Welcome to Hooked on Cycling Holidays and our cycling holiday in south Tuscany and Lazio. This cycling holiday in Italy is in south Tuscany in a region north east of Rome. This biking vacation in Italy is available as a self guided level 2 cycle tour.  One of the most fascinating things about the Etruscans whom frequented this region of Italy was the mysterious aura that surrounds them. As you cycle through this gently undulating, sparsely populated and not touristy area you will be overcome by the beauty of the landscape, the authenticity of the old small villages and its people and the amazing archaeological sights scattered around the countryside.

Ancient historians believed the Etruscans came from Lidia, now part of Turkey, but it is far more probable they originated from a local population living in central Italy around the year 1000 BC. The Etruscans dominated a vast territory that went from Rome to Florence, in the triangle lying between the Arno and the Tiber rivers, towards the sea. Thanks to their great sailing skills they came into close contact with the Ancient Greeks and the Phoenicians from whom they learned much. Not only did they trade foodstuff but also art, philosophy and religious believes.
In each necropolis there are thousands of tombs of different sizes, shapes and architectonic styles, an insight into the changing tastes and styles of the times in which they were build. You will visit some of the most amazing tombs, built at the height of the Etruscan period between the 7th and 5th century BC, like the multicoloured, elaborately frescoed tombs of Tarquinia and the enormous self-supporting round domed tombs of Cerveteri as wide as 30m in diameter and the monumental tombs of San Giuliano in the Marturanum Park, fascinating also because they are hidden away amongst the rich vegetation.

Ancient historians believed the Etruscans came from Lidia, now part of Turkey, but it is far more probable they originated from a local population living in central Italy around the year 1000 BC. The Etruscans dominated a vast territory that went from Rome to Florence, in the triangle lying between the Arno and the Tiber rivers, towards the sea. Thanks to their great sailing skills they came into close contact with the Ancient Greeks and the Phoenicians from whom they learned much. Not only did they trade foodstuff but also art, philosophy and religious believes.
In each necropolis there are thousands of tombs of different sizes, shapes and architectonic styles, an insight into the changing tastes and styles of the times in which they were build. You will visit some of the most amazing tombs, built at the height of the Etruscan period between the 7th and 5th century BC, like the multicoloured, elaborately frescoed tombs of Tarquinia and the enormous self-supporting round domed tombs of Cerveteri as wide as 30m in diameter and the monumental tombs of San Giuliano in the Marturanum Park, fascinating also because they are hidden away amongst the rich vegetation.

Available daily from 1st April to 30th June, 1st September to 30th November
Level 2 self guided tour

Day 1 Arrival in Orvieto
During the course of the day you arrive in the nearest airport Rome where you can take the train or request a private transfer to the tour start. 

Day 2 Ride from Orvieto to Civita di Bagnoreggion and onto Bolsena 19 miles 30 km
There are a few little steep climbs in this area which are so characteristic of the region. Before setting out today take a look around Orvieto on an imposing table mountain and with an over powering Cathedral. Then cycle out onto the quiet undulating lanes towards the fascinating semi abandoned village of Civita di Bagnoreggio connected to civilization by an ugly but useful long concrete, suspended bridge. This picturesque hamlet is also known as “the dying city” because for the past centuries it has been gradually abandoned because severe land erosion has caused the flanks of the mountain to collapse and the village is getting ever smaller. Now you approach the Lake with wonderful views of Bolsena with its surrounding Volcano.

Day 3 Bolsena to Tuscania 26 miles 45 km
A some what longer, but relatively easy route firstly undulating and then flat day running around the edge of the Bolsena lake which is a large volcanic lake, extremely clean because no rivers flow into it, and filled only by the underlying springs or from its own watershed. So take your towel and swimming costume as there are several good swimming spots along the route. The small village of Bolsena is also famous for its patron and martyr, Saint Cristina and for the miracle of the Eucharist in whose honour a beautiful church was built.

Day 4 Ride from Tuscania to Tarquinia 18 miles 30 km
Because today’s ride is quite short you have plenty of time for sight seeing both in Tarquinia and Tuscania, an important commercial city that belonged to the Lucumone of Tarquinia as it was situated on an advantageous point, on top of Saint Peter’s hill overlooking the river Marta, where today you can visit a beautiful church. Tuscania is a quiet sedentary town with many important monuments that in recent years have been carefully restored, bringing the many palaces and churches back to their old splendor. Most of the route climbs gently along quiet roads through a splendid landscape from where you have nice views of the sea on clear days.

Day 5 Ride from Tarquinia to Blera 25 miles 38 km
Before setting out take a look at the town of Tarquinia with the unique and famous multi-coloured fresco-painted underground tombs. The old town you see today is mostly medieval, located on top of a flat hill and surrounded by a towered city wall. The Necropolis is a few kilometres outside the city centre and a must on the trip. Also very interesting is the archaeological museum that houses many valuable remains found during excavation work in the area. Today’s route is through very nice landscapes following quiet, asphalted roads with some local traffic or on very quiet country roads. For the most part the route is flat. Those that want to cycle a bit more can extend the tour with a visit to the nice old village of Civitella Cesi and the Etruscan necropolis of San Giovenale (15 km extra) or go for a swim in the Mediterranean seas (5,5 km extra), before you reach the day’s main destination

Day 6 Ride from Blera to Montevirginio 17 miles 27 km
Blera is another small very authentic village surrounded by a very nice landscape. You cycle towards Barbarano along quiet country lanes. In Barbarano Romano you can stop to visit the interesting necropolis of Marturanum where you can see many different styles of monumental tombs. The place is enchanting because the tombs are well hidden away in the vegetation and when walking through this park you feel like an archaeologist discovering something for the first time because there is never anyone there. Not far from the accommodation is Orioli, a small village with a large, imposing palace built on the main square, you can stop here for a visit of the palace or continue on, cycling along quiet roads and passing through small, very authentic villages.

Day 7 Ride from Montevirginio to Cerveteri 26 miles 44 km
You can start the day cycling along quiet roads, through small rolling hills to Ceri. In this nice medieval village, surrounded by green forests, you can have a tasteful lunch in one of the local trattorias. After your arrival in Bracciano you can visit the majestic 13th century Orsini castle that was modified and enlarged during the renaissance. The town of Bracciano and the castle are built on the edge of an extinct volcano that overlooks over a large lake and if you have some extra energy you can also go down to the lake for a swim. As you arrive to Cerveteri you must make a visit to the imposing Etruscan necropolis of Cerveteri, the Necropolis della Banditaccia, with numerous tombs dating from the 6th until the 4th century B.C..

Day 8 Departure from Cerveteri
The trip and our services end after breakfast.

Tariff 2010

How to get there
By Plane
Fly to Rome where transfers to tour start are available. Fly with Ryanair, British airways or Easyjet.
On arrival to Rome you can also transfer by train.

To View our other cycling holidays in Italy
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