Self Guided
Pisa, Lucca and Viareggio
Pisa and Lucca, two outdoor museums, Viareggio “the pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea”, Pietrasanta the “small Athens”.
The Leaning Tower is the most well-known Italian monument in the world, the walls of Lucca, thanks to their grandeur, majesty and state of preservation are visited by millions of tourists, the beaches of Viareggio are popular for seaside tourism and night life.
These are the renowned jewels, but our tour will lead you at the discovery of other suggestive places that, even if less imposing and famous, are often more picturesque and romantic.
Not only cities, but also sea, rivers, lakes, the countryside with small medieval villages, the Romanesque churches and the spectacular views on the gentle hills covered by vineyards and olive trees and the snowy Apuan Alps. And also, the food, wine and oil from the hills of Lucca, renowned and appreciated worldwide.
With our tips, you will be able to taste authentic cuisines: from Pisa, Lucca and Versilia and if you love pizza, you can try a quick Neapolitan meal.
Highlights: Art cities and medieval villages of Pisa and Lucca areas - The elegance of Versilia coast - Wine roads through the famous “SuperTuscan” vineyards - Seaside villages, parks, pinewoods flowing into wild endless beaches.
Towns along the itinerary: Lucca - Viareggio - Torre del Lago Puccini- Camaiore- Pietrasanta - Pisa
Stages
After arriving at the hotel, you will start the tour of the city of Pisa travelling through alleys, squares and the Lungarni. You will cycle along the well-maintained public garden of Fortezza Sangallo, the bridges with breath-taking views, the modern art mural painted by Keith Haring "Tuttomondo", and part of the ancient medieval walls of the city. The entire excursion will take place on the cycling path.
A quick stop at the leaning tower and then more cycling at the discovery of this city rich of history and culinary traditions. You can choose to take a small break: a delicious coffee with a rice pudding or the famous “cecina” and wrap up the evening with a fine dinner in a typical restaurant.
Altitude difference m. 30
“Trammino” cycling path starts near the railway station and will lead you directly along the seafront of Marina di Pisa, the tourist port and the beach.
During the summer, take a break at the beach, enjoy a swim or a delicious ice-cream or cycle along the seafront towards Tirrenia and immerse yourself in the thick woods of Tenuta del Tombolo. Don’t miss the sunset before resuming pedaling on the track immersed among corn and sunflower fields.
Altitude difference m. 30
Depart towards Lucca, crossing the countryside along the Medici aqueduct, dating back to the early 17th century, built by Ferdinand I de’ Medici. The path follows the aqueduct with its arches, continues along the countryside towards Monti Pisani and then along the Serchio river, through Puccini cycling path (which takes its name after the famous composer Giacomo Puccini who was born in Lucca). Surrounded by the green, among the towers that mark the border between Lucca and Pisa and the Rocca di Ripafratta, you will reach the Medioeval walls of Lucca where you can pedal and enjoy the city from another perspective, and then continue through the alleys and taverns, with their typical products.
Distance km. 30
Altitude difference m. 80
Tour of the historic walls, a circular park of 4 km around the city, a sort of terrace over Lucca. After crossing the historic centre, among medieval buildings, churches and monuments, pedalling through the residential area, you will see the Serchio river and its park characterised by two white roads along the shores, reserved to bicycles and pedestrians, where you can comfortably cycle at open air away from city noises. From here, you can admire the typical Tuscan countryside with its hills, narrow roads and buildings with grating ('mandolate'), surrounded by flower fields, olive groves and vineyards.
Along the path, you can visit an organic farm and taste the products.
Altitude difference m. 120
The villas of Lucca. We leave Lucca, along the cycling path that runs along the Serchio river going north, and we arrive in Ponte a Moriano. The first villa that we see is Villa Oliva, located in San Pancrazio, and after a few metres, we will see Villa Grabau and Villa Reale. You can visit all the villas by purchasing the ticket and cycle along the magnificent Park of Villa Reale. Then you will continue towards Villa Torrigiani, one of the most interesting examples of 17th century architecture in Lucchesia. The garden is characterised by flower parterres and large pools inspired by the projects of the Palace of Versailles, with caves and water fountains still functioning today. Near the villa, there is Bordocheo agricultural farm that you can visit and taste the wines and oil, upon reservations.
