Your hotel, located a few kilometers from the centre of Pisa, is an excellently run family residence and the perfect place to welcome you to Tuscany. With a swimming pool on site, relax and ease into the serene lifestyle of the region.
Your first day on the bike is the perfect introduction to cycling in Tuscany. Head into the countryside around Pisa and stop at the Certosa of Calci monastery. Founded in 1366, this magnificent building boasts a popular Natural History Museum which is great for inquisitive minds. This afternoon, ride around Pisa and visit the various monuments that define the region. The leaning tower of Pisa will be an obvious highlight but make sure to explore the region in full as there are a number of excellent places to visit and there is no better way to reach them all than on two wheels.
Today promises flat riding and an easy-going day on the bike. You will ride to the Serchio River before heading onwards to the picturesque town of Lucca. Here, we suggest heading straight for the city centre and riding along the magnificent perimeter walls. Dotted around are vibrant gardens, an architecturally impressive bell tower and a 2nd-century Roman amphitheatre in the Piazza Anfiteatro. There is plenty to do and see here before spending the night in your hotel which is just 5km from the centre.
Jump back onto the Serchio River cycle path that guides you onto the Lucchese foothills. Here, stop at the gardens and iconic palaces before a visit to Villa Reale and Villa Grabau gardens. Spend some time here as they are truly stunning. You will then cycle back into town for another night at the Hotel Carignano in Lucca.
Today’s ride is 33km however, there is an option to extend this to 39km if you are looking to explore more of the area.
The day will begin with a transfer. Grab your bikes and luggage and you’ll be taken to Altopascio where the ride will begin. Head through the Padule of Fucecchio nature reserve, one of the largest wetlands in Europe. Take in the nature and vibrant colours on display as your ride through this region.
You will conclude the day’s ride in the outskirts of the village of Vinci. This is the birthplace of inventor/artist Leonardo da Vinci and you will notice a number of tributes to the rider in the village.
Today’s ride is 29km however, you can extend this to 54km if you are looking to spend longer in the countryside.
Today you will explore Vinci village, dedicated to his success and inventions. You will only spend a short amount of time on the bike today as you visit the two museums that are dedicated to the artist.
Ride to the house that he was born in and enjoy the spectacular views of the Tuscan countryside that can be seen from here. You will then make your way to Florence in the afternoon.
You can ride 8 or 15km today depending on how much of Vinci you wish to explore.
Today you can chose to either do a round tour in the vicinity of Vinci, riding to the village of Cerreto, with its imposing Medici palace/Villa or you can cycle into Empoli from where a 30 minute train ride takes you into downtown Florence. Spend the day strolling its wonderful streets and admiring the innumerable wonders before returning to Empoli the afternoon and cycling back to Vinci.
After breakfast, we will take yo to Empoli where you can catch the train to Florence. Known as ‘The Cradle of the Renaissance’, you’ll need a couple of days to fully explore the art, architecture, food and culture that gives the city its iconic reputation.
If there is a better cycling experience than riding through Tuscany then we haven’t found it yet. Explore the stunning monuments in Pisa and Lucca whilst touring the quiet, verdant Tuscan countryside, taking in the endless olive groves and vineyards that make the region so unique. Cycling is the best way to explore Tuscany. Riding between villages and towns is scenic, relaxing and makes the whole holiday experience that much more rewarding.
Cypress trees will line your routes and under the warm Tuscan sunshine life’s daily stresses just melt away.
