Chianti: Walking & Wine Italy When looking to know more of European art and society, there is no better place to start than Tuscany, thanks to its fine Renaissance cities, beautiful rolling countryside and outstanding Chianti wine. The landscape of southern Tuscany fulfils all expectations, with mediaeval hilltop villages and cypress- lined avenues snaking through vineyards. We spend the week in a beautiful family- run Tuscan farmhouse, which has provided outstanding country hospitality for over twenty years. Only a short distance from the well- preserved hilltop town of San Gimignano, Voltrona continues to produce its own wine, which we taste over the week. There is also plenty of time to relax, wander amid the seductive countryside, explore ancient hill forts, take in the landmarks of Siena and sample some of the best Chianti around. Experience beautiful San Gimignano, Siena and Italy's famous wine flight inc. 8 days from£ 999Trip Details 2010 FlightLand StartEndinc. only FlightLand StartEndinc. only 11 Apr18 Apr999829 02 May09 May999829 09 May16 May999829 13 Jun20 Jun999799 11 Jul18 Jul1079849 05 Sep12 Sep999799 12 Sep19 Sep999829 17 Oct24 Oct999799 24 Oct31 Oct999829 27 Mar03 Apr1069869 08 May15 May1069869 22 May29 May1069869 2011 prices to be confirmed . Optional single supplement £ 250 . Insurance £ 26 Trip Code & Grade: TDC Duration: 8 days from London - normally Sun to Sun. Land only 8 days - start Fattoria Voltrona day 1, end Fattoria Voltrona day 8. Itinerary: Day 1Fly to Pisa; transfer to Fattoria Voltrona. 2Relaxing circular walk to picturesque San Gimignano, with free time to explore Palazzo Comunale, Pinacoteca and Torre Grossa; visit wine museum. 3Visit mediaeval Colle di Val d'Elsa to absorb captivating history; full afternoon to discover the beautiful town of Volterra. 4Gentle walk to old castle ruins of Castelvecchio Reserve; afternoon visit local winery to see how wine process has changed over the years. 5Travel to Siena and visit the famous Campo, Museo Civico in the Palazzo Publico, Duomo and Pinacoteca Nazionale. 6Today is free to choose from a variety of options including visiting Florence, wine tasting in Chianti or simply relaxing by the pool. 7Picturesque walk from Badia di Passignano to Montifiorelle and Greve in Chianti; afternoon wine tour and tasting. 8Transfer to Pisa; fly to London. Profile: travel by private minibus, local trains, buses and on foot. Group: min. 7, max. 15 plus leader and local staff. Min. age 18. Accommodation: 7 nights renovated farmhouse with swimming pool. Food: all breakfasts and 5 dinners included. Dates & Prices: are correct at time of publication ( see page 7); prices are £ Sterling per person. LEISURELY For Trip Notes, availability and up- to- date prices visit www. exodus. co. uk Italy 32 Trip Highlight Fattoria Voltronahas been producing wine and olive oil for many years and was one of the first farm holiday centres to be opened in Tuscany. This family run farm has constantly provided outstanding country hospitality for over twenty years. The ideal place to gaze across rolling hills and vineyards, with a glass of Chianti.

Padua Sottomarina Venice needs no introduction as one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world, but the hinterland of Venice, the Veneto, holds an immense amount of interest, and its gentle landscapes are easy to explore by bike. Cycling through the soft hills of Monti Berici and the green riverbanks of Adige, we discover many sides of Italy, passing ancient churches, farming communities and vineyards, travelling to many places that are virtually inaccessible to vehicles. There are sea views, and beaches and lagoons for swimming. The cities are true delights, and a bike is the ideal way to explore their narrow streets. Vicenza was the home of the architect Palladio, and has the first covered theatre in Europe, while the Basilica of St Anthony and one of the oldest universities in Europe can be found in Padua. On your return to Venice why not extend your stay and explore more of this unforgettable city and relax in the highest and richest symbol of Venetian civilisation - Piazza San Marco. Cycle around the lagoon and villas of Veneto Trip Details Trip Code & Grade: LSG Duration: Land only 8 days Sat to Sat. - start Mestre day 1, end Mestre day 8. Itinerary: Day 1Start Mestre. Make your own way to hotel in Mestre with the 20- minute shuttle bus direct from Venice airport. 2Cycle to Sottomarina. Cross the famous Ponte della Liberta ( Freedom Bridge) to Venice then take the ferry to Lido; cycle along the lagoon islands via Pellestrina to Chioggia, a charming miniature Venice with excellent seafood. 3Cycle to Rovigo. Following the River Adige, cycle on quiet roads through melon plantations, fertile fields and solitary villages to Rovigo - an attractive town with beautiful piazzas, comfortable cafes and friendly people. 4Cycle to Vicenza. Take a short train ride to Monselice and then ride across the rolling hills of Euganese to Arqua Petrarca: cycle through attractive countryside to the foot of Monti Berici and on to Vicenza. 