Classic Tuscany E-Bike tour
Italy Bike Tours
Bike from Florence to Lucca (including Pisa) on an electric bike
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1705 Rates
Overview
This bicycle tour starts in the heart of Tuscany, Italy's most famous region. If Tuscan hills have intimidated you in the past, take heart! We are offering this itinerary as an electric bike tour, the perfect solution to provide a slow travel experience, biking the terrain with ease, with energy to spare to experience the art, history, food, and wine.
For those up to the challenge, you can request one of the quality standard bikes available and bike under your own steam.
Bike and stroll through living history in Italy's most famous region, from Piazza della Signoria in Florence to Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, through Siena, San Gimignano, and Lucca.
Highlights
- Renaissance Florence
- Wines and vineyards of Chianti
- Majestic Piazza del Campo in Siena
- San Gimignano and its medieval towers
- Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Walled Lucca
- Castles, villages, art, and history
- Incredible views from world-famous hills
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Itinerary
Day 1: Florence
Day 2: Florence - Radda in Chianti, 38 mi. (61 km)
Day 3: Radda in Chianti - Siena, 31 mi. (51 km)
Day 4: Siena - San Gimignano, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: San Gimignano - Vinci, 46 mi. (74 km)
Day 6: Vinci - Lucca, 36 mi. (59 km)
Day 7: Lucca - Pisa - Lucca, 19-45 mi. (31-72 km)
Day 8: End of tourAll 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: Florence
Arrive in Florence and take in the city's rich history! Climb up Giotto's tower for a stunning view of the city and the Duomo, visit the Uffizi Gallery, or walk the Ponte Vecchio bridge for a striking view of the city. Welcome meeting and bike fitting is offered on this day. Please provide your arrival information once arranged.Sample accommodation: Hotel Silla or similar
Day 2: Florence - Radda in Chianti, 38 mi. (61 km) | Elevation gain: +1273 m
As you leave Florence you'll climb some of Chianti's famous hills. You will want to stop in Greve for a short visit of the main square and the famous Macelleria Falorni, producer of local salumi. Radda is a delightful, small town and was an important junction for travelers heading to the north and south.Option: Snack at very traditional “macelleria” in Greve (1 glass of wine, local cold cuts, and cheeses)
Sample accommodation: Hotel San Niccolò or similar
Day 3: Radda in Chianti - Siena, 31 mi. (51 km) | Elevation gain: +957 m
Cycle the south part of the Chianti Region, then take the afternoon to explore Siena. Italy's best-preserved medieval city rivaled Florence for dominance in Tuscany during the 1300s. You'll be transported back in time as soon as you enter the city walls.Option: Guided tour in Sienna (on request)
Sample accommodation: Hotel Il Chiostro del Carmine, or similar.Day 4: Siena - San Gimignano, 31 mi. (50 km) | Elevation gain: +774 m
Your bike ride today takes you into the heart of Tuscany. You will pedal past vineyards, 17th-century villas, and small towns on your way to San Gimignano, one of the best preserved medieval villages in Italy and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. San Gimignano is famous for its many towers, remnants from the 13th and 14th centuries.Sample accommodation: Hotel Leon Bianco
Day 5: San Gimignano - Vinci, 46 mi. (74 km) | Elevation gain: +936 m
Your ride takes you through the rolling hills peppered with small towns along the way. Your destination is Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo. Here you'll have a chance to visit the house where he was born and a museum with scale models of his inventions.Option: Wine tasting in Vinci
Sample accommodation: Agriturismo il PiastrinoDay 6: Vinci - Lucca, 36 mi. (59 km) | Elevation gain: +439 m
Climb the stairway to the Medici villa in Cerreto Guidi today for a great view as you continue west to Lucca, where you'll stay the next two nights. Lucca was a Roman town and one of medieval Italy's most prosperous city-states. Today, Lucca retains its medieval charm with its small shops and sidewalk cafés, as well as the beautiful 17th-century wall that surrounds the town.Option: Dinner in Lucca
Sample accommodation: Hotel La Luna or similarDay 7: Lucca - Pisa - Lucca, 19 to 45 mi. (31 to 72 km) | Elevation gain: +143/460 m
Your last day of cycling takes you to Pisa, where you can visit the Leaning Tower and the Piazza of Miracles. There are two options for your ride today - a shorter cycle to Pisa and a return by train (with your bike aboard). Or a longer loop ride, through lovely Tuscan hills, vineyards, and stately villas. After a stroll through Pisa, head back to the less-touristy town of Lucca to enjoy an evening passeggiata along the main pedestrian way.Option: Cooking class*
Sample accommodation: Hotel La Luna or similar*Cooking class available in either Florence, Siena, or Lucca (includes tasting meal at the end). Since you spend two nights in Lucca, this is a great location for the experience. or perhaps the evening of your arrival in Florence? You decide. Classes are offered through Le Cesarine, a company that organizes culinary experiences in the homes of locals. Your class will last about 3 hours, during which you will help the Cesarina prepare 3 courses. In the 4th and final hour, you will enjoy a meal (lunch or dinner) consisting of the courses you prepared during the class. Water and one bottle of house wine for every 3 people are included.
