The Tour of Tuscany by Bike

Tuscany, with its picturesque landscapes and exceptional cultural heritage, is a dream destination for cycling enthusiasts. Our routes will take you pedaling through verdant hills, endless vineyards, charming medieval villages, and cities such as Florence, Pisa, Lucca, and San Gimignano, whose very names inspire dreams of culture and dolce vita.

This iconic region of Italy, which is also the birthplace of the Renaissance, will enchant you with its colors, winding paths, twisted olive trees, generous vineyards, and fragrant cypress trees.

Two routes are offered to discover Tuscany: "The Cradle of the Renaissance" (itinerary 1) and "The rolling hills of Tuscany" (itinerary 2), lasting 8 and 7 days respectively. Although both are a clever mix of culture and nature, the first is more focused on typical cultural towns and villages and stays mainly in the Arno Valley, while the other takes you further into the rolling countryside of the region.

• Itinerary 1: "The Cradle of the Renaissance" (Pisa - Lucca - Florence - Pisa)

• Itinerary 2: "The rolling hills of Tuscany" (Pisa - San Gimignano - Siena - Florence)

In terms of cities, both itineraries pass through Pisa and Florence. However, itinerary 1 also goes through Lucca, with its well-preserved Renaissance walls and lively center, while itinerary 2 passes through the small hilltop town of San Gimignano, further south, known for its many medieval towers and often called the "Medieval Manhattan", and Siena, with its famous Piazza del Campo.

Throughout the trip, you will stay in charming places and have enough time to wander through the streets of the many villages you will pass through, taste local specialties, and visit historic sites. Discover the details of the itineraries in the "Detailed programme" tab.

Enjoy!

You will find the day-by-day program of our two itineraries below. The number of kilometers is indicated for each stage. When there are two different distances, it means that on that day you will have a choice between two routes (one "relaxed" and one "sporty") to reach the next hotel.

1. Seasonality: between late March and early October.
   
   

   Tuscany enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers.

   Spring brings a welcome mildness after the winter months. Temperatures begin to gradually rise from March, with increasingly sunny days. April and May see this trend strengthen, with average temperatures generally ranging between 15°C and 25°C. Rain can still be frequent in early spring, but it gradually decreases, giving way to green and blooming landscapes.

   In summer, the days are warmer and sunnier, ideal for enjoying the coastal beaches after your bike tour. June, July, and August are the hottest months, with maximum temperatures often exceeding 30°C and sometimes even surpassing 35°C. Precipitation is rare during this period.

   As autumn approaches, Tuscany experiences a subtle but significant change in its climate. Temperatures begin to gradually decrease, offering mild and pleasant days in September. Precipitation increases as the season progresses, but the landscapes take on a beautiful autumnal palette.

   Finally, winter brings a calm and tranquil atmosphere to the region. Although generally mild, the climate can vary significantly depending on altitude. On the coast, winter temperatures remain moderate, ranging between 5°C and 10°C. In contrast, in the inland and mountainous regions, temperatures can drop below zero, sometimes covering the highest areas with snow. These conditions make cycling less conducive. Many accommodations also close for their annual break during this time.

   Be aware that, given Tuscany's popularity, accommodation prices fluctuate depending on the tourist season, which is partially reflected in our low season, mid-season, and high season prices (see booking form).

   Note: The weather can vary greatly from year to year. The information described above is only averages.

2. Arrival on site: Saturdays
   
   On Saturday evening, you spend your first night in Pisa. On Sunday morning, you start the bike tour.
   


3. Arrival and return:
   
   
   • Start of the stay: Pisa
   
   
   • End of the stay: Pisa or Florence (depending on the itinerary: itinerary 1 ends in Pisa, itinerary 2 ends in Florence)
   
   Both cities are connected by train.
   
   
   Train +

   • From Brussels / Paris / Lyon: TGV to Turin (about 7h from Paris). Then a local train takes you to Pisa (about 4h). Note, in Turin, you need to go from Torino Porta Susa station to Torino Porta Nuova station (about 20 minutes on foot).
   • More information: www.sncf.com and https://www.trenitalia.com/fr.html/
     
   Car +

   Count 4 to 4.5 hours of driving to Pisa from the southeastern border of France.
   
   Plane +

   Many airlines serve the airports of Pisa and Florence from all over Europe.
   
   
   
4. Parking:
   
   If you go there by car, we will provide you with all the necessary information on where to leave your car during your stay.


5. Type of route:
   
   Touring. If you opt for itinerary 1, you will make a loop from Pisa. If you opt for itinerary 2, you will start your route in Pisa and end it in Florence. If necessary, you can take a direct train back to Pisa.


6. Guidance:
   
   Self-guided, with an emergency number in case of trouble. To navigate, you will have a roadbook and GPS tracks of the route via an easy-to-use navigation app. Navigation is by satellite, so no internet connection is required.


