Cycling in Tuscany: Pisa to Florence

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An great experience, very helpful staff at Headwater and the service at the hotels was great. Would have loved to have spent 2 nights in Lucca rather than Montecatini (seemed rather a sad and deserted) but that said understand that it was to do with the number of miles/rest times along the cycle route.

Jenny Chapman, 2 Apr 2024

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An enjoyable holiday. We have been on a number of cycling holidays. If you were inexperienced, the briefing would not have been sufficient. The agent appeared to be a rush to leave! One of our bikes had a constant issue with the gear cable but my partner was able to sort it out. The train journeys were difficult with the electric bike as it was so heavy and both stations had steps on and off the platforms. The Pisa hotel AC Grand was too far away from the centre of Pisa. Breakfasts in all hotels were basic and not replenished even when we were eating at 7am! Overall we enjoyed our trip and the big bonus was being able to download the route on our mobiles.

Carolyn Evans, 2 Sep 2023

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Excellent routes through flatter parts of Tuscany giving varied interest through all the rides. Occasional (unavoidable) stretches on busy roads but most roads pleasantly quiet. Good friendly hotels for the necessary post-ride recovery. Although the strada bianchi only makes up 12% of the distance, it feels like more!



CARE, 3 Jun 2023

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We were a party of one 25 year old who used a regular road bike and his 2 parents who were glad we’d booked ebikes as the route was very hilly in parts, as described in the route literature. The cities and towns we stopped in were beautiful and so interesting. The hotels in Florence and Pisa were a little out of town but pleasant walks there along the river. The routes between the stops were through mainly agricultural landscape and largely on roads, some quite busy, or on tough gravel riverside paths. In the cites luckily there were dedicated cycle lanes. The holiday was well organised and the local agent helpful although stressed he wouldn’t come to assist with punctures (fortunately we had none). The bikes were well maintained although some suspension in the saddle would have helped. All in all we had an excellent holiday - our third with Headwater - and would definitely recommend the company and look forward to going with them again some day

Mrs Whiteley, 3 Sep 2022

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This is a fantastic way to see parts of a country you would probably never see. The routes are so well planned and thought through taking you along cycle paths and quiet country lanes to villages and towns and places of interest away from busy main roads( mostly). The app is really accurate, useful and easy to use. The bikes are sturdy hybrids that are well maintained. If you don’t use an e-bike then you do have to have a certain level of fitness as cycling each day as some parts of the routes can be a bit of a challenge( some uphills require a bit of effort). Also you should be aware how the heat might affect your ability to do cycle. This caught me off guard but we just chose to leave earlier to avoid the sun. The arrival in Florence was fabulous, finishing at the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge with a cool beer and then having the following day to explore was wonderful. Truly spectacular city. On the last day we biked part way to Pisa and then took the train. A unique way to see Tuscany

Mr Mayer, 6 Aug 2022