Among the dreamed destinations in the historic Grand Tour of Europe, Tuscany still today evokes romance, art, culture, wine, cuisine and quintessential scenery. Pedal through art cities, medieval villages, scenic vineyards and olive groves on this 8-day bike tour through the heart of Italy. We’ll traverse the region from north to south, hitting UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Renaissance and Medieval towns like Lucca, Vinci, San Gimignano and Siena. Staying in local three-star hotels in smaller and charming towns, you will delight in Tuscan delicacies and the famous red Chianti wine. Our tour ends in the Tuscan capital, the majestic and inspiring Florence. Through it all, you will relish in the camaraderie of your cycling companions while our top-notch guides help make this a memorable experience.
* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
** For information about what your tour status means please see our FAQ page.
Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Tour code: itbg3852
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This is a great tour for active people (who regularly run, bike, or work out) without much bicycle touring experience. Also great for intermediate to advanced cyclists who want a fun vacation, enjoying some hills every day. You will ride 35-68 km per day, on rolling to hilly terrain, with a few steeper or longer climbs. We will cycle on paved backroads with little traffic (on some shorter stretches we share the roads with cars), as well as on hard-packed gravel roads with very little traffic. Experienced cyclists who want longer, optional rides at the end of the programmed ride will have these available.
The tour will depart with a minimum of 5 participants, and a maximum of 16.
Includes
High quality hybrid touring bike; 7 nights lodging in 3-star or equivalent hotels and inns, with breakfast and tax; a welcome dinner with local wine; GPS navigation tracks provided via Ride With GPS (which you can upload to your personal navigation device); Bilingual English-Italian cycling guide, support vehicle and driver on most days; Transportation from Florence to Siena by public bus; Informal walking tour of Florence; Pre-tour travel and sales assistance available (our pre-travel documentation will help you prepare your arrival and departure travel logistics, as well as prepare for your participation on tour).
Not included
Airfare or travel to tour starting point; Airport transfers (available for an additional fee - please inquire);
Optional private transfer from Siena to Florence on Day 7 (can be arranged at additional cost); Any meals not listed in itinerary; Helmets can be requested prior to tour start; Clipless / SPD pedals are not included; Travel insurance; Tips for support staff and guide
Arrive / Depart
How to get there and away:
Florence Airport (FLR) / Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA)
Starting point: Hotel La Luna- Via Fillungo, Corte Compagni 12, Lucca
- We recommend flying into Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei, but you can also fly into Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport
- Taxis from Pisa airport to Lucca cost about € 60/70 and take about 45 minutes. The taxi stand is in front of the airport on the arrivals side
- Once you arrive in Pisa Airport, you will find the People Mover to get to the Pisa centrale train station in less than 10 minutes (rides every 5-10 minutes). From Pisa Centrale to Lucca trains run every 30 minutes and take about 30 minutes. Cost is approximately € 4 for 2nd class
Ending point: Hotel St. James – Via XXVII Aprile, 18, Firenze
- We recommend flying out of Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport. It is also possible to fly out from Pisa.
- From the hotel, take a taxi to the airport. Agree on a fare before entering the taxi (expect to pay about €20/25plus the cost of the luggage, € 1/piece). Travel time to the airport is about 15/20 minutes, depending on the traffic
- From the hotel, you can take a 20-minute walk (or public transportation) to the train station. From there, you can catch the “Volainbus” line. It’s a 20 minute trip that departs every 30 minutes from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm, then every hour until midnight from Stazione Galleria. (one-way ticket: €6; round trip ticket: €10)
Final arrival and departure instructions?along with other detailed pre-travel documents, will be e-mailed prior to your travel, with information specific to your departure (including the actual hotels used on your tour dates, which may vary from the hotels listed above.)
* the hotels and prices listed above are for reference only and are subject to change (based on availability and seasonality)
This is a great tour for active people (who regularly run, bike, or work out) without much bicycle touring experience. Also great for intermediate to advanced cyclists who want a fun vacation, enjoying some hills every day. You will ride 35-68 km per day, on rolling to hilly terrain, with a few steeper or longer climbs. We will cycle on paved backroads with little traffic (on some shorter stretches we may share the road with cars), as well as on hard-packed gravel roads with very little traffic. Experienced cyclists who want longer, optional rides at the end of the programmed ride will have these available most days. . There are two days with optional loop rides, for those who prefer to stay in town to explore or relax during the day.
Meet in Renaissance Lucca, a short train or bus ride from Florence or Pisa airports. We’ll fit bicycles and enjoy a fun 4 km test ride around the most well-preserved fortified walls in Italy. If you arrive early, make sure to stroll through the city center, visiting the amphitheater (originally built by the Romans and transformed over the ages), the unique Torre Guinigi (with a tree growing on top of the medieval tower), and the marble-faced majestic Duomo. A welcome dinner tonight in a local trattoria starts off our tour together.
