Tuscany

In the heart of Tuscany

The Tuscany is considered by many experts as the most beautiful countryside in Italy. Convince yourself during a bike tour. It offers flat coastlines, shaded pine forests, beautiful vineyards and rolling hills. Marvel at ancient cultural cities and modern spas, a cosmopolitan city such as Florence and the world wonder of Tuscany: the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

1. day Arrival Montecatini Terme

Arrival to Montecatini Terme, one of the most famous and elegant thermal resorts in Italy. There are direct train links from Florence to Montecatini. In the afternoon you have a personal route information with hand over of the rental bike (if booked) in the hotel. Take a leisurely stroll through the famous spa town. In the Parco delle Terme (thermal park) there are various thermal baths, such as the Terme Leopoldine and thermal baths Tettuccio (small roof).

2. day Vinci round trip 55 km

The first cycling tour offers a very worthwhile destination. The route leads through the wide plain of Valdenievole valley to the village Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo. Here the museum presents numerous reproductions as well as sketches and photos of the genius inventor, architect, engineer, philosopher and artist (Audio Video Guide can be borrowed, admission payable on spot). After this rewarding break the cycle tour leads on a different route back to Montecatini Terme.

3. day Montecatini Terme - Pisa 40-90 km

Look forward to the charming town of Lucca, which can be reached by bike or train (optional). Definitely you should take a bike ride along the perfectly preserved city wall (4 km). It offers fascinating views from the old town. Then you cycle down hill to the Lake Massaciuccoli, the home of the composer Giacomo Puccini (now a museum). On dams and secret paths you cycle to the Leaning Tower in Pisa, where a visit to the well-preserved old town lures.

4. day Pisa - Casciana Terme 50 km

Enjoy the flat bike path on the banks of the Arno before you cycle through gently hilly landscapes on small roads through the Pisan mountains. Here on the slopes best wine, great olives and juicy peaches thrive. Afterward you have time to relax in the idyllic spa town of Casciana and pamper yourself with a visit to the 36 ° C thermal pools.

5. day Casciana Terme - San Gimignano 55 km

Today, the route offers countless wonderful views from the typical Tuscan "postcard" panorama. Olive trees, cypresses and vines line the narrow streets that lead you with some ups and downs through this enchanting hills to San Gimignano. Look forward to the great restored medieval village with its typical "gender towers", where you can saunter cozy in the evening.

6. day San Gimignano - Siena 50 km

Again you cross a beautiful Tuscan countryside. Even from a distance you see the small village Monteriggione which is idyllically situated on a small hill. Visit the historic city center, which is surrounded by an almost 600m long city wall and stroll through the narrow streets. After rewarding break you will cycle in the afternoon to the architectural jewel Siena. Here you can marvel at the huge cathedral and the charming square "Il Campo".

7. day Siena - Florence 50 km

Today a real highlight is waiting for you: Your bike tour takes you right into the heart of the wide, hilly Chianti - wine country. From Castellina in Chianti to Greve you cycle in "Chianti Classico" area and you will be delighted by the extensive vineyards of the Tuscan hills. Take some samples in Greve on one of the most beautiful market places of Tuscany take some samples before you get in via transfer back to Florence in the late afternoon.

8. day City tour Florence/Departure

Today the beautiful bike tour ends in Florence. If you like you can still extend your stay in Tuscany before you travel back home – highly recommended.

Worth knowing about the Tuscany tour

Below please find more information about your Tuscany bike trip. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us by phone: 0049 - (0)6421-886890.

Arrival by plane

Florence Airport Amerigo Vespucci (approx. 40km from the hotel in Montecatini Terme). From the airport by shuttle bus to Santa Maria Novella/Florence Central Station. Direct train links to Montecatini Terme. Alternatively, Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport (approx. 60km from the hotel in Montecatinit Terme). From the airport either by train or by red bus line to Pisa Centrale Central Station. From here continue by train via Lucca or Florence to Montecatini Terme Centro, travel time approx. 1 hour 15 minutes.

Lufthansa

Alitalia

Arrival by train

There are good international connections to Florence. From here you may go by train to Montecatini Terme every hour. Please find the actual connections and prices in the internet.

Train schedule information Deutsche Bahn

Train schedule information Trenitalia

Arrival by car

Vignette compulsory on the motorways in Austria (10-day vignette approx. 9,50 EUR) and Switzerland (approx. 38,50 EUR). The toll on the Brenner motorway is around 10,00 EUR on the Austrian side and around 23,00 EUR on the Italian side of the Brenner.

