Cycle Tuscany

8 Days | Fall in love with provincial Italy on a cycling adventure through Tuscany’s villages

5 out of 5 based on 42 reviews submitted.
Cycling
From
CHF  2,235
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Explore the rolling hills and olive groves of Tuscany on this eight-day cycling adventure from Florence to Pisa. Cycle through small, traditional villages backdropped by mountain views in Barga, then ride the pulsing streets of Pisa to the famed lopsided tower. Visit one of the oldest bakeries in Italy, operating since 1885, for a taste of their delicious biscotti (and maybe an espresso, too) and soak up some of the stunning views of Garfagnana – Tuscany's mountainous escape – with a bike ride through the town. With stops in Vinci and Lucca, too, you’re bound to fall in love with provincial Italy (even more than you were before).

Trip overview

Map of Cycle Tuscany including Italy
Start
Florence, Italy
Finish
Pisa, Italy
Theme
Cycling
Destinations
Italy
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 14
Group size
Min 1 - Max 15
Trip code
ZMXT
This trip generates 15 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Pedal through the rolling green hills and vineyards of Tuscany, stopping to sample the local cuisine and indulging in a glass (or two) of vino along the way.
  • From Lucca's tree-lined city walls, you’ll follow the gentle Serchio River on your bike to the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa – take the classic shot in front of the tower or hunt down the best local cafe and people-watch.
  • Retrace the steps of Leonardo da Vinci around his home city, Vinci. Surrounded by olive groves, your cycle will take you past Casa Natale di Leonardo then returns you to the village where you can explore at your own pace.
  • Stay in picturesque Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, where you’ll spend your day cycling up and down the valleys, maybe stopping at the famous Fronte della Rocca for one of their cakes and coffees that have been enjoyed since 1885.
  • Get away from tourist crowds and experience the authentic Italy – on two wheels and two feet, you’ll have the best chance to connect with locals, ride through rural areas you otherwise wouldn’t visit and have the insights from a local leader who knows all the best spots.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

Is this trip right for you?
  • To complete this trip, it’s important that you’re both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
  • While the cycling distances on this trip are relatively short, the stunning terrain of northern Tuscany is naturally hilly so you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the trip – but remember, we will always have the support vehicle on hand if you need to take a break for an hour or a day.
  • On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed).
  • As our riding is done mostly on sealed roads with the occasional gravel cycle path there are no technical cycling skills required – but given the hills involved we do suggest practicing riding downhill so you’re comfortable with this once the trips begins.
  • If you feel like doing all the riding but with less effort, we have the option of hiring an electric bike (e-bike) on this trip.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2026.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024

Map of Cycle Tuscany including Italy

Inclusions

Meals

7 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Transport

Bicycle (e-bike option available, subject to availability), Support vehicle, Local bus

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Activities
  • Signa to Vinci Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
  • Lucca to Barga Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
  • Devil’s Bridge visit
  • Garfagnana - Picnic
  • Barga to Garfagnana Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
  • Lucca - Picnic
  • Garfagnana to Lucca Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
  • Lucca to Pisa Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
Add on activities
  • Florence - Uffizi Gallery - EUR24
  • Florence - Accademia - EUR17
  • Florence - Medici Chapels - EUR17
  • Florence - Bargello Museum - EUR14
  • Florence - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome - EUR30
  • Vinci - Museo Leonardiano Birthplace of Leonardo Combo Ticket - EUR11
  • Barga - Dinner - EUR25
  • Barga - Fondazione Pascoli - Free
  • Barga - Cathedral - Free
  • Castelnuovo di Garfagnana - Cathedral - Free
  • Castelnuovo di Garfagnana - Fortezza dell'Este - Free
  • Lucca - Cathedral of San Martino & Ilaria del Carretto Tomb - EUR3
  • Lucca - Palazzo Pfanner House & Gardens - EUR6
  • Lucca - Puccini concert - EUR20
  • Lucca - Guinigi Tower Climb - EUR6
  • Torre delle Ore Climb - EUR4
  • Pisa - Leaning Tower of Pisa - EUR27

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. The Single Supplement does not include night 7 in Pisa, which will be twin share.
2. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so as we can organize a suitable sized bike.
3. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are an 'on request' basis only. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking.
4. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. We are unable to hire bike helmets locally so please ensure you bring your own bike helmet from home.
5. On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back marker.
6. As space in the support vehicle is very limited we request that travelers bring only a small bag, no more than 20kgs with them.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 42 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Wendy · Traveled September 2024
I have just completed Cycle Tour of Tuscany, the tour leaders Irene and Sparticus from Intrepid made our trip first class with their exceptional local knowledge and safe guidance through picture postcard Tuscany, highly recommended
Review submitted 21 Sep 2024

Denis · Traveled September 2024
The Tuscany bike tour was everything I expected and more. Good accommodation and the breakfasts were truly amazing. The evening dining was magnificent enjoyed by all of the group sampling the best Tuscany has to offer. The intrepid leader and driver were first class and professional in all respects, giving space and time to enjoy the various scenery. Safety was paramount from the beginning and was well communicated what each person had signed up for, the standard was maintained for the tour.
Review submitted 19 Sep 2024

Jennifer · Traveled September 2024
We just did the Cycle Tuscany tour and loved it. Our guides Tommaso and Spartaco were the best: professional, patient, well-prepared and knowledgeable. We were in very safe hands as we navigated some challenging hills and a few busy, narrow roads to see some of the most scenic countryside Italy has to offer. Not our first Intrepid experience and definitely not our last!
Review submitted 19 Sep 2024

Doug · Traveled August 2024
Great trip, Local drivers very considerate of cyclists. Guide took us to great restaurants at night
Review submitted 14 Aug 2024

Carrie · Traveled July 2024
This was by far one of the best things I have ever done in my life. This trip was everything I needed and more. Our guides were PHENOMANL! Above and beyond, always there for us and never skipped a beat- they gave some much energy to us each and every day. If you're on the fence about this trip, don't be... you'll be sorry you missed out on this epic tour!
Review submitted 24 Jul 2024
Cycle Tuscany
From
CHF  2,235