{"id":16947,"date":"2023-09-29T01:10:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T07:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/?p=16947"},"modified":"2023-09-29T09:21:09","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T15:21:09","slug":"fabulous-adventure-in-tuscany-on-2-wheels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/?p=16947","title":{"rendered":"FABULOUS ADVENTURE IN TUSCANY ON 2 WHEELS."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

My good friend and inveterate world traveler, Tom, ask me to join him on a Butterfield & Robinson bike tour of Tuscany. I told him with all my travels this year I was in pretty mediocre shape. He said “Come anyway, and use an e-bike and you’ll have a fun time!”<\/strong> It just wasn’t just fun,…it was FABULOUS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a special alchemy for a superb bike trip and my tour last week was the very best of any of my close to 25 European bike tours!<\/strong> For me it starts with the guides and Luca and Manny were perfect with all the little things and the big and surprising elements they brought to the party! Of course the chemistry of the group, the accomodations, the cuisine, and since we were in beautiful Tuscany…THE WINES!<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yours truly decked out in lycra and my e-bike in the Tuscan hills. Tuscany is among many other things a land of ups and downs<\/strong>. This was my 3rd time riding in the region and I must say the e-bike did help “flatten” the hills.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The guides took very good care of us with morning stops on the road for snack and water refills, along with coffee breaks at selected spots on the routes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tom and Jenny on the road. They both had just come from a B & R bike tour of Romania with the company founders the week before. We were a good trio as we liked to hit the hills with gusto. The “Turbo” setting helped us up the steep pitches. It’s an electric bike but you still must peddle!<\/strong> They both are excellent and strong cycists!<\/strong> Tom has been on 75 bikes trips throughout the world!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is the ancient entrance to Fattoria La Loggia where we had our first lunch in picturesque Montefiridolfi in the heart of Chianti Classico. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They set up a beautiful table with enchanting views of the Tuscan hillsides and rows of vineyards. Butterfield and Robinson is unique as they offer wonderful and copious amounts of fine wines at lunch and dinner.<\/strong> And, yes, somehow we had to get on the bikes after all the wine!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We stayed two nights at the luxurious and beautiful, <\/strong>Como Castello De Nero Hotel.<\/strong><\/a> Tom and I are enjoying our Aperol Spritzes<\/strong> before the first group dinner.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The hotel is part of a 740 acre estate 30 minutes from Florence and Siena.<\/strong> A 12th century castle stands in the heart of the property. This is the view as I walked outside for breakfast which was fabulous.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lunch on day 2 was at the Trattoria da Bule<\/strong> in Bargino<\/strong>. Our guide, Manny, and a waiter brought out huge slabs of <\/strong>Bistecca alla Fiorentina<\/strong><\/a> which is famous in the region and usually served rare.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We enjoyed white and red wines from the area at lunch. Luca heard I enjoyed good Italian wines and ordered one of my favorites, <\/strong>Tignanello<\/strong><\/a> from the Antinori Estate. This is a perfect example of how great tour guides can really make a trip…PERFECT!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A short van ride from the hotel took us to <\/strong>La Pia Percussina, <\/strong><\/a>a boutique biological farm estate, for dinner. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tom and I raise a glass in their lighted vineyard.<\/strong> I’m beginning to think,…“How can I convince Marla we are moving to…Tuscany?”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We met up in Castellina in Chianti. Marla and I loved this town while on a visit in 2018. We stayed at a fabulous wine estate just down the hill<\/strong>. <\/strong><\/a>Check out my previous post <\/strong>Castello la Leccia.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I’m decked out in my new Butterfield & Robinson jersey and mountain bike shorts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tom is getting psyched for the ride!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A beautiful chapel on the road. Riding in the region is on an assortment of 2, 1 & 1\/2, and 1 lane roads.<\/strong> Italian drivers are very curteous for cyclists and will give their horn a couple of short bursts if they are behind you to let you know.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We arrived at the enchanting <\/strong>Antico Granaio<\/strong><\/a> in Monteaperti.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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