Cycling Holidays - Tuscany - One Hotel

Tuscany - One Hotel

Italy

From £729 P/P

Explore Tuscany by bike on this self-guided holiday in Italy. Each day’s cycling begins from the same hotel in the famous spa town Montecatini Terme, so you can look forward to a comfortable rest each evening.

Visit the historic town of Montecatini Alto, the famous Leaning Tower of Pizza and enjoy Idyllic views of Pisa and the Sea. See the birth place of Leonardo de Vinci and the Medieval wine town of Monte Carlo and take an optional train ride to the enchanting city of Florence.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival into Montecatini Terme

Information on the tour and bike fitting in the evening. For the rest of the day, we recommend taking a walk in the spa park or taking the historical rack railway train to Montecatini Alto.

Day 2: Trip through the Val di Nievole Valley approx. 40 km

Today, you will cycle along wonderful ways through olive groves to the charming town of Serravalle. Beautiful panoramic views over the valley will reward you for conquering the short climbs before you will return downhill to Montecatini. On your way, you will also pass the historic town of Montecatini Alto, where you can enjoy a glass of wine at the romantic Piazza Guisti.

Day 3: Trip to Monte Pisani and to the sea approx. 50 km

The day starts with a drive to the summit of Monte Pisano (900 m) where you can enjoy an impressive panorama of Pisa and the sea. From here you will start your bike tour with a long descent into the valley. On the bike path along a Roman Viaduct you will get to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later, you will continue to the Mediterranean coast and through the nature park “Macchia Lucchese” to the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian coast”: Viareggio. At the end of your tour, you will take the train back to Montecatini.

Day 4: Trip to Florence (by train)

The capital of Tuscany offers a unique range of palaces, churches, museums and art treasures of the Renaissance to its visitors. Today, you and your bike get a break. Alternatively, you can enjoy the day in your wellness hotel.

Day 5: Trip to San Gimignano approx. 55 km

Today, you will take a shuttle to Casciana Terme. On wonderful ways, through vineyards and rolling hills, you will cycle 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. After your trip, you will have a transfer back to your hotel.

Day 6: Trip to Vinci approx. 55 km

On the sixth day, you will cycle on small paths through the olive groves of Montecatini to Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo. This museum dedicated to his genius and his inventions is very impressive. On your way back to the hotel, you will cycle over gently rolling hills and through the lovely countryside of Montalbano.

Day 7: Trip to Lucca approx. 40 km

First, you will cycle through the small, medieval wine town of Monte Carlo, where one of the few white wines of Tuscany flourishes. Then you will continue your tour along the Wine Road “Colline Lucchesi”, through the backcountry, past the beautiful Villa Torriggiani 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. The train will take you back to your hotel.

Day 8: Departure or extension

Route Overview

Difficulty: Challenging

At least one cycling holiday a year is pretty much compulsory for you! You are a perfect example of one of our typical guests, who regularly goes out for bike rides at the weekends. Now and again, you like to battle with a long, steep hill or a days cycle ride with an undulating profile. But, in order to have time to enjoy the rest of the ride, the route should then become flatter and more leisurely again afterwards.

Tuscany has a wonderful but also hilly landscape. You will cycle on quiet minor roads and sometimes even on country lanes. Close to bigger cities, traffic is unfortunately unavoidable.

Total distance cycled: 240 km

Route Map (For guidance only):

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.

Tuscany map

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Montecatini Terme

Route Overview (For guidance only):

