10 days of cycling pleasure from Perugia to Orvieto 

Welcome to Perugia and Umbria: Daily distance: 0-12 km (0-7.5 miles).

Arrive in Perugia today, the ancient and modern capital of Umbria. Perugia is famous for Perugina chocolate and its vibrant old town! Take time to explore it today or tomorrow morning. We'll meet you for bike fitting and briefing in the afternoon.

Perugia to Assisi: Highlights: Assisi, the town of Saint Francis Long option: 38 km (23.5 miles), with + 721 m (2365 ft) elevation gain. Short option: 31 km (19 miles), with + 394 m (1292 ft) elevation gain. Extra ride from Assisi to the hermitage: 14 km (9 miles), with + 515m (1690 ft) elevation gain.

Leave Perugia to enter the Umbrian Basin and arrive to Assisi. You'll want to explore the church of Saint Francis, the second most important pilgrimage destination in Italy after St. Peter's in Rome. If you arrive early you might enjoy an extra ride to the hermitage just outside the village where Francis often retreated for meditation.

Assisi - Loop ride to Deruta and Torgiano: Highlights: Ceramics in Deruta and wine in Torgiano Daily distance: 57 km (35 miles). Elevation gain: + 551m (1808 ft).

Your ride today takes you to Deruta where you can enjoy scores of ceramic studios. Deruta is one of the most important ceramics towns in all of Italy. Your route continues on to Torgiano, a major wine producer. The famous Lungarotti winery has a wine museum in the centre of the town. The route back to Assisi takes you through the hamlet of Brufa.

Assisi to Bevagna: Highlights: Roman ruins in Spello, medieval wall and Renaissance buildings Daily distance: 35 km (22 miles) Elevation gain: + 324 m (1063 ft)

You leave Assisi behind you this morning and head south to Spello, a puzzle made of Roman, Medieval and Renaissance pieces. 13th century town walls connect Roman gateways dating to the 1st century BC and AD. Take time to explore and you'll find the 13th century town hall dominating the Renaissance town square. From Spello you pedal to Foligno another Roman town but with fewer Roman ruins. Enjoy lunch in the square and then head across the Umbria valley to Bevagna. Bevagna is the picture of a well-preserved Medieval village. It, too, dates from Roman times and is centered on the 13th century square and town hall. Unlike most Medieval towns, Bevagna is located on the flat of the Umbrian Basin.

Loop ride from Bevagna to Montefalco: Highlights: The Roman Via Flaminia, Trevi, and Montefalco Daily distance: 44km (27 miles) depending on how far you venture into the hills south of Montefalco. Elevation gain: + 607 m (1991 ft)

Yesterday and today you will parallel the historic Via Flaminia, a Roman road, built in 220 BC by Consul Gaius Faminius. The road allowed Roman soldiers and their families access to the region around Rimini where they settled. With the road came all the Roman settlements and military garrisons in the area. Foligno and Spello were Roman towns while Trevi and Montefalco, our lunch destination, were Medieval towns that developed on nearby hills hundreds of years later. Take time to explore these hill towns as they capture the essence of Italy. A variety of routes allow access to the hills south of Montefalco. Plan on a picnic or restaurant lunch in the village, though as it affords a spectacular view across the entire Umbrian basin where you just spent two days cycling. (And plan to pick up a bottle of Sagrantino in Montefalco, one of Italy's most famous wines, for your dinner tonight.)

Bevagna to Spoleto: Highlights: The preserved town of Spoleto, its fortress, the Roman aqueduct Daily distance: 34 km (21 miles) Elevation gain: + 211 m (692 ft) Extra ride to Monteluco available: 17 km (11 miles), with + 509m (1670 ft) elevation gain

Your ride todays takes you to the well-preserved medieval town of Spoleto, famous throughout the world for the Festival dei due Mondi, a three week dance, music and opera festival. Arrive early to discover the hidden corners of this fabulous town that dates back to Roman times. Don't miss the Cathedral and a walk to the fortress Fortezza Albornoz on top of Colle Sant' Elia.

Spoleto to Todi: Highlights: Off the beaten track to medieval Todi Daily distance: 57 km (35 miles) Elevation gain: + 787 m (2582 ft)

Your route today takes you away from the busy heartland of Umbria to the beautiful hilltop town of Todi. Todi's history is one of the region's oldest: three thousand years of continual inhabitance by Umbrians, Etruscans, and Romans. Today its main square "Piazza del Popolo" is often described as the most perfect medieval piazza in Italy. Discover why.

Todi to Orvieto: Highlights: Orvieto and its Duomo Daily distance: 47 km (29 miles) Elevation gain: + 944 m (3097 ft)

A quiet ride along the shoulders of the Tiber Valley takes you to the spectacular Renaissance city of Orvieto. Perched on the remnant of a volcanic plateau, Orvieto is one of the most beautiful cities in Umbria. Its cathedral, a transition style between Romanesque and Gothic architecture, is richly decorated with a variety of colored marble and bright mosaics. Orvieto is also famous for its white wine.

Loop ride to Civita and Bolsena: Highlights: "Ghost town" of Civita di Bagnoregio and Bolsena Volcanic Lake Daily distance: 65 km (41 miles) Elevation gain: + 1292 m (4239 ft)

We suggest a loop ride today to one of several volcanic lakes in this part of Italy, the Lago di Bolsena. Before getting to the lake the ride will take you to the "ghost town" of Civita di Bagnoregio. Take time to explore this interesting village.

Tour ends in Orvieto

After breakfast your cycling experience in Umbria ends. Orvieto is conveniently located on the main rail line to Florence or to Rome. It is also beautiful enough to warrant a relaxing rest day if you are so inclined.

PLEASE NOTE : The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.