Ride the ancient pilgrimage route of the Via Francigena from Florence to arrive truimphantly in Rome on our unique self-guided tour. The ancient route has varied over the years, with each pilgrim choosing their own unique route to the Vatican. The Eat Sleep Cycle Via Francigena has been built based on a quest to find exceptional gravel and warm hospitality en route.
Our edition of the ancient route winds its way south from Florence through Tuscany & Lazio, with a short rendesvoux & overnight in Umbria. Soak up the sights of the Chianti vineyards, experience riding the Strade Bianche and pay homage to L’Eroica Classic.
Stay in 4* hotels each with their own unique character. Relax post-ride in lush gardens, swimming pools & spas and enjoy Italian hospitality. Feel the history riding into Rome along the banks of the Tiber, a river that embodies the spirit of Rome itself, interwoven with tales of gods, legends, and the very foundation of the city.
On a self-guided tour take each day at your own pace, we’ll take care of moving your luggage each day and we’re a phone call away if you need any unexpected support.
Rated 3 out of 4 our Advanced tours are designed for people who ride regularly and want back to back challenging days on the bike. Riders should be confident riding in a small group, comfortable on extended climbs (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents. E-bikes are available on all of our tours.
Meet your trip host in Florence and enjoy a warm-welcome, briefing for the ride ahead and support getting your bikes set up. Head out for a spectacular warm-up ride in the hills surrounding Florence. This is your opportunity to check your bike set up and navigation. Soak up spectacular views of the city before dropping back down to enjoy a relaxing evening.
Set a course south to Rome through the spectacular Chianti region. In the afternoon relax by the pool and soak up the afternoon sun at the amazing hotel Borgo San Luigi.
Day 3 is the toughest and most beautiful ride of the tour. Ride south through the Crete Senesi following the white gravel roads used in L’Eroica Classic,. Discover the UNESCO Vall d’Orcia, as featured in Gladiator.
After the challenge of the day before an easier (but no less beautiful day) beckons. Climb through forests and roll through small towns. Leave Tuscany behind and cross into the province of Lazio and on to tonight’s resting place in Umbria.
As close to a rest day as we get! Day 5 brings a beautiful short ride taking in the Lago di Bolsena. Note the change in landscape as the gravel turns from white to red.
The last ride takes you triumphantly into Rome. En route enjoy an amazing coffee stop in Piazza del Comune in Sutri before tackling the rolling hills into Rome.
Sadly, the tour has come to a close. Let us know your departure plans and we will organise any necessary transfers for you.
SELF-GUIDED
We’ll welcome you to the start of your tour, talk you through the week ahead and ensure you have everything you need to enjoy a great ride.
Guests receive a detailed digital Road Book, containing routes, route descriptions, details of hotels and our recommended places to stop along the way and enjoy in the evenings. Guests can choose to navigate from their own phone or GPS devices are available on request.
On a self-guided tour we take care of your luggage and move it from hotel to hotel. We also provide a contact number for support during the trip and will help you out of any situation.
We recommend that guests are able to fix a puncture and perform basic roadside bike repairs to best enjoy a self-guided tour.
Hotels shown are examples and are subject to change
Start the journey at the historic Casa Santo Nome di Gesu. Perfectly located along the river in Florence in the San Frediano district, this is a perfect spot to start riding from. The 15th-century building features high ceilings, orignal frescoes and is a few steps from the from Brancacci Chapel, the Pitti Palace and the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
Borgo San Luigi is a 17th century palace set on a beautiful rural estate. Rest in the shade of the thick gardens, enjoy a swim in the Olympic-sized pool and savour breakfast outdoors poolside during the summer. Enjoy high-quality rooms with period furniture and Tuscan-style furnishings. Featuring vineyard or mountain views, rooms include rustic fire places, historic frescoes and Tuscan four-poster beds.
Grand Hotel Impero stands in an enchanting position on the slopes of Mount Amiata, between Val d’Orcia and the Tuscan Maremma. Recently refurbished and renovated, the Hotel, once a manor house from the 50’s, is a true oasis of well-being. Enjoy great food & warm hostpitality.
A wonderful hotel in a unique location where the regions of Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany meet, in the heart of ancient Etruria. It stands on hills inhabited since the dawn of time, even before Rome. The resort, rebuilt in the rural style of old Umbria, reflects these millenary traditions, bridging past and present, ancient and modern, body and soul.
The perfect spot to enjoy rest & recovery ahead of the last big ride of the tour. Featuring a wellness centre with various swimming pools, a hot tub, and a sauna, Hotel Salus Terme has a garden, elegant rooms and a gourmet restaurant. The wellness centre is provided a complete experience with ergonomic thermal tubs, temperate saline pool, Kneipp vascular path, external panoramic sauna, cold reaction pool, chromotherapy sauna, infrared sessions, thermal steam grotto and fountain ice!
This refined 4-star Boutique Hotel is in the heart of the Prati district, the elegant Art Nouveau area that develops around Via Cola di Rienzo and its famous luxury shopping area, chosen as the headquarters of RAI, by other famous institutions and prestigious international schools.
Bike hire is not included in the tour. Add bike rental to the trip from €60 per day.Bikes shown here are examples and are subject to availabilty at the time of booking. We'll let you know the available options in your size when you book with us.
The Rave is perfect for all-road, perfect for gravel and is desgined for speed. Enjoy a lightweight carbon frame with racey geometry and an electronic SRAM Rival XPLR groupset for full gear range and precision shifting.
Emanuela is Italian and after many years living in Barcelona relocated to Mallorca. She started triathlon 10 years ago and has made it her life! Alongside guiding Emanuela hosts guests from all over the world in her Airbnb.
During the past 10 years, Mario has lived in different countries, but now he’s back home in Conegliano to ride every steep hill in the area! Despite his focus on road cycling, he’s had some amazing moments with his beloved steel gravel bike! Mario has been a member of the ESC Team since 2019 and couldn’t be happier! He looks forward to seeing you on the road soon!
Our cycling holidays in Italy offer a unique way to explore the country’s varied landscapes and rich heritage. From steep climbs of the Dolomites and Alps to cruising through Tuscany and the coastlines of Sardinia, there’s something for every rider at every level. Whether you're drawn to quiet country roads, challenging mountain passes, or lakeside routes, Italy combines great cycling with incredible food, local wine and a deep cycling culture. An Italian cycling holiday is the perfect blend of adventure and discovery, best enjoyed in spring or autumn. Discover our tours today.
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