Biking in Montepulciano

Biking in Montepulciano

by | Jun 29, 2021 | Italy, Tuscany

Biking in Montepulciano – Tuscany

The region Tuscany is a land of cyclists, it offers a variety of itineraries. Biking is one of the best ways to explore more of this wonderful wine region!

Montepulciano is a scenic hilltop town. It stands on a limestone hill. This area is the right place for road and dirt road cycling routes, but good fitness is required.

The best period for cycling Tuscany on bike are from March to October. Riding in the summer can be hot, but you can bike early in the morning, avoiding the heat of the day. Many find it’s a great time to relax and plan their day.

If you are planning about cycling in Tuscany, the most important biking needs are a good bike (MTB or race), a helmet and a repair kit. Cycling with a helmet is really recommended!

Bike itineraries to Pienza

There are amazing bike routes from Montepulciano to Pienza. The trail types are mostly asphalt and dirt roads. You ride along the hills overlooking the amazing views of Val d’Orcia.

Most of the trails are suitable for advanced – experienced riders. They are quite challenging but definitely worth it!

1) Mountain bike route Montepulciano – Pienza

This is a gravel road and a road itinerary. Ideal for MTB, not for tour or racing bikes. You’ll bike through hills, valleys, olive groves and vineyards. This is a spectaculair itinerary for experienced mountainbikers.

Distance 27 km.

2) Road cycling route Montepulciano – Pienza

Explore this amazing cycle route to Pienza! The start and arrival point is Montepulciano. From here you start the bike tour among the hills of the Val di Chiana valley. Passing Montichiello you’ll see the very best of the iconic Val d’Orcia valley.

Val d’Orcia

Panoramic roads lead you the Renaissance village Pienza. Once you’ve passed Pienza you take the road back to Montepulciano.

Distance 38 km.

3) Road cycling route Montepulciano – Acquaviva – Montepulciano Stazione

This itinerary is almost my daily bike exercise. It is a short ride from the historic centre of Montepulciano to Acquaviva, Valiano and Montepulciano Stazione.

Montepulciano

Montepulciano, Acquaviva and Valiano are hilly villages. The biking route around Montepulciano Stazione is primarily flat.

After leaving Montepulciano this road passes the villages of Acquaviva and Valiano. Once you reach Valiano you turn back the way up to Montepulciano Stazione and Montepulciano.

In the countryside of Montepulciano you can see the hospital of Nottola.

Distance 27.6 km.

4) Road cycling route Montepulciano – Chianciano – Montallese – Montepulciano Stazione

It is a nice panoramic ride, it has not many up and downs. Starting in Montepulciano you follow the signs direction Chianciano and Chiusi.

Chiusi is the former Etruscan city in the province of Siena.

Along the road to Chiusi you pass my favorite pizza restaurant “Jamaica”. Jamaica is close to the discotheque La Bussola In. The pizza’s at Jamaica are huge and delicious!

Pizza Jamaica

Turning left you take the downhill road to Montallese. When arriving in Montallese turn right and you take the dirt road – cycle path to Lago di Montepulciano (Lake Montepulciano). This path is also called “Il sentiero della Bonifica.”

Sentiero della Bonifica

From there you follow the dirt road to Valiano, Montepulciano Stazione and then the road back to Montepulciano. Cycling uphill to Montepulciano is not easy. The road is not very steep but it is long. For this track you need a reasonable fitness.

Distance 53 km.

Happy cycling!

 

Visit Pienza in the Val d’Orcia valley

Visit Pienza in the Val d’Orcia valley

by | Jun 8, 2020 | Italy, Tuscany

Visit Pienza

Last week I visited Pienza in the Val d’Orcia. Pienza is a tiny village situated 20 km from Montalcino and a few km from Montepulciano.

Pienza

This period is a unique chance for me to visit places in Italy without lots of tourists. Italy has opened its borders to European tourists from early June but the Coronavirus still keeps tourists away. Some Italian visitors from other regions arrive in Tuscany but not (yet) people from other countries.

Few people were around in Pienza. Pienza is a popular place to travel. For many people Tuscany is a dream destination for its beauty, scenic landscape and historical villages.