Day 8: End of tour
After a breakfast buffet in your hotel, you're ready to continue your adventure, wherever it may lead. Buon viaggio!View all our bike trips, specials, and news along with hundreds of other bike tours in Europe.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
Please see each day’s detailed itinerary for the accommodations that are generally used. Of course in the event of a lack of availability, you will be offered a hotel of equal quality. Most of the accommodations are in 3 and 4-star establishments. Upgrades are possible in some hotels. Just ask.
Bicycles
Electric bike
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
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights in 3 to 4 star hotels
- All breakfasts
- High-quality electric bike (Cannondale Mavaro, Tesoro, Fantic). Weight: 23 kg.
- Accessories: Cell phone holder, rear rack bag, helmet, cyclometer, pump, lock, and an under-seat pack that contains a spare tube, tire irons, and patch kit
- Bike fitting and tour briefing
- Access to smartphone app with tracks and digital roadbook
- Luggage transfer
What’s Not Included
- Lunches and dinners
- Beverages
- Entrances to museums or other activities
- City taxes (€2-5 per person per night)
- Touring, road, or tandem bike (can be requested!)
- Water bottle (€3) - pay on site
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Friday departures between March 1 through October 31, 2024
*Minimum 2 people required.
**Other weekday departures may be possible on request. A supplement may apply. Please note that starting on certain days of the week will make some visits (such as museums or tastings) impossible. Most museums in Florence are closed on Mondays, so we discourage starting on Monday.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Twin/double $ 2869 £ 1460 $ 2,632 € 1705 Ft 709558 kr 259436 ₪ 7088 ¥ 287961 Mex$ 37983 NZ$ 3159 kr 20836 zł 7576 S$ 2500 kr 20217 CHF 1641 $ 1,891 Single supplement $ 530 £ 270 $ 486 € 315 Ft 131091 kr 47931 ₪ 1309 ¥ 53201 Mex$ 7017 NZ$ 584 kr 3850 zł 1400 S$ 462 kr 3735 CHF 303 $ 349 Solo traveler $ 1422 £ 724 $ 1,305 € 845 Ft 351658 kr 128577 ₪ 3513 ¥ 142714 Mex$ 18824 NZ$ 1566 kr 10327 zł 3755 S$ 1239 kr 10020 CHF 813 $ 937 High season supplement (May, June, Sep to Oct 8) $ 168 £ 86 $ 154 € 100 Ft 41616 kr 15216 ₪ 416 ¥ 16889 Mex$ 2228 NZ$ 185 kr 1222 zł 444 S$ 147 kr 1186 CHF 96 $ 111 Extra Options
Rental options
Discount aluminum standard $ 210 £ 107 $ 193 € 125 Ft 52020 kr 19020 ₪ 520 ¥ 21112 Mex$ 2785 NZ$ 232 kr 1528 zł 555 S$ 183 kr 1482 CHF 120 $ 139 Discount premium titanium road or standard $ 143 £ 73 $ 131 € 85 Ft 35374 kr 12934 ₪ 353 ¥ 14356 Mex$ 1894 NZ$ 157 kr 1039 zł 378 S$ 125 kr 1008 CHF 82 $ 94 Discount Tandem (per person) $ 180 £ 92 $ 165 € 107 Ft 44529 kr 16281 ₪ 445 ¥ 18071 Mex$ 2384 NZ$ 198 kr 1308 zł 475 S$ 157 kr 1269 CHF 103 $ 119 Preloaded GPS device $ 84 £ 43 $ 77 € 50 Ft 20808 kr 7608 ₪ 208 ¥ 8445 Mex$ 1114 NZ$ 93 kr 611 zł 222 S$ 73 kr 593 CHF 48 $ 55 Printed roadbook $ 76 £ 39 $ 69 € 45 Ft 18727 kr 6847 ₪ 187 ¥ 7600 Mex$ 1002 NZ$ 83 kr 550 zł 200 S$ 66 kr 534 CHF 43 $ 50 Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
