Seven days discovering the most authentic Tuscany, cycling on those roads that have traced the history of all humanity. Ancient civilizations such as the Etruscans and the Romans first, the Medieval Republics, the Renaissance, different eras that have deeply marked today’s life as well, in a mix of art, history and genius. Artists and geniuses such as Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Donatello, and Leonardo da Vinci, just to name a few, have bequeathed us unique works of art, which have always been the destination of admiration and awe for their beauty! But Tuscany is also unspoiled nature, traditions, legends and authentic flavors, this is what awaits us on our journey through “Authentic Tuscany.” A unique experience, fun, deep, tasty and full of emotions.
The bicycle journey starts and finishes in Florence along ancient “routes” such as the Romea
Senese, the Francigena, del Sale and the Strade Bianche dell’Eroica. The route runs on dirt roads, stretches of bicycle paths and secondary roads immersed in Tuscan nature, away from traffic. The route is mostly hilly, easily overcome even by the less trained thanks to the use of e-bikes.
Included and Not Included Services
Accommodation 6 nights in 3*** and 4**** hotels, B&Bs and Agritourism with private facilities
breakfast
Online welcome briefing
Luggage transport from stage to stage
Well-prepared itinerary
Detailed travel documents (gpx track, route description, places,
important telephonenumbers)
Telephone assistance throughout the tour (Italian and English)
Arrival at the tour starting point
Return journey at end of tour
All meals (lunches and dinners)
Drinks
Visitor's taxes and all extras in general
Entrance fees not indicated
Guide service
Bicycle hire
Transfer to and from airport or station (on request)
Anything not expressly mentioned under ‘The price includes’
Day 1: Florence
Arrival in Florence during the day (independently) and accommodation in a hotel in the city centre. In the evening online-briefing of the tour and handover of the bicycles (if bicycle hireoption is chosen).
Day 2: Florence - Greve in Chianti
(approx. 50 km; approx. +790m)
Our journey to discover Authentic Tuscany can only begin with a visit to the most beautiful places and monuments in Florence, the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo, the terrace overlooking the city. Florence makes you “breathe” the art and beauty that envelops us at every turn. We leave Florence behind and enter the “Black Rooster” hills covered with vineyards where the world's most famous wine, Chianti, is produced. Our first stage ends in Greve in Chianti, the birthplace of Giovanni da Verrazzano, the first navigator to discover the bay on the Hudson River in America, after whom the famous Verrazzano Narrows Bridge was named.
Day 3: Greve in Chianti - Siena
(approx. 45 km; approx. +1160m)
Today's stage will cross all the hills of the Chianti Classico region, we will pedal through nature surrounded by endless rows of vines, passing through small villages, castles and parish churches, silent witnesses of an ancient glorious past. We will also ride on the white roads made famous by the exploits of cyclists of the past, retraced today by thousands of enthusiasts participating in the Eroica, the world event dedicated to historic bicycles. Finally, we arrive in Siena, the city of the Palio.
Day 4: Siena - Volterra
(approx. 56 km; approx. +1030m)
Today's protagonists will be the Via Francigena and the Via del Sale. Before leaving Siena, however, we cannot miss a visit to Piazza del Campo and the beautiful Duomo. The route then continues along the ancient route of the Via Francigena, which is travelled by thousands of pilgrims every year to reach Rome; we will do it in the opposite direction, but no less fascinating and mystical, and this year it has a more important value as it is the year of Pope Francis' Jubilee. We will pass through Monteriggioni and then take the Via del Sale that will lead us to Volterra, one of the most important cities at the time of the Etruscans, today famous for its alabaster work.
Volterra - Pisa
(approx. 68 km; approx. +260m)
Today's stage is the longest of the tour, but also the one with the fewest climbs. In fact, starting from Volterra, the route gradually descends along the calanchi until it reaches the plains. The calanchi are an erosion phenomenon of the clayey rock where water “amuses” itself by drawing hills. Endless views of the sea and the coast with the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago in the background. Today's destination, Pisa with its most famous monument, the Leaning Tower.
Pisa - San Miniato
(approx. 54 km; approx. +240m)
Pisa, an ancient Maritime Republic, shared the economic, commercial and military dominance of the Mediterranean Sea with other cities (Genoa, Amalfi, Venice) that had political autonomy and economic prosperity from the Middle Ages until the mid-1500s. Testimony to this important period for Pisa is the marvellous Piazza dei Miracoli, with its imposing Duomo, Baptistery and Leaning Tower. Leaving Pisa. Today's route winds its way along the cycle path along the Arno River and up country lanes to San Miniato. The historical centre stands in a strategic position on a hill halfway between Pisa and Florence, the reason for numerous wars in the Middle Ages between the two cities. Today, it is an important economic and industrial centre for leather processing, but is world famous above all for its white truffles.
Day 7: San Miniato - Florence and individual departure
(capprox. 48 km; approx. +170m)
Last day of our journey through authentic Tuscany and last pedal before returning to Florence. Today's route is mostly flat, after the descent from San Miniato the route connects to the Arno cycle route that runs along the river of the same name to Florence where our tour ends.
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay.
| Standard | ||
|---|---|---|
| Package | view calendar | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
By plane: Pisa and Florence airports.
Possibility of organising transfers from the airport to the hotel (price on request, not included in the package).
By car: programmable itinerary on www.viamichelin.it - www.google.com/maps
Hotels 3*** and 4****, B&Bs and “Agritourist farm”
Attention: Possible tourist tax to be paid locally.
Possibility of organising transfers from the airport to the hotel (price on request, not included in the package).
on request
We suggest travel insurance.
You might also be interested in
Tour information
- Duration 8 days
- Minimum age 14 years and older
- Difficulty Level Media
- Distance 321 - 321 km