TUSCANY BIKE TOUR AND THE RENAISSANCE/8 & 5 DAYS

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The first to have conceived an idea of a bicycle is Leonardo Da Vinci, born in Anchiano, near Vinci (in the province of Florence), with a pencil and charcoal drawing dating back to 1493 and contained in the Codex Atlanticus. It was a "machine" with two wheels, a wooden axle that held them together, a handlebar and a kind of chain that connected the pedals to the rear wheel.

The invention of the bicycle is to be attributed to the German baron Karl von Drais in 1817. The bicycle is therefore more than 200 years old!

Today it is an instrument of your obvious passion.

Pedal through the quintessential Tuscan landscape of vineyards and olive groves to Pisa, with its worldrenowned Leaning Tower, then to the charming town of Lucca, where you will ride up on the 

impressive walls of the city. Continue on country lanes to Vinci, Leonardo’s birth place, and visit 

two museums to gain insight into the life and mind of this genius. Finally, visit Florence “cradle of 

the Renaissance”. This is a miraculous discovery of Northern Tuscany.

Trip difficulty 1/4     

Hotel Comfort level 3/4  

Arrive at your hotel in Pisa and take a peaceful and relaxing  stroll through the narrow streets of this charming city. Sit down for a glass of local Chianti wine and savor the amazing olive oil produced in the region’s vineyards. Before calling it a night, promenade past the chapels and pastel houses lining the banks of the Arno River. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in the garden of the hotel in San Giuliano.

An easy warm-up ride along the ancient acqueduct and on bike paths leads you right into the heart of Pisa where you can visit the world famous Miracle Square along with its illustrious leaning tower. Admire the many palaces, churches, towers and town squares. Take a break in the Piazza dei Cavalieri as you gaze at the architecturally stunning historic buildings that surround you.

Pisa to Calci loop 

Begin your day cycling through the inspiring countryside between Pisa and the mountain of Monte Serra, stopping for a visit to the grandiose Certosa of Calci monastery. It was founded in 1366 and houses a magnificent, renowned Natural History Museum. The second part of the day is spent in Pisa, as in the short route, visiting its many outstanding monuments.

Today’s ride is very scenic and nearly all flat. The route follows the Serchio River and after 25 kilometres, you reach the charming town of Lucca. You have ample time to visit the town and explore its splendid gardens, majestic bell tower and impressive Piazza Anfiteatro, a 2nd century Roman amphitheater. Don’t miss a ride along the tree-lined walls of its 

perimeter. 

Choose between two trips of varying difficulty on today’s visit of characteristic Renaissance villas in the outskirts of Lucca. Both trips are similar in length, but the easy route is almost entirely flat whereas the hilly route has more height variation and offers enviable aerial views. Experience tours of assorted prestigious villas and stroll their extraordinarily luxurious gardens.

Day 5 - Lucca to Vinci  

Ride past Altopascio and marvel at the delightful allencompassing greenness of the area. Feeling rejuvenated, you 

cycle on to Vinci, where the famous inventor/artists Leonardo da Vinci was born. You'll stay at a quaint Agroturismo organic farm about a mile outside of town with a swimming pool, welcoming owners and great food - we highly suggest that they book their dinner here!

Gain insight on the genius of Leonardo da Vinci as you explore his birthplace and two remarkable museums all about him. Admire his original designs and inventions. When you’re ready, leave your bike at the accommodation in Vinci and take a transfer directly to Empoli to board a local train to Florence, for a night in the jewel of the Renaissance. 

The trip and our services end after breakfast, unless you have booked a transfer to the airport or other supplementary services.