Parking facilities

Hotel parking spaces/ garage are available at the hotel for approx. 10,00 EUR per day, on availability, payable on spot. Alternatively, free parking spaces are available near the hotel. You will receive detailed information on parking at the hotel booked for you with the detailed travel documents two weeks before the start of your journey.

Tourinformation and rental bike

The personal route information with rental bike takes place on the day of arrival in the hotel. Any changes will be announced upon arrival at the reception.

Available rental bike

You can choose between unisex 21-speed touring bikes and unisex 7-speed touring bikes with coaster brake, men's bikes available on request in different frame sizes. 8-speed unisex electric bikes in different frame sizes are also available on request. You simply specify your wishes at time of booking.

Weather and clima

Tuscany has a sub-mediterranean climate. In the spring, the temperatures can rise to 20 degrees and more, in autumn the weather is mostly stable. Rainfalls should be expected in spring and autumn. Summer months from mid-June to mid-September can be very hot and dry.

Condition of the bike paths

The Tuscany is a very beautiful but as well hilly landscape. On small roads and bike paths you cycle from one famous city to another. In the entrance and exit of the cities you may find some more traffic.

Cycling in italy

In Italy, warning vests are mandatory outside closed areas at night and at dusk.

Transfer back to Montecatini Terme

You can go from Florence to Montecatini Terme by train. Alternatively you can book an organised back transfer to Montecatini Terme (45,00 EUR per person, payable in advance, reservation obligatory, only saturdays).

Charme-Hotels

In the charm category the following hotels will be booked for you (depending on availability).
Grand Hotel Croce di Malta Montecatini Terme: The hotel is quietly located just a few steps to the center. You will feel at home in the modern, renovated deluxe rooms and in the elegant hotel lobby, in the cozy bar or on the inviting sun terrace. The wonderfully landscaped pool with sun loungers and the excellent restaurant ensure a relaxing stay.

Grand Hotel Croce di Malta 4****
Hotel Bologna Pisa: This elegant hotel is located in the historical center of Pisa. Only a few minutes' walk away from the impressive Piazza dei Miracoli with its famous Leaning Tower. The elegant town house from 1850 has been lovingly renovated into a small hotel with only 60 rooms. The spacious and elegantly designed rooms and the extensive breakfast buffet leave nothing to be desired. Enjoy a refreshing aperitif in the cozy inner courtyard in the evening.

Hotel Bologna 4****
Agriturismo La Valli Casciana Terme: In a wonderful panoramic location you will spend the night “typically Tuscan”. The owner is happy to cook for you in the evening with a real Tuscan menu. In the spacious area there is a sunbathing lawn and fruit trees as well as a wonderfully landscaped pool for cooling down. 

Agriturismo Le Valli

Hotel La Cisterna San Gimignano: Located directly on the famous Piazza la Cisterna, the hotel knows how to impress with both personal service and special charm. The town house dates from the 14th century and lets you immerse yourself in times long past. The rooms are stylish and comfortable and offer either a view of the piazza or the picturesque hilly landscape 

Hotel La Cisterna 3***
Hotel Garden Siena: The hotel is located a few minutes' walk from the Porta Camollia city gate at the gates of Siena. The historic villa is surrounded by a beautiful, quiet garden that offers plenty of shady spots to relax. You will also find these in the classically furnished rooms, some with antique furniture. The beautifully landscaped outdoor pool offers a welcome cool-down.

Hotel Garden 4****
C-Hotels Florenz: The hotels Ambasciatori, Club and Diplomat are located right in the heart of the city of Florence. All important architectural monuments can be easily reached on foot. In addition to their central location, the hotels also have a modern design, extensive breakfast buffet and comfortable rooms in common.

C-Hotels 4****

Standard rooms are booked in all hotels.

Special dates

Special dates are bookable on request.

Costs which are not included in the travel price

Since the beginning of 2011 guests have to pay a tourism tax in many italian towns. The costs are Euro 1,00 - 5,00 EUR per person and night. This tourism tax is not included in the travel price.

7 day hotline service

In case of chain breakdown, flooding or other bad surprises that makes a continuation of your tour impossible: no problem, we also work during weekends and you can reach us 7 days a week in case of emergency.

