Tuscany: Cycle Pisa to Florence

8 days
from
£1,549
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Cycling
Activity level:
Leisurely / Moderate
Activity Rating - Leisurely/Moderate
Trip code: 
MTT
Way to Travel:
Guided Group
Activity:
Cycling
Group size:
6–16
Ages:
16+

Cycle between two of Tuscany's iconic cities via rolling landscapes, olive groves and authentic villages.

Cycle between two iconic cities; from Pisa to Florence pedal through delightful Tuscan landscapes; rolling hills, olive groves, picturesque villages and renaissance architecture - this itinerary has it all. Add in delicious produce tastings, the beautiful historic town of Lucca with its cobbled streets, a guided tour through the cultural hot spot of Pistoia and you will experience the very best this region has to offer.

Key information

  • 8 days land only/flight inclusive
  • 5 days cycling with emergency vehicle support
  • 86% tarmac roads
  • 7 nights 3-star hotels, all rooms en suite
  • Optional single supplement (on request)
  • Countries visited: Italy

What's included

  • All breakfasts, 1 lunch & 1 evening aperitivo
  • All accommodation 
  • Local bike hire
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Tour leader throughout
  • Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

What's not included

  • Travel insurance
  • Single accommodation (available on request)
  • Visas or vaccinations
  • Local city taxes (approx. €10)
Call for general departures:
020 8772 3944
Call for private group trips:
020 8772 3874
Contact Us >
Live Chat >
Request a Brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

5

Days of Cycling
Pace:

Leisurely/Moderate: average pace of 14-16 kmh

Terrain:

86% tarmac roads, 14% easy gravel/dirt tracks

Day by day breakdown
Day 2 32.0km/20.0miles
Day 3 37.0km/23.0miles
Day 4 42.0km/26.0miles
Day 5 35.0km/22.0miles
Day 6 56.0km/35.0miles

Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. 

Itinerary

Expand all
Pisa
to
Florence

  • Day 1

    Start Pisa

    The trip starts in the bustling city of Pisa found in Italy’s Tuscany region. If you do not arrive on the group flights or at a similar time, our hotel is situated just 150m from Pisa Centrale railway station and is easy to access independently. Before dinner, our leader will hold a briefing detailing the week ahead.

    Hotel La Pace

  • Day 2

    Pisa to Lucca ride

    After breakfast we walk towards the city centre for some sightseeing and free time before starting our first ride. Pisa has a glorious history and the main square Piazza dei Miracoli is a testimony of it. Pisa reached its splendour between XII and XIII century when it was one of the most powerful Maritime republic in the Mediterranean. Not to miss Piazza dei Cavalieri, the Baptistery, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Camposanto, and of course the world-renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa. If you are interested in visiting inside the tower, we suggest you make a booking for Sunday morning as early as possible. More info on: https://www.opapisa.it/en/tickets/prices-2/

    After regrouping and finalising bike fitting, we leave Pisa. We will cycle past Pontasserchio to then join the popular Puccini cycle path which runs through the area where the famous opera composer’s family originally was from. As we reach Lucca, we will cycle on top of the ancient city wall which offers a fantastic view on Lucca’s beauties literally cycling on top of bastions and gates before checking into our hotel for the next two nights.

    Hotel Rex

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 3

    Lucca Circular ride

    Today we will cycle toward Massaciuccoli which is the largest Tuscan lake, rich with wildlife (mainly birdlife) and home to the annual Puccini Opera Festival. En route we will have the chance to see the remains of the Roman Villa dei Venulei, built at the beginning of the 1st century BC. The Villa sat on the road leading to Rome, one that was later used by the pilgrims as they made their trek to see the Pope, known as the via Francigena. In the afternoon there will be free time to explore the delights of Lucca at your own pace and later a group aperitivo by the city walls; essentially this will be a light dinner with a selection of aperitivos including a delicious selection of local cheeses and meats. Aperitivo is Italians’ favourite time of the day and it’s a great convivial and social occasion after a long day of work or cycling!

    Hotel Rex

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 4

    Cycle from Lucca to Montecatini Terme

    Leaving Lucca we start making our way towards the heart of the region. We cycle along a panoramic road reaching the small village of Collodi, pedalling past the historical Villa Torrigiani, dating from the second half of the XVI century. In Collodi, where the author of Pinocchio spent his childhood, you can visit the famous Pinocchio's Park (created in 1962) and the aristocratic Villa Garzoni. We then carry on, reaching Montecatini where we have time to explore the art nouveau thermal spa complex and have lunch. Today our group lunch will be taken at a family-run agriturismo where we will sample a selection of local produce in a picturesque and welcoming setting.

    In the afternoon a short train journey takes us to our base for the next two nights in Pistoia. Depending on the season and the weather it will be possible to use the hotel outdoor pool and enjoy the ample garden. Upgrades to the historical part of the Villa are available; please ask your sales consultant for further information.

    Hotel Villa Cappugi

    Meals included: Breakfast Lunch

  • Day 5

    Circular ride from Pistoia

    Today we cycle through the scenic countryside south of Pistoia. Our ride will take us through nurseries and remote villages, along narrow and twisty roads. We will also ride a small section of the famous Fausto Coppi cycle path. On our return to Pistoia we meet our local guide who will introduce us to this off-the-beaten-track Tuscan gem, which was elected Italian Capital of Culture in 2017. Among the highlights are the City Hall, Palazzo Pretorio, San Zeno Cathedral, Palazzo dei Vescovi, the Baptistery and the spectacular Bell Tower. Time permitting, we will pay a visit to Pistoia Underground and its secret passages. 

