Singles Travel – Traveler

 This trip will satisfy anyone with a taste for adventure. Enjoy a week in Italy cycling through the gorgeous Tuscan region . Here you will have two half-day cooking classes, enjoying the meals you create under the tutelage of your Italian chef.

Starting in the charming town of Lucca, we will ride around the area and spend an afternoon learning about local produce and cuisine. We spend four nights in Lucca, exploring the rolling Tuscan hills. Then on to Siena for our second cooking lesson at a renowned cooking school. Then spend the rest of your time discovering the small streets and alleyways of walled city of Siena.

Then we end our adventure in the heart of Tuscany at Moteroni d’Arbia, a wonderful location to continue our travels in Italy. There are few more pleasant experiences than setting out by bicycle from the medieval city of Siena and traveling south. Ahead lies the irresistible beauty of the Tuscan countryside; impressive vineyards, olive groves and gorgeous panoramic views. These are also some of the most historic and picturesque medieval towns, villages and monuments in Europe.

Fast Facts
• Enjoy one week in Tuscany centered in only two hotels
• 2 half day cooking classes (meals included)
• Explore Lucca and Siena
• Learn about local cuisine and wine
• Located close to several International Airports
• Accommodation, breakfasts and dinners are included
• Enjoy the company of like-minded women
   
      
Day 1 Arrive Lucca
Lucca is a small walled town in central Tuscany. The walls date back to the 15th century and the town was once ruled by Napoleon’s Eliza. Today it is a thriving site, discovered by Germans, Americans and other Italians as a great place to spend your summers. A quiet town, it is still authentic and not like other tourist towns in Italy. Centrally located, it is a perfect centre from which you can explore the quiet country roads of Tuscany. It’s hard not to be floored by the incredible differences in food from one area to another. The food in Lucca is among Italy’s most compelling — almost certainly the best in Tuscany. Enclosed by walls whose broad tops look out over the town’s lovely towers and broad, calm piazzas on one side and park grounds on the other, Lucca may not have the medieval feeling of Siena, but neither does it have the crowds. Although it gets its share of tourists, it never feels overrun.

Day 2 Lucca (15 kms)
The morning is spent exploring the city on our bikes, and the afternoon is dedicated to food and our cooking class. We will prepare some special dishes typical of this area. The difference between food in Lucca and the rest of the region is perhaps best epitomized by one of the town’s most representative dishes, tortelli lucchese. In Italy, you can determine a region’s historical affluence by the dominant type of pasta.

Day 3 Serchio River Park and Grabau (27 kms)
We start to discover the rich culture of the area, where merchants from the 16th century built their impressive villas and architectural gardens.

Day 4 Lucca to Pisa (25 kms)
We ride along quiet roads to Pisa, passing through small towns and villages. We stop along the way to have lunch in an outdoor trattoria
and to sample the local fare. Day 5 Siena and our 2nd cooking class We transfer to Siena in the morning, and begin our next cooking adventure, extending into the early afternoon. Then, take some time to explore the walled city of Siena on foot. It has a magnificent main square where the Palio is held each year. Enjoy the local cafes, and search the shops full of wonderful leather and souvenirs.

Day 6 Monte Oliveto Maggiore (30 kms)
Day trip to the famous Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Founded in 1310, this hilltop monastery offers an unparalleled vista of the Tuscan countryside below.

Day 7 Montalcino (38kms)
Ride to the famous wine region of Montalcino. Our route takes us through the many vineyards, and we take the time to visit some of the wineries for wine-tasting.

Day 8 Departure End of the program, tour ends after breakfast