Description
DAY BY DAY PROGRAM:
g1. Lucca and Botanical Garden [Difficulty: T , 6Km]
First day to make contact with the city where our tour begins and will end. The city walls will be an excellent route to test the set-up of our bicycle.
The panoramic tour will allow us to identify and place the salient features of the city enclosed within its circle. You can focus in particular on visiting its Botanical Garden, a cool garden, important from a scientific point of view and suitable for an introduction to the environment that we will be cycling through these days.
g2. The via delle Ville lucchesi [Difficulty: Tc/Mc, Length:27Km, Elevation gain:+90/-85m]
First full day on the bike on a mostly flat but not monotonous route
You leave Lucca by going up the Serchio river along the Parco Fluviale cycle path. Heading towards the hills of Lucca we will have the opportunity to discover eighteenth and nineteenth century villas, linked to the noble families of Lucca: among all you can focus on visiting the Royal Villa of Marlia, but our route also takes us to Villa Oliva, Villa Grabau and Villa Torrigiani. At the foot of the Pizzorne, in the middle of the countryside we can finally find the Camigliano estate, where a refreshment accompanied by a taste of the local wine is possible (organize it ahead!). From here, the route to enter Capannori up to the La Salana hostel is simple and pleasant at the end of the day.
g3. Through and around the Monte: from Capannori to Calci [Difficulty: MC; Length:45Km; Elevation gain:+290m/-260m]
We leave the Lucca area crossing the fresh Compitese and enter the province of Pisa.
Now that we have increased confidence in our two-wheeled vehicles, we allow ourselves a longer day with even some more demanding uphill and downhill sections. The result is a composite and very varied itinerary that will lead us to approach Monte Pisano and visit it from its northern side in Lucca and from its southern side in Pisa. The arrival will be in one of the most iconic and representative places of this area: the Certosa di Calci, which you should not miss to visit the next day before leaving.
g4. From Calci to Pisa and the San Rossore Reserve [Difficulty: Tc; Length:25Km; Elevation gain: +/-5m]
Short but significant route that takes us under the most famous tower in the world and around the city to discover its nature.
The morning begins with a dutiful visit to the Certosa di Calci: its monumental and scientific parts with the rich Museum of Natural History. In the mid-morning we leave for Pisa, along country roads that lead us first to intercept the arches of the Medici Aqueduct (which come from Monte Pisano and which still supply the city today) and finally to find us at the “Piazza del Miracoli” under perhaps the most famous tower in the world. The journey that takes us to Pisa is short but significant: for us it is an opportunity to stretch our legs with some free time to eat and enjoy the city. In the afternoon we leave instead for the San Rossore Park, where we find accommodation and supplies.
g5. Pisa between sea and mountain [Difficulty:Mc; Length:42Km; Elevation gain:+/-5m]
Another astonishing day on two wheels for the variety of environments crossed: from the sea to the mountains, passing through the city of art that today we will visit in detail. All on an almost flat path.
Inside the San Rossore Park we will move between the Cascine Vecchie and the Cascine Nuove up to the banks of the Arno. Here we will cross the river loading our bikes onto a small boat to go along the old “via del Trammino” (i.e. the railway that formerly connected Calci with Pisa and the Marina). For us today is an opportunity to go for a dip in the sea and have lunch on the beach, before resuming the road that takes us back to Pisa, San Giuliano Terme and finally to arrive at our last accommodation on the slopes of Monte Pisano: the eighteenth-century Villa di Corliano.
d6. Massaciuccoli and Torre del Lago: in Puccini’s lands [Difficulty:Mc; Length:35Km; Elevation gain:+/-90m]
Return to Lucca through the Puccini Cycle Path, not before having visited the Massaciuccoli Lake Reserve with a boat trip to Torre del Lago Puccini, linked to the famous composer from Lucca.
Last day of this tour with still many surprises not to be missed: the Puccini Cycle Route introduces us to the environment that was capable of inspiring the famous composer from Lucca. For us today, another opportunity to appreciate the nature of the Lipu Oasis and to take a boat trip to Torre del Lago. The return to Lucca is easy following the Serchio river, and comfortable accommodation in Lucca awaits us to end the our tour.
g7. Visit of Lucca and free time
Last day in which we allow ourselves after breakfast, another walk through the relaxing streets of Lucca. Free time
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Clothing and Equipment:
For cycling activities:
- biking gears
- helmet, gloves, sunglasses
- water bottle
For breaks and in the evening:
- flip flops or sandals
- an extra layer
- complete set for change of clothes
A complete travel baggage list is sent at the time of registration
Cost:
The cost of the cycling tour activity is € 510/person (*)
The cost includes:
- 7 days/6 nights B&B
- “Meet&Greet” with the Guide: Welcome and Orientation with the Guide on the meeting day
- Web App Tool – GPS Selfguided Tuscany with Tracks Day by Day and mini hiking guide of the route
It does not include:
- Anything not expressly included in “the cost includes”, such as:
- Hybrid bicycle rental with assisted pedaling (e-bike) and electric energy charge (*)
- Baggage transport (**)
- Entrances (Parks, Reserves, Botanical Gardens, Historical Villas)
- Tourist guide and visits to the cities of Pisa and Lucca
- Tourist taxes
- Packed lunches
- Extras during overnight staying
- Any electricity rates for e-bike charging (if requested by the hotels)
Additional available services on request:
- Single-room service fee: +20% (corresponding to €120 total)
(*) Participation with e-bike, rental on site:
Participation with a rental bicycle on site costs €55/day according to the Terms and Conditions that interested parties receive.
The daily bike-rental fee includes:
- Delivery service and bike demo
- Repair kits
- E-bike recharge kit
(**) Baggage transport service:
The baggage transport service can be requested according to the Terms and Conditions that interested parties receive at an additional cost of €40/day.
