This route takes you down the Niccone valley, across the hills to Cortona, then to the Aivignonesi vineyard in the renowned Montepulciano area for lunch and a tour of the wine cellars. The return journey is via Tuoro on Lake Trasimeno and the total distance is around 85km.

Leave Bastia Creti at 9.00. Turn left at Spedalicchio and go straight on to Mercatale. From there follow the signs for Cortona, which takes you past the massive ruin of Castello di Pierle, the oldest castello in Tuscany.

After 15km of spectacular mountain road, you will arrive at Cortona at about 9.45. Built on the site of an Etruscan settlement, it is one of the oldest - and, during the mediaeval period, one of the more powerful - cities in Tuscany. There are a number of churches, museums and other buildings of interest, as well as picturesque narrow streets, and you will have a couple of hours to explore the town before leaving for Avignonesi.

The Vineyard Avignonesi produces the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and other wines as well as grappa and olive oil. It is roughly 15km from Cortona, and you will arrive in time to enjoy aperitifs before a traditional Tuscan lunch. Afterwards there will be a tour of the cellars, which are among the most ancient in Italy, and an opportunity to taste some of the Avignonesi wines.

At around 15.30 depart for Bastia Creti. The return journey (approximately 40km) takes you through Tuoro on Lake Trasimeno, and back over the hills to the Niccone valley. There are wonderful views from this road, and we suggest a break at the crest of the hill to appreciate the panorama of the lake.

From there the road descends to Mercatale and you will arrive back at Bastia Creti at around 17.30