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What are the accommodations?
We will be staying in two beautiful locations for our tour. The first is located just outside of the small, rural hilltop town of Castagneto Carducci, named after the Nobel Prize-winning poet, Carducci. The hotel is situated below the town, about 5km inland from the Mediterranean and 75km south of Pisa. The region was settled by the Etruscans and is known as the Upper Maremma. Our home-base in this region is the lovely Campastrello Sport Hotel. Set in a beautiful Mediterranean garden, the hotel is modern but built in traditional Tuscan style. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, featuring modern conveniences as well as charming views. The beautifully landscaped grounds feature fruit orchards and olive groves, a state-of-the-art 25 meter swimming pool, and great views of the village and sunsets. Our meals are specially prepared and served in the hotel’s noted restaurant, L’Olivo, which specializes in exceptional, home-style, Tuscan cuisine. Come settle in to the sweet life in Tuscany: we don’t run you ragged packing and unpacking every day.
Our home for the second portion of our adventure will be in the charming borgo Casabianca, in the countryside between Siena and Pienza. An Italian borgo is a small village, typically owned by a single landowner with a main villa and out buildings to support the villa and its residence. This is a great spot that allows us to enjoy the Tuscan countryside and provides plenty of space for us to stroll, do yoga, and swim in their delightful pool overlooking the countryside.
From Casabianca we will return to our home base at Campastrello for two additional nights which includes a special night at a local farm to table restaurant.
When moving from Campastrello to Casabianca we will be checking out of Campastrello. Since we will be staying at Casabianca for only two nights you should plan on bringing a small bag (anything that works as a carry on is perfect) to Casabianca since we will be luggage space constrained while traveling. You can leave your big bag at Campastrello and pick it back up when we return.
What will the food by like?
We’re in Tuscany, one of the two foodie provinces of Italy so you can just imagine. And you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample the delicacies since in Italy it’s either time to eat or almost time to eat.
Our breakfasts are buffet style with local meats, cheeses, egg dishes and handmade crostata or torts along with muesli, cereals, yogurt and fresh fruit. And of course accompanying breakfast are cappuccino and coffees to your liking.
We provide incredible lunches both at a family run winery and at an artist’s estate. Both are wonderful and uniquely Tuscan experiences and both will be warmly etched in your memory for years. We’ll also enjoy a Tuscan picnic at Baratti Bay one day crafted from local fare. You will enjoy lunch on your own a few days in Siena, Pienza and Bagno Vignoni to allow you to better explore these medieval towns.
Dinners are a real treat. At Campastrello we’ll enjoy delicious pasta dishes and classic Tuscan entrees. While at Casabianca we’ll enjoy the best of the Val d’Orcia both at the Casabianca restaurant and at a hyper local, slowfood restaurant in Trequanda which is a real treat.
If you have any dining preferences and or allergies we can likely accommodate your needs. Gluten free and vegetarian options are available and to date we’ve been able to easily accommodate any allergies. Just let us know.
You will have 3 lunches on your own when we visit the town of Siena, Pienza and Bagno Vignoni.
What will we see?
Set in ancient olive groves near the Mediterranean coast, our first hotel is the ideal base from which to explore the beautiful hilltop villages, prize-winning vineyards, and rolling landscape of this rich area of Tuscany known as the Etruscan Coast. We will discover the labyrinths of stone-cobbled streets in numerous medieval villages which may include Castagneto Carducci, our home village, with its tiny shops, ancient churches, magnificent hilltop views, and delicious gelato. On our cycling routes, we will visit many medieval villages which may include the wine-making fortress-village of Bolgheri. We will travel to Siena, one of Italy’s great cities, and have a cultural tour of the monuments and art treasures—with shopping time to browse the wealth of gorgeous boutiques and shops in this jewel-like town. In the village of Monteverdi we will visit our dear friend Rolando Stefanacci for an amazing lunch with afternoon talk. We will enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at a beautiful family owned winery that has recently produced a 100 point Super Tuscan wine. In the Val d’Orcia we will stay in a similarly idyllic setting and visit many beautiful towns and sights, including jewel-like Pienza, considered the most perfect Renaissance town in Italy.
What is a typical day?
Most mornings we will begin with yoga to awaken our senses and limber our bodies before enjoying a buffet breakfast with foamy cappuccinos. Then we’ll pedal the Tuscan roads, famous for their cypress trees, lack of traffic, and friendly drivers. Our afternoons will be spent exploring villages, doing art projects or creative journaling, swimming in the calm sea, and rekindling the spark for life.
Throughout the retreat, you will have personal and individualized professional instruction and guidance during all activities. Our staff consists of world-class athletes and coaches, who will offer you heartfelt support and instruction. We’ll create small riding groups to ensure everyone rides with others at a similar ability level. Riding options are provided for beginners to accomplished riders. And, all rides are fully supported with a bike mechanic and a sag wagon (full of fruit, water, cookies and, of course, chocolate).
What is the bike riding like?
