ExperiencePlus! Blog


Discover a Whole New Tuscany

We have a secret to share — there is a little corner of Tuscany that has remained undiscovered where the bicycling is fantastic, far gentler than in the rest of Tuscany. It’s a magical area with authentic small towns perfectly situated along the Etruscan Coast. ExperiencePlus! has 7 and 10 day options to cycle Coastal Tuscany and to tempt you further here are just a few of the things we love about this cycling tour.

Amazing towns:  Enjoying a spa visit in Coastal Tuscany. Photo by ExperiencePlus! traveler Bill Hunter
Casciana Terme is famous for its thermal and curative water, cherry festivals, and spectacular olive oil.

Lari where we’ll visit artisanal pasta makers who fed soldiers during WWII and Tour de France riders in 2012.

Perched on the summit of a hill you’ll find the village of Castagneto Carducci which offers spectacular views of the sea, pine forests, and a countryside that is dotted with villas and farmhouses. The city was once surrounded by walls and is now dominated by the castle of the Della Gherardesca family.

Photo by ExperiencePlus! traveler Bill HunterInviting Terrain:
This area features a kinder and gentler (to cyclists) Tuscan landscape so expect rolling terrain and a few substantial climbs, but not the steep, long hills that Tuscany is famous for. You’ll also enjoy one of the best downhills you’ll find anywhere. Here is how ExperiencePlus! traveler Bill Hunter described it: The ride downhill from that Sassetta summit to Suvereto has been called the best anywhere.  We were not disappointed.   The newly paved road twisted and turned down on a gentle grade that allowed us to travel about eighteen miles per hour without pedaling or braking.  If you wanted to pedal, you could fly down this mild roller coaster hill.  We were happy to coast. 

History:
We’ll visit one of the most important Etruscan sites in Italy, Populonia. This ancient city was unique in Etruscan history because of its seaside location. It was also the first city in the area to coin silver and there is evidence of metallurgical activities in the lower section of Populonia’ ruins. There are also a number of tombs from the 7th- 4th centuries B.C.E.

Accommodations We Love:"Super Tuscan" wine anyone? Photo by ExperiencePlus! traveler Bill Hunter
Spa hotels like Il Calidario and Antico Borgo San Martino, and Agriturismo Montebelli, a working farm with luxurious rooms.

Food that will make you happy that you are on a bike trip:
This is the best of Italian cuisine featuring homemade pastas, wild boar dishes, bean/lentil/chickpea stews or salads, fresh vegetables and fruits.

Tarot Gardens on the ExperiencePlus! Coastal Tuscany bicycle tourStay for the full 10-days:
The 10-day tour includes Capalbio, an absolutely charming stone hill top town with maze-like alleyways. We’ll also visit the Tarot Garden and its fantastical statues and monuments, and enjoy a home-cooked dinner that features fresh ingredients harvested onsite.

Read reviews from our travelers for further inspiration and schedule that flight to Pisa where we’ll pick you up and transfer you to the tour start.