Tuscany (Montecatini to Florence) Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Self-Guided | Individual | 8 days | 7 nights | From £849 per person
Other durations available on request.
Full holiday prices by date are shown on the ‘Book Now’ tab.
Book the Tuscany Cycle Tour cycling holiday here >>
Cycle Tour Highlights
• Ride around fabulous countryside
• Cycle in the famous cities of Siena and Florence
• A popular region for cycling
• Explore the spa town of Montecatini Terme
• A chance to ride from one famous city to another
Cycle Route: Rolling hills of Tuscany
Tuscany has a wonderful but also hilly landscape. You will cycle on quiet minor roads and sometimes even on country lanes from one famous city to another. Closer to bigger cities, traffic is unfortunately unavoidable.
The approximate difficulty level for this tour
1st day: Individual arrival in Montecatini Terme
Take your car or the train to Florence and on to Montecatini Terme. In the hotel, you will first get detailed information on the tour and your bikes. Afterwards, we recommend taking a walk in the spa park or taking the historical rack railway train to Montecatini Alto.
2nd day: Vinci approx. 55 km by bike
At the beginning of your tour, you will cycle through the vast plains of the valley Valdenievole, which is characterized by a lot of agriculture. You will continue through the first Tuscan villages, through olive groves to Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo.
We recommend visiting the museum in the castle since it is home to one of the largest and most original collections of machines and models of the inventor. Then, you will take quiet roads back to Montecatini Terme.
3rd day: Montecatini Terme – Pisa approx. 40-90 km
On your way to Lucca, you will pass the small, medieval wine town of Monte Carlo, where one of the few white wines of Tuscany flourishes. (Alternatively, you can take the train to Lucca).
A bike ride on the historic city walls offers magnificent views of churches and towers that rise above the countless roofs of the city. Afterwards, you will continue to Lake Massacciuccoli (also called Lake of Giacomo Puccini) with stunning views of the sea and Pisa.
4th day: Pisa – Casciana Terme approx. 50 km
First, the bike path leads you along the river Arno. Many fertile fields line your way and you will continue your tour through the Pisan hills, on whose gentle slopes sweet wines, olives, and juicy peaches grow.
You will see small medieval villages located on the hilltops and soon you will have reached your today’s destination, the spa town Chianni.
5th day: Casciana Terme – San Gimignano approx. 55 km
Today, you will cycle on beautiful trails through vineyards and rolling hills to San Gimignano. On your way, you will see images of the original Tuscany as they have been painted many times.
Just before you reach today’s destination, the silhouettes of the famous medieval towers appear in front of you. Each aristocratic family once had their own tower here – and these towers still dominate the townscape.
6th day: San Gimignano – Siena approx. 50 km
The beautiful Tuscan landscape on today‘s stage makes you forget the small climbs on the route. Once you reach the small fortified village of Monteriggioni, you will feel as if you were in the Middle Ages.
Today’s highlight undoubtedly is the architectonic paradise of Siena.
7th day: Siena – Florence approx. 50 km
The tour takes you into the midst of the wide Chianti region. Only here the world-renowned “Chianti Classico” wine, which is much respected among wine connoisseurs, is grown.
The charming wine village of Castellina is on your way to Greve. Thanks to its famous wine and olive production, it is called the capital of the Chianti region. From here you will get back to Florence by bus.
8th day: Florence/departure
Spend time in Florence, the capital of Tuscany, with the nickname “la bella”, the beautiful one.
Important – Local visitor taxes are payable locally in all hotels!
Route Profile
Tuscany has a wonderful but also hilly landscape. You will cycle on quiet minor roads and sometimes even on country lanes from one famous city to another. Close to bigger cities, traffic is unfortunately unavoidable.
Where is the starting point of the holiday?
Tour Route Map
The Tuscany Cycle Tour tour stays in Country Houses, 3* hotels or 4* hotels carefully chosen for their location, hospitality and proximity to your tour route.