Exquisitely beautiful, quiet little roads wander everywhere through this ancient land, winding past views of the shining Mediterranean sea, up to scenic hilltop towns, past ancient olive groves, and alongside prize-winning vineyards. Italy is the center of the world for road cycling, so immerse yourself in the cycling culture and discover an intimate view of Tuscany at your own pace. A fully-equipped support van will accompany each ride, providing water, snacks, and mechanical assistance—and serving as a sag wagon if you desire. If you are an avid cyclist, you are welcome to bring your road bike, or you can arrange with us to rent AN AWESOME E-BIKES!!!. If you rent, we suggest you bring your helmet, pedals and bike shoes (if you have them). All bikes come with helmets and flat pedals.
Are bikes available to rent?
E-BIKES ARE SUPER POPULAR IN TUSCANY. The E-Bikes give you a boost on the hills but.. you still get a great workout.. or we have all great road bikes. The bikes are so good the guides coming over from the US never bring their bikes and opt save the travel hassle and damage risk and ride the rentals. Bike rental is usually 400 Euro per week which is paid directly to the bike shop in cash in Italy. There is an ATM next to the bike shop so you can get that out when we visit the bike shop.
What will the swimming be like?
The part of the Mediterranean Sea near our home village is referred to as the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is warm, clear, and generally tranquil, providing excellent salt-water swimming. Bring your goggles, sunscreen, swimsuit, and love of the sea! Also, both of the hotels at which we will be staying have wonderful lap pools.
Tell me about the yoga?
We begin each adventure-filled Women’s Quest day with Colleen’s unique “Awakening the Senses” Yoga. This gentle but powerful practice draws inspiration from Gyrokinesis, Qigong, and Tai Chi, and is a perfect way to prepare the mind, body and senses for the activities of the day.
Do I need to be an athlete to attend this retreat?
No. We consider “Everyone an Athlete” and we welcome all ability levels. The beginning rider and the elite rider will both love the Tuscan countryside for bike riding at its best. A variety of options are available for our bike rides, depending on each person’s comfort level. If you can, we suggest you start a training or workout program at least 3 months before you come so you can get the most out of the week. It does not need to be a hard-core program, just get out, play and be active a few days a week. If you just can’t find the time, don’t worry, there will always be others in the same situation and the supportive staff will help you along.
Am I in good enough shape to do the camp?
Yes! Beginning, elite and everyone in between riders will love the Tuscan countryside for bike riding at its best. A variety of options are available for our rides depending on each person’s comfort level. If you can, we suggest you start a training or workout program at least 3 months beforehand so you can get the most out of the week. It does not need to be a hard-core program, just get out, play and be active a few days a week. If you just can’t find the time, don’t worry, there will always be others in the same situation and the supportive staff will help you along.
Do I have to participate in everything on the schedule?
You do not need to participate in everything; you can pace yourself so that it is the perfect amount of activity for you. We fully support you in doing as much or as little as is right for you in the moment. The schedule gives you a sense of the flow of each day. It is subject to change, depending upon the needs of the group, weather, etc. We will go over the schedule each day at breakfast.
What is the average age on this retreat?
We have a wide range of people who attend our retreats, from 15-70 years young. Each retreat will vary. Please contact us if you have questions about the ages on a specific retreat.
What if I come alone?
The majority who attend our retreats come by themselves. This is a co-ed retreat so some past Questers bring their husbands, some bring partners and some bring best friends and plenty of people come alone. Italy is a safe and easy country to travel as a single female. English is widely spoken and we are here to answer any questions about travel that you may have. Although you may come alone, you will leave the retreat with new, lifelong friends!
What if I am new to Italy or Europe?
If you’ve never been to Europe, relax! You will love it. If you’ve been many times- you’ll be surprised, refreshed, and delighted by our intimate version of the European experience. We will pick you up and always be available for any questions and with a helping hand. You’ll feel like part of an extended Italian family at this retreat.
What weather can I expect?
Tuscany in the Fall typically enjoys temperate weather. Daytime temperatures are generally in the mid 70’s and nights tend to be cool, but of course temperatures can have significant swings. When it rains in Tuscany it POURS, so do bring rain gear. Visit: www.weather.com and type in Pisa, Italy to check the local weather forecast before departure.
Payment Policy
To secure your spot on a retreat, a non-refundable deposit is required:- $500 for domestic retreats
- $1,000 for international retreats
- Avoid fees by paying via check or Zelle.
- Payments via PayPal or Stripe incur a 4% processing fee.
Cancellation Policy
- 91+ days before the retreat: Refund of payments (minus your deposit).
- 90 or fewer days before the retreat: Payments are non-refundable.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case unforeseen circumstances prevent you from attending or completing the retreat. Travel insurance is particularly important in the event you:- Need to cancel due to illness or injury (including testing positive for COVID-19).
- Require medical care during the retreat.
- Face trip interruptions, delays, or unexpected quarantine requirements.
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Medical expenses
- Quarantine costs