Wine Trails of Umbria By Bike
- Cycle through one of Italy's top culinary regions
- Umbria's mouth-watering cuisine and full-bodied wines
- Take cappuccino breaks in medieval towns and villages
- Dense forests, rolling valleys and prestigious wine estates
- Enjoy a cooking class, as well as olive oil and wine tastings
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Spoleto and overnightExploring the beautiful and medieval town of Spoleto is worth arriving early for, with its cobbled streets and architectural treasures, including its Roman amphitheatre, the Basilica of San Salvatore, dating from the 4th century (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the immense 11th century Rocca Albornoziana Fortress overlooking the town from the top of a hill. Spoleto is also famous for a summer cultural festival, named “Festival of 2 Worlds” or simply “Spoleto Festival,” offering a mix of classical music, opera, theatre, and ballet as well as art exhibitions.
Run by the Zuccari family, Hotel San Luca is an elegant and sophisticated hotel and a former convent that dates back to the mid-19th century. The beautiful interior courtyard with a fountain is a lovely spot to relax and unwind, and where breakfast and cocktails are served daily.
Cycle through the south valley along a bike path to Trevi, the main town for Umbria's Extra Virgin Olive Oil. A short and fairly steep climb will take you to the village, where you have an olive oil tasting in one of the old mills there. We also recommend exploring its quiet medieval streets, where you'll find ancient walls and 20 churches. Have a cold drink in one of its piazzas and admire the view of the valley below before continuing to the medieval hilltop wine village of Montefalco, known to produce the best red wine in Umbria, Sagrantino. It's also referred to as the “balcony of Umbria” because of its lofty position overlooking the plain below, which is covered with vineyards. Round off your day with a glass of Sagrantino on the terrace of one of the numerous restaurants surrounding the main piazza.
Total ascent/descent: 490m/410m
Located on one of the beautiful squares in Montefalco and set inside the 15th-century town walls is this boutique hotel, equipped with an art gallery, a spa in its medieval basement, and an indoor swimming pool.
Start the day by descending to the well-preserved medieval village of Bevagna, and take time to have a beverage alongside the locals in the square here. A spectacular winding road gradually takes you up to Cantalupo, where a light lunch and glass of wine in the Dionigi’s family’s wine cellar awaits. Continue to Assisi along a flat road and admire its dramatic position on a rocky promontory as you approach. This city is steeped in the spirit of St Francis and is the most visited destination in Umbria. The Basilica that houses his tomb is visited both by pilgrims and art lovers from around the world who come to see its frescoes by Giotto and Cavallini, the most important painters of that time.
Total ascent/descent: 210m/310m
With a strategic position overlooking the Umbrian valley, the hotel sits in the centre of Assisi in the medieval quarter, and is just a short walk from restaurants and the Basilica of Saint Francis. It also boasts one of the most renowned restaurants in Assisi, L'Estasi, with terraces overlooking the historical centre and views across to Spoleto and Perugia.
Ride to the lively cultural town of Perugia, perched atop a high cliff and where visitors can take an escalator to enjoy the breathtaking views of the medieval town and the surrounding Umbrian hills. Perugia hosts a variety of cultural events dedicated to music, literature, journalism, and food and wine, such as the Eurochocolate Festival and the Umbria Jazz Festival. The city is home to some of the best museums in Umbria, including the Galleria Nazionale dell’ Umbria. You'll have time to explore the town and wander through the markets, shops and arcades of this enchanting city.
Total ascent/descent: 550m/330m
Overlooking the main pedestrian street of Corso Vannucci in the historic centre, this boutique hotel lies within a historical building from the 18th century, and is a stone's throw from Perugia's major monuments. The term “Posta” in the hotel's name originates from when stagecoaches carried both people and the mail from one city to another, passing and stopping in the centre, and it was also an Inn. The hotel is now surrounded by shops, restaurants, monuments and museums, and both the Duomo and the National Gallery of Umbria are less than a 5-minute walk away.
Cycle on quiet roads and enjoy the Umbrian countryside and the views of its castles and churches scattered across the hills. Arrive at your agriturismo, located just outside the village of Solomeo, where you'll enjoy a cooking class with dinner.