Stage	Kilometres	Special notes regarding the route
Val di Nievole	approx. 40 km	Two longer hilly climbs of approx. 2km before and after Montevettolini, one climb of approx. 500m after Seravalle Pistoiese followed by a steep descent, one climb of approx. 2km on way to Montecatini Alto.
Val di Nievole	approx. 40 km	At the 25km point you can make a side trip to Pistoia. To do so, continue straight ahead and follow the road towards the centre. Way back to the 25km point either by bike or by train (at your own expense)
Monte Pisani and the sea	approx. 50 km	Long initial decent of approx. 10km, then mainly flat until
		Viareggio. Less good road/path condition for about 2km from the
		12.4km point. The last 10km follow the coast
		Organisation:
		Morning transfer from the hotel to the Monte Pisani (please ask at the reception for the exact departure time). Return by train from Viareggio to Montecatini: Duration approx. 45 minutes, You will receive your tickets (incl. bike transport) at the welcome briefing. Please validate your tickets at the station with the yellow box.
Florence	---	Train ride Montecatini – Florence: Duration approx. 60 minutes. You will receive your tickets at the welcome briefing. Please validate your tickets at the station with the yellow box.
San Gimignano	approx. 55 km	Continuously up and down in the beginning before a longer flat section. From 22.5km, you will follow longer descents until you reach San Gimignano. At 12.7km, sometimes there is shallow water (up to the
		ankles) in the little river, please just walk through it. Please take something to eat and drink on your trip today, because you won’t find many possibilities along the route
		Organisation:
		Morning transfer from hotel to Casciana Terme. Evening transfer from San Gimignano back to the hotel. (meeting point is the main port at Via San Matteo, 55.7km point). Exact departure time for the transfers will be provided at the welcome briefing.
Vinci	approx. 55 km	After Massarella there is a short climb. The route is then undulating. After Vinci, there is a short and steep climb ,which is then rewarded with a beautiful long descent!
Lucca	approx. 40 km	One larger climb up to Montecarlo, afterwards continuously hilly.
		Organisation:
		Return by train from Lucca to Montecatini. Duration approx. 25 minutes, You will receive your tickets (incl. bike transport) at the welcome briefing. Please validate your tickets at the station with the yellow box.

Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to Pisa or Florence airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

By train:

Once at Florence train station, you need to change to a local train to Montecatini. These leave regularly (approx. every half hour) and takes about an hour (it costs approx. €5,70 per person and per bike approx. €3,50 – please note that some trains do not permit bikes). From Montecatini Centro Station (the second Montecatini stop, there are two stations here) we recommend taking a taxi to the hotel (approx. 1km, costs approx. €7).
 www.trenitalia.com

By plane:

Pisa Galileo Galilei: approx. 60 km
From the airport you can either take the train or the red coach company to Pisa central station (it costs approx. €1). A taxi costs about €10. From here take the train via Lucca (where you change train) to Montecatini Terme Centro. It takes 1 hour 15 minutes and costs approx. €10/person. Then see instructions for arrival by train.

Florence Amerigo Vespucci: approx. 40 km
From the airport you can take a shuttle (blubus) to Florence central train station of Santa Maria Novella (dep. approx. every 30 minutes, it costs approx. €5 per person, tickets to buy on the bus and it takes half an hour). From here, you can catch a train to Montecatini Terme (see above, arriving by train).

By Intercity/ Long-distance Coach

Information for time schedules and the booking at the provider Flixbus under https://www.eurobike.at/en/travel-information/before-the-tour/arrival.

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0800 755 5385 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

The Tuscany - One Hotel cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- Accommodation as already mentioned in comfortable rooms type “premiere”
- Breakfast buffet
- If half board is booked: 3-course meal
- Welcome drink
- Use of outdoor pool and fitness area
- Welcome briefing
- Well developed route
- Detailed travel documents (route maps, route description, local attractions, important telephone numbers)
- Bus transfer to Monte Pisano and Casciano Terme such as from San Gimignano incl. your bike
- Train journey from Viareggio – Montecatini and from Lucca – Montecatini incl. your bike
- Train journey to and from Florence excl. your bike
- Route signposting
- GPS-data is available
- Rental bike insurance
- Service hotline
Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

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 +44 (0) 800 7555385.
Hotels

Hotels

This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on +44 (0) 800 7555385 for more information.

Please note that the hotel list is subject to change and should be used as a guide only.
We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.

Tuscany-One Hotel Sample Hotel List

Montecatini Terme Grand Hotel Croce Di Malta

You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0800 755 5385 to speak to one of the team.

2020 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	04.04.-24.04.2020 \| 26.09.-10.10.2020	Saturdays
Season 2:	25.04.-29.05.2020 \| 05.09.-25.09.2020	Saturdays
Season 3:	30.05.-04.09.2020	Saturdays

Category A Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£869
Season 2:	£939
Season 3:	£999
Single Room Supplement:	£339
Rental Bike PLUS:	£49
Half Board Upgrade (3x):	£79
Half Board Upgrade (5x):	£179
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£109

Category B Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£729
Season 2:	£809
Season 3:	£869
Single Room Supplement:	£129
Half Board Upgrade (3x):	£79
Half Board Upgrade (7x):	£179
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£109
Rental Bike PLUS:	£49

Hotel Category Descriptions:

Category Type	Accommodation Overview
Category A:	Prestige Rooms

Reference:IT-TORMT-08CRA

Date From	Date To
04 April 2020	10 October 2020

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