Cycling Italy

Cycling Italy
Discover the quintessential Tuscan landscapes of vineyards and olive groves on this self-guided cycle journey from Pisa to Florence. From the world-renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa you follow the Serchio River to the charming town of Lucca, where you can ride up on the impressive city walls. Continue on country lanes to Vinci, Leonardo’s birthplace, before arriving in renaissance capital Florence.

Cycling Italy Tour Highlights
Magnificent Florence – Explore this renaissance city par excellence
Cycle – Peaceful roads, cypress tree-lined country lanes and lovely bike paths
Italian culture – Visit Pisa, Lucca and Vinci, each with a major role in the history of Italy
Local delicacies – Sample the delicious Tuscan food with a glass of Chianti

Why Book this tour Cycling Italy
Unlike many other operators, we include the hire of your bike in the overall cost of the holiday: you don’t need to bring your own or pay extra to hire one locally. We also provide a pump, lock, spare inner tube and tyre levers. All you need bring is your own helmet.

Cycling Information
On this journey you cycle 161 km over five days (an average of 32 km per day) with further optional rides available. The rides mostly follow well-asphalted country lanes and quiet secondary roads (busier near the major towns) and there are some sections with cycle paths and gravel roads. The terrain is flat with some hillier sections on the last two cycling days. We have graded the route as easy.

Climate
Italy
April/May and October/November are pleasantly warm. June/September are the hottest months. Showers are common in Autumn.

Cycling Italy: Day 1: Holiday starts in Pisa
After checking in to your hotel in Pisa, we recommend spending time exploring the narrow streets, pastel houses and churches of charming Pisa, maybe stopping en route to enjoy a glass of locally-produced Chianti. Your bike will be delivered either today or tomorrow morning and you will be required to sign an agreement of care upon receipt of the bike.

Details of how to reach the start point of your holiday can be found on our website in the tour specific ‘dates and prices’ section by clicking on ‘Joining Info’ and then the ‘Show More’ button.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Italy: Day 2: Return cycle Pisa to Calci Monastery; afternoon in Pisa
Today we ride out from Pisa through the inspiring countryside of Monte Serrato to the grandiose Certosa of Calci Monastery. Founded in 1366, it houses a magnificent Natural History Museum. We return the same route that leads us back to Piazza Garibaldi in central Pisa, from where it is a short ride onto the Leaning Tower and Miracle Square. This afternoon you can explore Pisa’s many beautiful and historic buildings, palaces, churches, towers and town squares by bike or on foot.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 33 kilometres (total ascent 90 metres, total descent 90 metres).
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Italy: Day 3: Pedal along the Serchio River to Lucca
Today’s scenic ride is almost completely flat. Your route follows the Serchio River to the charming town of Lucca. Here, you will have ample time to explore the town’s splendid architecture and gardens, including its majestic bell tower and impressive Piazza Anfiteatro. We also recommend a ride around the tree-lined city walls before heading to your hotel base for the next two nights in Lucca.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 33 kilometres (total ascent 330 metres, total descent 320 metres).
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Italy: Day 4: Enjoy a circular route through the Luccan countryside
Today, you have the choice between two routes of varying difficulty as you cycle through the outskirts of Lucca and out into the surrounding countryside. The shorter route is reasonably flat, whereas the longer route is more hilly and demanding, but offers enviable views. Both routes pass by some of Lucca’s characteristic Renaissance villas and we recommend taking time to stroll through their luxurious gardens.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 33 or 40 kilometres (total ascent 170 or 450 metres, total descent 170 or 450 metres), depending on the route you choose.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Italy: Day 5: Pass the Fucecchio Nature Reserve on your ride to Vinci
This morning you have the option of either getting the train to Altopascio, or cycling there along flat terrain. From here, the scenery steps up a notch as you ride past the Fucecchio Nature Reserve. This is the largest inland wetland in Europe and a transitory stop on migratory routes for over 200 species of birds. You may choose to spend some time here before continuing on your route along secondary roads that wind through low hills covered in olive groves and vineyards. The small village of Vinci is the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci and home to two fascinating museums honouring the Renaissance polymath. Your hotel is a farmhouse situated about 2 kms from Vinci.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 54 kilometres (total ascent 270 metres, total descent 270 metres).
Overnight: Standard Agriturismo
Included Meals: Breakfast
Cycling Italy: Day 6: Explore Vinci; train to Florence
We suggest you spend the morning exploring the museums and streets of Vinci on two wheels along with a ride just out of town to the actual birthplace of Leonardo. There is the option from the birthplace to either return to Vinco or continue up and out further into the countryside to gain fine views over Vinci and the surrounding area. The medieval hamlet of Vinci is famous for the two museums that are dedicated to the genius-inventor Leonardo Da Vinci. In the museums you can see many reconstructions of his incredible inventions and several of the original designs. Once finished you will leave your bike at the hotel before collecting your luggage and taking your included transfer to Empoli train station. Here, you will catch the local train to Florence (ticket included and provided locally). From the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence you can either walk the short distance to the hotel or you may prefer to catch a taxi. Widely regarded as the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is a city which impresses at every turn. From the Duomo Cathedral to the Ponte Vecchio Bridge and Michelangelo’s spell-binding statue of David, there is so much to discover. A visit to the Uffizi Gallery is a must, with its abundance of canvases by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and a host of other greats.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 8 or 15 kilometres (total ascent 175 or 450 metres, total descent 175 or 450 metres), depending on the route you choose.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Italy: Day 7: A full day to enjoy Florence
Today is all yours to continue exploring the magnificent city of Florence on foot, with its many monuments, churches, museums and squares.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Italy: Day 8:Holiday ends in Florence
After breakfast, the organised part of your holiday comes to an end.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Italy Pricing due to currency fluctuations and seasonal changes please inquire for the best possible price.

Cycling Italy What’s Included:
Bike Details
Your included bike is a 21 gear hybrid bike and will be the correct frame size for your height. Various models are possible, each of a similar standard. Each bike is fitted with one rear lateral pannier bags (20 litre capacity each) as well as a handlebar bag that doubles as a map note holder. A lock, pump, spare inner tube and puncture repair kit with tyre levers is included. All you need to bring is your own helmet. You will be required to sign an agreement of care upon receipt of the bike.

Electric bikes (e-bikes) are available for an additional cost of £65 for the duration of the holiday. Please contact us for more details or to request your e-bike.

Luggage Transfer
Included between each hotel and on day 6 the accommodation owner will take you and your luggage from Vinci to Empoli train station for your train journey to Florence.

Cycling Italy What’s NOT Included:
Equipment
On all Discovery Travel cycle holidays we strongly recommend you bring along and wear your cycle helmet. In case of an accident resulting in personal injury, certain insurance policies (explore included) are invalidated in cases where a helmet was not being worn. Cycle glasses to protect against dust, pollen and the sun, padded cycle gloves and a water bottle or water delivery system (e.g. camelback or platypus) are also useful. You may choose to bring your own gel seat cover for added comfort. If a handle bar bag or pannier is not provided (check bike details below) then you may like to bring a small rucksack to wear while cycling. A lock, pump, spare inner tube and puncture repair kit with tyre levers is provided with the bike. Other items to consider bringing are a sunhat and sun cream, torch, earplugs and insect repellent. Please carry some or all of your cycling equipment e.g. helmet as part of your hand luggage.
International flights
Any extra local transport (subways, taxis, buses) unless covered by the included passes
Baggage handling & luggage forwarding

Accommodation changes and upgrade are available for all our Cycling Tour, make an inquiry now