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Montecatini Terme

Montecatini Terme

Vinci

Vinci itself offers visitors the chance to see many places connected to Leonardo da Vinci´s life. Behind the castle of the Conti Guidi, in the small but lovely center of the town, you will notice a wooden representation of the Vitruvian Man, a drawing by Leonardo in which he represented a man with the ideal proportions. From this terrace, you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of the surrounding hills.

Vinci

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Tower of Pisa, also called the Leaning Tower, is located in Piazza dei Miracoli, together with the Duomo, the Baptistery and the Camposanto. It is the landmark of the city and one of the most famous monuments in the world.
Historians do not agree on the name of the architect of the Tower of Pisa, but it is certain that the construction started in 1173. For many years, until the last excavations, the design Vasari was ascribed to Bonano Pisano, but probably the tower was built by Gherardo di Gherardo.

Tower of Pisa

Casciana Terme

Casciana Terme is located in the heart of the Pisan Hills and it is one of the many small masterpieces that the people of Tuscany helped to build and to preserve. Hard-working people, a cuisine which preserves the authentic quality of the local products, a landscape of vineyards producing wines of quality above suspicion.

Casciana Terme

San Gimignano UNESCO world heritage

San Gimignano UNESCO world heritage

Santa Maria della Spina

Santa Maria della Spina is a small church in the Italian city  Pisa. The church, erected around 1230 in the Pisan Gothic style, and enlarged after 1325, was originally known as Santa Maria di Pontenovo for the newer bridge that existed nearby. The name of della Spina ("of the thorn") derives from the presence of a thorn, putatively part of the crown of thorns placed on Christ during his Passion and Crucifixion. The relic was brought to this church in 1333. In 1871 the church was dismantled and rebuilt on a higher level due to dangerous infiltration of water from the Arno river. The church was altered in the process, however, and John Ruskin, who visited Pisa in 1872, was outraged about the restoration.

Santa Maria della Spina

Piazza del Campo Siena

Where the three city hills meet, is the Piazza del Campo, often called only Il Campo. Both locals and tourists are magically attracted to him. Only narrow corridors between the palaces and residential buildings lead to the square. Like an open shell, the campo rises 10 meters. The facade design around the square must, according to law of the city administration, be kept uniform. At the lowest point of the gently sloping square is the Palazzo Pubblico with its towering Torre del Mangia. In the middle of the upper edge is the Fonte Gaia, a rectangular fountain open to one side.

Piazza del Campo

Florence Cathedral

Florence's cathedral stands tall over the city with its magnificent Renaissance dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, with the baptistery right across. The cathedral named in honor of Santa Maria del Fiore is a vast Gothic structure built on the site of the 7th century church of Santa Reparata, the remains of which can be seen in the crypt.

Florence Cathedral

Florence

Florence's museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo's architectural genius. Wander some of the oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and experience the "newest" area of Florence, the Oltrarno. Be sure to set aside time to see the vast and varied art collection housed in the Pitti Palace. When you grow weary of museums and monuments, head outdoors. Spend a day at the Boboli Gardens or climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte to experience an enchanting view of Florence.

Florence

Palazzo Vecchio Florence

Is time travel possible? At Palazzo Vecchio it is, with a trip back into history to three eras. Palazzo Vecchio offers Roman ruins, a Medieval fortress and amazing Renaissance chambers and paintings. A microcosm where art and history have been indissolubly bound for centuries. Palazzo Vecchio is the main symbol of civil power for the city of Florence, whose original project is attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio. Construction on the solid fortress began in 1299 above the ruins of the destroyed Uberti Ghibelline towers, testimony of the final victory of the Guelph faction.

Palazzo Vecchio

Uffizi Florence

The famous Uffizi Gallery today exhibits paintings from all eras from the 13th to the 18th century in more than 50 rooms. Originally built to accommodate public officials, the Medici ruling families converted the complex into a museum. It houses, among others, three works by Leonardo da Vinci, one by Michelangelo, some by Raphael, and several by Titian and Caravaggio.

Uffizi Florence

Lucca

The city of Lucca is idyllically framed between the Tuscan coast and the mountainous Garfagnana. Changing rulers have left their mark on history, making Lucca a precious jewel of the Italian coast. A first overview of Lucca's medieval city center can be obtained during a walk on the city wall arround the center. On the large Piazza San Martino is the Duomo San Martino. One of the oldest buildings in the city. Piazza San Michele is considered one of the most prestigious areas of the city, with well-known buildings such as Palazzo Pretorio.

Lucca