Tuscany by bike

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The roads meander romantically through the lovely hills of the Chianti, past old castelli and their vineyards and picturesque towns. Since a motor highway connects Florence with Siena, there is hardly any traffic in the land of Chianti Classico with its seal of quality Gallo Nero, meaning “Black Rooster”. You ride a bike, preferably a model with at least five gears, to Greve or Castellina along roads lined with cypresses or pine trees and enjoy pure nature. On the geometrically idiosyncratic market square in Greve there are olives, olive oil, cheese specialties, wine and lots of souvenirs with the ubiquitous black rooster. In Castellina you can look far over the countryside from the city wall and can take a break in cozy hotels in old palazzi. On the way by bike Siena You should definitely not miss the Castelli di Meleto and Brolio. Wine can also be served here, Chianti and Sangiovese can be tasted.

Bike tour around the vineyards of Tuscany

Tuscany is of course a sporting challenge for cyclists. The different regions have different levels of difficulty. In the north, in the province of Lucca and the Garfagnana region, there are considerable climbs to be mastered. Cycling tours through Tuscany are a challenge that beginners should not, or should only expect with good preparation and professional guidance. Or you can make do with the bike paths in the Maremma and always stay close to the sea. The less ambitious athlete can enjoy relatively flat stretches that lead through picturesque coastal towns. But be careful: Here, too, there are towering hills with places worth seeing at the very top, of course. The sweaty driveway is rewarded by an incredible view of the sea and the expanse and of course by the relaxed drink of cappuccino in one of the many piazzas.

Cyclists can find good detailed information on the Internet. The homepage, for example, is recommended www.radbild.de. Here the author describes in great detail the tours he conducted himself with plenty of images. Especially his impressions of the places that are particularly worth seeing coincide with our experiences, and that means, in addition to the highlights Siena, Lucca and Florence it is especially the small towns, of course on the hills, such as Volterra, Cortona, Pienza, Montalcino, Massa-Marritima, Savona and others. Of course, you don't have to cycle through Tuscany from north to south or west to east.

Many regions offer themselves to be discovered on day tours. Many holiday accommodations ("Agriturismo") offer bicycles, for example. T. free of charge. There is a difference between watching the landscape scurry past from the car or perceptibly experiencing and noticing every bump in the road and every little flower on the side of the road on a bike.

Free ferry transport by bike to Elba

It is also worth knowing that the ferries to the islands Elba (from Piombino) and Lily (from Porto San Stefano) transport bicycles free of charge. A bike tour around the island of Elba is one of the bike treats for those who enjoy pedaling. The roads are easy to drive, the sea views are breathtaking and if you don't go out in July / August, traffic is problem-free. You will be grateful that the proverbial Tuscan hospitality is a bit better than that of the pedal knights.

Bicycle city of Lucca

Lucca has something special to offer that doesn't exist anywhere else in Italy. A promenade has been laid out on the old city wall that surrounds the entire center. There are picnic areas everywhere and exits down to the city with its many towers. The best known is certainly the Torre Guinigi, on which holm oaks grow, but the Palazzo Pfanner with its playful garden is also a must-see. Incidentally, the city center is car-free, so nothing stands in the way of having fun on two bikes on a bike tour through Tuscany.

View over Lucca
Above the roofs of Lucca

A bike ride on the coast

On the one hand the Mediterranean Sea with its wide, white sandy beaches and on the other the peaks of the Apuan Alps can be experienced by cyclists on the stretch of coast between Marina di Carrara and Viareggio. On the Etruscan Coast, popular seaside resorts such as: San Vincenzo for an overnight stay. The Maremma coast with its unique, primeval forest-like nature reserve and romantic bathing bays presents itself as wild and original on a bike tour through Tuscany.

Last updated: 29.02.2024

Image courtesy of stasal

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