The acquisition provides Active Travel Group with a platform for cycle operations in the heart of the sought-after central Italian regions of Tuscany and Umbria. This will be Active Travel Group’s sixth European operating base for leisure cycling and their first in Italy, complementing existing French operations in Provence, Loire Valley, Champagne and Bordeaux, and English bases in Sussex and the Cotswolds.

Cycling for Softies has initially launched two self-guided and two fully guided leisure cycling

itineraries of 5-7 nights duration, each starting from the iconic hilltop town of Cortona on the border of Tuscany and Umbria. Tours will include e-bikes as standard, with unique itineraries taking in the finest gastronomy and wines of the region, supported on the ground by their own destination experts.

In common with the tailor-made philosophy of all the Active Travel Group brands, itineraries can be tailor-made with extra stops, particular hotel choices, city stopovers as well as all travel to and from the UK.

Commenting on the acquisition, Active Travel Group CEO, Craig Burton said: “We have worked in partnership with Tim Hudson and the Inspired ITALY team for several years as they have developed a unique and highly desirable programme of cycle tours in Tuscany and Umbria.

With Inspired ITALY seeking to divest its cycle interests to focus on their award-winning winter

Dolomite ski safaris, we jumped at the opportunity to take the cycle business forward under our

ownership.’

With a style of cycling described as ‘linen, not lycra’, the iconic Grand Tour of Tuscany self-guided

itinerary starts from £1,175pp for a 5-night tour, including e-bike hire, GPS navigation, half-board

meals, accommodation, and luggage transfers.