This eight-day trip to Tuscany took place in the Chianti hills some 2,000 feet above sea level, just outside Castellina. Our base was Villa Casalta, a beautiful converted farmhouse which boasts extensive views in all directions and an unheated swimming pool that provided invigorating dips at the end of the day. There were three lovely walks during the week, ranging from five to seven miles in length, over a variety of terrain, all finishing at local mediaeval villages, such as Greve, Radda and San Gimignano, and there were day trips to Siena and Florence, which were enhanced by excellent local guides. On each of the first three days there were also fascinating wine-tasting sessions at different locations. On our final day we had three hours to explore Pisa before our flight home.
I enjoyed the tour except for the 2 night stay at Hotel Brittania. That's the worst hotel I've ever stayed. Our toilet only flushes once a day. For the amount of money we paid for the tour, it should have been a 3 or 4 star hotel.
Fascinating, Fantastic, Fun I’ve been on a lot of cycle tours. This was my first with Exodus. What an experience! I was impressed by the high level of organization and professionalism. Cycling through medieval villages, beautiful farmlands and some days overlooking the Mediterranean gave variety to each day. As did the multitude of trails and pathways. Each restaurant and hotel was specially chosen to offer a unique and quality experience. The leader had really done his homework and pointed out points of interest along the way. I appreciated the guided walks around each town in the evening. And, most importantly, we had a lot of fun!