Day 1
Check in
Check-in around 14.00 at your charming hotel in Lucca. There will be a briefing, bike setting, GPS, and maps delivery. Airport - railway transfers from Pisa or Florence airport (on request). Overnight in Lucca.
Day 2
Lucca to Pisa - Lucca 58 km - altitude flat
The tour starts from Lucca, leaving the Lucca walls behind you and cycling along the Arno river to reach an ancient aqueduct. You will start biking on Puccini's bike way up to San Giuliano Terme (ancient thermal baths) and Monti Pisani which separate Lucca from Pisa. Following over quiet country roads you will finally reach Pisa historical center. Time to visit the town and the leaning tower so time to take some important pictures. On your way back you will see charming villages like Nozzano Castello an ancient hamlet maintained. Soon you will see the famous walls of Lucca again.
Day 3
Lucca to Montecatini Terme 48 km - altitude 250m
The new Lucca-Montecatini stage is mostly developed along the local wine roads of Lucca and Montecarlo d.o.c. areas. It's a nice opportunity to taste good wines and taste local Tuscan specialties. Montecarlo is a medieval village on a short hill famous for its wines, different from Chianti thanks to a large cultivation of French grapevines, coupled with Sangiovese. The road to Montecatini goes then over very low-traffic roads on the plains and soon you arrive at Montecatini Terme where you need to enjoy the famous nightlife and excellent local restaurants.
Day 4
Montecatini Terme to San Miniato 47 km - altitude 170m
We were speaking about Montecatini Terme's nightlife, but the town is mainly known because of its famous and ancient thermal baths and wellness centers. So we suggest enjoying the hot natural baths or relaxing in a swimming pool before starting the next tour. This stage will bring you to San Miniato biking along the Padule di Fucecchio through marshy areas with special fauna rich in migratory birds. The last stretch is along the Arno river via Francigena. Besides the historical art interest, San Miniato is also famous for its annual festival devoted to the precious white truffle which is harvested in this area. Try some at the local shops and restaurants.
Day 5
San Miniato to Vinci to Poggio alla Malva 45 km - altitude 250m
Today's ride is a great tour around the rural scenery where Leonardo Da Vinci was born and his genius developed. Your will cycle from San Miniato to Cerreto Guidi and Vinci over light rolling hills; In Vinci, you cannot miss the chance to visit the Leonardo Da Vinci museum, Who loves can go uphill a little more to the country house where Leonardo was born. Come back down to the river and follow the banks of the Arno River again, you will arrive at Montelupo Fiorentino, a nice small village. From here continue along the river until the feet of Poggio alla Malva, an old hunting estate by Medici of Florence. Here a steep climb will lead you to Poggio alla Malva. At the latter you can enjoy the view overlooking the Arno and Pesa valley. Because of the rolling hills, this is the most challenging cycling day of your Classic Tuscany cycling trip.
Day 6
Poggio alla Malva to Firenze 22 km altitude 50m
Poggio alla Malva is not far from Florence, In the first part of today you cycle over the local road to reach Parco dei Renai, a green area with a nice lake. From here starts the path along the river far away from the busy roads ending at Parco delle Cascine, a green quarter of Florence, where the bikeway starts following the Lungarno (street following the Arno river inside the town – they are both in Florence and Pisa). Once in the city center you will have the time to visit all the attractions, historic squares, buildings, museums, and churches. You stay 2 days in Florence.
Day 7
Firenze circuits 20 km - altitude 250m
Florence would deserve a lot of time to be completely enjoyed...you can take advantage of this additional day to relax and walk in freedom through the hundreds of narrow streets of the city center or have a chance to ride up the hills around to see the town from a different point of view. We suggest two different itineraries one in the south and one in the north.
The first circuit will bring you along the Arno park and then up to Piazzale Michelangelo - a terrace over Florence with fantastic views – San Miniato al Monte and down to Palazzo Pitti, the residence of the Medici family.
The second itinerary goes up to the highest point of view, to Fiesole, a beautiful village that offers a magnificent panorama of the city from its hilltop position. Only one climb, in this case, but longer...Fiesole unites the beauty of the landscape with a remarkable cultural heritage evidenced in the Etruscan and Roman remains (18-20 km).
Day 8
Departure day
After enjoying Florence again in the morning, you can easily go back to Pisa in an hour by train or leave directly from Florence (leaving the bikes at the hotel) unless you prefer to extend your holiday relaxing some more days in the countryside or in one of the main towns of the tour. Transfers to the railway station or the airports of Pisa & Florence can be made (on request).
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