Tour description
A unique experience for those who want to ride the winding roads of the Val di Cecina hills, discover its traditions and satisfy the palate by sampling some typical delicacies paired with internationally renowned wines.
Exceptional guide: Paolo Bettini, multiple world champion and Olympic medallist in Athens, who knows these places like the back of his hand.
Dates: from 18th to 22th September. In preparation for the GreenFondo Paolo Bettini, scheduled for Sunday 22nd September, Located in the heart of Tuscany, in the picturesque area of Pomarance, an event that has been running for over 20 years.
Special programme for accompanying persons: on request.
Itinerary
DAY 1 | Wednesday, 18th September 2024
Welcome to Tuscany
Wine, landscapes, sunsets: these are the main ingredients of this adventure in the heart of the geothermal area. A unique holiday based on simplicity and a rhythm that follows the course of nature, admiring its beauty. All – or almost all – on a bike!
- Arrival at a charming resort on a poetic hill overlooking the unspoilt landscape typical of the Etruscan Coast.
- Meet and greet with the team
- Briefing with Paolo Bettini
- Bike fitting
- Dinner at the resort where you will enjoy some local Tuscan cuisine accompanied by a good Tuscan wine.
DAY 2 | Thursday 19th September 2024
Between the sea and the hinterland.
From the intense blue of the sea to the greens and ochres of summer: the adventure begins between art, nature and good food. A visit to a winery will lead the guests through a tasting that touches both the eyes and the palate, while Paolo Bettini and Silvia Parietti will be authentic local guides in an area that is waiting to be discovered.
- Breakfast with local products, surrounded by the chirping of the birds and the silence of the hills.
- Ride with Paolo Bettini and Silvia Parietti between the coast and the hinterland, discovering the authentic Mediterranean atmosphere with its colours and characteristic scents.
- Visit, tasting and lunch at a local winery, where art and sustainability meet, a symbol of the union between man and nature.
- Return to the resort.
- Dinner at a typical Tuscan osteria, where you can rediscover old flavours and traditional recipes in a characteristic atmosphere.
Activities for accompanying persons – on request
Walking and shopping in Cecina.
DAY 3 | Friday 20th September 2024
The legendary Super Tuscans
Tuscany is synonymous with vineyards, which will be the fascinating backdrop for this day. A drive through the rows of vines renowned for producing Super Tuscan wines. Guided tours and tasty breaks will punctuate the ride towards Pomarance, the heart of the geothermal area.
Dinner? In an exclusive location, immersed in the tranquillity of the countryside and its rustic atmosphere.
- Breakfast with local products, surrounded by the chirping of birds and the silence of the hills.
- Bike ride with Paolo Bettini and Silvia Parietti in the area famous throughout the world for the production of Super Tuscan wines.
- Visit to an excellent wine cellar in Bolgheri.
- Lunch at a charming osteria in the village of Castagneto Carducci
- Departure by bike to reach Pomarance, the heart of geothermal energy
- Dinner in an exceptional setting, immersed in the tranquillity of the Tuscan countryside.
Activities for accompanying persons – on request
Visit to Bolgheri to discover the narrow streets and history of this ancient village.
DAY 4 | Saturday 21st September 2024
In the Valley of the Devil
The geothermal phenomena that inspired Dante’s Inferno are the protagonists of a Saturday dedicated to the wonders and magic of the underground. Together with the guests who have arrived in Pomarance for the Green Fondo weekend, we will explore the soffioni and geysers of the geothermal hills and end an unforgettable excursion by tasting Tuscan cuisine in a typical osteria.
- Breakfast with typical products, tasting the flavours that time does not change.
- Ride with Paolo Bettini and Silvia Parietti to discover the boric acid fumaroles and geysers that characterise the geothermal hills.
- Lunch in a typical Osteria overlooking the metalliferous hills around the ancient village of Pomarance.
- Return to your accommodation
- Traditional barbecue at the Pomarance camper site to inaugurate the Green Fondo 2024.
Activities for accompanying persons:
Visit to Volterra, the city of alabaster.
DAY 5 | Sunday 22nd September 2024
Experience the Green Fondo Paolo Bettini
With its classic start in Pomarance, the Green Fondo has been bringing cycling enthusiasts together in the warm heart of Tuscany for over twenty years. The route touches almost all the towns in the geothermal area and you can choose between three options: light, classic and marathon. Along the way there are many refreshment points where you can taste typical local products.
- Rich breakfast with fresh and local products
- Departure for the centre of Pomarance for the opening of the Paolo Bettini Green Fondo grid.
- At the end of the race, prize-giving ceremony and pasta party for all participants.
Activities for accompanying persons (on request)
Visit to Valentina’s farm, a small paradise where you can rediscover the closest relationship with animals and learn the art of ancient crafts.
Photogallery
Useful info
The fee includes
- Overnight accommodation
- Food & Drink: Full board with water and wine with meals from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day.
- End of race pasta party.
- All visits and excursions included in the programme
- Sports food
- Laundry service for cycling clothes
- Professional mechanic during all excursions
- Participation in the Paolo Bettini Green Fondo (race package included)
- Preparation for the Green Fondo Paolo Bettini under the guidance and supervision of Paolo Bettini.
The fee does not include
- Beverages ordered by the guests over and above the stipulated quantity, which will be charged to the client.
- Anything not expressly included in the ‘fee’.
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Limited availability.
Tourist package organised and managed by FunActive