See Italy in a whole new light on this amazing cycling vacation in Tuscany. From the shimmering Mediterranean Sea to the rolling hills and ancient villages, we’ll absorb the essence of Tuscany and allow our senses to run wild. From the honey-soaked light of the morning glowing over fields of red poppies, to the golden rays shining through the vineyards in the evening, we will discover the blissful rhythm of Tuscany. We’ll bike the most charming roads in the world, and delight your taste buds with spectacular local foods, all while learning about our surroundings: art, architecture, history, and the art of making olive oil, wine, cheese and authentic Tuscan cuisine.

All ability levels are welcome and each bike ride is guided. The high staff-to-participant ratio means you’ll have someone to encourage you, as well as teach you cycling tips, whether you’re a beginner or a veteran. This is the trip you always promised yourself you’d take. Come join us in the sweet life.

Where We’ll Go On La Dolce Vita Tuscany Cycling Retreat
We will split our time between two spectacular regions of Tuscany: the authentic, unspoiled countryside of the Etruscan coast on the Mediterranean Sea, and Val d’Orcia, known as the heart of Tuscany, with gentle, carefully-cultivated hills peppered with picturesque towns and villages.

Some of the towns we will be visiting and riding through are: the Etruscan city of Montalcino, Pienza (the jewel of the Renaissance), Monastero di Sant'Anna (where the English patient was filmed), Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore (if we time it right we can hear the chanting of the monks), Castagneto Carducci, Sassetta, Suvereto, Montescudaio, Bolgheri, Massa, and Populonia. We’ll have a full day to savor the charms of mystical Siena, considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Italy. An expert local guide will lead us into the heart of Siena’s history and art.

Our home base for the first portion of the retreat is the lovely Campastrello Sport Hotel (www.campastrellosport.com) in the Etruscan coast region. Set in a beautiful Mediterranean garden, the hotel is modern but built in charming, traditional Tuscan style. The beautifully landscaped grounds feature fruit orchards and olive groves, a state-of-the-art Olympic swimming pool, and great views of the village and sunsets. Our meals are specially prepared and served in the hotel's noted restaurant, L'Olivo, which specializes in homestyle Tuscan cuisine.

We’ll spend three nights here, exploring the Etruscan coast by day -- a cyclist's paradise of rolling hills and quiet roads through some of Italy's most prized vineyards. Stretching from medieval village to medieval village, our select routes take in glorious views with sublime spots to stop for a cappuccino or a gelato.

For the next portion of our adventure, we’ll head inland to the magnificent region of Val d’Orcia, where we’ll spend two nights at Fattoia de Colle (www.cinellicolombini.it). Set in a spectacular setting of cypress-lined lanes, ancient stone villages, and undulating hills studded with castles, Colle is a working wine and olive oil producing estate with beautifully renovated farmhouses and a main villa for our lodging. The estate also includes a small chapel, two swimming pools, and a gourmet restaurant preparing our sumptuous Tuscan meals from fresh, local produce.

The proprietor of Colle, Donatella Cinelli Colombini, is the producer of award-winning Brunello di Montalcino wines. Her signature vintage, Prime Donne, is produced solely by women.

Finally, we’ll head back to the Etruscan coast and our friends at Campastrello Sport for two more nights. We will pedal along the famous Strada del Vino (the wine road), have lunch with an internationally-renowned sculptor at his beautiful villa, see how olive oil is made at one of Tuscany's finest olive-oil presses, enjoy a cooking class with Chicca, a renowned Italian chef, and swim in the warm, clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea on beaches below a medieval castle.

What to Expect On La Dolce Vita Tuscany Cycling Tour
Most mornings we will begin with yoga to awaken our senses and limber our bodies before enjoying a buffet breakfast with foamy cappuccinos. Then we’ll pedal the Tuscan roads, famous for their cypress trees, lack of traffic, and friendly drivers. Our afternoons will be spent exploring villages, doing art projects or creative journaling, swimming in the calm sea, and rekindling the spark for life. Poetry, and creative processes for clarifying your heart's desire are sprinkled into the mix of all our adventures, bringing mindfulness to our Italian adventure.

Throughout the retreat, you will have personal and individualized professional instruction and guidance during all activities. Our staff consists of world-class athletes and coaches, who will offer you heartfelt support and instruction. We’ll create small riding groups to ensure everyone rides with others at a similar ability level. Riding options are provided for beginners to accomplished riders. And, all rides are fully supported with a bike mechanic and a sag wagon (full of fruit, water, cookies and, of course, chocolate).

To compliment your cycling, we also offer hiking and running adventures on trails lined with olive trees, and on roads leading to wonderful places. For instance, at Fattoria de Colle we can run/hike to a cheese maker’s house!

The La Dolce Vita Tuscany Cycling Retreat Includes:
• Eight days, seven nights accommodations at comfortable, charming, and authentic family-run Tuscan establishments (two nights at Fattoria de Colle and five nights at Campastrello Sport Hotel. See FAQ for details on lodging).
• All dinners, three lunches, and daily breakfasts – all amazing food, in true Tuscan spirit! And all snacks.
• Daily road cycling rides, guided by our professional staff.
• A bike mechanic and sag wagon with spare parts.
• Transportation from Camastrello Sport Hotel to Fattoria de Colle and back again.
• Guided art tour in Siena.
• A guided visit to Fonte di Foiano, rated one of the best olive oil presses in Italy.
• A visit to a local Tuscan farmhouse for a cooking demonstration and feast with acclaimed (and fun!) chef, Chicca.
• A day with world-renowned artist Rolando Stefanacci.
• A guided visit to Fonte di Foiano, rated one of the best olive oil presses in Italy.
• A visit to a local Tuscan farmhouse for a cooking demonstration and feast with acclaimed (and fun!) chef, Chicca.
• A day with world-renowned artist Rolando Stefanacci.
• A visit and guided tour of the magnificent town of Siena.
• Wine Tasting in the heart of Brunello country.
• A visit to Cicclo Sport, a Tuscan bike shop with even more local color than the sunsets over the Tyrhenian Sea.
• Yoga classes (daily, or as demand dictates).
• Watercolor painting lesson.
• Women’s Quest Journal.
• Goodies from our sponsors.

* Price does not include airfare or bike rental.

What Our Sponsors Provide: • Women's Quest T-Shirt • Smartwool socks • Healthy snacks by Barbara's Bakery • Trek Water Bottle • Luna Bar • Women's Quest Journal • Sherpani packs and travel bags 20% of with coupon code

proud sponsor of Women's Quest and fit just for women!