Cycling
Umbria, the green heart of Italy
- IT325 / Italy
- Cycling Cycling tours Cycling holiday with accommodation in selected facilities, luggage transport, assistance. Details
- Self-guided Self-guided Travel at your own pace following maps, roadbooks and information material. When travelling, you can always count on our assistance.
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Comfort and accommodation
Four levels of comfort to describe the different types of accommodation.
Find out more about comfort on this trip under comfort and departures.
- Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- 8 days
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- round tour Assisi - Spoleto - Assisi
- Daily departures
- Discount for 3rd person in room
Highlights
A cycling holiday to discover Umbria, the "Green Heart of Italy". Pedal through flowering fields, olive groves and vineyards and cross the ancient Via Flaminia to rediscover an ancient and glorious valley, proud of its medieval and Roman past. Let yourself be enchanted by the medieval villages that cling to the hills and don't miss the local food and wine, made up of simple and intense flavours.
- Spello, a little village with Pinturicchio's frescoes in the Baglioni Chapel
- The green expanses of olive groves and vineyards, faithful travel companions
- Delicious dishes, like the black truffle of Norcia and the crescionda of Spoleto
What awaits you
A cycling tour that requires good cycling habits and some training. The routes are on hilly terrain and have several ups and downs. However, don't be discouraged: the daily distance does not exceed 45 km and allows you to fully enjoy the beautiful Umbrian landscape.
Accommodation
The hotels on this tour have been carefully selected for you. Breakfast is always included, so you can start your day with the right energy.
1. Individual arrival in Assisi
Individual arrival in Assisi, a medieval jewel and symbol of Franciscan spirituality. There are so many unique places in the city that we recommend you explore to fully savour its precious historical and artistic soul. Don’t miss the majestic Basilica of St. Francis, one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the world, and the Basilica of St. Clare, with its great arches.
Overnight in Assisi or Viole (3 km from Assisi).
2. Cycle to Casco dell'Acqua, passing through Roman Spello.
Your cycling week officially begins. Leaving Assisi, you will cycle along a mostly flat route through the enchanting Umbrian Valley. Surrounded by green fields, rivers and canals, you reach charming Spello, a village perched on a hill at the foot of Mount Subasio. Despite its typically medieval structure, the village has Roman origins and in the centre there are numerous remains of that period, such as the Porta Venere and the aqueduct. We recommend a visit to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore to admire the magnificent frescoes by Pinturicchio in the striking Baglioni Chapel.
3. Pedalling through the Umbrian hills towards the majestic Spoleto and its truffles
Get on your bike and follow a pleasant route through the green Umbrian hills among olive trees and vineyards. The stage is short, so you can visit the day’s destination at your leisure: Spoleto, a marvelous medieval town with a rich artistic heritage and a lively cultural center. Since 1958, Spoleto has hosted the prestigious annual Festival dei Due Mondi, an international event of music, art, culture, and entertainment. Take time to visit the interesting historic center with the Cathedral and the Castle that dominates the town from above. Finally, do not miss the chance to taste the famous black truffles of Norcia or the white truffles of the Tiberina Valley, which are an essential ingredient in the region’s tasty dishes.
4. Cycle to Montefalco, among breathtaking views
On this day, your cycling adventure will take you to Montefalco, which you will reach by pedaling through evocative hills. The town is famous for its fine wines, Rosso and Sagrantino di Montefalco, but a stroll through its historic center is also a must. We recommend a visit to the San Francesco Museum and the church, where you can admire frescoes by Gozzoli and Perugino.
5. Ride to the capital of wine: Torgiano
After breakfast, ride down to Bevagna, which awaits you in its beautiful medieval square. Back in the saddle and surrounded by vineyards and picturesque canals, you will reach Torgiano, a village set in a beautiful hilly landscape. Torgiano is at the centre of a famous wine-producing area, the first in Umbria to be awarded the D.O.C. denomination and, since 1990, the D.O.C.G. denomination for Torgiano Rosso Riserva. A visit to the Wine Museum in Palazzo Graziani-Baglioni is a must. Not only can you learn about traditional wine-making techniques, but you can also admire a fine collection of works of art dedicated to the production and consumption of wine.
