The best way to discover Tuscany ? By following its most beautiful roads. Get ready to marvel at the region’s splendid panoramas, taste its superior wines and discover the real Dolce Vita.
With its exceptionally harmonious landscapes, cities of art and their numerous museums, fertile land and abundance of sun and sea, this small region of just 22,000 km2 holds as many riches as most other countries in the world. Taking you from Bologna to Siena, this 5-day rally will allow you to experience this god-blessed part of Italy and its picturesque villages, olive groves, Chianti vineyards and towering summits of the Apennines in the distance.
Thanks to its world-famous gastronomy, history and architecture, Tuscany and Umbria are the ideal playground for an exceptional classic rally. Comfortable hotels and lunches in the middle of nature at delightful Agriturismos are guaranteed as part of this exclusive programme reserved for a maximum of 55 old-timers in September 2023.
A special mention goes out to the TOURING category (without time checks), which this year will have its very own Road Book. With slightly fewer kilometres to cover, there will be more time for stops at typical villages, a wine tasting in the cellars of Montepulciano, as well as a private guided visit to the old town of Siena – a true medieval gem.
The REGULARITY and CHALLENGER categories will definitely be on par, however, thanks to a beautiful mountain stage in Umbria and regularity stages on the ‘strade bianche’, the typical white roads paved with smooth gravel that are so very characteristic of the hilly part south of Siena.
Both drivers and co-drivers are sure to enjoy the wonderful itinerary that Robert Rorife and Pierre Barré have laid out. The ridge roads that wind through the hilltops offer unforgettable landscape views and infinite horizons both to the left and to the right.
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The program
Welcoming of the participants and general briefing at the Admiral Park Hotel in Zola Predoza. Surrounded by the green hills of Bologna, this is a splendid hotel with a wellness area where participants will be staying for two nights.
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STAGE 1 – BOLOGNA – SERRAMAZZONI – BOLOGNA
Offering some spectacular views from the get-go, the winding roads will lead you to the top of the Passo della Raticosa (968 m). On the way, you will also pass by a ski resort in Emilia Romagna.
© B. Roucoules
STAGE 2 – BOLOGNA – POPPI – SIENA
We will be heading east through the Arno valley to reach the mountains of the Passo della Consuma (1050 m). On our way up, the landscape changes rapidly: the first hilly part is surrounded by the vineyards of the Frescobaldi family who produce an excellent Chianti called Nipozzano. Once we will have moved past the olive groves, we will come across oak and chestnut trees until we reach the top of the pass. The descent will take us through POPPI and its stunning arcades-filled main street and the castle that dominates both the town and the horizon.
© B. Roucoules
Lunch in the middle of nature at the prestigious Antico Fio Agriturismo.
© B. Roucoules
We will arrive in Siena, a true medieval gem known for its art and gastronomy. Check-in at the Four Seasons by Sheraton Marriott Hotel, where participants will have the possibility to spend 3 nights without having to pack again for additional comfort.
Next up are 2 long loops to discover the best of the green and hilly Tuscany and Umbria regions.
STAGE 3 – SIENA – MAGIONE – SIENA
A loop through the heart of the Umbrian hills.
On the border between Tuscany and Umbria, the green heart of Italy as well as a historical hub full of mysticism, with wide landscapes of incomparable beauty.
After passing through ASCIANO and SINALUNGA, we will arrive at the La Braccesca Montepulciano property.
© B. Roucoules
Those taking part in the TOURING program will have the opportunity to the visit the estate and discover everything this historic territory has to offer. The experience will be complete with a tasting and visit of the meticulously maintained vineyards as well as the austere yet fascinating aging cellar.
© B. Roucoules
Lunch is scheduled at the Montalcino Carla Gradassi Agriturismo in MAGGIONE on the shores of Lake Trasimeno where you will be able to try some delicious typical Umbrian dishes. An authentic and tasty cuisine.
The TOURING participants will follow up their lunch with a private guided visit of the medieval gem that is the city of Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. In the land of the Dolce Vita, strolling the narrow streets of its medieval quarters is an absolute must, especially since the 12th to 15th century appearance of the old town has been so very well preserved.
© B. Roucoules
Those taking part in the REGULARITY and CHALLENGER categories, on the other hand, are up for another stage featuring lots of white roads, green hills and – of course – challenging regularity tests, this time around the Val d’Orcia area.
Yellow wheat fields covered by red poppies, a sea of olive trees lined by cypress hedges and one winding after another: that is the exact picture of the unspoiled nature of the Val d’Orcia.
STAGE 4 – SIENA – MANCIANO – SIENA
The loop of the white roads.
We’re heading further down south towards the ‘strade bianche’, or ‘white roads‘: unpaved gravel roads that run through the Tuscan countryside, winding through oak forests, olive groves, vineyards and cereal fields.
© B. Roucoules
Lunch at the Fattoria Pianetti Agriturismo in MANCIANO.
The afternoon will see us through the agricultural hinterland of Siena. Since 2004, these Tuscan hills are also on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
STAGE 5 – SIENA – LAC D’ANDOLACCIO – BOLOGNA
The secret Road Book of the last stage that will take us back to Bologna holds some sporty surprises for the REGULARITY and CHALLENGER categories: no distances tulip arrow, Regularity tests without average speed tables but with time checks at precise points; most competitors know how this works.
© B. Roucoules
Those taking part in the TOURING category will be heading over to discover some other beautiful, picturesque villages. One last chance to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Dolce Vita…
End of the rally around 13:00 at the beautiful lake of ANDOLACCIO where we will share an aperitivo in the middle of nature as a closing chapter of our Tuscan journey.
Free lunch and return to Bologna.
Prize ceremony in the evening.