Tuscany Coastline

Hardly any other country makes the traveller’s heart beat faster than ‘Bella Italia’ and hardly any other region represents the Italian way of life as much as Tuscany. Wine, olives and the sea are just a few of the main attractions that make this tour in Italy very special. There are also cultural delights, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa or ‘Venezia Nova’ in the port city of Livorno. The ‘grand finale’ of the 7-day tour along the Tuscan coast is the day trip to the island of Elba, where breathtaking scenery awaits.

The starting point of your journey of discovery along the Tuscan coast is the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. Even the first stage of the cycle tour invites you to take a refreshing dip in the cool water, for example, in the seaside resort of Viareggio. But it shouldn’t stop there – whether the Marina di Castagneto with its characteristic beach promenade or the famous ‘Golfo di Barrati’ where you can enjoy ‘La Dolce Vita’ in the bay or on a pedal boat – if you want the sea, you will certainly get it on this tour.

Feel the Mediterranean attitude towards life at every stage of this extraordinary tour. Enjoy the culinary delights, from A for antipasti to Z for zabaglione, and marvel at the lush olive groves.

Highlights

• Cycle around the Leaning Tower of Pisa: At the start of your tour you should take a lap of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, after all, it is one of the most famous landmarks in Italy. Did you know? It is a ‘campanile’ a free-standing bell tower that was supposed to complement a cathedral.
• Magnificent views over the Etruscan coast: Pine forests, seemingly endless beaches and steep coasts – days 4 and 5 of the tour along the Tuscan coast are all about the 90km-long ‘Etruscan Riviera’. Incidentally, some of the small bays in the port city of Piombino can only be reached by sea.
• The medieval wine village of Bolgheri is not only one of the most beautiful places in Tuscany, but also known world wine for its excellent wines (e.g. Sassicaia). Tip: The longest cypress-lined avenue in Italy at the gates of Bolgheri is also worth a snapshot.
• Cycle to the sandy beaches of Elba: The last day of the tour begins with a ferry ride to the island of Elba, where the sea can be enjoyed after many kilometres on the bike. The water quality around the island is considered to be excellent.

The terrain is mainly flat to slightly hilly. The only two strenuous stretches are during the two legs in the hinterland. Nearly all cycle paths are asphalted and some segments along the sea will be on rustic but well maintained trails. Due to lack of cycle paths along some sections, cycling briefly on roads with moderate traffic is unfortunately unavoidable.