Timothy Fowler says...
The bike quality was very good. Paulo was very helpful and friendly and always available. The routes were all good. We were lucky with the weather and ...
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Few places can stir emotions quite as intensely as Umbria. To visit here is to embark on a journey into a timeless world of sun-drenched landscapes, ancient hilltop villages and beguiling medieval towns.
This 7-night self-guided cycling holiday combines scenic pedalling through olive groves, sunflower fields, vineyards and poppy strewn meadows with the chance to explore some of the most fascinating towns and historic villages in the region. You'll freewheel along the Valle Umbra accompanied by a backdrop of olive grove clad hills topped by panoramic villages and follow in the footsteps of emperors at the sacred springs of Campello sul Clitunno.
Highlights include the lovely hilltop wine village of Montefalco, 'the balcony of Umbria', and the fascinating historic city of Spoleto crammed with exciting Roman remains including Emperor Vespasian's mother's house, baths and mosaics. Of course, no trip here would be complete without spending time in magical Assisi. Be sure to visit St Francis' Basilica with its beautifully ornate frescoes, and his peaceful forest retreat on Monte Subasio where he'd stroll and preach to the birds.
The hotels we've selected for this holiday are pretty special too, ranging from an elegant villa set in its own manicured gardens and parkland, to a 4 star hotel in Spello with a spa and sweeping panorama of the Umbrian Valley.
See more of this trip on our Youtube channel - click here watch.
The cycling is mainly undulating throughout with ascents and descents to and from the hilltop villages. 93% of the routes is on tarmac; 7% is on strada bianca
Explore this medieval town, with its cobbled streets resplendent with colourful flower boxes, before dinner.
You stay at La Bastiglia Hotel (breakfast included)
There are lovely views as you cycle along the Teverone Valley to the lively market town of Foligno, with its Romanesque cathedral, evocative Trinci Palace and many museums. Pass the idyllic Fonti di Clitunno, a sacred place of worship to both the Pagans and the Romans, before continuing to stunning Spoleto.
You stay at the Hotel San Luca (breakfast included)
There's time this morning to discover Spoleto's magnificent architecture, including a Roman arch, 12th century Duomo and 14th century viaduct. It's a short onward ride via hilltop Colle San Filippo through an undulating landscape of olive groves and vineyards to the tiny hamlet of San Luca at the foot of Montefalco.
You stay at Villa Zuccari (breakfast and evening meal included)
San Luca is ideally placed to discover hilltop Montefalco, the 'Balcony of Umbria'. Wander round its medieval streets, admire the superb views and enjoy wine tasting in one of the many Sagrantino wineries.
You stay at Villa Zuccari (breakfast and evening meal included)
First stop today is the walled town of Bevagna, home to the 13th century Gothic Palazzo dei Consoli, the golden medieval theatre and Roman temple and baths. Then head past vineyards and the village of Cannara - renowned throughout Italy for its red onion festival! - to the old wine town of Torgiano, famous for its Lungarotti cellars.
You stay at the Hotel Al Grappolo d'Oro (breakfast included)
Lots of options today. Visit the wine and olive oil museum - with tastings - in Torgiano's centro storico, pedal along the 'Wine and Art Road' to Perugia, capital of Umbria and famous for one of Italy's finest art collections or cycle a circular route to the local ceramics capital, Deruta.
You stay at the Hotel Al Grappolo d'Oro (breakfast included)
Ride along quiet country roads past sunflower and wheat fields, ochre-coloured farmhouses and meadows bordered by fig trees through the Chiasco Valley to Sta Maria degli Angeli. Visit the tiny chapel within the Franciscan basilica, where St Francis used to pray, before continuing to Assisi. There's plenty of time to explore and visit the beautiful Piazza del Comune, the 13th century Giotto frescoes and of course, the UNESCO recognised basilica.
You stay at Hotel La Terrazza (breakfast included)
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Room upgrades: Deluxe rooms
Deluxe rooms are larger with a terrace
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Room upgrades: Superior room
Superior rooms are larger and come with balcony and view towards San Luca, Trevi and the Umbrian hills.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Room upgrades: Deluxe and junior suite
Deluxe rooms are larger with a more stately decor.
Junior suites have a separate living room.
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Foligno train station at 17:15, and back to Foligno train station at 10:10.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
The bike quality was very good. Paulo was very helpful and friendly and always available. The routes were all good. We were lucky with the weather and would certainly consider an October trip in the future. We loved travelling out-of-season although were surprised to encounter so many US citizens visiting the big tourist spots such as Assisi. But it wasn't a problem.
Headwater select a great variety of interesting hotels and the scenery between them is often stunning.
Delightful holiday cycling in Umbria. Scenery not as stunning as the Piedmont trip but nonetheless very beautiful towns which we really enjoyed exploring. The e bikes were exceptionally heavy, far heavier than was necessary for the routes, compared to those we have previously used with Headwater. Once again the phone covers made the phones overheat where there was a lot of direct sunshine so we have suggested to the local representative a simple phone holder without a cover would be useful under those conditions. A plastic cover would be useful if it was raining. Paulo was delightful and very helpful whenever we met! The hotels were all in great locations, although the one in Assisi is a twenty minute walk from town but e bike helps! The Villa Santa Barbara was exceptional in terms of staff, service , room, pool and food! The journey via Rome was rather tedious and like another client I feel flights to Perugia would be more appropriate.
Beautiful holiday through the unspoilt countryside of Umbria
At all times felt that our expectations were met
Great holiday and service from the team at Headwater, particularly Joanne who is really pleasant and helpful. Disappointed with travel advice and recommend researching own travel and transfers unless you want to go from Heathrow and have a long train journey to follow.
I was going to Umbria so a flight to Perugia made sense not to Rome which is the route taken by Headwater.
I think Headwater could be better informed and provide more information about local airports even if travellers are making their own travel arrangements .
Wonderful historic hilltop villages with fantastic views easily accessible on an e bike . Each days cycling was really enjoyable and the hotels were good. Hotel Villa Zuccari was wonderful, the pool was gorgeous and we had 2 amazing meals there. The hotel Terrazza in Assisi although out of the town was within easy walking distance. We had a fab holiday and would recommend Headwater holidays.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 7 night self-guided cycling holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of and hotels
All breakfasts and 2 evening meals
Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
Comprehensive route directions provided prior to departure
Bike hire
Luggage transfers between hotels
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided cycling Managed by Headwater rep.
Departures
Meals
All breakfasts and 2 evening meals
Tour only
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Foligno train station at 17:15, and back to Foligno train station at 10:10.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
