Cycling in The Heart of Umbria

We recommend flying to Rome, Florence, Pisa or Perugia and take the train to Terontola rail station from where you can take a local bus or taxi the short distance to Cortona. After checking into your hotel you can explore the bustling town of Cortona. Originally founded by the Etruscans, Cortona is a well preserved town that enjoys a spectacular situation overlooking the Umbrian countryside.There is an excellent museums, rich architecture and several gelateries, shops and restaurants for you to enjoy.

Your bike will be delivered to your accommodation shortly after breakfast along with your detailed route notes and information pack. On leaving Cortona you follow a serpentine road winding down from the town towards Umbria. Cycling through the olive grove covered countryside to reach Lake Trasimeno, known for the lovely lakeside villages and the pretty Isola Maggiore, which you can visit by boat for a delicious lunch of freshly caught lake fish. You then leave the pretty lake side, heading inland on quiet roads through farmland and a few small hills until you reach Corte delle Poggio, where you will spend the next two nights.

Today you have the option to take it easy with a short loop on the quiet country lanes to Panicale and then back to the farmhouse for a cooking lesson in the afternoon. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to cook the local dishes in a relaxed and authentic environment.

Or you could forgo the cooking lesson and cycle the longer loop which allows you to visit Deruta, a town famous for its ceramics. You will pass through olive groves, vineyards and ancient hamlets providing many opportunities to stop and enjoy a cold drink or better still a visit to one of the local wineries.

You will enjoy a relatively short cycle to the medieval town of Perugia, following a route which winds throught an endless silvery green landscape of rolling farmland and the joyeous sight of fields brimming with sunflowers.

Inevitably and with mostly of the Hill towns, as you reach Perugia you will experience the usual incline to reach the town.With the added effort be sure to treat your yourself to a delicious gelato or an aperitif in one of the many chic cafes and bars.

Originally founded by the Etruscans, Perugia is a well preserved town that enjoys a spectacular situation. There are a number of excellent museums, rich architecture and a self guided archaeological tour exploring the history of Perugia dating back to the Etruscan times.

You are now in the heart of Umbria and can enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable cycle following the Tevere river towards Assisi. Cycle past fields of sunflowers, ochre coloured farmhouses and thickly wooded countryside. Suddenly you will be greeted with the most spectacular views of Assisi and the Basiillica Di San Francesco, sitting majestically on the hillside.

Today you have the opportunity to explore the areas around Assisi, famed for pottery and wine. You will cycle a loop past the famous Deruta pottery village and then the Torgiano, Lungarotti wineries home town. If you think a wine tasting may be dangerous for your safety(!) why not visit the wine museum. Or if you prefer enjoy a free day exploring Assisi a designated a world heritage site by UNESCO, its churches monuments and the very fabric of the town are much as St Francis would have seen it in the 13th Century and the Basillica de San Francesco is quite spectacular.

A lovely last day cycling among olive groves to reach Spello past the charming villages of Cannara and Bevanga. Spello is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Umbria. Much quieter than Assisi, its a pleasure to wander the cobbled streets and quiet squares decorated by hanging baskets.

After breakfast our local partner will transfer you to Assisi from where you can make your onward journey.