6. Round trip to beautiful Perugia or to discover the ceramics of Deruta
Starting from Torgiano, today you have the choice between two itineraries.
To reach charming Perugia, the home of chocolate and a true medieval jewel, you cycle along country roads and ups and downs that take you to its gateway: from here a steep climb takes you into the heart of the picturesque old town.
35km, altitude +400m, -442m
Another option is to cycle around Torgiano, surrounded by the typical Umbrian hills. You can cycle to the town of Deruta, famous throughout the world for its excellent quality ceramics. Once in the centre, we recommend a visit to the splendid Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Bagni, where more than six hundred votive majolica tiles are collected. Finally, you return to Torgiano along the Upper Tiber Valley, passing through typical Umbrian villages such as Casalta.
Long route: 45 km, height difference +508m, -546m
Short route: 30km, difference in altitude +217m, -215m
7. Return to the "City of St. Francis" through the green Umbrian valley
This last stage on two wheels takes you back to Assisi through the Umbrian Valley, along quiet, peaceful country roads. Before arriving, stop at Santa Maria degli Angeli, at the foot of the city. Here you can visit the imposing Franciscan Basilica, built to protect the Porziuncola, the ancient chapel where St Francis found refuge after giving up his family’s wealth. A further effort to reach Assisi, which will amaze you with its wealth of art and its spirituality that can be felt in every corner of the city.
6. End of the tour in Assisi
After breakfast, the tour ends. Say goodbye to Assisi with a walk to the Hermitage of the Prisons, St Francis’ place of prayer and meditation.
- Mainly 3* hotel with one 2* in Assisi
- En suite facilities
2025
Multiple departures
go to online quote
- Mainly 4* hotels with a 5* in Torgiano
- En suite facilities
2025
Multiple departures
go to online quote
Accommodation
- 7 nights accommodation
Meals
- 7 breakfasts
Hotels usually serve a continental breakfast. However, in some smaller hotels you may find the typical Italian breakfast, consisting of a hot drink, such as cappuccino or coffee, with fresh pastries, such as cake, croissants or toast and jam.
Luggage transfer
Your luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel starting from the first day of the standard tour until the last day of the tour.
For the luggage transportation we accept only 1 piece of luggage per person with max. 20 kg.
The service is not included in case of extra nights before or after the standard tour.
Before your departure, you will receive detailed guidance on allowable baggage, luggage labels, service hours.
Tour information
Before departure you will receive by email:
- the link to download the tour information material in Pdf (Tour notes and Final tour details)
- the hotel list
- the hotel vouchers to show to the hotel reception upon arrival
- the link to download the App including maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks (you can use the App offline, too)
When you arrive at the first hotel you will find the luggage labels.
Assistance
In the Final Tour Details you will find the contact phone numbers you can call during the tour in case of emergency.
Cancellation policy
In the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the place of destination or in its immediate surrounding area and having a substantial impact on the execution of the package or on the transport of travellers towards the destination, the traveller has the right to withdraw from the agreement before using the package, without paying withdrawal costs.
In all the other cases of withdrawal from the travel agreement, the traveller is always required to pay a withdrawal penalty. Read more
Withdrawal penalties
- 20% up to 30 days prior to departure date
- 25% from 29 to 21 days prior to departure date
- 50% from 20 to 14 days prior to departure date
- 80% from 13 to 6 days prior to departure date
- 100% from 5 days prior to departure date and no-show
Round trip
Travel to and from start and finish points not included
To pay on the spot
- Meals not mentioned in the section “price includes”
- Tourist taxes
This fee varies depending on the hotel category, on the season and the number of days of stay. - Tips
Rental bikes and accessories
You can rent bikes and accessories from our local partner.