Total ascent/descent: 230m/470m
Borgo Mandoleto is a comfortable agriturismo in Solomeo, sourrounded by ancient oak trees and the Perugian hills. Relax in its well-kept garden or enjoy the swimming pool and spa facilities during your stay. The rooms have been tastefully decorated with classic finishes and wood-beamed ceilings. Donnatella is a wonderful cook, the restaurant serves her authentic local cuisine in an elegant dining room with a fireplace.
Enjoy a day off and explore the village and relax by the pool, or take advantage of a loop ride that takes you through the countryside to Monte Vibiano winery, where you can opt to have a wine tasting on its panoramic terrace in front of the vineyards, served with local delicacies, or a picnic in the vineyard. More information on how to book these activities can be found in your information pack or Macs Adventure app.
Total ascent/descent: 430m/430m
Borgo Mandoleto is a comfortable agriturismo in Solomeo, sourrounded by ancient oak trees and the Perugian hills. Relax in its well-kept garden or enjoy the swimming pool and spa facilities during your stay. The rooms have been tastefully decorated with classic finishes and wood-beamed ceilings. Donnatella is a wonderful cook, the restaurant serves her authentic local cuisine in an elegant dining room with a fireplace.
Another beautiful day of biking takes you to Trasimeno Lake, the widest lake in central Italy with 3 islands. A new bike path with pretty scenery will take you to Castiglion del Lago, the main village at the lake. Enjoy the quiet atmosphere and the amazing view of the lake from its old fortress, before a short taxi transfer to Cortona, your final destination and where you'll spend your last night.
Total ascent/descent: 390m/340m
Cortona is the first town in south Tuscany, located at 600m in altitude and characterised by its steep narrow streets and medieval architecture. You may have watched the movie 'Under the Tuscan Sun', based on the book by Frances Mayes. Most parts of it were filmed in Cortona and whilst exploring on foot you may recognise various filming locations such as Villa Bramasole, the abandoned Tuscan villa that Diane buys and restores. Pay a visit to the distinguished Etruscan Academy Museum, founded in 1727, or simply enjoy the expansive views from the Piazza Garibaldi. You can see all the way to Lake Trasimeno in Umbria from Piazza Garibaldi, and the Chiana Valley countryside from the city walls.
Hotel San Michele is located inside one of Cortona’s oldest buildings, Baldelli Palace, a beautifully restored 15th-century mansion located right in the heart of Cortona. It has even been declared a national monument by the Ministry of Art. It's just a few steps from the main squares, restaurants and attractions of the town.
We recommend adding an extra night in Cortona if you have the time, so that you can spend the day strolling down Via Santa Margherita, browsing the local ceramics shops for unique souvenirs to take home, and admiring big villas set amid sunflower fields and olive groves. Alternatively, please see the travel section for onward travel details.
Other Information
Is it for me?Perfect for occasional riders who want to explore Italy's best-kept secret and enjoy a slower, more laid-back pace, with time to explore Umbria's medieval towns and villages and indulge in its fine wines and mouth-watering cuisine. Fewer tourists venture here despite its magnificent landscapes and cuisine, meaning a less spoiled, less touristy and less expensive side of Italy.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling
Solo Travellers
This cycling tour is graded easy to moderate. The grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some rides may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. The routes follow surfaced country roads and secondary roads for the most part. There are some sections on busier roads as you approach larger towns. The terrain in Umbria is undulating, and towns and villages usually have hill-top locations, meaning an ascent at the end of a day's ride is common.
Minimum Age
The minimum age for this tour is 18yrs. This is due to the remote nature of the route.
You'll spend 5 nights in 4-star hotels and 2 nights in a comfortable 3-star agriturismo, a term derived from the Italian words agricoltura (agriculture) and turismo (tourism). They're renowned for serving hearty local dishes using their own produce. It's a fanstic way to delve into the country's cuisine, or learn the art of traditional Italian cooking. We have carefully selected small and friendly accommodation and all are located in glorious settings, be it a town, a hamlet or rolling countryside.
Additional Nights
Many of our cyclists choose to add extra nights along the way to sample more of the attractions available in Umbria. If time allows, then we would recommend adding an additional night at the start or end of the tour.
