Tuscany - Pisa & Florence
Italy Bike Tours
Bike the landscape & highlights of Tuscany in the heart of the Renaissance
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€985 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Tuscany needs no introduction! To bike Italy in its most famous region is to explore this favorite destination in a unique way.
Your tour begins and ends in Pisa, with its famous tower, and includes all of Tuscany's highlights, including Lucca, Montecatini, and Florence.
Let the sights, scents, and tastes of the region entice you as you pedal the Tuscan landscape.
Highlights
- The Square of Miracles architectural wonders
- Lucca's Renaissance walls with its promenades
- Medieval Montecatini Terme, with its spas, Viale Verde, and fountains
- Funicular to Montecatini Alto
- Florence and all its artistic and architectural wonder
- Italian cuisine
- Italian wine featuring Chianti
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Pisa
Day 2: Pisa - Lucca, 16 or 28 mi. (25 or 45 km)
Day 3: Lucca - Montecatini, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Montecatini, round tour, 36 mi. (60 km)
Day 5: Montecatini - Florence, 30 or 36 mi. (50 or 60 km)
Day 6: Rest day in Florence
Day 7: Florence - Empoli - Pisa, 24 or 39 mi. (40 or 65 km) + train ride
Day 8: Departure from PisaAll distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, such as weather conditions or provisions issued by the local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork not reflected in your route book or GPS tracks. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.
Day 1: Arrival in Pisa
Your tour begins in Pisa. This city is famous all over the world for its magic Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) with the unique leaning tower, and the bell tower of the city cathedral. Part of Unesco's World Heritage sites and is an important center of European medieval art and one of the finest architectural complexes in the world. Besides a large number of monuments, this piazza also offers a friendly and lively atmosphere for a university city.Day 2: Pisa - Lucca, 16 to 28 mi. (25 or 45 km)
Pedaling north along the Serchio River, you cycle from Pisa and out, and through the impressive countryside, you arrive in Lucca. For those who wish for a slightly longer itinerary, there is the option of going towards Massaciuccoli Lake before reaching Lucca. The route is not difficult and is mainly on side roads and a bike path along the Serchio River. You will encounter some traffic as you leave Pisa.Elevation gain: 20 or 100 m
Day 3: Lucca - Montecatini Terme, 28 mi. (45 km)
Along an undulating route, first, on the river path and then via country roads, you ride through ancient patrician villas and villages until you reach the crossroads for Collodi, the town of Pescia, and Montecatini. In Collodi, where the author of Pinocchio spent 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 churches, palaces, Renaissance mansions, and the local flower street market.Elevation gain: 280 m
Day 4: Montecatini, round tour, 36 mi. (60 km)
Today’s route offers two possibilities. You can relax in Montecatini, 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 itinerary will lead you among villas of the Medici family, olive groves, vineyards, and beautiful historical farms. You will also pass Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci’s birthplace, where a visit to the museum is possible. The beginning of the stage is mostly flat and for a short section, on unpaved road through the nature reserve of Padule del Fucecchio. At the foot of the hills of Cerbaie, you will encounter a climb of 4 km to Massarella. You will climb back up to the valley of the river San Pantaleo and after a few kilometers, you will arrive at Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo. The frame of the final stage will be the typical Tuscan landscape: rolling hills covered with vineyards and olive groves.Elevation gain: 310 m
Day 5: Montecatini - Florence, 30 or 36 mi. (50 or 60 km)
Today you can choose to start cycling directly from Montecatini or to shorten the trip through a short train transfer to Pistoia, rich in Romanesque and Renaissance monuments (in particular churches) and having one of the most evocative squares in Italy: Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). From here, you begin cycling again, immersed in the Tuscan flatland, en route to Florence.The longer itinerary is for those who have trained and are up for a challenge. You will cycle directly from Montecatini, climbing Monsummano among olive trees. This is a 6 km incline but is a very scenic climb. You can shorten the stage by taking a short train ride to Pistoia. From Pistoia, you will cycle along country roads between crops and plant nurseries. In Signa, you will encounter the Arno River that will accompany you in the heart of Florence, in front of the famous “Ponte Vecchio”. After Signa, the route continues entirely on an unpaved bike path along the river Arno.
