Tour bike of the Cinqueterre
Today we leave Lido di Camaiore (Coast tuscany)and transfer by train to
La Spezia (50 km.) and visit:
- Monterosso
- 38km, 650m ?or- 56km, 1300m
Today we enter the Cinque Terre, the Five Lands, isolated from
the outside world until about one hundred years ago, when the railway
line was built. To our delight the villages and the characteristic
Ligurian culture are conserved virtually unchanged.
Monterosso has the best beaches of the Cinque Terre villages and the
most wine shops, artisan shops, hotels and restaurants. The village is
divided into two parts from San Cristoforo hill and the old part of the
village, protected by a rock spur, still presents the maritime village.
We suggest a visit to the church of Capuchin Father, from which
one can admire a wonderful panorama of the village and the promontories
which enclose the Cinque Terre. The church has a painting of the
Cambiaso and a "Crucifixion" attributed to Van Dyck.
- Monterosso - Active rest-day--riding,
hiking, swimming, diving, train rides or boat rides. Here
are some highlights for today?s exploration?
Village of Vernazza
Vernazza has a natural pier with an
amphitheatre shape making it perhaps the most picturesque village of the
Cinque Terre. Vernazza was a Roman installation and had a significant
strategical importance during the age of the Maritime Republics in Genoa.
It was also famous for its carpenters. We suggest a walk in the village
that is dominated by a watch tower and the "Castello" remains.
In the small square, overlooking the seaside, there is the church of
Santa Margherita di Antiochia.
Village of Corniglia
Placed on a steep promontory, with two exclusive small beaches at
its sides, Corniglia can be reached from the railway through a long
flight of steps leading to the village (an elevator is being built). One
suggestion is a visit to the Church of San Pietro (1334), which is
considered one of the most significant monuments in the gothic-ligurian
style of the Cinque Terre and a view the Belvedere, an enchanting
terrace on the seaside.
Village of Manarola
The village of Manarola is surrounded by vines and is situated
along a stream. The wine of Manarola is very famous and the "Via
dell? Amore" starts here: an easy to walk, paved path a distance
of two kilometres, connecting Manarola to Riomaggiore. In the upper side
of the village, don't miss the church of San Lorenzo (1338) with its
beautiful rose window dating back to the 14th century.
Village of Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore, which is the most eastern and the nearest village to
La Spezia (connected by a scenic road), is named after the stream
crossing it. It?s interesting to see the seashore and the upper side
of San Giovanni Battista, with its two wonderful twin doors made of
marble, which are placed in its southern side and which date before the
church itself. Above the village, the Sanctuary of "Madonna di
Montenero" stands out, built on the homonymous promontory and which
is the last of the gulf the Cinque Terre. The Tramonti area, which goes
from Portovenere to Riomaggiore, has been made into National Park of
Five Lands. After a stroll on the Via dell?Amore (Lovers? Way)
between Manarola and Riomaggiore, dinner on your own is a must. Regular
train connections between the villages make it possible to wine and dine
at your personal favorite village. So, enjoy a beautiful
sunset and a wonderful meal befitting the five lands of romance.
? Portovenere 70km, 500m
Today we traverse high above the five villages of the Cinque Terre
as we cycle to the Roman era port town of Portovenere. Utilized in
the 11th century by the maritime republic of Genoa as a
defensive stronghold during the long Genoa/Pisa war (1119-1290),
Portovenere developed the ?fortress-houses? on the seafront that we
see today. The commune of Porto Venere includes the villages of Le
Grazie and Fezzano. The place name Le Grazie derives from the Monestery
of Nostra Signora dell Grazie (Our Lady of Graces), founded by Olivetan
monks. In the 18th cenery on the Varignano promontory
the Republic of Genoa built a lazaret which was later transformed into a
military defence. The place name Fezzano was first recorded in 105
and the layout is typical of Ligurian maritime villages. With the
Genoan occupation of Portovenere and resumption of safety at sea, the
inhabitants of Fezzano established stable settlements on the seafront.
By the early 18th century Fezzano boasted a fleet of forty
sailboats. Tonight we?ll enjoy seafood specials on our own at
any of the wonderful restaurants in town. Be sure to try the
Portovenere mussels (grown just off shore) or the octopus that abounds
because of the high concentration of plankton in the waters offshore.