The helmet is not mandatory, but we recommend wearing it and bringing your own.
Additional excluded services
- Accommodation in single room
- Extra nights
It is possible to book extra nights in Assisi before or after the tour. Rental bikes are not included in case of extra nights. - Dinners (drinks excluded)
- Everything not mentioned in the section “included”
You can rent the bike type that suits you best. You will find it at the starting point of the tour and you have to return it at the end of the last cycling stage: isn’t it easy? Rental bikes are always serviced and ready for a new cycling adventure; however, should you have any mechanical problems, you can contact our local partner.
Touring bike unisex
- Wheel: 28″
- 8/9 speed
- Tyres: puncture proof
- Saddle: Gel
Touring bike unisex
- Wheel: 28″
- 8/9 speed
- Tyres: puncture proof
- Saddle: Gel
Standard components
- bell
- side stand
- odometer (1 per room)
- phone holder (1 per room)
- front/rear lights
- front/rear fenders
- rear luggage rack
Accessories included
- rear side bag
- handlebar bag
- repair kit
- padlock
E-bike unisex
- Wheel: 28″
- 8/9 speed
- Tyres: puncture proof
- Saddle: Gel
E-bike unisex
- Wheel: 28″
- 8/9 speed
- Tyres: puncture proof
- Saddle: Gel
Standard components
- bell
- side stand
- odometer (1 per room)
- phone holder (1 per room)
- front/rear lights
- front/rear fenders
- rear luggage rack
Accessories included
- rear side bag
- handlebar bag
- battery charger
- repair kit
- padlock
Male touring bike
- Wheel: 28″
- 24 speed
- Tyres: puncture proof
- Saddle: Gel
Male touring bike
- Wheel: 28″
- 24 speed
- Tyres: puncture proof
- Saddle: Gel
Standard components
- bell
- side stand
- odometer (1 per room)
- phone holder (1 per room)
- front/rear lights
- front/rear fenders
- rear luggage rack
Accessories included
- rear side bag
- handlebar bag
- battery charger
- repair kit
- padlock
Handlebar bag
- suitable for carrying small items such as a map or smartphone
- attaches to the handlebars and is easy to remove
Handlebar bag
- suitable for carrying small items such as a map or smartphone
- attaches to the handlebars and is easy to remove
Side bag
- attaches to the roof rack
- ideal for carrying useful everyday items
Side bag
- attaches to the roof rack
- ideal for carrying useful everyday items
Mobile phone holder, which one to choose?
- Girolibero handlebar bag
- Generic phone holders
- SP Connect™ mount, the best on the market
Mobile phone holder, which one to choose?
- Girolibero handlebar bag
- Generic phone holders
- SP Connect™ mount, the best on the market
To attach your smartphone to the handlebar you have 3 options:
- use the Girolibero handlebar bag supplied free of charge (1 per room)
- buy a mobile phone holder in sports shops or major e-commerce outlets: for € 18-25 we recommend the models that clamp your mobile phone and its case like a vise.
- order the best product on the market, SP Connect™ with a special discount. The SP Connect™ mount is attached to the handlebar and works only with a special phone case. This case, which can also be used in everyday life, is slightly thicker than normal cases and is fixed to the handlebar mount with a simple click. The main advantage is that it is easy to attach and remove your phone, so you can immediately use it to take pictures or make calls, as well as grab it quickly when you want to stop cycling and have a break. Also, there are many other available accessories, including those for your car and writing desk. We recommend the Velcro Universal Mount SPC+ which costs € 29.90, which you can buy with a special 20% discount. The compatible phone case must be purchased separately and the price varies depending on your phone model. Visit the official SP Connect™ website and use the discount code TRAVEL20, which applies to all products.
Route profile
- Level: medium-easy
- Total length: 175/190 km
- Train connections between tour cities: none
- Possibility of shortening stops by train: none
How to get there
Assisi is the starting point of the tour to be reached independently.
By plane
Florence (FLR) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO) are the airports of reference.
