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Tuscany Etruscan coast |
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A Gentle Cycling along the Etruscan Riviera |
Ref: EX-DIH
9 days
from £749 (minimum 1 passengers)
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Destination:
Italy
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Gentle Cycling along the Etruscan Riviera
Tuscany's Etruscan coast is unjustly neglected by the majority of tourists, as most follow the masses to the cities inland. Italians visit in numbers in the middle of summer but leave the quiet roads and cycle paths serenely empty for gentle exploration for the rest of the year. Encounter marvellous sandy beaches, historic towns and mediaeval villages, all of which are worth a stop, whilst pedalling at a relaxed pace through the region. Cycling is generally on quiet roads and designated cycleways; all are paved except on Day 6 when there is a stretch of gravel road. Most of the route is gently undulating with just a few easy hills. The trip starts in the busy port of Livorno, Tuscany's second largest city. The bustling harbour with its many canals is sometimes referred to as 'Little Venice' and is dominated by a fine old fortress. Heading south, the route keeps close to the waters of the Mediterranean for four days, then it's inland to Grosseto, with the opportunity to visit the largest Etruscan excavations in Italy at nearby Roselle. The well-preserved city walls and amphitheatre, combined with the excellent views down to the plains and out to sea, make this a memorable spot. The last two days of cycling are through the Maremma National Park, an area claimed to be the last virgin coastal landscape in Italy and home to extraordinarily diverse wildlife. There is time to visit the huge nature reserve set up by the World Wildlife Fund on the Orbetello lagoon, which offers exceptional bird watching. The trip ends with time in Pisa to look around the city, home to some fine mediaeval architecture and sculpture and, of course, the famous Leaning Tower.
Extend your stay:
extra accommodation can be booked for you at the beginning or end of the trip in Pisa. Prices are £81 per single room, £98 per twin/double room. A £5 booking fee will be charged.
Further Information
Special equipment required:
cycle gloves and shorts, shoes suitable for cycling and walking, small daypack and waterproofs. Helmets are highly recommended.
Extra Expenses:
for entry fees to sites & monuments allow 25. Lunches and dinners are not included, allow 30 per day for a three course evening meal and a snack for lunch. You will need to budget extra for drinks.
Joining locally:
the local joining point is at the hotel in Livorno
Meals Included: 8 breakfasts.
Children:
are accepted but must be able to cover the daily cycling distances. As a guide we suggest aged 10 or over.
Reduction for child under 12 sharing parents' room: £40
Group & Staff:
Min 1, self guided; luggage transferred and emergency telephone assistance provided.
Accommodation
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All rooms are in 3-star hotels and pensions and have en-suite facilities. All hotels are privately-owned and wherever possible are chosen for their friendly atmosphere. They come in all sizes, some big and some small. Four of the hotels/pensions are close to the sea.
Food:
8 breakfasts are included and are normally buffet-style taken at the hotel. You are free to arrange your own lunches and dinners, as there is so much choice here. All the towns have supermarkets and bakeries should you wish to purchase a picnic; otherwise you pass cafes most days. Most evenings there is a good choice of places to eat and in addition you can sample some of the local wines. As is to be expected, there is a wide range of seafood available in this region and local dishes are very much based on fish.
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Day 1 | Fly from London to Pisa. It is an easy to make your own way to Livorno as Pisa airport is connected by train with the main railway station in Pisa, from where its a 15 minute train journey to Livorno. You then need to take a 3km taxi ride to the hotel. Those booking land-only arrangements start the trip at the hotel in Livorno. Hire bikes will be delivered by the Exodus representative either during the evening or first thing in the next morning. | Day 2 | Your destination is either Vada or Marina di Cecina, both seaside villages with good beaches. The itinerary goes inland, up Monte Nero; a vehicle transfer up the steep ascent is included for all clients and their bikes if the ascent seems too much to pedal. The views from the summit are superb and there is an easy descent on quiet roads back down to the coast. The ride for the day is between 40 and 47km. | Day 3 | An easy day covering 44km through lovely vineyards and pine forests and then along the coast to the town of San Vicenzo with its sandy beaches and popular marina. | Day 4 | Continue cycling south, first along the coast then looping inland through orchards and arable land, before returning to the coast at Follonica. Relax at the end of this 58km ride on more superb beaches and with a view of the island of Elba. | Day 5 | Above fine cliffs for the first 10 km, then inland along river valleys for a change of scene before clocking a total of 60km. Accommodation for the night is in the enchanting fishing port of Castiglione della Pescaia. The walled mediaeval town offers great views from its castle and the busy harbour has a bustling daily fish market. | Day 6 | A short coastal ride, then inland to Grosseto, the provincial capital which has a charming renaissance centre and recently restored Medici fortress. A ride out to Roselle, about 10km away, is highly recommended, as this ancient Etruscan site is quite superb. The last part of the route to Roselle is a gravel road. The total distance for the day is 46km.
| Day 7 | Much of the day's 50km is spent in the Maremma National Park, which incorporates a magnificent stretch of untouched coastline and has diverse flora and fauna. The park combines cliffs, marshes, forests and wonderful beaches backed by umbrella pines. There is the option of covering the first 25km by train if you want to arrive in Orbetello early. The town is situated on the edge of Monte Argentario, a wild, rocky promontory 24km in circumference. Spend the night in Orbetello. | Day 8 | Take the train to Pisa (without bikes) and have the rest of the day to explore this Renaissance city, which has much more than just the famous leaning tower. The city centre may not be the largest but is known as the Campo dei Miracoli (field of miracles) and is one of Italy's most beautiful and memorable squares. | Day 9 | Take taxi/train to Pisa airport for the return flight to London. Those with land-only arrangements end the trip in Pisa. |
Departures Between | Price from | 11 Sep 04 - 24 Oct 04 | *£749 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Depart any Wednesday or Saturday from 29 March to 04 October 2004
Transport costs not included in the above price;Transfers from Pisa airport to Livorno at the start;from Orbetello to Pisa on day 8 and from your hotel in Pisa to the airport on day 9 are not includedAllow up to 40 for the train options,rather more if you plan on taking taxis instead.
Bike hire £35
Single room supplement £120 (compulsory if traveling alone).
Insurance £33
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Tuscany Etruscan coast
A Gentle Cycling along the Etruscan Riviera
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