Cycling in Tuscany: Pisa to Florence

• 7 nights 3 star hotels throughout
• 5 days cycling (including 1 optional ride) with luggage transfers
• 88% tarmac, 12% unpaved
• Mainly flat roads with some undulation
• E-bike hire available on request (supplement applies)
• Option to choose longer or shorter rides on days 3, 5 and 7
• Self-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs

All breakfasts are included. However, please note that the typical Italian breakfast is light, and often consists of a cup of coffee and a cream-filled or jam-filled croissant. It is always advisable to visit a local shop or supermarket before riding to pick up water and snacks for the day. Suggestions of what to do for lunch and dinner are given in the information material provided. Tuscan food is based around the notion of cucina povera, or 'poor cooking'. Simple, inexpensive meals are made using fresh, high-quality, local ingredients to bring out the natural flavours. Dishes are traditionally hearty and you will find mouth-watering soups and stews made with beans and local meats appearing on all menus, paired with a glass of the local Chianti of course! Tuscany is famous for its truffles, mushrooms and homegrown olive oil, and you will also find a variety of delicious breads as an accompaniment to most meals. It is impossible to offer an exhaustive list of suggestions for 'must-try' dishes, but here are a few recommendations: Panzanella - a cold bread salad made using the simple ingredients of unsalted bread, tomatoes, red onions, basil, olive oil, vinegar and salt Lardo di Colonnata - cured meat generally served as a starter Cacciucco - fish stew, or soup Lampredotto - a stew using the fourth stomach of a cow, cooked in a broth and often found served as street food Castagnaccio - a traditional cake made with chestnut flour Wine lovers will be spoilt for choice, and each town generally has its own wine, so if the choice becomes overwhelming, it is simple enough to go for the vino della casa (house wine) which will likely be a delicious Tuscan table wine.

Italy has a good all year round climate, with plenty of sunshine and warm/hot temperatures. The summer departures ought to have daily hot sunshine and temperatures can reach the mid to high 30 degrees Celcius. The earlier and later departures are likely to be cooler with a slightly higher chance of rain. In late summer there is the possibility of heavy thunderstorms (generally in the afternoons), but these are usually short-lived. Please be aware that the hot weather in the summer can make the cycling a little harder.

Cycling conditionsThis is a self-guided cycling trip for those who like to cycle independently, but with back up to take out the hard work and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next.Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate) Please see the introductory pages of the cycling holidays brochure or our website for more important information on classification and grading.Av. daily ride: 48km (30 miles).No. of days cycling: 5 (including 1 optional day)Terrain & route: The suggested cycling is along quiet, tarmac roads (mainly traffic-free). There are some hilly parts but they do not require any athletic skills.Vehicle Support: Bags are transported from one hotel to the next by van. On days 3, 5 and 7 it is possible to take the train to make the route shorter. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes. For most days on this trip we have offered the shortest riding distance in these trip notes, but it is often possible to extend this further and the directions will be included in your route notes so you can make a decision on the day. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. FamiliesSelf-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you. As a guide we have suggested that 12 yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily distances are all published in the trip notes along with a description of each days cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities.