The summer sun sets on Castel Porrona Relais
Early morning ride -- 20 minutes later we are atop the "Castle on the Hill" enjoying cappuccino
Grassy fields near Talamone, a port city that goes back to Etruscan roots in the Maremma Nature Preserve
The hard part was climbing the hill!
It is Tuscany after all ... rolling hills abound!
Poppies on the roadside -- at least one day was easygoing flat road!
Yet another beautiful Tuscan day!
Had to get up early to see these low clouds before the sun baked them dry!
Did anyone get tired of riding to Italian villages in the morning? Not a chance!
Castello Banfi, one of Montalcino's top wineries
Cannons "guard" the fantastic wine at the entry to Castello Banfi
What backroads lunch would be complete without wine and a view?
They made us work for our cappuccino didn't they!!
Bagno Il Faro on the Tyrrhenian Sea near Castiglione della Pescaia
Lunch at Bagno Il Faro
The backroads brochure calls this route "Pellicano Route via Panoramica" -- for obvious reasons!
Castiglione della Pescaia after a loooonnng downhill ride!
A cheerful L'Andana morning before biking
The cypress canopy at L'Andana was a welcome sight after a long ride
Il Pellicano was a wonderful way to end our journey
More Il Pellicano
Il Pellicano "beach"
Our guides! Mike and Marcello
Tea and Marcello with the ever present Backroads safety van!
"Marcello the Mechanic"
Quick photo stop before lunch
Finally made it to the rooftop bar near the Coliseum .. quite a determined hike!
Making new friends over food and wine -- what could be better?!
Dressed like this so she could tell her friends at home that she biked!
Backroads guides are the best!
Proof we made it to the top!
The Palm Beach Connection -- Anna and Robert
New bi-coastal friends Giovanni (Napa) and Maureen (Boston)
We saw ALL of Rome in ONE afternoon AND had time for a fantastic local dinner!
Y'all might see this again at Christmas!
Marcello --- heelllppp!
Thanks Marcello!
We made it!
Two of the seven glasses of wine we were served at Le Mortelle
Only Backroads arranges for private dining in an outrageously beautiful setting -- thanks Le Mortelle!
Le Mortelle has a really cool, sustainable tasting room. Bravo Le Mortelle!
I tre amici
Wow -- that is really OLD! (The arch!)
Day one -- we were still smiling!
Love the cappuccino breaks!
So that's what they look like sans biking attire!!
A little "ride along" -- great chance to get to know each other!
No Backroads trip would be complete without these two!
(Actually no Backroads trip would EVEN OCCUR without these two!)