• Visit cities of high historic significance, such as Pisa and Lucca, which have played a major role in the history of Italy, from the ancient Estruscans to the creation of the Republic

• Nature Reserves: the Fucecchio Padule the largest European, inland wetlands with a great variety of wetland bird species both nesting and migratory

• A wine-tasting visit to a traditional wine-producing farm 

• Wonderful landscapes, see many different aspects of Tuscany

• Charming country villages, rich in history and culture, like Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo 

• Peaceful roads, cypress tree-lined country lanes and lovely bike paths

• Magnificent Florence, with its Duomo, museums, churches and palaces

• Delicious Tuscan culinary specialties

• Warm, welcoming locals

The 5 day programme includes day: 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of the 7 day programme..

The cost is on request.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION  

 €108.00 including 5 days 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 Hybrid bike + front bag with map holder + odometer

 €12.00 extension 1 day 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 Hybrid bike + front bag with map holder + odometer

 €45.00 including 1 once 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 People and luggage transfer Pisa airport-Pisa hotel

 €154.00 including 1 once 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 People and luggage transfer Florence-Pisa airport

 €181.00 including 5 days 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 E-bike + front bag with map holder + odometer

 €35.00 extension 1 day 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 E-bike + front bag with map holder + odometer

 €25.00 including 5 days 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 Rear bags

 €5.00 extension 1 day 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 Rear bags

 €15.00 including 5 days 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 Helmet rental

 €3.00 extension 1 day 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 Helmet rental

 €22.00 including 1 once S1 01/01/2021-31/12/2021 Bike fitting at 9.00 am (price per person)

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY

The shorter routes are on average easy with a longer day from Lucca to Vinci.

The longer/steeper routes are moderate to demanding and a reasonable level of training is required.

The most difficult stages of both the easy and the demanding trip are 2 and 3.

 -Accomodation bb base

 -transport by road

 -information kit

 -bike delivery to San Giuliano Terme

 -luggage transfer to San Giuliano Terme/Pisa-Lucca; Lucca-Vinci; people and luggage transfer Vinci-Empoli train staton; bike collection from Vinci

 -bike theft fund risk 4 five days.

 -city tax to be payed at the hotel;

 -Trip cancellation insurance: 5,5% of the cost of the trip;

 -Additional nights before and after the tour;

 -any other cost not mentioned at the above list "cost include".

To book, fill in and send the registration form to info@aemmeviaggi.it;
pay 30% of the foreseen cost, provide for the balance 6 weeks before departure.

Florence, Pisa and Bologna airports are flown to by both major and low cost international carriers. 

All three airports can be easily reached by local transport, which is affordable and offers a 

frequent service. From Pisa airport, you can take a local bus to the city centre. From Florence 

airport take the local bus to the bus station located downtown and take a train to Pisa. From 

Bologna, take also a local bus from the airport to the main train station where you get a train to 

Pisa.

For updated information on train connections, please visit the website www.trenitalia.it

Accommodation and Meals

You will spend the night in comfortable family run 3 star hotels or equivalent agriturismo (farm

houses). They are all different in style and all rooms have private bathrooms. Two of the 

accommodations have a swimming pool.

In San Giuliano Terme, you will stay in a fully renovated and characteristic farmhouse with 

swimming pool and restaurant, located only 3,5 km from Pisa's most famous attraction, the Leaning 

Tower, just outside the historical centre.

6 In Lucca, both accommodations we use are approx, 5km from the centre of Lucca, located in the 

countryside. 

In Vinci a farm house with swimming pool situated about 2km from Vinci. 

In Florence, we use both centrally located 3* hotels and a 4* hotel located above the Boboli 

Gardens, not far from Porta Romana that has a swimming pool. 

A delicious Tuscan breakfast is included each morning in each accommodation.

Alternative accommodation 

During high season, you might sleep in different accommodation to the ones indicated in the 

description. In some cases it is possible that your list of accommodation differs somewhat. 

This means that start or end of the routes can be slightly altered. Therefore, you should check to 

see if your accommodation is the same as that mentioned in this programme. If not, you must be 

alert at the start and end of the routes. In choosing alternative accommodation, we have tried to 

maintain the same standards and quality. We have also tried to stay in the same towns and 

villages, in order to change routes as little as possible.