Highlights: The Leaning Tower and “Square of Miracles”
A roundtrip ride to Pisa following the nearby river takes us into the center of this fascinating city to visit the impressive medieval "Square of Miracles", which was built to represent everything a human would need: the Romanesque Baptistery, the Cathedral, the "'civic" bell tower (which began to lean and now is the most famous building here!), and, at life's end, the Monumental Cemetery. We’ll explore Pisa before a delightful return ride to Lucca.
Highlights: Leonardo’s birthplace; Night in a Tuscan farmhouse
Leave Lucca for the small village of Vinci, birthplace and home to the world-famous genius Leonardo da Vinci. A highlight here is a visit to the small town centre, including the town's museum with wooden models of many of Leonardo’s inventions (many of which were never built in his lifetime). Not only a painter, Da Vinci was also an engineer, creating hydraulic machines, war machines and several other fascinating artifacts (like the bicycle!) that show how ahead of his time he was.
Tonight's lodging is another tour highlight - the chance to sleep in a Tuscan farmhouse (called an "agriturismo" in Italy), set on the Montalbano hills in the Chianti wine region, surrounded by vines, cypresses and olive groves. The farm produces extra virgin olive oil, Chianti DOCG wine as well as white wine and the local vin santo (a sweet wine enjoyed with dessert).
We’ll leave the province of Florence to enter its historic rival's territory: Siena, on the way passing through the charming ceramics town of Montelupo Fiorentino. A climb takes us up to a ridge road which we’ll follow to tonight's destination. We are in quintessential Tuscany here, with cypress trees, olive groves and vineyards spread out across the surrounding landscape. This evening’s destination, Colle di Val d’Elsa, is a classic walled medieval Tuscan town on a hill, still full of charm and history. You’ll enjoy exploring its cobble-stoned streets and alleyways.
An optional loop ride to the nearby town of towers - San Gimignano. Once home to dozens of tower-homes, the twelve or so that have remained are still striking to the eye as we approach. Enjoy a stroll through the center of this compact, walled medieval town and perhaps a taste of its signature wine, Vernaccia. We'll point out a few of our favorite osterie, or local restaurants, before we return to our own medieval town of Colle di Val d'Elsa.
We continue pedaling south to reach Siena, considered by many to be the most striking Tuscan city (even more so than the Renaissance capital, Florence). After cycling through classic Tuscan scenery and plenty of rolling hills, we’ll settle into our hotel and then enjoy some of the famous sights – like the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral and the unique shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, which twice a year becomes a tightly-packed horse race field for the annual "Palio". You’ll want to explore the countless alleys and tight streets that bring surprises at every turn. If you prefer to take a break from the bike today, transfer by public bus directly to Siena.
Highlights: Rest day - exploring Siena and Florence
After a few morning hours exploring the marvelous alleys and piazzas of Siena, we will travel to its historic rival city and today’s Tuscan capital, the mighty Florence (traveling together by public bus, with the option for an organized private transfer). An informal walking tour in the city centre will take us through some of the landmark sights, such as the Piazza Santa Croce, the Palazzo della Signoria, and the stately and jaw-dropping Duomo. You can spend more time exploring on your own, or even visit some of the world-famous museums nearby.
We say goodbye this morning. For those wishing to continue their time in Tuscany, Florence provides a great base for further exploration, as well as the perfect place to close your dream Italian holiday. If your travels end today, we will provide suggestions for arriving to the nearby Florence airport.
We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Tour code: itbg3852
________________________________________
This is a great tour for active people (who regularly run, bike, or work out) without much bicycle touring experience. Also great for intermediate to advanced cyclists who want a fun vacation, enjoying some hills every day. You will ride 35-68 km per day, on rolling to hilly terrain, with a few steeper or longer climbs. We will cycle on paved backroads with little traffic (on some shorter stretches we share the roads with cars), as well as on hard-packed gravel roads with very little traffic. Experienced cyclists who want longer, optional rides at the end of the programmed ride will have these available.
The tour will depart with a minimum of 5 participants, and a maximum of 16.
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To Do Today!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation Email, it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed. As you make your plans refer to the Getting To and Away sent to you in your booking confirmation email it provides meeting times and the starting and ending hotels and shuttle information when applicable.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights. Please refer to the Getting To and Away sheet you received in your Reservation Confirmation Email.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Deposit Payment Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail you have received for detailed instructions.
6 Weeks–2 Weeks Prior to Departure
Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Suggested Reading and Movie List which you'll find on the country page linked from the www.experienceplus.com/travelinfo page.
We had fantastic experiences at Ride Across Tuscany. The knowledge and experience that the company has in this territory is an incredible differential. Not to mention the equipment available and all the service before, during and after the service. I recommend it!
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle
Rolling hills
Hilly
Very hilly
Mountainous
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