Leaning tower of Pisa - photo via Flickr:Niels J Buus Madsen Pizza pizza! Photo via Flickr:Sebastian Mary

Tuscany III

Italy Bike Tour

Between Pisa & Florence

From the leaning tower of Pisa to the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, this ride is paradise. You can't help but enjoy the view as you pedal across the lands of Leonardo, Puccini, Pinocchio, and of several other artists, sculptors, composers, inventors, and painters who were inspired by the beauty of the Tuscan landscape.

Skill Level

Easy to Moderate self-guided hotel tour

This tour is considered an easy to moderate self-guided tour. The routes run mostly on flat areas with some hilly parts, which can be accomplished without much problem with some cycling experience. In 6 cycling stages, you will cover 156/175 miles (250/280 km) which can be reduced if you decide not to bike on the days of double overnight stay in Lucca and Montecatini. Most of the path is on asphalted roads with low traffic, however some parts are on a dirt bike path but not demanding. All cities can be connected by trains with bicycle transport.

Where You’ll Stay

In very comfortable 2, 3, & 4-star hotels. All rooms have private facilities and are mostly in city centers.

What’s Included

  • 7 nights hotel accommodation
  • Breakfast buffets
  • Luggage transportation
  • Route descriptions and maps
  • 7 day service hotline
  • 21-speed hybrid bicycle

What’s Not Included

  • Remaining meals
  • Local hotel taxes, approximately €0 to €4 per person/night
  • Train transfers on day 6 and 7 (total cost approximately €10/person)

Tuscany III Map

Book This Trip

TourBike
TypeSelf Guided
SkillEasy–Moderate
Length8–9 days
From€688
Print Tour

Tour Dates

  • Every Saturday from April 7 to October 13, 2012.
  • Departures on Mondays are possible in July.
  • Special departures can be organized for groups of at least 6.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Tuscany III Map
  1. Arrival in Pisa.
  2. Pisa - Lucca, 16/32 mi. (25/50 km)
  3. Lucca - Lake Massaciuccoli - Lucca, 29 mi. (45 km)
  4. Lucca - Montecatini Terme, 22 mi. (45 km)
  5. Montecatini - Vinci - Montecatini, 22 mi. (45 km)
  6. Montecatini - Florence, 35 mi. by train + 13 mi. (55/20 km)
  7. Florence - Pisa, 25 mi. by train + 38 mi. (40/60 km), OR stay in Florence an extra night.
  8. Departure from Pisa.

All distances are approximate. Tour is also available as 9 days / 8 nights with a full day in Florence before biking back to Pisa.

SATURDAY: Arrival in Pisa.
Individual arrival to Pisa. This city is famous all over the world for its magic Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) with the unique leaning tower, the bell tower of the city cathedral. Part of the Humanitarian Heritage of the UNESCO since 1987. Besides a large number of monuments, this piazza also offers a friendly and lively atmosphere for a university city.

SUNDAY: Pisa - Lucca, 16/32 mi. (25/50 km)
Pedaling north along the Serchio River, across the Pisan countryside you arrive in Lucca. For those who are better trained, we also suggest a slightly more demanding and longer route that runs along the Monti Pisani, a mountain range extension of the Alps.

MONDAY: Lucca - Lake Massaciuccoli - Lucca, 29 mi. (45 km)
The medieval city of Lucca welcomes you with it's charm. The cycling itinerary entails a ring-shaped path in the surrounding countryside to Lake Massacuiccoli and back to Lucca. However, if you prefer, you can stay in Lucca and visit the innumerable palaces, churches, and towers of this enchanting Tuscan city. Not to be missed is a tour inside the perimeter of the wonderful Renaissance walls, completely intact and considered to be the best preserved in Europe, as well as a visit to the remnants of the Roman amphitheater (2nd century A.D.)

TUESDAY: Lucca - Montecatini Terme, 22 mi. (45 km)
Through a stunning panoramic road you reach the little village of Collodi and the town of Pescia. In Collodi, where the author of Pinocchio spend his childhood, you could visit the famous Pinocchio's Park (created in 1962) and the aristocratic Villa Garzoni. In Pescia, you could enjoy a quiet stroll among the churches, palaces, Renaissance mansions and the typical flower street market.

WEDNESDAY: Montecatini - Vinci or Pistoia - Montecatini, 22 mi. (45 km)
Today's route again offers you 2 possibilities. You can relax in one of the most famous thermal cities in Europe and stroll down the narrow lanes of the old city, which is situated on a hill and can be reached by a characteristic cable-railway. Otherwise, a picturesque ride will lead you among olive groves, vineyards and beautiful historical farms, and the villas of the Medici family. You will also pass through Vinci, Leonardo di Vinci's birthplace, where you can also visit the museum in his honor.

THURSDAY: Montecatini - Florence, 35 mi. by train + 13 mi. (55/20 km)
A leg by train will take you to Pistoia, rich in Romanesque and Renaissance monuments (in particular, churches) and having one of the most suggestive squares in Italy: Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). From here, back on the saddle, immersed in the Tuscan flatland to reach the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence. It will be up to you to decide how to spend time in one of the world's most beautiful cities.

FRIDAY: Florence - Pisa, 25 mi. by train + 38 mi. (40/60 km) (or stay for an extra night in Florence before biking back to Pisa)
A short trip by train will take you to Empoli, where you will start to follow the Arno river flow by bike, pedaling entirely on level ground as far as Pisa, for your last overnight stay.

SATURDAY: Departure from Pisa.
Individual departure from Pisa after breakfast.

Book This Trip

Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us

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