7. Level: fairly easy to intermediate
   
   The distances to be covered are generally relatively short to intermediate (25-30 to 50-60 km per day, 16-19 to 31-37 mi per day), allowing time for some sightseeing along the way.
   
   Some days, you will have the choice between different options. These variants allow you to adjust the travel time according to your desires or the weather. Whichever options you choose, you won't miss any "must-sees."
   
   
   • Elevation: The route is sometimes flat and sometimes hilly. However, the itinerary remains largely accessible for amateur cyclists. It is also possible to opt for an electric bike.
   
   
   • Stage length: about 25 to 60 km per day
   
   
   • Terrain: paved roads over 90%. Some compact gravel tracks, not requiring suspension or mountain bike tires.
   
   
8. Accommodations:
   
   If you choose itinerary 1, two categories of accommodations are offered on this route:
   
   Standard Category: charming 3* hotels or equivalent bed and breakfasts (and one night in a 2* bed and breakfast in Lucca)
   
   Comfort+ Category: charming 3* or 4* hotels or equivalent bed and breakfasts.

However, for itinerary 2, only the Comfort+ Category is offered. Regardless of the chosen option, the accommodations have all the necessary comfort for a good night's sleep! All rooms have a private bathroom, and the accommodations all have a place to store and recharge the bikes.


9. Meals:
   
   Breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are not included. During the day, you can eat in local restaurants (you will find suggestions in the roadbook) or have a picnic by stocking up in the small grocery stores on the way. Half-board is not available on this trip, but you will always have some restaurants within walking distance from your accommodation if it does not already have its own restaurant.


10. Luggage transport:
    
    You only carry your belongings for the day during the bike stages. Your luggage is transported from one accommodation to another by our team, and you will find it at your accommodation at the end of the day. It is also possible to carry your belongings with you in side panniers, like long-distance cyclists do. In this case, you will benefit from a discount (see booking form).


11. Travel documents:
    
    A detailed roadbook, a topographic map of the route, and GPS tracks (via our navigation app) will be sent to you before your departure. In the roadbook, which you will also receive in paper format, you will find, in addition to a description of the itinerary, many tourist and cultural information, restaurant suggestions, and places to stock up along the way.


12. Bikes:
    
    We offer the rental of high-quality bikes, fully equipped and suitable for the type of terrain.
    
    The equipment includes a smartphone holder, a waterproof rear bag, a lock, a repair kit, and (on request) a helmet.
    
    It is possible to rent an electric bike for this trip.
    
    If you wish to use your own bike, make sure to check all parts of the bike in advance (brake wear, tires, cogs, chain, etc.) to ensure it is technically ready for a long-distance trip.
    The bikes suitable for this trip are trekking bikes (or hybrid bikes), gravel bikes, and electric bikes. Road bikes have tires that are too thin for gravel sections. As for city bikes, they can do the job, but having only 6 or 7 gears in total is not always ideal.
    


13. Insurance:
    
    To ensure reimbursement of expenses in case of trip cancellation or problems on site (health, accident, loss/theft of luggage, civil liability, ...), you can take out cancellation insurance (CAP Explorer - cancellation) or assistance (CAP Explorer - assistance). To learn more about the insurance, click here.

The price for the trip and rental bikes is given below.



The base price includes:

• A detailed roadbook in English. It includes, in addition to information on the tour, a lot of information on tourist sites as well as places to eat, get supplies and relax.
• The GPS tracks of the route via our navigation app
• A topographic map of the tour
• Accommodation in 2-3* or 3-4* hotels (depending on the chosen category) or equivalent guesthouses
• Breakfasts at each accommodation
• The transport of your luggage between the accommodations
• Access to our hotline (7/7, 10:00-18:00) and assistance and guidance in the event of a problem (except simple repairs such as punctures/derailments)
• Luggage tags
• Tourist taxes
• Registration fees

Possible options:

• On-site rental of a bicycle without/with electric assistance
• The single room supplement
• Additional nights in Rocherfort or Namur
• A cancellation and/or multi-risk insurance (more info)

The price does not include:

• The trip from your home to the meeting point, as well as the return
• Lunch and evening meals
• Entrances to tourist sites (except if explicitely stated)
• Your personal expenses
• Anything not listed in "the price includes"

Other:

• If you wish to transport your luggage yourself from one accommodation to another, you benefit in this case from a discount (see booking form). An additional bag will then be provided to you.
• Children receive discounts (see table) at the condition that the family accepts to sleep in family rooms when such rooms are available.
• Large groups, of 6 people or more, receive a discount of 5%.
• A 'solo traveller' supplement of 190 € is counted for individuals doing this tour alone.

This tour was added in 2024 and has not received reviews yet.