Dutch Wheelman Bicycle Tours » Uncategorized

San Gimignano to San Miniato

Frans — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 21:10:42 +0000

San Miniato was new since we had visited Livorno before. Our hotel was an old convent and very pretty inside. We all gathered for dinner at a beautiful 5 star Michelin restaurant. Under a brick room canopy we could see a deep blue sky & moon, just gorgeous. For dessert: Creme Brule

Siena to San Gimignano

Frans — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 20:18:39 +0000

When we left Siena we found some of the white gravel roads that the area is known for.San Gimignano is beautiful town on the top of a big hill; you can see it from far. On trip two Cheryl got to hotel Cisterna and was told that we did not have a reservation. After we had to change all the dates, this one was off by a day. Luckily it was not to busy in town and they put us up for the night. We had dinner on the 2nd floor with a beautiful view of the entire valley. After dinner we had gelato from 2 competing businesses, one claims to be the world champion gelato shop and the other Italy’s/the worlds best gelato.

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Radda to Siena

Frans — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:57:53 +0000

When you are in Tuscany you have to visit Siena.

Just loaded with beautiful buildings and a great plaza.

Florence to Radda in Chianti

Frans — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:23:18 +0000

As soon as we left Florence we started seeing the hills and spectacular vineyards. We stopped in Greve for lunch and for the ladies a lot of shopping. From there we went to visit the Molina de Grace winery before we settled in Radda.

Trip to Cinque Terra

Frans — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 22:35:47 +0000

Florence

Frans — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 21:17:48 +0000

Our longest ride took us from Lucca to Florence, the Art center of Italy .Both our hotels were close to the Duomo, which is right in the center of the city. The views are spectacular and people are everywhere. The city is bustling

Lucca

Frans — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 20:06:16 +0000

From Pisa we had a short ride to Lucca on some nice back roads. After we came to town, we first rode a lap or two on the wall which surrounds the old city and is close to 3 miles long. It’s used by lots of walkers, runners and bicyclists. We stayed at La Gemma di Elena, a very nice bed and breakfast. Innkeeper Juan was very friendly and accommodating. Lucca is very nice and has lots of shopping and dining. On our September trip we had the luxury to go to a fabulous Puccini concert.

Pisa

Frans — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 19:18:16 +0000

Our Tuscany trip started in Pisa. Since we could not fly into Pisa with our bicycle we ended up renting bicycles from the Tuscany Bicycle Co in Gaiola. We had a mixture of Pinarello and Bianchi bicycles. After we set up up the bicycles our first order of business was to go see the leaning tower of Pisa.

Pompei

Frans — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 18:30:57 +0000

Rachel and I had the opportunity to take the train out of Florence to Pompei. We had to leave early and were lucky to get a fast train that traveled up to 200 mph to Napoli. From there we had to take a special train to Pompei that was very crowded and took a lot of stops. At one point even a little band got on for a few stops. After we got there we had a quick lunch, before our tour started. Our guide was very good and knowledgeable.

The Colosseum

Frans — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 22:00:14 +0000

We had 2 wonderful trips to Tuscany in the summer of 2019. I will start with some pictures of the Colosseum in Rome which is so impressive in the way it was built 2000 years ago and that it still standing !