    Hotel Villa Cappugi

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 6

    Pistoia to Florence

    Today's cycle covers the most ground as we set off towards our final destination, Florence. Cycling along the wonderful Arno cycle-path, going past picturesque villages, we approach the capital city of Tuscany. Once in Florence we cycle through the San Niccolo area just by Ponte Vecchio and Ponte alle Grazie before our final climb to San Miniato al Monte from where we will enjoy a rewarding spectacular view of Florence skyline.

    Classic Hotel

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 7

    Free day in Florence

    Free day to explore the magnificent city of Florence and its enormous wealth of historical sites, museums, galleries, churches and architectural delights.

    There are no guided tours organised for the day but there's an option to join one of the free walking tours in the morning. This will then leave you enough time to visit the Uffizi galleries. If you wish to do so we recommend that you pre-book your ticket online to avoid lengthy queues. An ideal slot time would be around 2pm. It can be earlier if you're not planning on joining a walking tour in the morning. Tickets can be purchased through https://webshop.b-ticket.com/webshop/webticket/eventlist

    Classic Hotel

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 8

    End Florence

    The trips ends on the morning of day 8 after breakfast. If you would like to extend your stay in Florence your sales consultant will be able to help with this.

    Meals included: Breakfast
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Essential Info

Visas

No visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times.

For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers

Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.

There are no specific health risks on this trip.

Vaccinations

There are no specific health risks.

Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad.

The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Please note: vaccinations that are routinely recommended to residents of the UK, North America or Australasia are not considered to form part of the travel health advice, and you should ensure these are kept up to date where necessary.

For additional information please visit: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 evening aperitivo are included. Breakfast are continental in style, consisting of coffee or tea, cereals, cheese and cold meat, bread, pastries, yoghurt, jam and/or honey.

Italy’s cuisine is hearty, satisfying and full of flavour. Inspired by the kitchens of the nonna, Tuscany’s food is authentic and surprising – pizza and pasta are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the diverse array of unforgettable food you’ll find on this trip. Starters include antipasti of cured meats or a crostini di fegato made from toasted slices of bread with a chicken liver pate. Soups options include zuppa di fagioli, with beans, or ribollita, a deliciously hearty vegetable and bread soup. The tagliatelle al tartufo brings the delicious flavours of truffles into a rich, luscious pasta dish while the bistecca fiorentina, a mouth-watering T-bone steak, takes centre stage for main course. End your meal with cantucci biscuits, dipped in a glass of vin santo (sweet dessert wine) for a true taste of Tuscany. Vegetarians are well catered for in Italy. Please inform us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Weather

Italy has a good all year round climate, with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures from the spring through to autumn. Summer departures will usually have hot weather, with temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s centigrade. April-June and September-October departures are likely to be cooler with a slightly higher chance of rain. In late summer there is the possibility of heavy thunderstorms (generally in the afternoons), but these are usually short-lived.

Is this trip for you?

Please see the introductory pages of the cycling holidays brochure or our website for more important information on classification and grading. 

We aim to use quieter country roads where possible, but sometimes we need to pass busy sections surrounding towns. The most scenic routes are on tarmac, with occasional stretches of dirt/gravel roads (locally known as 'white roads'). 

5 days cycling, average 40km/day (25 miles), vehicle support throughout. 

You should be confident in riding a bike and have a reasonable level of fitness.

Most days rides will be broken up by morning coffee, lunch and afternoon gelato stops. Usually sections of 5-15 km will be completed between re-grouping. The leader will keep the group together during busier/complicated sections, but on straight roads, cyclists are free to ride at their own pace. 

Summer months

Tuscany can be very hot during summer months, especially from June to August, but heatwaves can also happen in April and May. During summer months temperatures can reach the high 30°Cs. We will try and start our days earlier, when possible, to avoid the hottest hours of the day, but please be aware that temperatures and humidity will be high. You should feel comfortable and be used to cycling in the heat. Presence of mosquitos in summer is likely to significantly increase; we recommend taking mosquito repellent with you.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Call for general departures:
020 8772 3944
Call for private group trips:
020 8772 3874
Contact Us >
Live Chat >
Request a Brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Accommodation

Hotels

You will spend 7 nights in family run and comfortable 3-star hotels. All accommodation have been carefully selected for their welcoming atmosphere and all rooms have en suite facilities. Some hotels have a swimming pool where we can relax after the long cycling days.

We can arrange single rooms and in some hotels room upgrades throughout the trip (subject to availability). Please check with your sales consultant for availability and prices.

Call for general departures:
020 8772 3944
Call for private group trips:
020 8772 3874
Contact Us >
Live Chat >
Request a Brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

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Dates & Prices

An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

 

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London  

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros  Cons
  • May be the most direct route
  • Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.
  • As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.
  • You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

 

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.
 
a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination. 

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros  Cons
  • Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.
  • Through fare tickets can be expensive.
  • On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.
  • Published fares are non-refundable.

 

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros  Cons
  • You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.
  • You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

 

 Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

  • On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.
  • On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client. 

 

Next steps? 

Call our Sales team on: 0203 733 0698

Email your query: [email protected]

Call us on 020 8772 3944
Chat with us online
Request a brochure