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La
Via degli Etruschi
An
individual cycle tour in Tuscany
This
cycle holiday allows you to explore all sides of Tuscany: from the art cities
of Pisa and Lucca to small country villages and medieval fortresses;
from the elegant seaside resorts of Versilia to the wilder southern
coast of Maremma; from the rivers Arno and Serchio, passing by the lake
of Massaciuccoli, to the sea again; from the typical Tuscan countryside
rich in family farms and prestigious wineries to the endless pinewoods
of the Etruscan coast. You will also have a unique chance to experience
all the tastes of Tuscany... good cookery and excellent wines.
This
cycle tour is called “La via degli Etruschi” (the Etruscan road)
because this tour crosses a large part of Tuscany, mostly along the
coast, which in ancient times was home to the Etruscans. They were a
peaceful and cultured people, in tune with nature and the surrounding
landscape. They were also lovers of good food and beauty, as is
testified by their refined ceramics, mosaics and wallpaintings and their
sarcophagi depicting smiling faces.
During
this tour imagine you are following in their footsteps… on a bike and
with no hurry, following tracks and quiet rural roads known only by
local people. Don’t miss this opportunity: dive headlong into this
sweet adventure!
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Highlights
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Art
cities and medieval villages of the Pisa and Lucca areas
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The
elegance of the Versilia coast.
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Wine
roads through the famous 'Super
Tuscan' vineyards
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Seaside
villages, parks and pinewoods leading onto wild and endless
beaches
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Programma
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Day
1
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Individual
arrival at Pisa
Meeting
in the evening in Pisa. Welcome briefing in your hotel (setting
up the bikes, handing over the gps and maps).
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Day
2
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Pisa
– Lucca (34km
/ 21 km - 3,5 hours slow biking)
The
cycle tour starts in Pisa. Leaving behind the leaning tower and the
Arno river you will reach an ancient aqueduct and bike along it.
Cycling along a country road at the foot of the Monti Pisani,
with the mountains of the Apuan Alps in the background, you will
reach San Giuliano Terme and its ancient thermal baths.
Continuing, before seeing the famous walls of Lucca, you will
pass parish churches and cycle through enchanting little
villages. Biking on the town walls around the historic centre
you will have a great view of this wonderful medieval town,
which is mostly pedestrianised
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Day
3
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Lucca
– Versilia (43km/27
miles - 4 hours)
Lucca
merits another sightseeing tour in the morning, when the streets
and characteristic local shops look brighter and more lively.
Leaving the town centre you will pass an old Carthusian
monastery and Nozzano, an ancient hamlet still preserving its
original layout and fortifications. After an uphill stretch on a
country road you will come to Massaciuccoli Park, at the lake of
Massaciuccoli. From the hilltop you will have an enchanting view
of the park, the coast and the sea in the background. From here
your route continues up to Viareggio, Marina di Pietrasanta and
the Versilia beaches, with pleasant biking in a totally
different landscape.
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Day
4
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Versilia
- Pisa (42km/26
miles - 4 hours)
The
third stage of the tour starts with a trip along the Versilia
promenade, one of the most famous promenades in Tuscany. You
will cross the small town of Viareggio, best known as a holiday
resort for famous people, for its Carnival and for the building
of yachts and luxurious boats. Changing scenery you will bike
through the Natural Park of 'Migliarino – San Rossore-
Massaciuccoli', enjoying the aroma of the sweet-smelling
pinewoods and the view of the sand dunes. The ‘Torre del Lago
Puccini’ is worth a visit. Your route will bring you back to
Pisa for another overnight stay in town.
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Day
5
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Castiglioncello
- Marina di Bibbona (26km
/ 16 miles - 2,5 hours (+ 1h)
An
easy transfer by train will take you from Pisa to
Castiglioncello. From here you will start your tour southwards,
always remaining by the seaside: you will enjoy the cycling,
which will take you along natural bike paths through
centuries-old pinewoods, arriving at several lovely sandy
beaches: the white beaches of Vada, the Mazzanta, the Marina di
Cecina… As the climate in this part of Tuscany is very
pleasant even in the spring and autumn, you will have the chance
to stop and relax on the sands, enjoying the silence of the
early or late season. You
might even want to have a refreshing swim in the sea while the
sun is still high in the sky.
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Day
6
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Marina
di Bibbona (35
km/22 miles 4 hours)
Today's
is a ring route in the countryside. This is an excellent day for
people who love quality wines and the beauty of the Tuscan
countryside, with cypresses, vineyards, farmhouses, a landscape
of undulating hills in the background… like looking at a
postcard! Don’t worry: the area we cross is not far from the
sea and therefore not so hilly. The route is along the Wine Road
of the Etruscan Coast. You will pass Bibbona, Bolgheri and
Castagneto Carducci, crossing the area where Super Tuscan wines
such as Sassicaia and Ornellaia are produced, and you will find
a lot of wineries where you can stop for a wine-tasting. Your
route will then bring you back
to your beautiful hotel for some well-deserved relaxation.
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Day
7
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Marina
di Bibbona – Follonica (59km
/ 37 miles - 5,5 hours)
Following
the coastline you will come to San Vincenzo, another seaside
resort with a beautiful promenade, sandy beaches and restaurants
near the sea. From here you will continue to the Gulf of
Baratti, a spectacular bay with a wide beach of particularly
dark-coloured sand which is protected by wild cliffs. This is a
place of uncontaminated nature, with only a few houses on the
seashore and a small harbour for sailing boats. This area is
famous for the archaeological site of Populonia, one of the most
famous of Tuscany, which contains a lot of perfectly preserved
Etruscan tombs, with sarcophagi and wallpaintings on the inner
walls. The tour continues along the flatlands facing Elba island
and then takes you to Torre
Mozza, where an ancient tower is built directly on the fine
white beach. Continuing along the seashore you will reach
Follonica for your last overnight stay.
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Day
8
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Departure
After
breakfast this tour is finished, who booked for a transfer will
be brought to the airport of Cagliari |
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The
tour includes:
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Accommodation
in double room with continental breakfast.
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Gps
and maps
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Luggage
transportation from hotel to hotel
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Emergency
support
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route
briefing on arrival day
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tour
information
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medical
and luggage insurance
The
tour doesn't include:
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Period
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every
Saturday from April till November (other periods on request) |
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Level
1/2
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This
is an easy tour, suitable for every kind of cyclist. Although
Tuscany is famous for its hills, this tour is mostly flat
because the route follows the coastline and rivers. There are
only some short uphill roads around Lucca and some parts with
gently rolling hills along the Bolgheri wine road. The maximum
daily climbing is about 130m, when cycling from Lucca to
Massaciuccoli. We select the quietest roads of the areas you
will cross. These are very often country roads or cycle paths
and sometimes dirt roads.
Important:
The daily distances can change somewhat depending on the road
situation and the location of your hotel.
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Partecipants
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Self
guided with min 2 persons (travelling alone on request)
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Prices
2012 |
Per
person in a double room € 750,00 |
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Single room
supplement € 280,00
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Half
Board supplement (5 dinners and in Lucca only B&B)
€ 100,00 p.p. |
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High
season supplement (09/06-09/09) € 100,00 p.p.
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10%
discount |
on
bookings from before 1 April and after 15 October
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Bike
rental a week € 70,00
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