Day 1 Sat: Arrive Siena.

Arrival in Siena, a beautiful town that has retained its medieval character. Gothic buildings of note include the Cathedral and Palazzo Pubblico on the characteristic Piazza del Campo, as well as numerous churches.

Day 2 Sun: Siena to Radda, 26 miles (43km)

From Siena you start to head north towards the beautiful village of Radda in Chianti This village (53Om, pop: 1,655) is situated on a hill covered with woods and extensive vineyards forming the watershed between the Pesa and Arbia valleys. Formerly belonging to the Guidi family, it came under Florentine control in 1203. After being fortified in 1400 it was, from 1415 onwards, head of the League of Chianti, and it preserves the remains of its ancient walls.

Day 3 Mon: Radda to Greve, 25 miles (40km)

Today the route brings you to Greve over the rounded Tuscan hills with beautiful views.

Day 4 Tue: Greve to Florence, 24 miles (38km)

Florence, capital of the region of Tuscany, has a population of around half a million inhabitants, spreads on the banks of the Arno, between the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian seas, almost in the middle of the Italian peninsula. Two of the many artists associated with Florence are Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti.

Day 5 Wed: Florence to Tavarnelle, 29 miles (47km)-   see note at end of Day 8

The village of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa has Roman origins which is named after the ancient taverns offering accommodation and refreshment located along the road which linked Florence to Siena and thence to Rome. The territory of Tavernelle, like the entire Chianti district, has a particularly rich heritage of rural building: churches, oratories, chapels, villas and farms.

In the town itself, of particular interest is the church of Santa Lucia al Borghetto, a rare example of local Gothic architecture. In the immediate vicinity, the interior of the Romanesque parish church of San Pietro in Bossolo contains interesting works of art. The Museo di Arte Sacra has been set up in the clergy house: among the paintings displayed, the most precious is a thirteenth-century panel portraying the Madonna and Child attributed to Meliore.

Day 6 Thu: Tavarnelle to Colle Val d'Elsa, 28 miles (45km)

From Tavarnelle it is on to Colle di Val d' Elsa which lies in the heart of Tuscany, in a strategically favourable position near the towns of Siena, Florence and Volterra, on the via Francigena that connects Rome with the North. On the way we come across San Gimignano, which rises on a hill dominating the Elsa Valley with its towers. The history of Colle di Val d'Elsa is characterised by frequent episodes of violence. One of the most famous of these was the battle of 1269 between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, which had considerable repercussions on the political balance in Tuscany.

Day 7 Fri: Colle Val d'Elsa to Siena, 23 miles (37km)

From Colle Val d'Elsa you will cycle to the beautiful town of Siena which, is not only one of the most fascinating towns in Tuscany but is also in a particularly beautiful position, with lovely environs. It preserves its medieval character to a remarkable degree, and has been largely unspoilt by new buildings. Its beautiful Gothic buildings include the Cathedral and Palazzo Pubblico, as well as numerous churches.

Day 8 Sat: Depart from Siena.

Note: If required this tour can be arranged to provide an extra day in Florence. In this case the itinerary becomes:

Day 5 Wed: A rest day in Florence

Day 6 Thu: Florence to Colle Val d'Elsa, 25 miles by train + 17 miles (40km + 27km)

Day 7 Fri: as above

Day 8 Sat: as above

There is a supplement for this variation of £48pp (£56 single)