- Bocca di Magra 40km, 390m
The Golfo della Spezia serves as the backdrop for our ride past the
shipyards of la Spezia to the Poets Cove. We retrace our route
toward la Spezia where a visit to the Museum of Naval Technology, the
Public Gardens or the Piazza Sant?Agostino is recommended. The
Via del Prione is one of La Spezia's busiest streets, a pedestrian
thoroughfare lined with shops, where the young promenade on a Saturday
afternoon. A short climb to Pitelli yields a wondrous view of the
Poets Cove as we then descend to Lerici, where we can enjoy lunch in the
shadows of the poets ? Percy Shelly, Lord Byron and DH Lawrence.
The climb from Lerici to Serra is rewarded with superb views of the
small villages that dot the coastline. The traverse to
Montemarcello brings us to a fork in the road; the left fork takes us to
Ameglia before descending to Fiumaretta, while the right fork descends
through the forest to Bocca di Magra before cycling on to Fiumaretta.
We?ll pack our bikes and relax by the pool before our farewell dinner
tonight. |
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Tuscany Bike - Bike Tuscany
Coastline
- 7 Nights independent tour graded wanderer / explorer . Explore the
fabulous coastline and internal countryside south or Livorno not far
from Pisa. Each day you will have various options to explore allowing
you to cycle longer or shorter depending on your interests. Great
beaches and friendly family run hotels allow you to sample the typical
Italian culture of Tuscany.
Take one of Tuscany's most romantic biking and walking routes, from
the charming Tuscan city of Lucca, one of Italy's most refined cities,
to the beaches of the Tuscan coast, the quaint fishing villages of the
Cinque Terre and the picturesque harbor at chic Portofino. Its often
said that going to Lucca and not cycling around its tree-lined walls is
like going to Paris and not seeing the Eifel Tower. Start your Tuscany
to Cinque Terre odyssey with the sounds of it's favorite son, Puccini,
as you join the locals on their afternoon stroll around these walls.
Visit one of its many famous 18th-century villas built during its silk
producing glory days. Ride the flat Tuscan landscapes surrounding Monte
Pisano, with its lush forests and award winning olive groves sprinkled
with medieval fortified castles, remainders of Lucca's turbulent history
with Pisa. Cycle the beaches of the Tuscany's Versilian coast to chic
Forte dei Marmi, one of Italy's favorite beaches for the in-crowd. Walk
the romantic trails overlooking the azure colors of the Mediterranean
sea and the quaint fishing villages and panoramic harbors of the Cinque
Terre, and relish in the luxury of Santa Margherita Ligure and
Portofino. Relax to the operatic sounds of Puccini, breath in the salt
air, dine on the bounty of the sea, sample a vineyard's selected
reserves and sit back to enjoy a typical Italian pace, a relaxing
lifestyle designed to leave one refreshed and rejuvenated.
Versilia
Follow quiet laneways around the base of lush Monte Pisano past
hidden villas, monasteries and medieval hilltop villages, to ancient
Lake Massaciuccoli. Pass along its reed filled shores framed by the
olive groves of Lucca's prized extra-virgin olive oils. Stop by Torre
del Lago for a informative visit of Puccini's lakeside home and hunting
lodge. Arrive in Viareggio, the Tuscan seaside and its tree lined
promenades. Why not have lunch at the fishermen's harbor where today's
catch will have just arrived. Follow along the coast with its palm trees,
flower gardens, 19th-century villas and expansive sandy beaches to Forte
dei Marmi, Tuscany's most chic seaside town with elegant shops,
beautiful people and some of Tuscany's most creative restaurants
beckoning for your attention. Relax by the near sea or meander along the
beach at Charme Hotel I Pini, one of Lido di Camiore next to Forte
dei Marmi and Viareggio most prestigious properties
Lucca / Pisa (50/70km)
Our last day of pedaling takes us to
Pisa where you can visit the Leaning Tower and the Piazza of Miracles.
Our route to Pisa takes us by Lake Massaciuccoli, where Puccini wrote
many of this operas. After a stroll through Pisa, head back to the
less-touristy town of Lucca to enjoy an evening passeggiata along the
main pedestrian way. We'll celebrate our adventure across Italy with a
final dinner together this evening. Distance: 61 km (38 miles).
