Nice to Pisa - Liguria & Cinque Terre
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Dates: 30 May - 13 June, 2010 26 September - 10 October, 2010 Gateway Airports:
Arrival: Cote d'Azur - Nice, France Departure: Pisa, Italy Rating: Moderate-Strenuous
(depends upon daily options) Cost: 2850 Euro (double occupancy per person) Single supplement 500 Euro (limited) |
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Itinerary Summary
Day 1 – Arrival
Nice, France Day 2 – San Remo
82-141km
Day 3 -- San Remo loops Day 4 – Alessio
87km
Day 5 – Alessio loops
Day 6 – Sassello 104km Day 7 – Sassello loops
63-87km Day 8 -- Montoggio 97km Day 9 – Sestri-Levante
79-117km
Day 10 -Sestri-Levante Passo Centocrocci loop Day 11-Monterosso 46-102km
Day 12 – Monterosso -
Five villages trail
Day 13 – Marina Carrara
84km
Day 14 – Lucca/Pisa
73km
Day 15 – Departures
Pisa, Italy |
This is a truly unique European cycling vacation: the French and Italian Riviera, the Cinque Terre hilltop villages, the Ligurian interior countryside, the Tower of Pisa. Even better—it's a route that largely remains off the radar of bicycle tours. Coursing thread-like mountain roads above the Mediterranean, and venturing into remote and tranquil Liguria, you'll experience some of the finest coastline cycling, scenery and cuisine Europe can offer.
You'll begin at the classic French Cote d'Azur destination of Nice and proceed along the rugged coastline, through Monaco, before turning south entering Italy. The impossibly beautiful villages and terraced vineyards of the Cinque Terre enchant, while the serene Ligurian countryside beckons. Wrap this up with the famous stop in Pisa, and you have all the ingredients for a remarkable bicycling vacation! Bon Appétit!
You'll marvel at the worlds of contrast within a mere two weeks of bicycling. From the hustle-bustle of Nice to the interior of Liguria the contrasts are striking. The cerulean waters of the Mediterranean, compelling in both clarity and intensity, easily distract. Yet we are quickly reminded of the nearness of an enterprising economy. The coastal roadways are often exciting—people, scooters, cars and trucks—yet everyone cooperates and shares the road in such a way that North American bicyclists dream of when considering an ideal cycling getaway.
Meanwhile, Liguria is a terrain of field and forest. Locals gather funghi (mushrooms) used liberally in the delicious local cuisine. The serenity of the interior is a welcome complement to the bustling energy of the seaside—and you're sure to treasure the “secret” roads as much as the the local cyclists who ride them on the weekends. Your bicycle tour will explore inland over four days, with out-and-back loop rides, as well and point-to-point routes, before moving back to the Mediterranean.
Next we'll explore the reknowned Cinque Terre by bike, foot or boat. The seafood is fabulous, and the views from the villages perched on cliffs above the sea are breathtaking. From the Cinque Terre we'll cycle quiet roads to the outskirts of La Spezia, and ride around Poets Cove to Lerici for lunch. From there it's on to Marina di Carrara: home of the fabulous marble made famous by Michaelangelo .
Leaving Marina di Carrara, we'll ride beneath the mountains of marble on the local cyclists' favorite route into the walled city of Lucca. This is the town of the great Italian cyclist Mario Cipollini, as well as the great operatic composer Giacomo Puccini (Madame Butterfly, La Boheme). You'll have ample time to explore this historic town—and even ride around the top of the historic wall.
Our farewell dinner will be a final toast to all that is wonderful about cycling and traveling. You'll never forget the chance to engage everything this bike tour encompasses—from the unbeatable meals and friendly camaraderie, to the miles of wonderful roads and glimpses into a quiet life still lived day-by-day. You'll have much to contemplate, and plan for next year, as the cool fall weather descends upon us as we return home.
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Italian Riviera CinqueTerre villages Fresh seafood meals Piemonte wines Ligurian olive oil Dramatic seascapes Italian hospitality |
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| Accommodations: 2,3 or 4 star Italian B&Bs, Inns and hotels; always clean, always well situated for post-ride relaxation |
Included: 14 nights, 14 breakfasts, 12 dinners, 2 grand picnics, maps and route descriptions, luggage transfers, on-the-road ride guides, van support |
Excluded: 2 dinners, lunches, airfare, insurances, tips & gratuities |
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