Transfer: about 20 minutes by train (ticket not included in the tour price) from Montecatini to Pistoia.
Elevation gain: 150 or 400 m
Day 6: Rest day in Florence, 7.5 mi. (12 km)
Today is a free day allowing you to decide how you want to spend your time in this beautiful city. Or you can hop on your bike for a 12 km ride along a beautiful road to enjoy splendid views of the city and the surroundings.Day 7: Florence - Empoli - Pisa, 24 or 39 mi. (40 or 65 km) + train ride, 24 or 39 mi. (40 or 65 km)
Today you can choose to start directly from Florence and then reach Pisa by taking the train from Empoli or taking a train to Empoli and riding to Pisa along the river Arno.After leaving Florence, you cycle back in the path of the Parco delle Cascine. A 4 km climb takes you to the highest point of the stage, 286m above sea level. From Empoli, the route follows mainly the lower valley of the Arno River up to the so-called plain of Pisa. The final part to Pisa will be on unpaved path along the bank of the river Arno.
Transfer: about 30 minutes by train (ticket not included in the tour price) from Florence to Empoli or about 30 minutes by (ticket not included in the tour price) from Empoli to Pisa.
Elevation gain: 100 or 300 m
Day 8: Departure from Pisa
Your tour will officially end at normal check-out time.If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike tours in Europe or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
You have a choice of accommodation level on this tour:
Category A: Mainly 4-star hotels with some 3-star hotels
Category B: 3-star hotels and a family-run 2-star hotel in Lucca
All rooms have private facilities and air conditioning.Bicycles
Unisex electric bike
A low entry unisex frame
- Upright handlebar
- 9-speed (Shimano Deore)
- Centrally located Bosch motor Active Line Plus (250Wh, engine torque 50 Nm)
- Bosch battery Power Pack (36V, range approx 90 km average speed on flat terrain)
- Ergonomic grip
- Selle Royal saddle
- Flat pedals
- Mechanical V-brakes
- Rear rack
- Mudguards
- 28-inch wheels
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus anti-puncture tires
Accessories
Included accessories
- Mudguards
- Trip computer
- Ortlieb pannier (12L) - The innovative QL1fixation system is easy to handle and the bags attach to the rack with one click
- Front bike map holder with removable transparent hood or Kickfix water-resistant removable rigid handlebar bag with waterproof double-sided maps envelope
- Repair kit (one kit for every two bicycles) (1 pump, 1 tube, 2 Allen keys, tyre levers, patches, and mastic sealant)
Supplemental accessories
See pricing.
- Helmet
- Brand: Limar
- Size: one size (55 - 61)
- Adjustable size system and cool pads
- Weight: 260 g
- 10 vents with bug net
- Certified CE (TÜV) and CPSC-USA
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights in chosen category
- Welcome briefing
- Breakfast buffets
- Luggage transfer
- 27-speed unisex touring bicycle with accessories
- Bike Protection
- App including maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks
- 7-day service hotline
What’s Not Included
- Remaining meals
- Drinks
- Bike helmet
- Local hotel taxes (approx. €20-25 per person)
- Train transfers on days 2, 3, 5, & 7 (total cost approx. €16 per person)
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2024
Saturday departures
March 30 up to & including October 12, 2024
* Special departure days can be arranged for groups of 6 or more
Season 1: March 30 - April 19 & September 28 - October 12, 2024
Season 2: April 20 - May 10 & September 7 - September 27, 2024
