Pisa to Florence

Introduction
Tuscany Italy
The landscape of Tuscany is one of the most beautiful and evocative in Europe, with rolling hills laced with verdant vineyards and cypress trees lining the roads.
You will pedal from one incredible view to the next, admiring Renaissance art and architecture and getting to know the lands of many great artists of the past, such as Leonardo da Vinci and the composer Giacomo Puccini. The towns of Pisa and Florence do not need any further presentation, but in this tour you will discover also picturesque villages where you will be tempted by the excellent Tuscan cuisine.

Accomodation

Accommodation
We choose all the hotels mindful of your comfort as well as the proximity to cycling paths and any relevant local sites. 

According to your category of choice you will be accommodated in:
- Luxury upgrade: mainly 4* hotels, with some 3* hotels
- Standard accommodations: 3* hotels, with a family-run 2* hotel in Lucca
All rooms have en suite facilities and air conditioning.

When you book the tour please specify the type of room requested:
- double room is a room with one double bed
- twin room is a room with two single beds
- triple room is usually a room with one double bed and a single bed or a sofa bed.

Local taxes
Some cities charge a tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels.
This fee varies depending on the hotel category, on the season and the number of days of stay. It is usually between 1 and 5 € per person per night.



Meals
Breakfast included. Hotels usually serve an a continental breakfast with a varied buffet. However, in some 2/3* hotels you may find the typical Italian breakfast, consisting of a hot drink, such as cappuccino or coffee, with fresh pastries, such as cake, croissants or toast and jam.

Diets and allergies
If you are vegetarian, gluten-intolerant, allergic to some specific ingredients/substances or if you suffer from any other kind of allergies please indicate it at the moment of booking. We will pass the information on to the hotels, but we cannot guarantee that all dietary requests will be met. Sometimes it is difficult to find particular food, for example gluten-free food, so we suggest that you to bring your own snacks just in case.

Riding

Tour Level: 
Leisure cycling in mostly flat areas, with only a few short ups and downs. Little effort required, suitable for everyone. Suitable for regular cyclists with a good level of fitness.

Rental bikes
Girolibero bikes are available in different sizes and frames:
- Touring bike 27-gear Shimano Deore
- E-bike 9-gear Shimano



If you want to do the tour with your own bike, before you depart we suggest to check that all parts of the bike are functioning properly. A cycle computer is necessary to follow the road book. We also highly recommend you to bring a repair kit because the emergency number in case of breakdown cannot be used if you are using your own bike. Don’t forget to bring a padlock and always lock your bike.

Features:
- aluminum frame
- mudguard
- rear rack
- comfort gel saddle
- anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres
- ergonomic bicycle grips
- Speed Lifter system (only for City bikes)

Accessories
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
1 cycle computer
1 Ortlieb one-sided saddlebag
1 front bar bag or 1 map holder
1 repair kit per room: 1 spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, 2 allen keys and tyre levers
1 combination bike lock

At the moment of booking you can also rent helmets suitable for head circumferences from 54 to 61 cm. All our helmets have a certification mark according to the DIN EN 1078 (CE) European norm.

We supply you with some useful material to help you follow the itinerary as well as some tourist information about places and cities you will meet in your holiday.

Accompanying material
The Information Pack (one per room) includes:
- final hotel list: due to overbooking or organizational needs your hotel list may be changed just before your arrival
- luggage labels to be fixed at each piece of baggage, which has to be carried
- hotel vouchers to be given to the reception of each hotel on your arrival

Mechanical problems
During the tour, if the bicycles should have any type of technical problem that prevents you from continuing, please contact us at the emergency numbers and try to describe the occurred issue. We’ll try to solve as soon as possible the problem. As you are riding unaccompanied, it is wise to know at least how to repair or change an inner tube before setting off on your bike. We remind you that we offer no assistance in case of flat tire.
In case of mechanical problems please:
1. Call the emergency phone number
2. Communicate your name and which tour you are on
3. Let us know your position (total distance of the stage) based on the description of the roadbook
4. Give us your mobile phone number

In relation to your location and to the damage of the bike we can:
- ask you to wait there in order to provide a change of the bike
- Send you to a mechanical shop nearby. We will estimate the damage with the mechanic. The charge will be refunded only after our authorization and on presentation of the receipt. In case of puncture no intervention or assistance is foreseen. Customers will be given a proper puncture reparation kit, which will enable them to intervene directly and solve the problem.