Luggage transfer

Luggage transfer is included in your package; this is normally provided by the accommodation 

itself. 

Please clearly mark all your belongings with your name and put a small note with the name of 

the next accommodation in order to indicate where the bags should go to next (check your 

accommodation list). Also Ask the accommodation owner where the bags should be left in the 

morning. Labelling your belongings prevents mix ups, delays and loss.

Bags should be ready and at the reception or store room by 9:00 hrs.

If you are unable to ride, you can always ask if the luggage transporter can take you with him when 

transporting your baggage, but this is not always possible and sometimes you have to pay a small 

fee locally. In some countries there are special insurances for transporting peoples and sometimes 

the car is not suited for transporting persons.

When you travel with public transport you always take your luggage with you unless specified 

differently.

A note on our self guided adventures

Self guided walking or cycling requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and 

have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route 

notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) 

Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part 

of the adventure. If you’ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will 

get the hang of if as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that our 

written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7day service 

hotline in the event of any problems. There is a certain level of the unknown that comes with self 

guided trips; however with a methodical approach potential problems will be averted. The 

freedom of a self guided trip is something that, once experienced, is sought time and time again.

Fitness preparation

The concept behind most of our trips is active holidays and the fitter you are the more easily you 

will adjust and enjoy yourself. We expect participants to take responsibility for their fitness and 

preparations on a consistent basis prior to departure, and INCREASE the regular weekly training 

schedule in the two months leading up to departure. That way, when you start walking, you will 

feel relaxed and comfortable and strong, having done more than sufficient preparation for the trip. 

You will also have more energy to enjoy the views, take photos and explore the sights in your spare 

time, rather than just make it to the next hotel. During the day is when the most interesting 

features of interest will be found, and being fit allows you to optimize every situation you 

encounter. As a minimum, we recommend 40 minutes of aerobic type exercise; running, swimming, 

biking, hill walking, or gym work two to three times a week for two to six months leading up to 

your walk. Note the best training is the activity that you are actually going to be doing; walking up 

and down hill, and cross-country. Practice this as much as possible. Training should be stepped up 

as you get closer to departure, to an amount you feel appropriate (you don’t want to cause 

yourself an injury!). Using your gear before departure (boots, daypack, clothing, etc.) gives 

familiarity and comfort whilst on the walk. It makes sense to know that all your gear ‘works for 

you’ BEFORE departure, rather than discovering how things work or fit (or don’t!) on the trip you 

have invested so much in. Use the philosophy of ‘getting fit to go walking’, rather than ‘going on a 

walk to get fit’, to avoid problems.

Cycling responsibility

Bicycle touring has its inherent risks. It is a sport whose safety is dependent upon the judgment 

and alertness of the cyclists. As a cyclist you are responsible for the way you ride and the condition 

of your bicycle. We, nor the local agent, are responsible for possible damages (physical or not) to 

the participants due to: physical activity during the tour, not following road regulations, alcohol 

consumption, breaking of means or materials, lack of medical assistance in far-off places or other 

not predictable circumstances.

Rental Bikes

If you have rented a bike with us, you will find it waiting for you in the Hotel’s storage room, fitted 

to your requirements. Our adult hybrid-bikes are provided with comfortable seats, reliable 

components, 21 gears and Shimano Alivio components. All bikes, before being handed out are 

cleaned and overhauled. 

All bikes are equipped with a padlock and key that must be used at all times when not riding the 

bike, luggage pannier attachments at the rear and 1 rear side bag per bike, 1 front bag and map 

compartment, front and back lights, puncture repair kit, pump and spare inner tube, all of which 

you should know how to use. One every 2 bikes there is a KM distance counter. 

You are expected to know the vary basics of bike mechanics and how to mend a puncture or 

change a tire. If something more serious happens to the bike that you cannot repair on the spot, 

call the shop and they will help you fix it or suggest the best and fastest solution.