Solo Cyclists & Single Rooms
Single rooms are available on request and a supplement is payable. This trip is also available to solo cyclists for a supplement.Meals
The delicious Umbrian food and wine is undoubtedly a highlight of this holiday. Breakfast is included each morning and normally consists of a traditional European style continental breakfast or buffet breakfast that often includes coffee, tea, yoghurt, granola, meat, cheese, and baked goods. In some cases, a hot dish (eggs, pancakes, etc.) will be served or offered á la carte.Lunches and most of the dinners are not included. We recommend finding cafés or restaurants located in the towns or along the route, or to purchase snacks and a picnic lunch to bring along on the rides from local supermarkets and markets. Alternatively, most accommodations will be happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby restaurants. We have included a dinner with your cooking class at your agriturismo in Solomeo. We've also included olive oil tasting in Trevi and wine tasting in Cantalupo. Further details can be found within your information pack and the Macs Adventure Smartphone App.
This route is easy to follow with the assistance of the Macs Adventure Smartphone App, which we highly recommend using. More information on how to download the app to your smartphone is in your information pack. We also provide detailed routes notes and maps upon arrival.
- 5 nights in 4-star hotels and 2 nights in an agriturismo
- All breakfasts
- A cooking class and dinner at Solomeo
- Olive oil tasting in Trevi
- Wine tasting in Cantalupo
- Detailed information pack, GPS tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure app
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK & US offices
- Luggage transfers
- Travel insurance (required)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal equipment
- Bike hire (standard or E-bike)
- Extra nights
- Bike hire (standard or E-bike)
This tour is available to start anytime between April to October.
Peak Season Availability
We suggest booking as soon as possible to ensure availability for specific dates. Availability in Spoleto is challenging around the time of the Festival di Spoleto which is held each year, normally in the first two weeks of July. There may also be a supplement to pay if you wish to go during this time.
Time of Year
The spring months of April, May and June offer warm sunshine, fewer crowds, and pleasant cycling conditions. May is when most wildflowers are coming into bloom, and the autumn months of September and October boasts cooler weather and a striking landscape made up of autumnal colours. It's also the harvest in the vineyards. June, July and August can be very hot for cycling and therefore aren’t best suited for everyone. You will have to start early to miss the heat of the day, or rest in the shade during midday hours and carry a lot of water with you. The towns and villages are buzzing at this time of year, which is great to see.
In order to get to Spoleto you can fly into the European hubs of Florence Airport in Tuscany, Umbria Airport in Perugia, or either of the Rome Airports.
From Umbria Airport
Flights in and out of Umbria Airport are limited, however there is a flight out of London and other smaller European airports.
From Umbria Airport you can take a shuttle bus to the city centre and then board a train to Spoleto which takes approximately 1 hour.
From Rome Airport
Rome has two airports. From Fiumicino Airport take a train to the central station Roma Termini (taking about 30 minutes). From Ciampino Airport there’s a bus to Roma Termini. From here board a train to Spoleto, which takes approximately 1 hour 30.
Please check the Trenitalia website for train timetable planning. Another useful website is Go Euro.
From Florence Airport
Take the airport bus from Florence Airport to SMN. Then a train to Spoleto (2.5 hrs).The European hubs of Florence Airport in Tuscany and either of the Rome Airports are easily accessible from Cortona, making it useful for onward travel.
From Terontola-Cortona to Rome
The train takes 2 hrs to Rome Tiburtina (approx. 12 EUR). Then train from there to Rome Airport (45 mins, approx.14 EUR)From Terontola-Cortona to Florence
Florence is also easily accessible from your final destination. The train takes 1.5 hrs to Florence SMN (approx. 8 EUR). Then take the airport shuttle bus to the airport.One bag of up to 20kg per person will be transferred from each accommodation to the next.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.
Bike & E-Bike Hire
Hire of a Hybrid, Road or E-bike is available, and comes with a basic toolkit, puncture repair kit, a lock and a pump. Helmets are not included and we recommend that you bring your own for your own comfort.
For some battery-powered assistance on longer days, and to ease ascents, we recommend hiring an e-bike. The rechargeable battery on your bike will be your reliable riding partner, getting you to the top of hills or to your final destination with more energy in the tank for an afternoon swim or simply for exploring. E-bikes are growing rapidly in popularity so please make sure to request one at the time of booking so we can secure availability for your trip and avoid disappointment.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
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