Best of Tuscany Bike Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Lucca, 2.5 mi. or more (4 km or more)
Day 2: Lucca - Pisa, 41 mi. (65 km)
Day 3: Pisa - Vinci, 38 mi. (60 km)
Day 4: Vinci - Colle de Val d'Elsa, 45 mi. (72 km)
Day 5: Tuscany - San Gimignano, 22.5 mi. (36 km)
Day 6: San Gimignano - Siena, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 7: Siena and Florence (rest day) 
Day 8: Florence 

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork, In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.

Day 1: Arrival in Lucca, 2.5 mi. or more (4 km or more)
A short train or bus ride from Florence or Pisa airports will land you in the Renaissance town of Lucca. You will be met by your guide between 2 and 4pm. After a bike fitting, you can take a test ride around the town’s fortified walls. If you have time to spare, explore the historical city center and cobblestone streets, and visit the amphitheater (built by the Romans for spectacles and gladiator games), the unique Torre Guinigi (with a tree growing on top of the medieval tower), and the marble-faced Gothic Duomo. Tonight you will enjoy a welcome dinner at a local Italian trattoria with the rest of the group. Overnight in Lucca.

Meals: Two-course dinner (dessert, two glasses of wine, and tea/coffee)
Accommodation: Hotel La Luna or similar

Day 2: Lucca - Pisa - Lucca, 41 mi. (65 km/300 m elevation gain)
A roundtrip ride to Pisa following the nearby river will land you in the center of this fascinating city. Your day will not be complete without a visit to the medieval “Square of Miracles",  built to represent the main stages of human life. The Romanesque Baptistery, the Cathedral, the "'civic" bell tower (which began to lean and now is the most famous building in Pisa), and, at life's end, the Monumental Cemetery. Shop as you walk through markets, admire sculptures, paintings, and art, or indulge in some refreshing gelato, as you explore the rest of Pisa. Take a relaxing ride back to Lucca. Overnight in Pisa.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Luna or similar
Elevation gain: +330 m

Day 3: Lucca - Vinci, 38 mi. (60 km)
Today you will leave Lucca for the small village of Vinci, birthplace and home to the world-famous genius Leonardo da Vinci. A highlight here is a visit to the small town centre, including the town's museum with full-scale models of Leonardo’s inventions (many of which were never built in his lifetime). Not only a painter, Da Vinci was also an engineer, modeling flying machines, bicycles, and even weaponry, which show how ahead of his time he was. Tonight you will sleep in a Tuscan farmhouse or “agriturismo" in Italy, set on the Montalbano hills in the Chianti wine region. You will get a taste of the rural farming life and how the olive oil and wines of the region are produced. Overnight in Vinci.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Agriturismo il Piastrino or similar
Elevation gain: +500 m

Day 4: Vinci - Colle di Val d'Elsa, 45 mi. (72 km)
Today cycle from the province of Florence and enter its historic rival's territory: Siena. On the way, you will pass through the charming ceramics town of Montelupo Fiorentino. Quintessential Tuscany will charm as you ride through rolling terraces carpeted with vineyards, olive trees, and green cypress trees. A climb takes you to a ridge road which you will follow to the medieval Tuscan hill-top town of Colle de Val d’Elsa. Behind its walls, cobble-stoned streets lined with museums - including the Crystal Museum - gelateria and ancient buildings are waiting to be explored. Overnight in Colle di Val d'Elsa.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Palazzo Renieri or similar
Elevation gain: +1030 m

Day 5: Ride to San Gimignano, 22.5 mi. (36 km)
Today you'll ride to the nearby ‘Town of towers’ - San Gimignano. Centered around Piazza della Cisterna, with a skyline of medieval towers, this it one of the loveliest hill-top towns in Italy. Climb the Torre Grossa (the tallest tower of 54 meters) for spectacular views over the countryside, browse the shop-lined streets or taste its signature white wine, Vernaccia. Dine at one of the favorite osterie, or local restaurants, before you return to your own medieval town of Colle di Val d'Elsa. Overnight in Colle di Val d'Elsa.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Palazzo Renieri or similar
Elevation gain: +580 m

Day 6: San Gimignano - Siena, 30 mi. (48 km)
Today pedal south to reach Siena, considered by many to be the most striking Tuscan city in Italy (even more so than the Renaissance capital, Florence). After cycling through classic Tuscan scenery and plenty of rolling hills, settle into your hotel and then enjoy some of the famous sights – like the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral and the unique shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, which twice a year becomes a tightly-packed horse race field for the annual "Palio". You’ll want to explore the countless alleys and tight streets that bring surprises at every turn. If you prefer to take a break from the bike today, transfer by public bus directly to Siena. Overnight in Siena.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Italia or similar
Elevation gain: +843 m

Day 7: Siena and Florence (rest day) 
Spend a few hours exploring the historical contrada (districts) and piazzas of Siena. Streets lined with artisanal boutiques, Gothic architecture and alfresco restaurants will keep you captivated, before your public bus ride, with the option of an organized private transfer, to the Tuscan capital of Florence. An informal walking tour in the city center will take you through iconic landmark sights, such as the Piazza Santa Croce, the Palazzo della Signoria, and the stately and magnificent Duomo. The rest of the afternoon can be spent exploring the nearby art galleries and world-famous museums. Enjoy a group farewell dinner. Overnight in Florence.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Villa Vasari or similar

Day 8: Florence
Today marks the end of your tour. After breakfast, take your connection to the airport or continue your stay in Tuscany, with a few extra nights in Florence. This provides the perfect base to explore Italy further.

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You will be accommodated in charming 3- and 4-star hotels during your tour. For a treat, you will stay in a family-run Tuscan farmhouse ‘Agriturismo’ for a night. Located in the Chianti wine region of Italy, on the Montalbano Hills, you will experience the slower rural life of Italy, as well as their “slow-food”. With surrounding slopes of vineyards and silver olive groves, it goes without saying you will get to taste their extra virgin olive oil and famous red Chianti DOCG wine. Their white wine and the local vin santo (a sweet wine enjoyed with dessert), together with local dishes prepared on the farm, will be a highlight.
Please see each day’s detailed itinerary for the preferred accommodation that is used. Of course in the event of a lack of availability, a comparable alternative will be offered.