5Free day. A day to explore the remarkable culture of Vicenza and the striking architecture of Palladio or take a circular ride in the hills and enjoy a swim in the peaceful Lago di Fimon. 6Cycle to Abano Terme. Short ride following river Bacchiglione to Abano Terme, the famous and long- popular thermal spa town. 7Cycle to Mestre. A gentle ride to Padua, with its narrow streets, ancient university and Basilica of St Anthony. Then follow the Brenta canal, passing magnificent mansions on the way back to Mestre. 8End Mestre. The best day to explore Venice. Profile: 5 days cycling mainly following surfaced roads, average 45km per day; no vehicle support whilst cycling but luggage is transferred between hotels. Generally undemanding route with only one steep but short climb. Group: self guided. Luggage is transferred, route notes and maps are provided. Min. age 14. Accommodation: 7 nights in 3 star hotels with en suite facilities. Food: all breakfasts included. Dates & Prices: are correct at time of publication ( see page 7); prices are £ Sterling per person. . Start any Saturday from17April to 09 October 2010 . Departing 24 April, 19 June, 26 June, 28 August - 09 October £ 619 . Departing 01 May - 12 June £ 649 . Departing 03 July - 21 August £ 679 . Compulsory single supplement £ 180 . Prices are ' Land only' and do not include travel from London . Return flights from London, prices from £ 122 . Low cost flights to Venice available with Easyjet . Bike hire Italy: Customised Hybrid bikes £ 75, paid on booking . Insurance £ 26 LEISURELY Cycling Venice & Veneto Italyland only 8 days from£ 619 In the heart of the Mediterranean is the captivating region of Puglia, a unique landscape sandwiched between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Our journey around the remote heel of Italy's boot starts from the famous round houses of Alberobello. The ' Trulli di Alberobello' are over 5000 years old and make this small town a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After passing through the stunning ' white city' of Ostuni, a charming example of Mediterranean architecture, the route veers towards Gallipoli and the idyllic Ionian coastline. From Santa Maria di Leuca the charming coastal landscape continues to the Messapian town of Otranto. The route then passes through olive orchards and limestone cliffs to Lecce, the historic capital of Salento. Cycle from the white- coned trulli of Alberobello along an idyllic coastline Puglia: Cycle the Heel of Italy To book call 0845 863 9606or visit www. exodus. co. uk Italy 33 Italy Trip Details Trip Code & Grade: LSI Duration: 8 days from London - normally Sun to Sun. Land only 8 days - start Alberobello day 1, end Lecce day 8. Itinerary: Day 1Start Alberobello. Make your own way from Bari or Brindisi to Alberobello by train. 2Cycle through the lush Valle d'Itria and one of the prettiest cultural landscapes of the south, past the picturesque fairy- tale trulli houses to Ostuni - offering breathtaking coastal views. 3Cross from east to west and Ionian to Adriatic Sea via the protected nature reserve of Torre Guaceto, characterized by a number of towers originally built along the coastline to protect the area from Turkish invasions. 4Continue along the Ionian coast to beautiful Gallipoli with its old town situated on a rocky island and offering fantastic views. 5Today you reach the most southerly point of Salento at Santa Maria di Leuca, which is home to one of the most important lighthouses in Italy and the architecural delights of numerous villas built at the turn of the century. 6Follow the south coast of the Adriatic sea through charming landscape to the ancient town of Otranto. 7Continue along the shoreline through innumerable olive groves to the Baroque metropolis of Lecce. 8End Lecce. Profile: 6 days cycling mainly along flat, tarmac roads, average 51km per day; no vehicle support whilst cycling but luggage is transferred between hotels. Generally undemanding route with a few gentle ascents and descents along the way. Group: self guided. Luggage is transferred, routes notes and maps are provided. Min. age 14. Accommodation: 7 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels. All rooms have en suite facilities. Food: all breakfasts included. LEISURELY Dates & Prices: are correct at time of publication ( see page 7); prices are £ Sterling per person. . Compulsory single supplement £ 140 . Prices are ' Land only' and do not include travel from London . Low cost flights available to Brindisi and Bari with Ryanair . Bike hire Italy: 21 speed customised bikes £ 70, paid on booking . Insurance £ 26 2010 Land StartEndonly Land StartEndonly 18 Apr25 Apr669 25 Apr02 May669 02 May09 May669 09 May16 May669 16 May23 May669 23 May30 May669 30 May06 Jun669 06 Jun13 Jun669 05 Sep12 Sep669 12 Sep19 Sep669 19 Sep26 Sep669 26 Sep03 Oct669 03 Oct10 Oct669 land only 8 days from£ 669 SELF GUIDED SELF GUIDED