Pisa-Florence

In the evening welcome briefing and bike fitting. We recommend an initial visit of the magnificent old part of town that day.

From the square Piazza dei Miracoli, home of the ‚leaning tower’, you cycle on lovely paths towards lake Massaciuccoli. Here, you can enjoy the amazing views from a panorama road onto the lake and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Past countless olive groves until the river Serchio and continue along its cycle path to the centre of Lucca. You will not only enjoy the historic old part of town but also a circular cycle ride on top of the city wall.

In the morning you travel along the Versilia coast for a while, before heading back inland. You cycle along the ‘Via Fancigena’, the ancient pilgrim route on the way from France to Rome. It travels through small, medieval villages in the Tuscan hills to the banks of the Serchio river. The well-maintained cycle path will eventually take you to the centre of Lucca. Not only the old town will impress you, you’ll experience a special highlight – a round trip of the city walls by bike.

Note several Baroque villas situated directly along the cycle route to Montecarlo. Located on top of a hill, this village is well-known for its excellent white wine – there is only a limited number of places in Tuscany for this grape to grow in such outstanding quality. Sampling a glass in one of the charming Enotecas is a must. Finally, you cycle through the Valdinievole valley where you will reach the famous spa resort of Montecatini.

Soon after just a few kilometres follows the biggest and most challenging ascent this week. As a reward afterwards, you get a short break in the small Medieal village of Montevettolini as well as fantastic views on to the Arno valley during the rest of the tour. Then onwards to Pistoia, which is not so well-known by tourists and called ‚Little Florence’. With its charming squares and impressive churches one is indeed reminded of the neighbouring town Florence.

Today’s tour takes you through the shallow alluvial land between the rivers Arno and Ombrone. This fertile plain is the basis for the amazing plant variety with its especially well-known garden centres. In Poggio a Caiano, directly on your route you find one of the famous Medici villas. Onwards past cypressus alamedas to the Arno riverbanks and finally along the cycle path all the way to the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence.

After breakfast, individual return journey or start of your extension.