Tuscany is so special and unique. It’s not surprisingly that Val d’Orcia has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pienza is the most renowned village in Val d’Orcia. In 1996 UNESCO declared this town a World Heritage site.

History

Pienza was redesigned in the late 15th century by Pope Pius II (Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini). The original name of the village Pienza is Corsignano. Pope Pius was born here. He decided to change Corsignano into an ideal city to be called Pienza.

Today Pienza houses wonderful buildings like the Palazzo Piccolomini “Pope’s palace”, the Cathedral and town hall. These attractions are definitely worth a visit.

How do I get to Pienza

Pienza is located only 12 km away from Montepulciano. You can reach this village easily by car. There is free parking outside the historic centre. For example in the Via della Madonnina. Here you find enough parking space.

Parallel to this street is a wonderful walking path to the centre. The views over the landscape are stunning.

You can also take the bus from from Montepulciano to Pienza and vica versa. By bus it’s about 25 minutes travel time.

Val d’Orcia

The town Pienza is as small town with a population around 2300. In the main street Corso Rossellino is a pretty strong smell of cheese. The Pecorino cheese of Pienza is one of the best and popular Tuscan cheese. Many tiny shops in Pienza sell this amazing Pecorino cheese.

You should taste it, it’s really yummy!

Cheese farm in Pienza

The Pecorino cheese is a soft or semi hard sheep cheese produced in Pienza. It is one of the most delicious Italian cheeses made from sheep milk (ewe’s milk).

Personally I know Fattoria Pianporcino in Pienza. This cheese farm produces different Pecorino types like Pecorino fresco, Pecorino semi-stagionato and pecorino fully stagionato.

The owner of Pianporcino is Giuseppe Bussu (on the right-hand side of the picture). 

This photo is from before the Coronavirus.

Fattoria Pianporcino

For a cheese tasting and visit reservations are recommended. Especially now with new measures and restrictions.

E-mail: info@fattoriapianporcino.it
Address: Podere Pianporcino 109, 53026 Pienza (SI)

Pecorino cheese

Pienza is also called a “Slow Food” place for food and wine lovers. In the historic centre are many wine shops “enoteche” where you can taste the local wines (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino).

The restaurants offer traditional local dishes like Tuscan pasta “i pici”, antipasti and different types of cheeses.

Pienza is also a romantic destination with the two streets called Via dell”Amore and Via del Bacio.

Pienza

Pienza

 

A FAT e-bike tour in Umbria with Instabike Italia

A FAT e-bike tour in Umbria with Instabike Italia

by | Jun 1, 2020 | Italy, Tuscany

Instabike Italia

Instabike Italia offer FAT e-bike rental and guided tours. The best way to explore Umbria and Tuscany is by riding a FAT e-bike! It is great fun for everyone.

With this e-bike you can ride along vineyards, amazing landscapes, trails, off road adventures or anything you wish.

Lago Trasimeno

Marco Angeletti is one of the owners of Instabike Italia. He is an official guide and he can show you by bike wonderful places, landscapes and lakes.

With Marco Angeletti

A guided tour with a FAT e-bike through the Umbrian and Tuscany landscape you can enjoy a nice wine tasting as well.

Tour guide Marco Angeletti

Tuscany landscape

Instabike Italia is situated in Terni, Umbria, but they organize e-bike tours around Umbria and in a small part of Tuscany. The FAT e-bikes are new and well maintained. You really should try one of their FAT e-bikes!

Sangiovese vineyards

FAT E-bike

FAT e-bikes are more than mountain bikes. They have oversized tires, the bikes allow you to ride everywhere. Obstacles are not a problem, the FAT e-bikes give you a feeling of stability and control.

It is easy to ride a FAT e-bike. In addition to your pedaling the motor powers the rear wheel. With this bike you can visit a lot of wonderful breathtaking places, whether it is an off road adventure or a city ride.

Sangiovese vineyards

Bike Tour

Last week I’ve tried one of the new tours Instabike Italia wants offer. Unfortunately the winery we wanted to visit for a wine tasting was closed. Due to he current Covid-19 measures and restrictions. Avignonesi is a wonderful winery in Montepulciano.

