Make your way to your hotel in Pisa and check-in. In the evening there will be a welcome briefing and bike fitting (exact time TBC) but other than that the day is yours. Besides being home to the world’s most famous architectural blunder, Pisa also has one of Italy’s most elite universities and the student population lends the city a vibrancy and buzz that compliments the historic Romanesque buildings and Renaissance piazzas. Of course, it’s almost obligatory to take a look at the famous leaning tower and cathedral in the Piazza dei Miracoli but the real Pisa is to be found in the winding alleys and lungarni (riverside streets) of the beautiful old town.

If you arrived late yesterday and didn’t have time to explore Pisa properly then there is plenty of time to do so this morning as today’s ride is relatively short and very flat. The bikes will also help you to get around the city more efficiently.

Today’s easy route leads you along a network of quiet paths through the ‘Macchia Luccese’ national park towards the coast. At the sea you turn north and cycle through pine forests with a long sandy beach to your left. It’s a good idea to pack you swim things in your pannier as, if it’s hot, you may be tempted to stop for a dip. Today’s destination is the charming seaside resort of Viareggio. Take a stroll along the beautiful Passeggiata, the boulevard beside the beach. Our tip is to have a drink or bite to eat in the beautiful and ornate Caffè Margherita, which has remained largely unchanged for 100 years.

Today’s route leads you further up the coast for a while before turning inland and heading up into the hills. At the beautiful old Roman town of Camaiore you join the ‘Via Francigena’, an ancient pilgrims’ route that connected France to Rome. The route follows the undulations of the Apuan foothills through small, medieval villages to the banks of the Serchio river and wiht a few steep climbs ro enjoy! You then begin to follow a well-maintained cycle path that will eventually lead you into the centre of Lucca. If you fancy a bit more cycling you can follow the path around the Renaissance walls that encircle the historic city centre. After checking in to your hotel take a stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets or along the ramparts of the famous walls. Sooner or later you will come across the elliptical Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, a picturesque square that traces the shape of the second century Roman Amphitheater that once occupied the same space.

Today’s ride is a gentle ascent up the Serchio valley towards the impressive peaks of the Apennine Natural Park. The Serchio River will be your guide for the day as you head upstream through ever more impressive scenery. There are a few short busy sections along the way today. The ancient Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge) is an amazing and beautiful feat of medieval engineering and well worth a photo stop just pass the charming village of Borgo a Mozzano. After cycling through a succession of sleepy Apennine villages you arrive in the medieval town of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana where you will stop for the night. Time appears to have stood still in this quaint little alpine town and you’ll enjoy exploring its narrow, winding, flagstoned streets, stone arches and small piazzas.

Carb up at breakfast today as this ride is the most challenging of the week. It starts with a climb of 550 meters over 20 kilometres as you ascend into the Apennine Natural Park. The good news is that the scenery is jaw dropping with majestic tree-clad peaks lining the winding road. Near the highest point you will pass the quarries of the world-famous white Carrara marble. From here you enjoy more stunning alpine views on an exhilarating 30 kilometre descent to the coast.

Your destination today is the chic and fashionable seaside resort of Forte dei Marmi. Here you will find a fabulous beach and, after checking into your hotel, a dip in the Tyrrhenian sea may be just the ticket after your challenging ride.

Today’s cycling route is longer than yesterday’s with a couple of climbs but not as challenging. You follow the Lungomare (coast road) north for a few kilometres before turning inland and climbing to the beautiful little town of Marre where we highly recommend you stop for a coffee and stroll around. Then you follow a lovely scenic lane through undulating Apennine foothills, past cascading vineyards back down towards the coast. At Marina di Carrara you leave Tuscany behind and enter Liguria. After passing through the charming fishing village of Bocca di Magra you follow an undulating coast road through quiet countryside. Intermittent sea views are breathtaking and the pastel-coloured houses of Lerici comfirm your arrival on the Ligurian coast. A few more kilometres of easy cycling deliver you to La Spezia, a historic port city, offering art, culture and great food. This will be your base for the next two nights as you explore nearby Cinque Terre. It also concludes the cycling itinerary as tomorrow is all about hiking!

Today you will explore the world famous Cinque terre coast following a very scenic footpath through the national park, visiting each of the five colourful villages of Monterosso, Vernayya, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. To get to the start of this breathtaking coastal walk, you can take a 25 minute train ride from La Spezia to Monterosso, the westernmost village. From there you begin to follow the well-marked coastal path from village to village, always with fabulous sea-views to your right. The full route from end to end is actually 19 kms long but you can shorten this by taking a train from/to any of the villages along the route. From Riomaggiore, the Cinque Terre Express takes you back to La Spezia in a just a few minutes.

After breakfast it’s time to head for home or your next adventure.