Season 3: May 11 - September 6, 2024Twin/double Category A Category B Season 1 $ 1835 £ 945 $ 1,629 € 1085 kr 164786 ₪ 4393 ¥ 179352 Mex$ 20254 NZ$ 1978 NOK 12822 kr 12569 $ 1,203 $ 1666 £ 858 $ 1,478 € 985 kr 149598 ₪ 3988 ¥ 162822 Mex$ 18387 NZ$ 1796 NOK 11640 kr 11410 $ 1,092 Season 2 $ 2055 £ 1059 $ 1,824 € 1215 kr 184530 ₪ 4919 ¥ 200842 Mex$ 22680 NZ$ 2215 NOK 14358 kr 14075 $ 1,347 $ 1886 £ 971 $ 1,674 € 1115 kr 169342 ₪ 4514 ¥ 184311 Mex$ 20814 NZ$ 2033 NOK 13177 kr 12916 $ 1,236 Season 3 $ 2140 £ 1102 $ 1,899 € 1265 kr 192124 ₪ 5122 ¥ 209107 Mex$ 23614 NZ$ 2306 NOK 14949 kr 14654 $ 1,402 $ 1971 £ 1015 $ 1,749 € 1165 kr 176936 ₪ 4717 ¥ 192576 Mex$ 21747 NZ$ 2124 NOK 13768 kr 13496 $ 1,292 Single Supplement $ 558 £ 287 $ 495 € 330 kr 50119 ₪ 1336 ¥ 54550 Mex$ 6160 NZ$ 602 NOK 3900 kr 3823 $ 366 $ 507 £ 261 $ 450 € 300 kr 45563 ₪ 1215 ¥ 49591 Mex$ 5600 NZ$ 547 NOK 3545 kr 3475 $ 333 Category A: Mainly 4-star hotels with some 3-star hotels
Category B: 3-star hotels and a family-run 2-star hotel in LuccaExtra Options
2024
Electric bike rental: $ 271 £ 139 $ 240 € 160 kr 24300 ₪ 648 ¥ 26448 Mex$ 2987 NZ$ 292 NOK 1891 kr 1853 $ 177
Helmet rental: $ 25 £ 13 $ 23 € 15 kr 2278 ₪ 61 ¥ 2480 Mex$ 280 NZ$ 27 NOK 177 kr 174 $ 17
Extra nights:
Pisa Category A+B Twin/Double $ 125 £ 64 $ 111 € 74 kr 11239 ₪ 300 ¥ 12232 Mex$ 1381 NZ$ 135 NOK 875 kr 857 $ 82 Single $ 196 £ 101 $ 174 € 116 kr 17618 ₪ 470 ¥ 19175 Mex$ 2165 NZ$ 211 NOK 1371 kr 1344 $ 129 Discount:
3rd person in a triple room:
Category A: $ 338 £ 174 $ 300 € 200 kr 30375 ₪ 810 ¥ 33060 Mex$ 3733 NZ$ 365 NOK 2364 kr 2317 $ 222 Category B: $ 288 £ 148 $ 255 € 170 kr 25819 ₪ 688 ¥ 28101 Mex$ 3173 NZ$ 310 NOK 2009 kr 1969 $ 188Please 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
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This self-guided Tuscany bike tour is considered an easy to moderate self-guided tour. The routes are mainly flat but there are some hills to contend with. After all, you are in Tuscany! In 6 cycling stages, you will cover 140 to 174 miles (225 to 280 km). You can shorten your cycling distance by taking a train on days 2, 3, 5, and 7. Most of the route is on asphalted rural roads with little traffic, however, some parts of the itinerary lead on an unpaved dirt bike path (12%). When entering and exiting villages and cities, you will encounter traffic. On each day’s details, you will find the elevation details. The total vertical distance is 950 to 1190 m.
Airport Info
The closest international airport to your tour start in Pisa is Pisa International Airport (PSA), also known as Galileo Galilei Airport.
Local Travel
The Pisa Airport is about 1 km from Pisa Centrale railway station. At less than 40 meters from the Passenger Terminal at the Pisa Airport, you can find the new, high-speed, fully automatic People Mover service for direct connections between the Pisa Centrale railway station and the airport. The service is available every day from 6:00 am to 00:00 am at 5 or 8-minute intervals.
Climate
Please check local weather conditions prior to your departure. Tuscany has relatively little rainfall and has an average of 2300 hours of sunshine per year. The sunniest period is in July and August but can be very hot. The best time to visit Tuscany is from May-June or September-October with much more pleasant weather.
Day of Rest
You may choose not to bike on Day 4 and/or on Day 6. You can also take a shortened route by taking the train on days 2, 3, 5, and 7.
Recommended
Extend your stay with an extra night(s) in Pisa.
Important to know
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.Tour Operator
This tour is run by Girolibero.
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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