Itinerary



Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Total length: 225/280 km
Total vertical up: 950/1,190 m
Terrain: 88% tarmac, 12% unpaved

Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train on day 2, 3, 5 and 7.



The itinerary runs mostly on a flat area with some hilly parts which do not require particular athletic skills.

Note: Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadwork, which cannot be foreseen; in this case please follow the indications you will find on site.

Day 1: Arrival
Individual arrival in Pisa. The city is famous all over the world for its magic Piazza dei Miracoli with the characteristic leaning tower, the bell tower of the city cathedral.
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1987, besides a large number of monuments it also offers the friendly and lively atmosphere of a university city.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Pisa

Day 2: Pisa – Lucca
Today you are pedalling northwards along the Serchio river for an easy stage. For those who wish a slightly longer itinerary, there is the option of going towards Massaciuccoli Lake before reaching Lucca.
The route is not difficult and is mainly on side roads and bike path along the river Serchio. Pay attention to outgoing traffic from Pisa. If you choose the detour through Massaciuccoli, then the stage is longer and the vertical up is of 300 m.
Biking approx. 30-45 km (elevation gain: 20-100 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Lucca

Day 3: Lucca – Montecatini
Through a panoramic road you reach the little village of Collodi and the town of Pescia. 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. In Pescia you can enjoy a quiet stroll among churches, palaces, Renaissance mansions and the local flower street market.
Cycle a few kilometers along the cycling route of the river Serchio, then quiet country roads with some ups and downs will guide you through ancient patrician villas and villages until you reach the crossroads for Collodi, the town of Pescia and Montecatini. Pay attention to the traffic coming out from Lucca.
Biking approx. 45 km (elevation gain: 280 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Montecatini

Day 4: Montecatini
Today’s route offers you again two possibilities:
- You can relax in one of the most famous thermal cities in Europe and stroll down the narrow lanes of the old city, which is situated on a hill and can be reached by a characteristic cable-railway.
- Otherwise a picturesque itinerary will lead you among villas of the Medici family, olive groves, vineyards and beautiful historical farms, going past Vinci, Leonardo’s birthplace (visit to the museum possible).
The beginning of the stage is mostly flat and for a short section on unpaved road through the nature reserve of Padule del Fucecchio. At the foot of the hills Cerbaie begins a climb of 4 km to Massarella. You will climb back up to the valley of the river San Pantaleo and after a few kilometers you will arrive to Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo. The frame of the final stage will be the typical Tuscan landscape: rolling hills covered with vineyards and olive groves.
Biking approx. 60 km (elevation gain: 310 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Montecatini 

Day 5: Montecatini – Florence
Today you have to choose either to start pedalling directly from Montecatini or to shorten the trip through a short train transfer to Pistoia (about 20 min - ticket not included), rich in Romanesque and Renaissance monuments (in particular churches) and having one of the most evocative squares in Italy: Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square).
If you start cycling from Montecatini, you will “climb” Monsummano among olive trees: a 6 km very scenic climb.
From Pistoia you will cycle along country roads between crops and plant nurseries. In Signa you will finally meet the Arno River that will accompany you in the heart of Florence, in front of the famous “Ponte Vecchio”. After Signa the route continues entirely on unpaved bike path along the river Arno.
Biking approx. 50-65 km (elevation gain: 150-400 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Florence

Day 6: Free day in Florence
It will be up to you to decide how to spend your time in one of the world’s most beautiful cities! Tuscany's capital is known for its wealth in culture, architecture and art and is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance.
You can decide to cycle a round-trip that takes you12 km along a beautiful road to enjoy splendid views of the city and surrounding hills.
Biking approx. 12 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Florence

Day 7: Florence – Empoli – Pisa
Today you can choose to either starting pedalling directly from Florence and reaching Pisa through a train transfer from Empoli or taking a train to Empoli and riding to Pisa along the river Arno (train ticket not included in the tour price).
After leaving Florence you cycle back in the path of the Parco delle Cascine. A 4 km climb takes you to the highest point of the stage, 286m above sea level. From Empoli the route follows mainly the lower valley of the Arno River up to the so called plain of Pisa. The final part to Pisa will be on unpaved path along the bank of the river Arno.
Biking approx. 40-65 km (elevation gain: 100-300 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Florence

Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Pisa to Florence

Dates Note: Custom dates possible for groups of 6 pax or more

Other Info
Meeting: Pisa
Airport: Florence or Pisa
Transfer:

Climate:
                                            Florence area