After lunch we bike through vineyards past the castle of Nozzano and
across the Colli Pisanesi to the Tyrrhenian coast. We spend some time
exploring the Maremma region that was a favourite of Puccini. In the
afternoon, we enter Pisa with its many wonders.
Garfagnana /Alpi
Apuane(100/120/160 km.)
There are several opportunities to carry out tours by mountain bike
along the paths and the dirt roads within the Park. The FS railway lines
train+bike service is very interesting; all the trains of the
Lucca-Aulla line and various trains of the coastal line grant this
service which gives the opportunity to carry out itineraries by using
the train to return to the departure point. Here you are some of the
most known and charming itineraries, none of which has specific trail
markers; it is advisable to have a good cartography or a detailed
guidebook.
Florence / Firenze
.Florence
is in every way the perfect city to roam on foot. The close proximity of
its antiquities adds an element to its ambience no other city can claim.
It is as if you could meet Michelangelo just around any corner in this
cradle of Renaissance art.There is no way to avoid this wonderful sense
of witnessing an incredibly rich historical past brought to us in modern
times.
Late in the afternoon, after the setting sun bathes every building in a
rosy glow, we meet back at the hotel again for a welcome cocktail and
our first meal in this wonderful city.
Today
we leave Lido di Camaiore (Coast tuscany)and transfer by train
to our hotel in Montecatini . We get fitted to our bikes and
explore this interesting spa town with its hot springs.
Mont. Terme/Vinci / Mont. Terme (55km)
Along quiet paths we bike through olive groves to
Vinci, the birth place of Leonardo and after an excellent lunch and
looking at some of Leonardo?s wonderful creations, we bike back to
Montecatini Terme.
Montecatini
Terme / Lucca (60km)
Today
we take the train over the steep hills to the ancient city of Lucca
(lido di Camaiore) and explore its wonders by bike and on foot.
Pisa / Casciana Terme(40km)
After a final goodbye to Pisa, We ride inland on top
of the banks of the Arno river and after crossing a wide plain and a few
low hills we reach Casciano Terme, where we can enjoy the wonderful hot
springs after a long day in the saddle.
Casciana Terme /San Gimignano (55km)
Through
vineyards and across gentle Tuscan hills we bike to San Gimignano where
every noble family possessed its own high-rise tower.
ven the nicest vacation comes to an end.
Have a save journey home.
Arrivederci e mille grazie



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Tour bike of the Garfagnana
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana - Gragnanella - Sillicano -
Careggine - Vergaia - Poggio
Itinerary with demanding stretches going through characteristic
villages with wonderful views over the Apuane. Charming descent towards
the lake of Vagli.
- Average walking time: 4.00 hours
- Length of the route: Km 22
Station of Barga - Gallicano - Trassilico - Fabbriche di Vallico
- Turritecava - FS railway station Ghivizzano
Ring-route of great beauty, demanding in its first stretch,
through natural environments and particular charming landscapes.
- Average walking time: 4.30 hours
- Length of the route: Km 37
Camporgiano - Casatico - Roggio - Campocatino - Gramolazzo -
Ugliancaldo - Station of Monzone
Very demanding itinerary.
- Average walking time: 6.00 hours
- Length of the route: Km 45
Station of Monzone - Equi Terme - Il Solco - Equi Terme
Short itinerary crossing one of the most charming valleys of
Apuane in Lunigiana.
Tour of Mt. Corchia
22 km-long demanding itinerary to avoid during the winter.
A
7 Night Group based mountain bike holiday . The tour is in the hidden
valley of the Garfagnana in Northern Tuscany. One will ask you where you
are going, and they, more than likely will have never heard of this
area. This is good for us and you , off the beaten track of Tuscany, but
close enough to still reap the advantages. Our area, surrounded by 2
mountain ranges, the Apennines and the Alpi Apuane, make for ideal
biking conditions . The routes we use are all way marked trails by CAI,
the alpine club of Italy and drovers trails, fire tracks and medieval
paths. Riding through beach and old chestnut woodland, to open mountain
tracks to the tops of glorious peaks with sea views and magnificent
inland views of all Garfagnana. It is a special area, and this one week
tour gives you a perfect insight into the Garfagnana, enough to make you
come back again to finish what you missed the first time! Days can be
made longer at clients wishes, adding in single track sections and other
types of terrain.




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