Benvenuto in Italia! Nothern Tuscany offers great riding and a chance to visit a less-known area of this popular region. You’ll sample magnificent medieval towns and Renaissance basilicas, the spa town of Montecatini and Vinci, the birthplace of an inventor by the name of Leonardo.
Location
Lucca
Lucca, Province of Lucca, Italy
Day 1
Pisa
Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy
Day 2
Montecatini
Montecatini Terme, Province of Pistoia, Italy
Day 3+4
Vinci
Vinci, Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Day 5
Colle di Val d’Elsa
Colle di Val d'Elsa, Province of Siena, Italy
Day 6+7+8
What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP
7 nights hotels
All breakfasts and 2 dinners
Spa treatment of a massage
Luggage transfers
Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
Detailed route instructions and maps
Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager
Area manager available on call throughout the tour
Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits
Particulars
EVENT DATES
Start any date from May 15 to November 15
Custom trips also available and can start any date. Call or email for details.
Custom trips also available and can start any date. Call or email for details.
TOTAL DAYS
8 days / 7 nights
ARRIVE / DEPART
Lucca / Colle di Val d'Elsa
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate+: 40 to 60 km daily (24 to 36 miles). You spend two nights in all locations but one, so you can take time off from cycling on some days.
TERRAIN
Very hilly region, cut by river valleys and there are several long, steep climbs most days.
COST
Classic Accommodation: US $2,625
Single Supplement: US $660
Luxe Accommodation : US $3,125
Single Supplement : US $780
Bike Rentals
Hybrid or Racing Bikes: US$240
E-Bikes: US$320
E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide.
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Getting There You start in Lucca, in northern Tuscany. The closest airport is in Pisa, which is an international airport with flights from European capitals as well as from Rome and Milan. Pisa airport is about 30 km away from Lucca, and about a 40 minute taxi ride. There are good train connections to Lucca from most of Italy, especially from Rome via Florence (between 3 and 4 hours). From Milan, the train journey is significantly longer with more changes required. Your information package will provide information about getting to the tour start.
1
Day 1
Lucca
Arrive in Lucca, one of the loveliest towns of Italy. Famous for its villas and olive oil from the surrounding countryside, Lucca also charms the visitor inside the city walls. The walls themselves are an attraction—intact for 4.5 kilometers. Walking or biking along their wide top is the best introduction to the town.
2
Day 2
Pisa
Warm up the cycling legs with a spin to Pisa and its famous leaning tower. The tower is part of a larger complex of buildings built of stunning white marble. On a longer ride explore the new cycling paths along the Sérchio River, with views of the Apennines in the background.
Ride distance: 48.8 km, 267 m gain or 56.7 km, 472 m gain*
3
Day 3
Montecatini
Leave Lucca and head for Montecatini Terme. Cycle past the famous villas of Lucca, being sure to choose at least one for a visit. Villa Grabou, Villa Mansi and Villa di Camigliano are among the most striking with beautiful grounds to show off the Renaissance building design. Follow the Strada di Vino on the way to Montecatini, a spa town with a very different ambiance.
Ride distance: 48 km, 478 m gain*
4
Day 4
Montecatini
Let the atmosphere of Montecatini Terme, famed for its mineral waters and hot springs, relax you. To get you in the mood, we are offering a spa treatment of a massage. Select from a choice of options to fill the day. The optional bike ride offers significant challenges for the enthusiast as it climbs high into the hills above the town. Or choose to walk to Montecatini Alte to take a caffe latte in the square. Alternately, hop a quick train to Florence, and spend the day enthralled with the art and history of this famous city.
Ride distance: 30.7 km, 806 m gain*
Hiking distance: 3.9 km, 204 m gain*
5
Day 5
Vinci
Head south for the town of Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo. The village is tiny, but several small museums give you insight into the life and mind of this amazing man. The landscape around Vinci is also delightful, with small villages surrounded by vines and olive groves, all the more special since it is not on the standard tourist track.
Ride distance: 35.9 km, 485 m gain (shorter option: 25.6 km, 231 m gain; longer option: 41.4 km, 830 m gain)*
6
Day 6
Colle di Val d’Elsa
Pedal into the rolling countryside to Colle di Val d’Elsa, a medieval gem famous for glass-blowing. The cycling leads you gradually away from the Arno River Valley, and into the hills of the Chianti wine region. You’ll work your way along a series of river valleys. Stop for a side trip up to the old town of Certaldo. Not visited by many North American tourists, it is a gem in red brickwork with charming shops and cafés.
Ride distance: 74 km, 957 m gain*
7
Day 7
Castellina in Chianti
Spend a day among the famous vineyards and wineries of Chianti. Cycle to Castellina in Chianti and then onto Radda in Chianti. The towns are lovely, but the best is the landscape: vineyards, forests and lines of poplars or pine cresting the hillsides.
Ride distance: 56 km, 763 m gain (with add-on: 87.9 km, 1,335 m gain)*
8
Day 8
Departure Day
Stroll around Colle di Val d’Elsa before departure.
Classic
Hotel Alla Corte, Lucca
One of our favourite hotels in Italy, in one of our favourite towns! This 4-star hotel has been described as a jewel box; located within the historical walls of Lucca, it is charming and intimate with tasteful décor.
Grand Hotel Croce di Malta, Montecatini
Well situated, this hotel although ‘grand’ is managed like a private residence with attention to the small details. Enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, piano bar and on-site restaurant. Breakfast is served in the pleasant winter garden.
Hotel Alexandra, Vinci
This 3-star hotel is comfortable with amenities to make your stay enjoyable.
Castel Bigozzi, Val d'elsa
In the middle ages, this castle was the property of the Montanini family and has been turned into an elegant 4-star hotel, surrounded by olive trees in a large park setting with large swimming pool.
Luxe
Hotel Alla Corte (Classic), Lucca
One of our favourite hotels in Italy, in one of our favourite towns! This 4-star hotel has been described as a jewel box; located within the historical walls of Lucca, it is charming and intimate with tasteful décor.
Grand Hotel la Pace, Montecatini Terme
This property dates from 1870; the 5-star hotel boasts a pool and spa facilities and is surrounded by rolling meadows.
Hotel Alexandra, Vinci
This 3-star hotel is comfortable with amenities to make your stay enjoyable.
Relais della Rovere, Colle di Val d'Elsa
Once a prosperous Benedictine Abbey and for 5 centuries a Cardinal’s residence, this 4-star hotel is located a few kilometers from town; hardwood floors, fresh flowers and elegant furnishings complement the buildings historical grandeur.
Trip Reviews
“Our Area Manager was terrific in every way. It was clearly more than just a job for him. Visiting his wife’s studio and meeting his family (and touring his amazing garden) was great. Worth the hills because the scenery was gorgeous and the towns were great to visit. We called the office a few times and were given very helpful information.”
“I had a wonderful trip and thought it was one of the best holidays I have had. The accommodations were lovely and because I had a bit of classic and B&B I felt like I saw a bit of everything. The proprietors of each place I stayed were welcoming and helpful.”
“Such a lovely country…its people and being able to enjoy all this by biking.”
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