Difficulty Rating : 6 Start: Cortona Finish: Spello Terrain: Moderate climbs required each day, in particular cycling into the hilltop towns Daily Average: 39km Weekly Average: 195km Tour Type: Self Guided Teaser: Umbria is known as the Green Heart of Italy, being both landlocked and in the middle of the country, in many ways it epitomizes Italian life.
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Umbria is known as the Green Heart of Italy, being both landlocked and in the middle of the country, in many ways it epitomizes Italian life.

The lovely hilltop town of Cortona marks the start of your safari. From here you head to Lake Trasimeno where you can stop for a coffee on the shores edge. Your journey takes in the town of Perugia where you have a chance to enjoy sophisticated Italian shopping as well as exploring a unique subterranean town dating back to its Papal disobedience in Medieval times!

The UNESCO designated Assisi is your next stop for two nights with its amazing Basilica as well as its saintly history. You spin down the central valley along the wine road to visit Montefalco, with its beautiful architecture and frescoes from Benozzo Gozzoli. The tour finishes up in the less well known but equally appealing medieval towns of Speletto and Todi ensuring you do not miss the true Umbrian experience.

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Itineraries

Day 1

Cortona

You can arrive from Rome or Florence to Terontola railway station where we will meet you and transfer you to Cortona.

Our representative will meet you at your hotel the following morning with your bikes , route details and of course will be ready to answer your questions about the tour.

Day 2

Cortona ~ la Corte del Poggio 45 Km

Trasimeno lake is known for its olive covered surrounding hills, lovely villages and bamboo ridden shores, a resting place for migrating birds. You can take a boat to Isola Maggiore where old ladies weave their age-old laces and where you can taste a delicious fish at Sauro's. You can enjoy Montecorognola view point over the lake, as well as the lakeside villages of Monte del Lago and San Feliciano

Day 3

La Corte del Poggio ~Perugia 32 Km

Todays cycle is to Perugia, the main town in Umbria. It has a fine square and communal palace, renaissance painting collection, and the Rocca Paolina, the subterranean town . Perugia is also a lively town with shops and fashionable boutiques a wonderful place to spend some time.

Day 4

Perugia ~ Assisi 35km

You cycle through the heart of Umbria. You can visit Deruta famous for it's ceramics and Torgiano, a Lungarotti wineries home town. If a wine tasting might be dangerous for your "bike" safety (!) a visit to the wine museum is advised. Your destination is Assisi where you stay in a lovely country Inn within walking distance of the Basilica.

Day 5

Assisi ~ Spello ~ Assisi 50 km

Today is a wonderful chance to explore the beautiful town and Basicala of Assisi. You can hop on your bike and cycle to Spello a very nice and less touristy small town on the Subasio slopes. Coming back you may want to stop in Bevagna for a taste of the Sagrantino wine before heading back to your accommodation in Assisi.

Day 6

Assisi ~ Spoleto 53 km

Your cycle takes you down a valley along the wine road. You visit Montefalco, with its lovely buildings and beautiful frescoes from Benozzo Gozzoli. You then cycle along the River banks before arriving in Spoleto, famous for its Music & Opera Festival, where you spend the night.

Day 7

Spoleto ~ Todi ~ Orvieto 42 km

Now that you have grown familiar with Umbrian hills you will get a bit more of them; the last two days are slightly tougher than the rest of the tour. There are some ups and downs on the way between Spoleto and Todi. Todi main square is said to be the most beautiful square in Italy and there are a couple of very fine churches to be visited. From Todi we will transfer you to your accommodation in Orvieto.

  • 7 nights B&B
  • Needed transfers
  • Luggage transfer at each change of accommodation
  • GPS reader application*
  • One of our assistants will meet you on the first day (or the next morning if biking or hiking are not in the program for the first day) to explain the tour and answer your questions
  • Transfer to Foligno train station on the departure day

*In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a more eco-friendly business model, we have decided to discontinue the printing of route notes on paper starting from this year. Instead, we will be transitioning to a digital platform that utilizes a GPS reader application. The new app offers several advantages, making it easier to access and navigate routes seamlessly. You will be able to download the GPX files directly on your mobile device, allowing for greater flexibility and convenience, making navigation more accurate and efficient.

All your accommodation is pre booked and your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel.
You are given a map with a fully researched route. You will also have a hotline number should you need any assistance in any way.

Bike hire is not included in the tour package. However you can rent a touring bike ~ BIANCHI - Camaleonte 4 Aluminium frame ( sizes 43/ 58 cm) Shimano gear system Sora ( triple front chain) 27 speeds
A side bag on the rear rack, water bottle carrier and a repair kit are included

Electric & Road bikes are available for rental, please email us for more details

There are a few different options for this tour so there are a few different distances. You can expect between 40km and 60km daily

If you cannot cycle for any reason you can get a lift with the person who will transport your luggage.
There may be a small fee you can pay to the driver and you will need to let them know the day before if possible.

f your a cycling a few hours a week and put a little training before you go you should be fine on this tour
Doing one longer cycle a week of 2 or 3 hours would really help, as there are hills on this tour a little more training would be advised.

2023 UMBRIA - THE EASY WAY SELF GUIDED TOUR
€940 per person sharing
€180 single supplement (if travelling with others)
€280 solo traveller supplement (if travelling alone)

2023 THE HILL TOWNS OF UMBRIA SELF GUIDED TOUR 
€1090 per person sharing
€190 single supplement (if travelling with others)
€300 solo travellers supplement (if travelling alone)

2023 THE BEST OF UMBRIA & TUSCANY SELF GUIDED TOUR
€1090 per person sharing
€190 single supplement (if travelling with others

Self Guided Tour Information

Self guided tours are available to start any day from 1st April to 31st October

How to get to the start point in Cortona: 

Closest airports to fly to: Pisa or Florence (both approx 2.5hrs)

Trains to Terontola TrenItalia , there our representative will meet you and bring you to your first night’s accommodation (15 km – 25 min by car) in Cortona

As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

Day 1 Cortona

Tonight we typically stay in the Hotel San Michele

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Day 2 Poggio delle Corti

Tonights stay is typically in "la Corte del Poggio"

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Day 3 Perugia

Hotel Fortuna is our first choice in Perugia

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Day 4 & 5 Assisi

"3 Esse country house" is our preferred accommodation in Assisi

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Day 6 Spoleto

In Spoleto we head to the lovely hotel Charleston

Day 6 	Spoleto   image 1Day 6 	Spoleto   image 1

Day 7 Orvieto

The hotel Aquila Bianca is where we aim to spend our last night on this wonderful tour

Day 7 	Orvieto   image 1Day 7 	Orvieto   image 1

Perugia

Hotel Fortuna www.hotelfortunaperugia.com

Perugia image 1Perugia image 1

Assisi

Hotel Sorella Luna www.hotelsorellaluna.it

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Spello

Hotel Il Cacciatore www.ilcacciatorehotel.com

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Bevagna

Palazzo Brunamonti www.brunamonti.com

Bevagna image 1Bevagna image 1

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available


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Primary Contact Details.

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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

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Other Information

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.