From Florence airport:
- Volainbus shuttle to Busitalia bus station or GEST tram to Florence centre. From there take a direct Trenitalia train to Assisi, total journey time about 2h50.
From Rome Fiumicino airport:
- Leonardo Express train to Roma Termini and from there direct Trenitalia train or with 1 change to Assisi, duration about 3 hours.
For an overview of prices, airlines and timetables, we recommend rome2rio.com or Google Maps, which also shows options by train or bus, including the last mile. For the sake of reliability and safety, we recommend that you book your flight on the official website of the airline of your choice.
By train
Assisi is the closest train station. For information on timetables and prices you can consult the Trenitalia official websites.
By car
Ask directly at the accommodation if it is possible to reserve a parking space for the duration of the trip. Alternatively, you can look for paid or free parking in the area.
Documents
If you are a citizen of the EU or of a Schengen country – i.e. most EU countries and four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – you are free to travel to other Schengen countries without having to go through border controls.
Even if you don’t need a passport for border checks within the Schengen area, it is still always highly recommended to take a passport or ID card with you.
If you are a non-EU national wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a passport:
- valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting,
- which was issued within the previous 10 years
- and possibly a visa
You should apply for a visa from the consulate or embassy of the country you are visiting. If your visa is from a Schengen area country, it automatically allows you to travel to the other Schengen countries as well.
Do not forget your travel, health and/or car insurance documents.
For further information visit Your Europe official website.
Do not forget your travel, health and/or car insurance documents.
Always thoroughly check the document you travel with: expiration date and integrity.
Registration of documents is compulsory at check-in in hotels.
Language and time zone
The official language is Italian.
Italy is in the Central European Time (CET) Zone, 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time zone (GMT), and observes Daylight Saving Time.
Internet, telephone, electricity
Internet and telephone
With a European SIM card, roaming services are free throughout Europe. Please check your rates with your mobile/internet provider before departure.
The international phone prefix for Italy is +39.
Emergency telephone numbers
112 – Common Emergency Number. This is the European emergency number which can be called in any emergency from any telephone (landline and mobile phone). Calls are free.
113 – Police Help Number
115 – Fire Department
118 – Medical Emergencies
Electricity
The Italian electrical net is 220V – 50Hz.
Sockets are Schuko bipolar and comply with European regulations. In most hotels you will find adaptors for different types of plugs.
Currency
The currency in Italy is the euro (€).
Equipment and clothing
Cycling essentials
- handlebar mobile phone holder (we recommend the SP Connect™ system: if you buy it online you get a 20% discount using the code TRAVEL20)
- a power bank
- comfortable shoes with stiff soles
- padded cycling shorts
- a reusable water bottle
Personal equipment
- basic first aid kit which includes sticky bandages, gauze, and low-grade disinfectant
- sunglasses for eye protection
- protective sun lotion
- insect repellent
Clothes
- light weight waterproof/windproof tops
- leggings and long-sleeved tops for cooler mornings or evenings
- small close-fitting rucksack to carry small items during the day while cycling
- swimsuit
- clothes to cover your shoulders when you visit churches
Read carefully
Tour programme variations
- Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadworks, which cannot be foreseen; in this case please follow the indications you will find on site.
Special diets
- If you are vegetarian, gluten-intolerant, allergic to some specific ingredients/substances or if you suffer from any other kind of allergies please indicate it at the moment of booking. We will pass the information on to the hotels, but we cannot guarantee that all dietary requests will be met. Sometimes it is difficult to find particular food, for example gluten-free food, so we suggest that you bring your own snacks just in case.
Travel insurance
- It is advisable to take out an insurance policy against expenses arising from cancellation of the tour package, accidents, luggage (loss and damage), as well as a contract covering expenses in case of repatriation. Insurance policies are not included in the tour package offered by the operator.
Paolo
Published: 29 Jul 2024
Lio
Published: 15 Apr 2024
Antonio
Published: 01 Aug 2023
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