Our longest running tour, Cooking & Cycling, offers a little something for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. We’ve been tweaking this tour to meet the demands of more cyclists but we still offer cooking experiences throughout the week with the locals of our area. We’ll have time to enjoy wines not just of the Bolgheri doc but also from Suvereto and the surrounding areas we ride through. It may be our home turf but there is no shortage of wonderful things to explore here!
WHERE WE STAY
We’ll pass the entire tour at a family run inn, Hotel Zi Martino. We’ve become family with the crew at Hotel Zi’ Martino, a simple inn built by a former Tour de France rider, Carlo Guarguaglini, and his wife, Isa. The Guarguaglinis understand what we’re looking for in a vacation–the best riding, a great kitchen, and a family atmosphere with fun people.
GEARED FOR
This is our most flexible recipe for an unbelievable week in Italy. You get a bit of everything on this itinerary–the chance to immerse yourself in the local cuisine and culture, great cycling, and plenty of time to relax, too. Non-cycling chefs spend four mornings learning a different recipe or technique, while the cyclists spin through rolling vineyards, chestnut forests, and over the hilly countryside. For anyone looking to mix in equal parts cooking, cycling, and culture, this is the tour for you!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
This is a quiet, untrammeled corner of Italy known as the Maremma. First inhabited by the Etruscan people this once marshland was late to develop and remains abundant in agriculture. We’ll be immersed in the surrounding nature, chestnut forests, olive groves, vineyards, and vegetable gardens.
Wine enthusiasts will be pleased to be in the heart of the Bolgheri DOC, one of the youngest wine domains in Italy, that offers plenty of exciting expressions of the unique terrain.
Our rides will take us on the quiet roads around Castagneto during our shorter days, with longer rides taking us to through ancient villages of the Maremma and in to the wilds of the Metaliferi hills. The Mediterranean sparkles from the hill tops and we hope to be lured to the beach at least one afternoon.
Cooking lessons will be taught by local cooks focusing on regional recipes with the fresh ingredients of the season. Cooking lessons are limited to 10 people and non-cycling guests are prioritized for each lesson. If you are interested in mixing cycling and cooking throughout the week let us know on your booking form. Lessons begin at 10:00 or 11:00 to allow for some light exercise beforehand and last roughly 3 hours. Our rides leave at 9:00 meaning you will have to choose between cycling or cooking that day.
TRAVEL DETAILS
Cooking & Cycling begins and ends with transportation to Pisa airport (PSA).
Pick-up: 11:00 Saturday, Sept 12th at the Pisa airport or the Castagneto-Donoratico train station
Drop off: Sunday, Sept 20th with a shuttle to Pisa airport or the Castagneto-Donoratico train station
INCLUDED IN TOUR
Airport and local train station transportation on the first and ninth day
Accommodation for 8 days, 8 nights, travel on the 9th day
8 breakfast, 7 lunches, 7 dinners—all with wine
Fully supported riding, mechanic support, follow vehicle
Food and drinks on rides
Transportation and admission to scheduled tastings, sightseeing & special events
Cooking Classes
TOUR DETAILS
Riding days: 8
Single Supplement of $500 extra, please indicate on booking form
Upon booking a deposit of $1,000 is required to reserve your space
A second payment of $1,000 is due on March 12, 2026
The fiinal Balance $2,250/$3,750 (single) due by June 11, 2026
Weather: high 70s to high 80s and cooling off at night
Bike rentals available
