the imperial forums. Our tour ends with a beautiful panoramic view over the eternal city. Our journey ends at noon at the final hotel. From here, one can either travel by taxi or take public transport to the train station or to the Roman airports.

We gladly assist you on booking additional nights. All prices are on request. Please note, that it can be cheaper, when you book additional nights by yourself.