Sangiovese vineyards

As we were at the Tuscany – Umbria border we entered the Umbrian landscape. With views over Cortona we went by bike uphill towards the castle of Tuoro sul Trasimeno.

FAT e-bikes can allow you to ride anywhere but the bike trail uphill from Cortona to the castle is not accessible and only for experienced bikers. We were forced to walk.

From the castle of Tuoro sul Trasimeno we enjoyed an amazing view over the Umbrian landscape and the Trasimeno Lake. I could even see Castiglione del Lago. The village I moved out two years ago.

Lago Trasimeno

For a short pit-stop we passed by a local bar for a coffee and a gelato in Tuoro sul Trasimeno. After our break we continued biking along the Trasimeno Lake to the place where we had parked our cars.

A real new bike experience with a FAT e-bike. You will explore new places with amazing trails Umbria has to offer. The tour we did is excellent for everybody. Also for kids! Besides the trail uphill to the castle of course. That part will be modified.

The website of Instabike Italia is under construction. But they have an Instagram account for more information. Enjoy!

 

 

Phase two in Italy and how to move on

Phase two in Italy and how to move on

by | May 4, 2020 | Italy, Tuscany

Lockdown in Italy

Last week I have seen our Prime Minister Conte on TV saying that the measures will be more relaxed from May 4. What changes?

Prime Minister

Sometimes it’s a bit confusing for me to understand well Italy’s new rules. But in general I know what I may do and what is still prohibited.

We will still have difficult months ahead. To protect ourselves we must maintain social distancing, wear masks and gloves in supermarkets and shops.

Here a few new lockdown rules:

  • We may walk, bike or go for a run more than 200 metres from home. Totally my thing!
  • We may travel in our region. In my case: Tuscany.. not too bad.
  • We can visit relatives. Count me out. I have no relatives in Italy.
  • The parks and factories reopen. Ok with me.
  • And there will be take away food.
    Restaurants will offer pizza for take aways only. Yummy, finally a good pizza!

Pizza at Rosso Vivo

It is a small return to normalcy. But all with social distancing, masks and subject to local and regional rules.

On May 18 team sports can train again, museums, libraries and retail stores will reopen. Dining in restaurants from June 1 and reopening of bars, hairdressers and beauty centers.

My life in Montepulciano

The battery of my car is low. Today I have tried to start my car. It wasn’t easy as it sounds. Fortunately my neighbor and the *ACI were willing to help me to get this problem solved.

To give the battery a good charge they advised me to drive for at least 30 minutes. So I drove to Pienza and back to Montepulciano. It seemed everything normal, but it wasn’t. I was more than happy!

Road to Montepulciano

Luckily we have good weather in Tuscany. I am working on new wine projects -to be continued- and I do a lot of workouts at home. I didn’t stop tasting wines as well. I love my daily appetizer. I love wine.

Biking

As we are allowed now I went this afternoon for a short bike ride today: Montepulciano – Acquaviva – Montepulciano. This is my cycling route nearby my apartment. It’s about 20 km total downhill and uphill. A wonderful bike experience that I will repeat soon.

Cycling route

Visit Holland

In this period I should have been in Rotterdam for family matters, but my Transavia flight from Perugia to Rotterdam has been cancelled. My travel ticket is refunded.

Holland

May 4 is “Remembrance Day” in Holland. It’s a day when the Dutch can remember and commemorate the soldiers and civilians who died in WWII and other conflicts.

Tonight I saw one of my best friends in Rotterdam “Paul van de Laar” on the Dutch television (NOS website) about 75 years of liberation. He is director of Museum Rotterdam.

Paul van de Laar

May 5 is liberation day. Another good friend of mine in Amsterdam has made an amazing website with images from Haarlem then (WWII) and Haarlem now. Take a look at this website.

I would like to go to Holland soon. Maybe when the phase three begins we can travel? I hope we can keep the virus down. Because if the curve sill start to increase again it will take much more longer before flights restart again… please no!

*ACI is the roadside assistance in Italy