Your stay includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and permanent assistance in case of problems.
Included services
• Overnight stays in the selected category
• Breakfast buffet or ample breakfast
• Personal tour information
• Luggage transfer between hotels
• Excellently planned routes
• Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
• Signposting
• Bus transfer – Greve to Florence inc. bike
• GPS tracking available
• Service hotline for the duration of the tour
Quality, comfortable and sturdy bikes
We understand that well made bikes are essential for an enjoyable cycling holiday. All bikes are based on technology from leading Austrian bike manufacturer ‘KTM’ and serviced by an expert mechanic.
The bikes use good quality components to give you confidence in the bike on your holiday and comfortable riding on varied cycle paths and roads.
About the bikes
You will be given an easily identifiable, solid and sturdy aluminum trekking bike with V-brakes, solid wheels, almost puncture resistant tyres. Each bike has been built through continuous development and feedback from customers.
Each bike is also fitted with a dynamo lighting system for ease, handlebar bag, pannier, mudguards and comfortable saddle made by Selle Royal.
You can also bring your own saddle and adapter with you (diameter of seat post from 27, 2 to 31, 4 mm). We help you with the fitting of saddles and SPD shoes should you require assistance.
Gear systems
7-gear-bikes are equipped with Shimano NEXUS gear hub. Gears can be changed anytime even whilst stationary.
21-gear-bikes are equipped with Shimano ALIVIO derailleur. The ALIVIO system is robust and easy to use.
Frame sizes
The following frame sizes are available on tours with the bikes shown in the picture:
Unisex frame 21-gears with free wheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm
Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedal brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm
Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with freewheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 “sloping crossbar” cm
(Must be reserved in advance!)
We will request your heights at the time of booking to ensure correct bike sizing.
Accessories
We high-quality accessories for your holiday from well-known manufacturers:
• Waterproof rear pannier
• Waterproof handlebar bag
• Service-Set with tools and extra bicycle tube
• Bike pump
• Combination lock
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Men’s Bike (Colour may vary)
Electric Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
For 2020, there is an additional bike rental option available for a supplement. The PLUS hybrid bike now available on most cycling holidays is sportier with higher quality brakes (Magura HS 11) and better specification gears (Shimano Deore XT). The riding position is designed to have a slightly sportier sitting posture and a high quality Suntour suspension fork gives smooth riding on most surfaces. All accessories are compatible with the new PLUS bike rental option.
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men’s bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gears
7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 “sloping” cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)?
Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
Tuscany (Montecatini to Florence)
8 days, 7 nights
All prices are per person and include bike hire.
Cycling Holiday Prices:
Prices are based on seasonal date bands
Saturday between April and October
Season 1: April. – April | September – October
Season 2: April – May | September – September
Season 3: May – September
Category A: Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1: From £959 | Book online here >>
Season 2: From £999 | Book online here >>
Season 3: From £1029 | Book online here >>
Single Room Supplement: From £279
Electric Bike Upgrade: From £99
Category B: Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1: From £849 | Book online here >>
Season 2: From £869 | Book online here >>
Season 3: From £899 | Book online here >>
Single Room Supplement: From £189
Electric Bike Upgrade: From £99
Extra Nights (Prices per person per night)
Location | Price DBL/BB | Single Supplement (SGL/BB)
Montecatini Terme (Cat Charm): From £99 | £45
Montecatini Terme (Cat A): From £69 | £20
Montecatini Terme (Cat B): From £49 | £15
Florence (Cat Charm): From £109 | £85
Florence (Cat A): From £109 | £85
Florence (Cat B): From £79 | £35
Calculate the cost of your cycling holiday
Hotel Category Descriptions
Category A: Well chosen 3*** and 4**** Hotels, with air condition, partly with swimming pool
Category B: Well chosen 3*** Hotels
Any local tourist taxes are not included in the holiday price and are payable at the hotel.
For help and queries regarding this tour…
Contact us | F.A.Qs
Holiday Price: From £849
Single Supplement: From £189