Trip to the Tuscany Coastline

Famous for its artistic and architectural heritage and with stunning scenery provided by the combination of the hilly landscape and the Etruscan coastline, there are few places more perfect for a cycling tour than Tuscany.

The region is regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and of the foundations of the Italian language and is one of the most popular Italian regions for tourists in Italy, second only to Veneto. Many figures influential in the history of art and science have called this region home and several World Heritage Sites are located here including the Cathedral square of Pisa and the historic centre of Florence. Tuscany is also famous for producing some of the best Italian wines, including Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti and Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Freewheel Holidays offers the ideal opportunity for experienced cyclists to explore the region on two wheels  with our challenging 7-day Tuscany Coastline holiday, a self-guided route from Pisa to Elba a total cycling distance of around 215km.

Beginning with some time to explore the city this tour sets off from the Piazza dei Miracoli, home of the Leaning Tower and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You travel through the national park, directly to the sea and along the coastline to the charming seaside town of Viareggio then return to Pisa by train.

As the week continues, you’ll visit the many canals of the Venezia Nuova quarter of Livorno, a port city with a lot to see, pass through national parks, traditional Tuscan villages, along white sandy beaches and through striking pine forests to see the very best the region has to offer. Your journey will also take you to the well-known wine region of Bolgheri. It is here that the very best Tuscan grapes are pressed! You pass through the longest avenue in Italy, which is lined with cypresses and head back towards the sea to Marina di Castagneto, a classic Italian seaside town characterized by its many beach cafes and promenades.

No blog about Tuscany would be complete without mentioning the food and this cycle tour is a veritable food holiday! Tuscan cuisine, though simple with its origins in peasant traditions, is some of the finest in Italy. Wine and dine your way from Pisa to Elba with some of the best Italian wines, pasta dishes and traditional meals such as Castagnaccio, a traditional cake made with chestnut flour, Panzanella, Cacciucco fish stew or Pappa al Pomodoro soup.

The medieval town of Castagneto Carducci provides stunning views which serve as a reward for the ascent along winding mountain roads and through romantic cork oak forests before you descend down to the well-known Golfo di Baratti beach and the impressive town of Piombino. From here your final day provides one of the highlights of your holiday with a trip by ferry to the Isle of Elba.

As the largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago Elba is part of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park and the third largest island in Italy, after Sicily and Sardinia. It is also the site of Napoleon’s exile following his forced abdication. The island provides stunning scenery and a choice of either a short panoramic route along a cycle path which will lead you to several secluded bays and coves. Or a longer tour through the hilly hinterland with its characteristic island vegetation of the ’Macchia Mediterranea’.

With picturesque trails winding through national parks, olive groves and vineyards and a host of cultural attractions, this is an unforgettable holiday!

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