A BIKE ADVENTURE IN Lovely Lucca

Route (15km):

Lucca
We collect our bikes from the best-equipped bike shop in town and go for a warm up ride along the spectacular tree-lined avenue perched above the city’s ancient walls. Thanks to their grandeur and state of conservation, they have characterized the history and power of Lucca over the ages and have become symbolic of the city itself. The circuit, which is 30 metres in width and 4.2 km in length, provides an ideal place for bike riding. There are six entrance gates situated in the city’s wall bastions, which once stored ammunition and offered shelter for the soldiers defending the city. Continue to explore the city by foot and stop for coffee at one of Lucca’s beautiful cafes.

Route (60km):

Wine and olive oil Route, Montecarlo Lucca
Today the route starts north-east of Lucca, in the direction of the village of Monte S. Quirico (on the banks of the Serchio River) just outside Lucca, from there we’ll admire the city from afar.  We continue our ride via a bike track that runs alongside the river and head towards the village of Ponte San Pietro. Then we head off to S. Alessio and after 1km we turn in the direction of the Wine and  Olive Oil Route of Montecarlo and the Lucchesi hills. Lots of tastings and local history will be shared. Our ride continues taking us through tiny quaint villages, one of which still displays the ruins of an ancient castle.

At lunch we are hosted by Aurelio Barattini at his own Restaurant ‘L’Antica Locanda di Sesto’. A sumptuous lunch in an atmosphere of true Tuscan conviviality is an everyday affair in this part of the world!

Route (50km):

The Grand Villas of Lucca
From Lucca we head north-east on the ss12 del Brennero towards an area known as ‘Via delle ville’ (avenue of the grand estates). There we come face-to-face with the majestic Lucchesi villas once owned by noble families such as Elisa Baciocchi, the sister of Napoleon whom he had named sovereign of Lucca. The villa known as Villa Reale boasts also 17th century gardens, a natural open-air theatre and a Camellia trail. We continue our ride to Villa Grabau at San Pancrazio. Built in the 16th century upon the ruins of a medieval castle by the Diodati, a wealthy family of merchants. The nine hectares of park-land are amongst the most interesting in Lucca’s surrounding territory both for its form and the richness and rarity of the plant species present in the various architectural gardens. We head off towards the majestic Villa Oliva, Villa Mansi and Villa di Camigliano.

Route (0) :

Lucca’s historic centre
Today we enjoy a day of leisure within the city walls. In fact, no visit to Lucca is complete without seeing its major landmarks. We start by visiting the Puccini Museum, where the famous opera composer was born in 1858. Soon after we head towards the Guinigi Tower, emblem of the importance of one of the most famous families of Lucca. Its height  consists in 44.25 metres and after completing its 230 steps, perched on top of its summit there is a hanging garden with seven century-old oak trees. The spectacular panorama seen from above is something you won’t easily forget. The tower is the last testimony of the 250 towers that existed during medieval times. Strolling along Lucca’s winding cobbled streets, we cross the fashionable street of Via Filungo, and arrive in the Roman amphitheatre. The only thing remaining from the time it was constructed by the Romans in II century AD, is the unique square that once could hold up to 10,000 spectators. Feel free to discover the shops, cafes and museums of this beautiful city.

Route (65km):

Pisa
We depart from the historical centre of Lucca and head south on the ss12, via Pisana vecchia, an old Roman trade road which stretches across a distance of around 25kms from Lucca to Pisa. Along the route we will come across medieval forts, a Roman aqueduct and a Medici Villa. We arrive in Pisa and head straight to the magnificent leaning tower and continue to admire it from a side cafe in Piazza dei Miracoli. We then take a detour  towards  Piazza Garibaldi to taste one of Tuscany’s best artisan luxury chocolates from a master chocolatier. We then head back along a different route that takes us along the Serchio valley. We stop to enjoy lunch made from local produce for which the area is best known.

Route (55km):

Viareggio and Pietrasanta
Today we head off north-west towards the coastal town of Viareggio. This is going to be a ride that requires going slightly uphill. If you are intrigued by neoclassical architecture you can admire the Savoy Cinema, the Duilio shops, the Grand Café Margherita, which was an all time favorite of composer Giacomo Puccini. Viareggio is also renown for its boating design and construction, with its dockyards filled with the yachts of the rich and famous. Not far from there, the real Italy comes alive during the open-air fish market where the fishermen flaunt their daily catch by calling out to the crowds. We continue to ride along the seafront promenade, before heading  towards Pietrasanta, a medieval town in the foothills of the Apuan Alps. It is home to many artists and sculptors, known as ‘small Athens’, it has been one of the most important centres of sculpture since the time of Michelangelo.

Cinque Terre excursion
Today we comfortably relax on the mini-coach as we travel towards the Cinque Terre and Portovenere. A UNESCO heritage listed site, this wonderland of a place is admired by visitors from all over the world. As we walk along the path we stop to visit the quaint villages with its colourful homes that look onto the beautiful cobalt sea. Later we enjoy a delicious meal recommended by the locals.