Tuscany - Pisa to Florence

Self-guided Lifestyle Cycling Tour from $1,166 NZD

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8 Days
  • 2012
  • Best time to travel: April - June / September - October
  • Availability Guide:
  • Current date selected
  • Plenty
  • Limited
  • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

Skip the highways and ride pretty by-ways to Tuscany's famous places: Pisa, Florence, Montecatini, Lucca and more.

Cycle past olive and orange groves to cities and monuments with vital roles in Western culture and history. This self-guided holiday means freedom to move on or linger as you wish.

You'll see Pisa's leaning tower and Lucca's Renaissance walls. Bike past Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace to the thermal city of Montecatini. Visit Pistoia, one of Italy's prettiest towns. Next: wonderful Florence, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

Pisa to Florence

Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport
  • Lifestyle
  • Grade
  • Departures every Saturday from April 7th to October 13th
  • EUR195 single room surcharge
  • EUR20 high season supplement July and August
  • EUR70 bike hire
  • Additional departures available each Monday during July
  • This tour is invoiced in EUR
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Tuscany - Pisa to Florence Fitness and Preparation

All in all, you'll see countless palaces, churches, monuments, statues, artworks, mansions and towers.

Cycling is mainly on flattish, sealed roads with low traffic volumes. All cities are connected by trains you can take your bike on — great if it's rainy, if you're tired, or you want more time in one place.

You'll stay in small 2 and 3-star hotels and lodges, with buffet breakfasts.

The Pisa to Florence Lifestyle tour departs every Saturday from April 7th to October 13th, 2012.

  • During July additional departures are available each Monday
  • Special departure dates can be organised for at least 6 people.

Mild Tours

Mild tours have an expectation that you have an interest and possibly some experience in the activities. Routes chosen will require a reasonable level of fitness and experience on different terrains mild tours are suitable for increasing your activities and pushing yourself to new limits.

Fitness required

An average level of fitness is required, you will need to be doing some form of exercise two-three times a week during the build up to this tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Pisa

No cycling

Arrive in Pisa, world famous for its leaning tower, the free-standing bell tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But Pisa has much more to offer besides this monument, and many others. There's so much to see in this lively university city of about 90,000. In the afternoon or evening, meet our representative in your hotel reception area for your initial tour introduction and information.

Meals: None

DAY 2

Pisa to Lucca

Cycling: 30/45 km

Today, pedal north along the river Serchio across the Pisan countryside all the way to Lucca. If you're keen for a more strenuous ride, follow the longer route that runs along the Monti Pisani on the eastern side. The medieval city of Lucca on the river banks will welcome you with its historic atmosphere. We highly recommend a tour inside the completely intact Renaissance walls, considered the best-preserved in all Europe. Another must-see: the 2nd century AD Roman amphitheatre.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3

Lucca and surrounds

Cycling: approx. 40 km

Today, take a loop-ride through countryside and along the shores of Lake Massaciuccoli, the composer Puccini's favourite hunting ground. Or rest from cycling and visit Lucca's many palaces, towers and basilicas, some dating back to the 8th century. You could also spend more time at the Renaissance walls, which,for a while, were used as a car racing track! The 1584 Academy of Sciences is the most famous of several academies and libraries. Puccini's house in Lucca is open to the public, in July/August Puccini festivals are held nearby. In short: plenty to explore and enjoy.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4

Lucca to Montecatini

Cycling: approx. 45 km

Today, pedal through gorgeous countryside to the village of Collodi, where the author of Pinocchio grew up. You can visit the famous Pinocchio's Park (created in 1962) and the aristocratic Villa Garzoni. Next, the town of Pescia, for a stroll among churches, palaces, Renaissance mansions and the street flower market. There's great sightseeing for non-cyclists as well — our 2-night stopover at the famous thermal spa town of Montecatini means plenty of time for cultural sights and cappuccinos. After checking in to your hotel, a spa visit might be a nice end to the day.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5

Montecatini and surrounds

Cycling: approx. 60 km

Today's route again offers 2 choices. You can bathe your cares away in Montecatini, have a gelato, and take a cable car and stroll down the narrow lanes of the old hilltop city. Or you can hop on your bike and cycle among villas of the powerful historic Medici family. You'll see olive groves, vineyards and beautiful historic farms as you head past Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace. You may wish to visit Vinci's museum.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6

Montecatini to Florence

Cycling: approx. 65 km, or 50 km + 20 km by train

Today, take a short train trip or cycle to the city of Pistoia. Its Piazza del Duomo is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Next, ride flat paths to the Tuscan capital: Florence (Firenze). It's up to you how to spend the evening in one of the world's most beautiful cities, the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. Florence's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with millions of visitors yearly. However, you can still find peace in Florence's elegant piazzas, palazzi, academies, parks, churches, museums, art galleries or the Ponte Vecchio over the River Arno.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7

Florence via Empoli to Pisa

Cycling: 65 km + 40 km by train

A morning train trip will take you from Florence to the agricultural town of Empoli, where you'll follow the river Arno by bike on a flat riverside path all the way to Pisa. You can revisit its magical Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), and enjoy the vibrant buzz of the city. Explore Knight's Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri) with its impressive facade, the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, with its spoils from naval battles with the Turks, and the church of St Sixtus, consecrated in 1133.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8

Departure Day: Pisa

No cycling

After breakfast, we say 'ciao' and 'arrivederci' to Italy's iconic region of Tuscany. You'll leave with fantastic memories of some of the world's most beautiful sights.

Meals: Breakfast

Hi, I'm Sandy, speak to me about Italy lifestyle tours.

Sandy

+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions

Tour Includes:

  • 7 nights accommodation in double or twin share rooms (2 and 3 star)
  • Breakfast daily
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
  • Tour information and introduction presented by on-site representative on the first day of tour
  • Tour documentation: route descriptions & maps

Tour Excludes:

  • Bike hire but is on offer (please contact us for information on hire bikes)
  • Public train transfers as per itinerary: Montecatini - Pistola and Florence - Empoli
  • Local hotel taxes to be paid directly
  • Single supplement
  • International flights and/or Travel visas (where applicable)
  • Drinks & snacks during cycling
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips for guides and restaurant / hotel staff