Rating a tour is one of the most difficult things that we do. One person’s easy may be another’s moderate. Generally, a tour in Tuscany would be rated moderate to difficult. However, we are offering this favorite itinerary as an electric (battery-assisted) bike tour in which you will tackle Tuscany’s famous hills on your terms! It can be as easy or difficult as you want, depending on the level of assistance you use. It is your choice! You will cycle a total distance of 348 - 352 km (217 - 220 miles) with a daily distance of 48 - 68 km (30 - 42 miles). The terrain is hilly and there are good climbs daily, sometimes with an elevation gain of about 500 m (1500 feet). Please note that electric bikes are not meant for those who never cycle or cycle only occasionally. Battery-assisted bikes are heavier and require good balance and good control. For those who prefer to ride this tour on a regular bicycle, you will be provided with a lightweight titanium standard bike (approximately 11 kg) or a high-quality titanium road bike (approximately 8 kg).
Airport Info
You have three options for your arrival depending on your own personal travel plans.
- Option A: Flying into Florence Airport (FLR)
- Option B: Flying into Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei(PSA)
- Option C: Flying into Rome International Leonardo da Vinci Airport
Local Travel
Arrival to Florence:
From the airport by shuttle bus to Florence’s main train station, Firenze S. Maria Novella. Tickets may be purchased on board (one-way ticket: €6; round trip ticket: €10). Taxi from bus station to hotel (costs about €10 plus €1 per piece of luggage).
Arrival to Pisa:
There are frequent departures of the PisaMover Bus, which takes you to the central station in Pisa, train to Florence, and then taxi to your first hotel.
Arrival to Rome:
The train (Leonardo Express) takes you to Stazione Termini, Rome central station (€14/32 minutes). There are direct trains from Stazione Termini to Florence. The ride takes 1.5 - 2.0 hours depending on the type of train. Taxi to first hotel.Climate
The climate in Tuscany is generally mild with differences depending on the geography of each area. The coast and valleys tend to have hotter summers than the hills or mountains although the coast benefits from breezes off the sea for cooler temperatures even in those warmer months. Please check local conditions before you travel.
Remarks
Your luggage will be collected from 09.00 at the reception of the hotel and delivered to the following hotel by 15.30. Each piece of luggage must be marked with a visible luggage tag. If your luggage is not ready by the time the driver comes to collect it, you may need to have to pay directly for a local taxi for the service.
Important to know
A few things to consider before you book your E-bike tour
- Pedal-assist e-bikes give you a constant nudge on your ride and conform to your pedal cadence and torque – up to 25 km per hours, they are a solid help on the climbs and they increase your average speed
- Electric bikes are heavier than a regular bike so they handle differently
- Bikes come with 700×40 Schwalbe Energizer Pro tires that are made specifically for e-bikes. The tires feature an anti-puncture layer, good grip, and minimal rolling resistance.
- Though the bikes are very quiet the electric engine does produce a light but constant noise.
- The bikes can be ridden without assistance though they are much heavier than a regular bike.
- Operating range depends on many factors such as the assistance level, gear switching behavior, route profile, headwind, temperatures, rider weight, and riding habits.
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Extra Stay
Of course you will want to stay longer! Just ask us for extra night information.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Cycle Europe.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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