TUSCANY REGION - MEDITERRANEAN SEA (PRESALE OPEN)
September 2024 (days to be confirmed)
Italy Bike & Boat is a journey to the past, pedaling through the picturesque hills of Tuscany and sailing across the Mediterranean in an authentic schooner from the last century. This is a unique experience that combines both sport and relaxation, where you can unplug your mind and connect your senses through unique landscapes, warm sea, exquisite cuisine, and the best company.
Italy - Summer in the south! When you think of Tuscany, a lot of pictures pass through your mind: landscapes dotted with cypresses, rolling hills, olive groves, the aromatic perfume of herbs and citrus, epic architecture, blue sea, the melodic babble of the locals and, of course, the fantastic cuisine and excellent wine. Italy calms the mind and soul!
We have designed a special program so that you can cycle through Tuscany (a region in central Italy that was the heart of the Renaissance) and navigate the Mediterranean Sea without having to pack and unpack your luggage every day. For one week, you will be an exclusive passenger of the "Atlantis", a 1905 Gulet (57m long with 14 giant sails) totally restored, with premium cabins, restaurant, bar, and music on deck.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY ON THIS ADVENTURE?
In the morning we will meet in the ship's dining room for a delicious breakfast. Our guides will divide the groups into 3 levels according to the intensity of training each cyclist wishes for that day. Then we will set out for a half-day of pedaling through the gorgeous Italian countryside.
The landscape and the duration of the pedaling will be similar for everyone, the only thing that varies is the number of kilometers and the pedaling pace of each group. You can choose to do a 100% tourist ride, have a recreational training session designed for intermediate levels, or do a pre-season ride with a large number of kilometers and accumulated unevenness that are the stuff of elite cyclists’ dreams. At the end of each ride, we will return to the "Atlantis" to continue sailing through the Tuscan archipelago enjoying lunch and delicious drinks on the deck.
Every day you will discover a new route to pedal and a unique destination to navigate. Every afternoon you are free to explore a new and charming medieval European city, enjoy a sunbath on a beautiful fine sand beach, swim in the blue waters of the Mediterranean, or jump into the sea directly from the deck of the Atlantis.
The ship moves from port to port for a different route every day.
BOAT
Included Services:
• Tall Ship built in 1905 and newly restored, chartered exclusively by Gaby Castillo
• 16 Premium twin cabins, air-conditioned with private bathrooms
• Bed linens and towels
• Living room / dining room
• Deck with bar
• Half board (lunches and dinners offered on the boat and/or on land)
• Accommodation every night on the boat
• Crew of 8 people
• 3 bike guides
• Tips for the crew and guides
• Local taxes
BIKES
Bike services included:
• 1 guide for Road Bikes (Advanced)
• 1 guide for Road Bikes (Intermediate - E-Bike)
• 1 guide for Tourist Circuit (Beginners - E-Bike)
• Those who hire an E-bike can join any of the last 2 groups
Híbrida
E-bike
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED
• Air tickets and transfers to the starting point / destination of the tour
• Drinks on board
• Meals and beverages ashore
• Travel insurance - mandatory (they will ask for a certificate at the beginning of the tour - AssistCard / Universal Assistance)
• Bike helmet (it is mandatory for your own safety)
• Pedalboards and cycling shoes (optional but suggested)
PROGRAM
DAY 1:
SATURDAY
ARRIVAL - Porto Santo Stefano (EMBARKATION)
Individual arrival at Porto St. Stefano, a wonderful and lively port city located on the north side of the Monte Argentario peninsula.
Boarding takes place at 6:00 pm
If you arrive earlier, you are welcome to leave your luggage on board anytime after 2:00 pm. A short stroll through the medieval old town, painted in a wash of pink and beige, and you will quickly realize that you are on holiday. We recommend a walk to the Fortezza Spagnola, built in the 17th century to protect the city. The first evening meal on board will be a great way to meet your fellow travelers, guides, and crew. Overnight in Porto St. Stefano.
DAY 2:
SUNDAY
Monte Argentario - Talamone
Our first bike tour takes us from Porto St. Stefano to the historic town of Orbetello.
With a bit of luck, we will have the chance to admire the spectacular flamboyance of flamingos in the WWF natural oasis Laguna di Orbetello. Afterwards, our cycle tour leads to the ruins of the fortified Roman city of Cosa and then through the Duna Feniglia Natural Reserve, with its beautiful Pine Forest. The tour continues predominantly along cycle paths back to Porto Santo Stefano, where the Atlantis awaits our arrival to set sail for Talamone.
DAY 3:
MONDAY
Talamone - Magliano di Toskana –Talamone
After breakfast we starts the day’s tour cycling through rolling hills characterized by vineyards and olive groves. After passing Poggio Perotto Lake, we arrive at the medieval town of Magliano di Toskana. This picturesque town, with its striking city gates and city walls, invites its visitors to linger. We will be able to appreciate the Tuscan landscape from its most beautiful side as we cycle back to Talamone Bay, a kite-and-windsurfer paradise. Before dining on board, we will invite you to a tasting of delectable local Tuscan wines.
DAY 4:
TUESDAY
Talamone - Porto Azzuro
This morning we will sail to Elba. Along the way you will receive an introduction to sailing in favorable winds and can even help sail the Tall Ship if you like!
Elba is the third largest island in Italy (after Sicily and Sardina) and impresses with its charm, lush nature, and rich history. After a light lunch on board, we will go ashore. The afternoon tour leads along a spectacular panoramic road across the island to Capoliveri. In the evening, there will be a plenty of time to visit the charming harbor town of Porto Azzuro.
DAY 5:
WEDNESDAY
Porto Azzuro –Enfola Bay
The day starts from Porto Azzuro. We will be looking forward to a somewhat longer tour from Porto Azzuro to the north of the island of Elba.
After a coffee break in Rio nell 'Elba, we head to one of the most impressive viewpoints of the trip: the "Voltereio". From "Voltereio" we will be able to look out over the beautiful bay of Portoferreio, the capital of the island. After lunch we cycle the last few kilometers to the bay of Enfola.
DAY 6:
THURSDAY
Patresi – Marina di Campo
Today the queen’s stage awaits us!
We cycle over the island, visiting the mountain village of Marciana along the way before reaching the highest point of the tour at Monte Perone. From there, we are rewarded with a wonderful descent to the village of San Pietro in Campo, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch with a view of our ship. Once back on the Atlantis there is plenty of time for a refreshing swim directly from the Atlantis’ deck. Afterwards, the sails are set, and we head for Isola Giglio, an island located in the very south of the Tuscan Archipelago. This Italian jewel is home to mountains, forests, untouched nature and crystal sea!
DAY 7:
FRIDAY
Island Giglio – Porto St. Stefano
We begin our cycling tour in Campese on the west of the island. The destination for today is the medieval town of Giglio Castello, enthroned like an impregnable castle high up on the island of Giglio.
A quick descent takes us down to Giglio Porto. There, we will enjoy the last cruise on board the Atlantis as we set sail towards Porto St. Stefano. A celebratory evening meal in the company of your fellow travelers, crew, and guides offers the perfect atmosphere in which to enjoy our last evening together, reminiscing about this incredible adventure.
DAY 8:
SATURDAY
Porto St. Stefano (DISEMBARKATION)
Farewell breakfast.
Disembarkation time is at 9:00 am