Self guided
6 nights
Intermediate
449 km
7725 m
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.
Gravel
Intermediate
74 km
3 h 30 min
Start the journey in the renaissance city of Florence
Cycle through the vineyards of Chianti
Ride in the tyre tracks of L'Eroica and the Strade Bianche
Visit the UNESCO heritage site of the Vall d'Orcia
Finish the jounrey in the ancient city of Rome
Rated 2 out of 4 our Intermediate tours are designed for sporty people who are looking to enjoy some more challenging rides. E-bikes are available on all of our tours.
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.
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.
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!
Travel to Florence
Our first hotel in Florence
12 noon
Plan your onward travel from our last hotel in Rome
Self-Guided
4* hotels
Breakfast included
Transfers are available on request
Bike Hire is available on request
Italia! Pizza! Pasta! The Giro! Italy is a classic destination for cycling holidays, with a huge variety of landscapes to explore & a history steeped in cycling culture. Italy is best enjoyed from April through to June and in the Autumn months.
Italy cycling tours offer something special for every cyclist. Whether you’re looking for mountain ranges, excellent food or to ride around the lakes, our cycling holidays in Italy have you covered.
From the high mountains of the Alps and Dolomites in the North, to the Italian Lakes of Lombardia & Piemonte, to the rolling hills of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, and off-shore to the islands of Siciliy & Sardinia, Italy promises to wow!
A 30% deposit will secure your place on the tour
The final balance is due 90 days before the tour departs
Choose your date
Choose your date
We have a flexible cancelation policy – please take a look at our cancellation policy at the time of booking. If you have any doubts please reach out and we’re happy to help.
We rate our tours from Level 1 (Leisure) to Level 4 (Epic). Each tour contains a description of the level, expected daily ride time, distance and elevation. If you have any doubts we’re more that happy to speak to you on the phone and help to find you the perfect trip!
We recommend that you hire a bike for your tour and will work with you after you book to help you to choose the best size and model for your ride style. If you prefer to bring your bike, it’s no problem. Please be aware that on some of our epic trips we charge a supplement to transport your bike box to our finishing location. If you have any doubts, please ask!
Insurance is not included in our tour packages. We highly recommend contracting travel insurance at the time of reservation with a company from where you are from.
Health insurance which covers you for illness or injury whilst cycling in your chosen destination is mandatory, we’ll ask you for details of your insurance providor before you travel.
