Bicycle Tours in Italy: Bike Across Italy - Venice to Pisa Tour Itinerary

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Day 1: Tour begins in Venice, Italy

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Highlights: The Lido of Venice, dinner at a trattoria
Welcome to Venezia! You really should try and come a day or two early to explore this unique city before we begin our bike ride to Pisa. We meet this afternoon at our hotel on the Lido of Venice where we'll fit bicycles. We'll enjoy an introductory aperitif before walking to dinner in a small trattoria on the Lido.

Day 2: Bicycle Venice to Porto Viro

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Highlights: Venetian lagoon, fishing villages, bicycle in the Po Delta
The Lidos of Venice and Pellestrina protect the Venetian lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. You'll follow these natural levees this morning as we work our way south via flat roads and ferries to Chioggia, at the south end of the lagoon. Enjoy lunch on your own there before continuing south to Porto Viro in the Po River Delta. Those who want extra mileage can enjoy a great ride into the delta area from our hotel this afternoon. Dinner together. Distance: 54 km (34 miles).

Day 3: Porto Viro to Adriatic beach

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Highlights: Este family hunting lodge, bicycle in the Po Delta, 9th Century Abbey, beach
It's another day of leisurely riding today as we follow the Po Delta south along the coast. We'll ride right through Mesola and the hunting lodge of Ferrara's Este family, before biking through bird reserves to the 9th century Abbey of Pomposa. Our destination this evening is on the beach near Comacchio. Weather permitting, take a swim in the Adriatic Sea or simply relax by the hotel pool. We'll suggest some great restaurants for dinner on your own this evening. Distance: 83 km (52 miles).

Day 4: Ravenna mosaics

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Highlights: Comacchio, Lunch at farm cooperative, mosaics of Ravenna, Dante's tomb
The estuaries of the Po Delta are one of Italy's richest bird habitats. We visit the lagoon town of Comacchio today and then stop at a local agriturismo (farm cooperative), where we'll enjoy lunch together. Then, it's on to Ravenna. The last capital of the Western Roman Empire, Ravenna is home to more early Christian mosaics than any other city in Western Europe. You can walk to Dante's Tomb and the mosaics of San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia this afternoon, as our hotel is near all the city sights. Distance: 55 km (34 miles).

Day 5: Ravenna to Faenza

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Highlights: Mosaics of Sant'Apollinare, vineyards, lunch at family farm, ceramics of Faenza
Enjoy the 6th-century mosaics at the Church of Sant'Apollinare in Classe this morning before stopping and visiting a local Italian bike shop on our way to "the farm" for a light lunch together. "The farm" is our European headquarters and is located on land that Paola Malpezzi-Price's family has cultivated for more than 100 years. We continue on to Faenza, where we visit a local ceramist who will introduce us to traditional Faenza designs. Dinner, if you are still hungry, is on your own! Distance: 63 km (39 miles).

Day 6: Over the Apennines

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Highlights: Olive oil tasting, bicycle the Apennine Mountains, small mountain villages
We head into the Apennines today, passing first through the medieval village of Brisighella for an olive oil tasting in one of Italy's most unique olive oil producing areas. We'll then begin climbing (easily at first!) over the Apennines -- remember to look around as you climb since the scenery changes dramatically as you leave the plains and enter the mountains. Just before we reach the toughest part of our climb to Ronta, there is a very conveniently located train station which allows you a choice in how you reach our destination! We'll enjoy dinner together in Ronta or Borgo San Lorenzo tonight. Distance: 15 - 72 km (9 - 45 miles).

Day 7: Fiesole and Florence

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Highlights: Fiesole and its Etruscan ruins, Renaissance Florence, Uffizi Gallery
There's a small climb this morning to Vetta le Croci, then it's downhill to the old Etruscan city of Fiesole, where you'll enjoy a great view of Florence rising from the valley floor. We'll ride into town together, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore this capital of Renaissance Italy. Our hotel in Florence lies on the banks of the Arno River, close to the Uffizi Gallery. We'll have dinner together this evening. Distance: 35 km (22 miles).

Day 8: Wonders of Florence

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Highlights: Uffizi Gallery, statue of David, Ponte Vecchio, Brunelleschi's Duomo
This is a rest day in Florence, so take it easy and enjoy this fabulous Renaissance city. We're happy to help you make reservations to visit the famous Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia, home to Michelangelo's David. At sunset, take a walk down to the Ponte Vecchio to engage in the passeggiata (or "evening stroll"). Dinner is on your own.

Day 9: Birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci

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Highlights: Olive groves and vineyards, Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace and museum
After breakfast, we head out of Florence and down the Arno River valley for a beautiful day of riding in the Italian countryside. There is a bit of a climb as we cross Mount Albano but what a spectacular view. Our destination is Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, where you'll have a chance to visit the house where he was born and a museum with scale models of his inventions. Dinner is together tonight. Distance: 42 km (26 miles).

Day 10: Lucca

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Highlights: Medici villa, bicycle countryside of Tuscany, 17th century wall
Climb the stairway to the Medici villa in Cerreto Guidi today for a great view as we continue west to Lucca, where we'll stay the next two nights. Lucca was a Roman town and one of medieval Italy's most prosperous city-states. Today, Lucca retains its medieval charm with its small shops and sidewalk cafés, as well as the beautiful 17th-century wall that surrounds the town. Dinner on your own. Distance: 58 km (36 miles).

Day 11: Pisa

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Highlights: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza of Miracles, Lake Massaciuccoli
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 his 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).

Day 12: Tour ends in Lucca

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Highlights:
After breakfast, our journey across Italy comes to an end. You're on your own now, prepared to face Rome and its many museums or to explore the Lakes District to the north. Or maybe you'd like to explore the Cinque Terre on one of our walking tours there. Buon viaggio!!