Altitude difference m. 160
Also today, you will start on the cycling path along the Serchio river, this time travelling in the opposite direction. Immersed in a natural and extremely relaxing landscape, you will suddenly see the lookout towers on the border between the cities of Lucca and Pisa, ancient rivals, and the Castello di Nozzano. Then you will enter the Massaciuccoli park, cycling along the homonymous lake until reaching the dock, to start the journey towards Torre del Lago Puccini, then you will resume cycling along the coast where the path continues along pine groves and pristine beaches, with some sandy sections, and you will end the tour in Viareggio.
Altitude difference m. 50
The coast of Versilia, with its marvelous seafront, pine grove, its chief town Pietrasanta, unquestioned cradle of sculptural art with its workshops and foundries. This land surrounded by mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, in just a few kilometres, varies from the pine groves along the beach, to the chestnut woods of the hills, up to the rocks of the Apuan Alps, marvelous marble mountains, 2000 meters high. Pietrasanta, which was of Florentine domain, was the rival of Camaiore which was instead under the domain of Lucca. Both cities are located along via Francigena, which we will cycle along its most beautiful sections. A section of the old via Francigena along the river, from Camaiore, will lead us to Viareggio and to the sea.
Waste no more time
Do not hesitate to ask for more information and plan now your holiday
| LUCCA, VIAREGGIO, PISA 8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS | |
| Overnight in a double room with breakfast | € 920,00 |
| High season supplement (June,July,September) | € 100,00 |
| High season supplement (August) | € 215,00 |
| Single room surcharge | € 320,00 |
| Third person in a triple room | -30% |
| Up to 5 years | gratis |
| from 5 to 12 years | 50% |
| 12 to 16 | 25% |
| EXTRA | |
| Trekking bike* | € 145,00 |
| Electric bicycle* | € 270,00 |
| Handlebar bag | € 35,00 |
| Pair of rear bags | € 42,00 |
| Helmet | € 28,00 |
| Transfer Viareggio/airport or station Pisa | € 140,00 |
| ADDITIONAL NIGHT P.P. | |
| Pisa from | € 90,00 |
| Viareggio from | € 110,00 |
* the price includes: anti-puncture kit, mobile phone holder and a rear bag
By car: you can plan your trip on www.viamichelin.it or www.google.com/maps.
By train: Pisa Centrale station, info and timetables on www.trenitalia.it
By plane: Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa, for flight information consult the website https://www.pisa-airport.com/it/
For the transfer from the airport and the station, given the proximity of the hotels, we suggest you take a taxi.
ACCOMMODATION
3-star hotel with breakfast, with a supplement it is possible to stay in a 4-star hotel. Tourist tax, if required, to be paid at the hotel reception.
PARKING AREA
The hotel has paid parking, a daily rate for cars € 10, suv and mini van € 15.
TRANSFER
For the return to Pisa we can organize the transfer which costs up to 6 people € 100, including bicycles.
Alternatively, you can take the train from Viareggio central station to Pisa, information on costs and timetables on the website www.trenitalia.it
SERVICES INCLUDED
• 3-star accommodation in a double room with private facilities
• Breakfast
• Welcome briefing at the departure hotel
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
• Detailed travel documents (maps, route description, locations, important phone numbers)
• Telephone assistance service for the duration of the tour
• Medical and luggage insurance
SERVICES EXCLUDED
• Arrival at the starting point of the tour
• Return trip at the end of the tour
• Lunches, dinners and drinks
• Tourist taxes and all extras in general
• Bike rental
• Optional travel cancellation insurance
• Anything not expressly indicated under "The fee includes"
Hotels
Hotel Alessandro della Spina
56125 Pisa PI
info@hoteldellaspina.it
Tel. +39 050502777
Hotel San Marco
55100 Lucca
info@hotelsanmarcolucca.com
Tel +39 0583495010
Hotel Viareggio Uappala
55049 Viareggio LU
viareggio@uappala.com
Tel.+39 05841661348