Italy Tuscany - Gran Tour from Florence to Siena to Pise Bike Tour 2018 Individual Self-Guided 8 days/ 7 nights If you are eager to embark in the venture to explore one of the most famous regions of Italy, this itinerary across Tuscany is what you are looking for. The region is famous for its wines, its cities of art and the warm welcome you get from its inhabitants, that is to say the best combination of emotions, scents and traditions perfectly combined and ready to be discovered by bike. From Piazza della Signoria in Florence to Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, you will pass through Siena, San Gimignano and then Volterra. Starting with a short visit of Florence, the first part of the tour brings you to the very heart of Tuscany, along the "road of wines", where the famous Chianti is produced. Here take a bit of time off the pedals and enjoy a wine tasting in one of the numerous local wine cellars. Passing through Siena, the tour then continues towards Colle Val d'elsa, the "Bohemia of Italy", then heads to San Gimignano, famous for its towers enriching the landscape, and Volterra, the city of alabaster. Finally, you reach Pisa, where the Leading Tower dominates over Piazza dei Miracoli.
Day 1: Florence Individual arrival in Florence, a gem of Medieval and Renaissance art, one of the most important historic cities all over the world. Overnight in Florence. Day 2: Florence Greve in Chianti 44 km Today your adventure leads you through the heart of Tuscany which is rich in art, scents and traditions. Departure by bike from Florence to Impruneta, a landmark for Italian terracotta art, where you can visit its ancient villas and the Basilica. After approximately 10 km, you reach Mercatale, a small town surrounded by the Chianti hills; here, you will have the chance to taste some local wine varieties and typical products of the area inside the wine cellar of the Palagio Castle. Day 3: Greve in Chianti Radda in Chianti 31 km Riding your bike, you will discover one of the best-known Tuscan areas: "the road of wines". Departure from Greve in Chianti across the fortified medieval village of Montefioralle; then, after the splendid village of Panzano, you reach Radda in Chianti. The Chianti area, situated between Florence and Siena, appears like a hilly landscape varied and colourful. It is here that the famous wine was born during the Etruscan Age. In Radda in Chianti, it is possible to admire the Palazzo Pretorio dating back to 1400 and the remains of the city walls and medieval towers. Day 4: Radda in Chianti - Siena 41 km Today the tour leads you from Radda in Chianti to Siena. The first stop will be at the Meleto Castle, an ancient fortification transformed into a magnificent typical villa immersed in the Tuscan countryside. Cycling over the fortified village of Castagnoli, you will continue towards the famous Castle of Brolio which is rich in suggestions coming from ancient times. Here you can enjoy a wine tasting in the Ricasoli wine cellar. In the afternoon, pedaling through the colourful hilly surroundings, you will reach Siena, famous for its Palio. Visiting the city, you will discover some of the most remarkable monuments of Italy: Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, and the Duomo di Siena, built in the 12th century and fully covered in white and dark green precious marble.
Day 5: Siena Colle Val d Elsa 27 km Leaving Siena and cycling through the rolling downs of the surroundings, you will come cross small villages such as Sovicille. Before reaching Abbadia a Isola, the stretch of the ancient Francigena Way that you are following at the moment flanks Mount Maggio. You will continue until reaching Colle Val d' Elsa, the so-called "Bohemia of Italy". Colle Val d Elsa is an ancient Etruscan city; since 1100 it had been allied to Florence against Siena. From the 15th century onwards, the town started to flourish, mainly thanks to the development of the glass craftsmanship and trade and the related exploitation of the river Elsa. Possible visit to a handicraft laboratory of crystal manufactures. Day 6: Colle Val d Elsa - Volterra 46 km From Colle Val d Elsa you cycle to San Gimignano. From the hilltop where it was founded, this town dominates the Elsa Valley and stands as a splendid example of a well-preserved medieval city. Its fame is mostly due to the numerous towers still adorning it. Thanks to its uniqueness, in 1990, it was awarded the title of World Heritage Site by Unesco. The village, rising behind its high walls, is split by two main axis forming a cross: the east-west axis stretches from the Hill of the Tower to the Hill of Montestaffoli, while the north-south axis goes from the Gate of San Giovanni to the Gate of San Matteo, another pass-through point of the Via Francigena. In the late afternoon, you arrive in Volterra. This city can boast about 3000 years of history and is known all over the world for its workshops specialized in the sculpting of alabaster. You can visit the Acropoli, the roman theatre and the walls enclosing the historical center. Day 7: Volterra - Pisa 54 km Departure from Volterra to Ghizzano, the village encircled with vineyards. After approximately 2 hours of cycling you ll reach Calcinaia, then continuing towards Pontedera. From here, transfer by train to Pisa, the city of the Leaning Tower. Day 8: Pisa After breakfast the tour ends. Free time to visit the city, with its Cathedral, the Baptistery and the famous Leaning Tower dominating Piazza dei Miracoli.
Route Technical Characteristics: Tour Profile: Moderate. Hilly land, with some sweet climbs and descents (last stage mostly in descent). Global height of the tour: between 100 and 550 meters above sea level, average duration of the stages: from 27 to 54 km per day. Roads are 70% asphalted, few country roads not asphalted Distance: 243 km Travel Dates: Departures Saturday April 1 to October 31, 2018
Price per Person: Standard Category Deluxe Category Double Occupancy Room 730.00 1055.00 Supplement Single Room 235.00 500.00 City Bike Rental 100.00 E-Bike Bike Rental 250.00 Transfer Pisa Florence D8 (minimum 2 person) 84.00 Accommodation: Standard category : 6 nights hotel 3* + 1 night hotel 4* Deluxe category: 7 nights hotel 4* Standard Category Deluxe Category Low Season High Season Low Season High Season Extra night in Florence B&B 3* hotel double room 58.00 70.00 100.00 139.00 Extra night in Florence B&B 3* hotel single room 89.00 104.00 189.00 258.00 Extra night in Pisa B&B 3* hotel double room 79.00 94.00 Extra night in Pisa B&B 3* hotel single room 114.00 125.00 Standard Category: Low season: July 1 to August 31, 2018 High season: April 1 to June 30; September 1 to October 31, 2018 Deluxe Category: Low season: July 16 to August 31, 2018 High season: April 1 to July 15; September 1 to October 31, 2018 Included: Accommodation according to the chosen category, in double en suite room 7 breakfasts Luggage transport Tourist taxes Detailed description of the itinerary GPS data available For Deluxe category ONLY: roundtrip taxi ride Hotel Greve in Chianti city centre. Not included: Meals, except for breakfasts Drinks Bike rental Transfer by train Pontedera-Pisa Entrance fees Every extra and everything not specified as Included
Bike rental: Aluminum bikes (men and women) with 21 speeds, free wheel, 1 big pannier bag, water bottle, GPS with tracks of the itinerary. Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848