Best of Tuscany Bike Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Lucca, 2.5 mi. or more (4 km or more)
Day 2: Lucca - Pisa - Lucca, 37 mi. (59 km)
Day 3: Lucca - Vinci, 38 mi. (60 km)
Day 4: Vinci - Colle de Val d'Elsa, 45 mi. (72 km)
Day 5: Ride to San Gimignano, 23 mi. (36 km)
Day 6: Colle de Val d'Elsa - Siena, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 7: Siena and Florence (rest day) 
Day 8: Florence 

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, such as 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. 

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 4 pm. 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. (D)

Sample accommodation: Hotel San Marco or similar

Day 2: Lucca - Pisa - Lucca, 37 mi. (59 km) | Elevation gain: 1080 ft | 330 m
A round-trip 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. (B)

Sample accommodation: Hotel San Marco or similar

Day 3: Lucca - Vinci, 38 mi. (60 km) | Elevation gain: 1830 ft | 560 m
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 center, 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. 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. (B, D)

Sample accommodation: Agriturismo il Piastrino or similar

Day 4: Vinci - Colle di Val d'Elsa, 45 mi. (72 km) | Elevation gain: 3300 ft | 1030 m
Today you will 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 you 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 di 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. (B)

Sample accommodation: Hotel II Pietreto or similar

Day 5: Ride to San Gimignano, 23 mi. (36 km) | Elevation gain: 1696 ft | 517 m
Today you'll ride to the nearby ‘Town of Towers’ - San Gimignano. Centered around Piazza della Cisterna, with a skyline of medieval towers, this is 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. *The San Gimignano loop ride is optional. If you decide not to do the loop, dinner will be on your own in Colle Val d’Elsa. Overnight in Colle di Val d'Elsa. (B)

Sample accommodation: Hotel II Pietreto or similar

Day 6: Colle di Val d'Elsa - Siena, 30 mi. (48 km) | Elevation gain: 2760 ft | 843 m
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. (B)

Sample accommodation: Hotel Italia or similar

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. (B, D)

Sample accommodation: Hotel Gogo Firenze 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. (B)

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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.

Bicycles

Aluminum standard

• Aluminum touring frame
• Continental Contact 700×35 tires with an anti-puncture layer
• Solid rear rack for panniers or trunk bag,
• Fenders
• Chain-guard and kickstand
• Ergon GP2 grips
• 3×10 Shimano Deore drivetrain
• Step-through frame available

Electric bicycle

The e-bike fleet is made up of mostly Cannondale Mavaro and Tesoro, and Fantic 7 Days Living Easy models, with 625Wh batteries providing plenty of kilometers. With state of the art technology, our pedal-assist bikes are a fantastic option for cyclists who desire a little extra push. Although you still have to pedal, the e-bike drive gives a nice boost for your efforts – when your pedal stroke increases to go up a hill, for example, so does the amount of power the electric motor outputs. Less effort on your part translates to less power assist. The ladies/unixex version has step-through frame for easy mounting/dismounting. Equipped with rapid-fire shifters that operate the gears the just like a regular bike.

• Frame: Aluminum frame and front suspension fork
• Gearing: rapid fire Shimano Deore with 10 speed drivetrain
• Tires: e-bike specific Schwalbe Delta Cruiser Plus, 47-622 Bosch Performance Line, 250W, 65Nm, 25km/h Bosch PowerTube 625Wh

Titanium standard or road

• Van Nicholas Amazon 3AL/2,5V titanium standard/mixte frame and VN Slx carbon fork
• Continental Contact 700×25 tires with an anti-puncture layer
• Solid rear rack for panniers or trunk bag
• Fenders
• Chain-guard and kickstand
• Ergon GP2 grips
• 3×10 Shimano Deore drivetrain (standard)
• Shimano 2x11 or Gear Sram Rival 1x 42 drivetrain
• Step-through frame available (standard)

Accessories

All bikes are equipped with the following:

• A pump
• Rear rack (depending on model)
• Lock
• Under-seat pack (containing a spare tube, tire irons, and patch kit)
• Helmets
• Rear rack packs
• Cell phone holder