Dolce vita!
Rolling hills covered in lush green grass, rows of cypress trees lining the horizon, and the scent of warm earth, white dust, and herbs hanging in the air — that’s spring in Tuscany. Tempting? Of course it is. That’s why this May, we returned to this beautiful corner of the world once again.
While exploring Tuscany, we couldn’t resist combining solid kilometers in the saddle with the unique vibe of Italian dolce vita. This camp was the essence of what we love most — great riding, stunning views, an amazing crew, and local flavors. We kicked things off in Pisa, where we spent our first afternoon and evening. The city was already buzzing with the energy of the Giro, which was set to finish a stage there just a few days later. A quick bit of sightseeing, a chill welcome evening — and the adventure was officially on!
From Pisa, we headed southeast toward the heart of Tuscany. The landscape quickly became denser, and the terrain more demanding. The highlight of the day was a scenic stretch of singletrack cutting through rolling grasslands, following the ancient Via Francigena route. Every kilometer felt like a reward — the views shifted like a kaleidoscope, with the sun bringing out every shade of green and ochre.
Florence appeared on our route for a reason — it was election day in Poland, and we wanted to fulfill our civic duty. Getting to the consulate wasn’t exactly easy — closed roads, fenced-off farms, and the chaos of city traffic made it a bit of an adventure. But in a city where art and history are almost tangible, we managed to squeeze in a quick vote and a well-earned plate of pasta.
Even a rest day in Tuscany feels like an adventure. The route to San Gimignano was short, but incredibly scenic — winding through vineyards and olive groves. The town, with its iconic stone towers, greeted us with what’s said to be the best gelato in the world. It was a day to slow down, catch our breath, enjoy long conversations, and soak in the atmosphere of medieval streets.
The next stretch took us through Siena and along the legendary segments of Strade Bianche and L’Eroica — places where the white gravel roads carry real history. That day, we truly felt Tuscany beneath our tires — its dryness, its roughness, but also its elegance. Dodging storm clouds along the way, we rolled into Montepulciano feeling like we’d earned it — and once again, we managed to stay dry!
The final days were all about exploring Val d’Orcia — the very heart of Tuscany. This is where you find the region’s most iconic, postcard-perfect spots. Everything felt more intense there: the colors, the scents, the vast open spaces (and yes, the allergy-triggering grasses too). We rolled into Pienza past the famous Gladiator road, passed countless bikepackers riding the Tuscany Trail, and lost ourselves in the endless sea of rolling fields.
For dessert on the final day, we rode all the way to Florence, where we wrapped up this epic adventure — with amazing pizza, gelato, and the feeling that we’d just experienced something truly special. A huge thanks to the whole crew for sharing the ride. It was a beautiful time, filled with proper gravel riding and just the right dose of dolce vita. We’re saying arrivederci to Tuscany for now, but we’ll definitely be back — maybe as soon as next spring?
