Cyclewild's 'Saturnia in Tuscany Cycle Tour

Friday 9th to Tuesday 13th May  2008

Day 1 Travel to Italy and Settle into Hotel

Natural sulphur -rich hot water cascades down from the Terme di Saturnia.  In the spa baths the temperature is 37.5degC whilst at these waterfalls open to the public  1000m downstream it is a pleasant 32degC.

Day 2 - Cycle Day 1 Saturnia Etruscan Round 75km

Circular Tour from Saturnia to Montemerano, Manciano and to the stunning town of Pitigliano where there will be the opportunity to stroll around for a while. Then on to Sorano with views of distant mountains  and finally completing the circuit via Capanne back to the hotel.

The route is undulating but with no long hills. It follows part of the Gran Fondo cycle route (see later). Cycling time should be about  four hours – say six with stops and for a restaurant lunch.

A 3 course dinner will be served al fresco in the hotel.

Pitigliano is built on a high tufa cliff promontory which is chiselled with a thousand caves and tower-houses. Its heritage goes back to  the prehistoric period with tombs discovered along the city wall, and roman and medieval periods with structures such as the 13^th century Orsini palace. The town is also famous for its Jewish ghetto.  This extraordinary town has been called &#x91little Jerusalem&#x92 because of its large active Jewish population which settled there beginning in the 15^th century. The synagogue is open to the public after extensive restoration  as is the cemetery , kosher butcher and wine  making cellar. The view of the town as you can see is breathtaking.

Day 3 - Cycle Day 2 Roccalbegna and towards Monte Amieta - up to 100km

Another circular ride to the north of Saturnia through very peaceful countryside to Roccalbegna and then a circuitous route around the forested Monte Labbro with extensive views, eventually reaching the highest point  on our tour,  900m (3000ft) at Triana. Then to a great downhill back to Saturnia –albeit that you have a final 3km climb back up to the hotel from the valley of the hot springs.  We shall picnic en route and return to the hotel early enough for a swim and use of the pool and facilities.

Roccalbegna. Built in the 13^th cen. by the republic of  Siena it is set into the   side of  a  granite outcrop on the edge of the mountains  in a remarkable location.This small town retains its ancient character.                                                                                                                     

Day 4 - Cycle Day 3 –The Argentario Coastal ride 75km

The ride commences on the coast at the small fortress town and port of Talamone. We cycle around the bay and under the coast expressway through some pretty countryside towards the resort of Albinia. We then ride along a one km wide spit onto the almost island of Monte Argentario. We follow  the island coastline to Porto Santo Stefano and then a round tour of the island's coast and inland finally crossing another spit  to Orbetello which is also connected to the  mainland.

Orbetello The town is set in the middle of the lagoon linked  to Monte Argentario by an artificial  causeway.  It was founded by the Etruscans in V11 cent BC

Orbetello is like the Venice of Tuscany –being surrounded on all sides by water and also has some canalways. We retrace our route for 2km and now cycle round to the east of the island to to the pretty town of Port Ercole before finally coasting our way to the beach for a welcome swim at Cala Galera where we shall be picked up and wisked back to Saturnia. We will dine out tonight in the village of Saturnia

Porto Ercole.  An evocative seaside village with a well equipped tourist  port overlooked by the imposing Spanish fortress

Day 5 - Cycle Day 4- Orvieto and Bosena 100km

We will start at Saturnia and retrace our first  day's route with a small variation to Pitigliano where once again there will be the opportunity to stop in the town –this time to visit the Jewish quarter. Its then the fast smooth almost flat road to the fascinating town of Bolsena on the volcanic lake where we will stop for a restaurant lunch.

The Estruscan/Roman  town of Bolsena in Latzio which is situated on the  ancient volcanic Lake Bolsena which is seen in the background of the insert photo.

The afternoon will comprise of a 43km round trip to Orvieto, one of the most impressive old towns in Lazio where we will have tea and have time to explore. Then its back to Bolsena for a welcome swim in the lake's  (fairly) warm waters before being transported back to Saturnia for our finale evening meal at the hotel.

Orvieto   A city in southwestern Umbria, Italy situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff. The site of the city is among the most  dramatic in Europe, rising above the almost-vertical faces of tufa cliffs that are completed by defensive walls built of the same stone.

Orvieto is noted for its Gothic cathedral, or duomo. The church is striped in white travertine and greenish-black basalt in narrow bands.  Construction began in 1290.

Day 6 – Return to UK

There should be ample opportunity to swim, use the hotel spa or visit the Saturnia hot springs before lunch at the hotel and transfer back to Rome for a late afternoon flight.  Alternatively you can climb the hill into the village to pay homage to Marco Pantani's memorial as you can see below or indeed have a further short cycle tour in the morning.

The route of the Massimiliano Lelli Gran Fondo passes through Saturnia.  We shall cover some of  this 161km cycling route during our visit.  The renowned Italian cyclist Marco Pantani was associated with the village of Poggio Morella 1km up the steep hill from the hotel and this plaque and bicycle are placed in the village in his memory. The road from the  village passed the hotel has been formally named Strada Marco Pantani by the hotel owner.

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