Tuscany – relaxed

Individual arrival in Pisa. Get an overview of the old maritime republic that Pisa used to be. You reach the historic center easily from your hotel. Overnight in Pisa.

After breakfast, you get on your bike for the first day’s stage. First, you ride through the innertown, passing directly the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Afterwards, you ride along a river to Lucca city. Lucca impresses with its huge, circling, medieval city wall that is fully intact. You cross the historic old town where you can marvel the beautiful streets and squares. If you have some space in your panniers, you can enjoy a little shopping tour. Afterwards, the many Tuscan restaurants invite for a lunch. Leaving the center, you pass the impressing aqueduct. You continue in flat country until you reach Fucecchio, your first stage finish. In Fucecchio’s old town, especially the old fortress is worth seeing. Overnight in Fucecchio.

Meals: breakfast

Altitude difference: 290 m – Level of difficulty: 1/5

Today, you continue in flat country. After a while, you reach the beautiful Arno River. It has its source in the Apennine Mountains and flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Pisa. You follow the Arno River and get finally to Florence. You can immerse into the vital city and explore the city center on the evening. If you extend your stay in Florence (see “Extras”), you will have time on the following day for visiting the Uffizi Gallery or the Palazzo Pitti. Overnight in Florence.

Meals: breakfast

Altitude difference: 250 m – Level of difficulty: 1/5

After a large breakfast, you leave Florence and reach immediately a more hilly area. This is where the wine producing Chianti region starts, holding ready for you breathtaking views. Along the way, you can stop for a bite to eat in small restaurants, and also try a small glass of the red Chianti wine. When you continue, you see already a medieval town with towers on a hill – this is San Gimignano, your next destination. The “City of Towers” is part of the UNESCO world heritage. If you are lucky, you find a tower that you can climb (e.g. the bell tower). From there, you have an amazing 360° view. Overnight in San Gimignano.

Meals: breakfast

Altitude difference: 1,130 m – Level of difficulty: 2/5

You leave the City of Towers, and you enjoy the nature and other beautiful villages on your way to Siena. Siena is rightly said to be one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany and Italy. Here you can stroll around the calm historic center. It’s UNESCO world heritage as well. Those who want to extend their stay in Siena (see “Extras”) can test the pub scene at night and visit the many palaces and museums on the next day. Overnight in Siena.

Meals: breakfast

Altitude difference: 660 m – Level of difficulty: 1/5

Today, you enjoy another beautiful day in Tuscany. Leaving Siena, you ride over hills that offer some fantastic views. Enjoying the Tuscan landscape, you ride on the famous L’Eroica cycle track on white gravel roads, the “Strade Bianche”, and under Italian cypresses. Today’s finish is the pretty mountain town of Montalcino. Here, you have much to discover: the Montalcino fortress, the cathedral, and rests of the medieval city wall. On the evening, you can have dinner in one of the many restaurants. A typical menu consists in pasta (as starter), antipasti, main dish and dessert. In the Montalcino area, pasta with truffle is a popular dish. You can also try one of the many gnocchi dishes. Antipasti are composed by different types of salami, ham and cheese; it is served with bread (in Tuscany usually without salt). A typical Tuscan main dish is first of all steak alla fiorentina, but also tripe is a local delicacy. For dessert, you can order panna cotta or tiramisu, or have an ice cream or sorbet. Overnight in Montalcino.

Meals: breakfast

Altitude difference: 970 m – Level of difficulty: 2/5

The route keeps guiding you on beautiful paths, through small villages, and you pass the first swimming area of the day. It arose naturally, has 20°C and is recharged by a nearby ancient thermal spring. Now, you ride on pretty gravel paths to the mountains. On small country lanes with a beautiful panorama, you ride in the direction of Abbadia San Salvatore. On your way, you pass the Bagni San Filippo. You should not miss this famous swimming area with waterfalls! The thermal source is sulfurous and warm and impresses with it’s natural surrounding. Finally, you reach Abbadia San Salvatore. This small town submontane of Monte Amiata is worth a visit. Especially the local monastery, Abbazia di San Salvatore, that gave it’s name to the town, is worth seeing. Dinner is served at your hotel tonight. Overnight in Abbadia San Salvatore.

Meals: breakfast, dinner

Altitude difference: 1,260 m – Level of difficulty: 2/5

Today, you pass first a fortress. You ride over country lanes, typical Tuscan gravel roads, through wine-growing areas and to Etruscan graves that are worth a visit. The Etruscans were an ancient people that lived in the north of central Italy and that therefore affected a lot the region of today’s Tuscany. Later that day, you reach your countryside hotel where a dinner is served in a pretty garden restaurant. If you want, you can ride to the incredible thermal waterfalls of Saturnia that are sulfurous and 34°C warm (route is included in your GPS data). Overnight in Saturnia area.

Meals: breakfast, dinner

Altitude difference: 750 m – Level of difficulty: 2/5

Since the thermal waterfalls of Saturnia have many visitors during the day – as you might have experienced yesterday -, we highly recommend you to get up early today. Ride to the thermal waterfalls of Saturnia before sunrise and enjoy the sunup in the 34°C warm, steaming water. This in an unforgettable experience. After a shower at your hotel, you can have breakfast and then slowly start to your last day’s stage. Today, you ride in the direction of the sea. Shortly, you ride uphill, afterwards it’s only getting down. You leave the hilly landscape and reach your destination at the Mediterranean Sea around noon. You can spend the afternoon either at the beach or with a walk through the historically interesting coast town of Talamone. Overnight in Talamone area.

Meals: breakfast

Altitude difference: 360 m – Level of difficulty: 1/5

After breakfast and before departure, you can enjoy a last little walk at the beach. Individual departure (see Arrival and departure) or extension of stay in Talamone or Pisa (see Extras).

Meals: breakfast