Cycling in the Land of Da Vinci and Pinocchio October 10-14, 2018

The Valdinievole is an area where you can find an extraordinary mix of ingredients such as SPAs, untouched natural environment and old mediaeval villages. It is located right in the heart of among the cities of , Pistoia, and Lucca and has been a melting pot of culture. Due to the lay of the land, Tuscany is the most suitable Italian region for cycling tourism, rich in biking paths and cycling routes. Cycle on the beautiful lanes and roads in the land of Leonardo Da Vinci and Pinocchio.

Duration of the stay: 5 days/4 nights

st - 1 ​ day - Wednesday, October 10 ​ Arrive at the Hotel in Montecatini Terme and accommodation. Meeting with your bike guide and briefing on the program for the week. Quick walking tour of the spa town that dates back to the second half of the 18th century, whose water sources are now part of spa locations. The theme that we are trying to focus on is mainly based on parks and Liberty style: you will visit the town hall, decorated by the painter and potter Galileo Chini, who is also popular because he was the scenographer of the works by the renowned musician Giacomo Puccini, the Tettuccio Spa building, where you can find the wonderful and unique works of art by the potter Basilio Cascella, finally you will have the pleasure to sip a tasteful cocktail at the historical café to go back in time. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. ​

PROMOZIONE ALBERGATORI MONTECATINI (PAM) - Tettuccio Tour [email protected] +39 0572 75365

nd - 2 ​ day - Thursday, October 11 ​ Through the vineyards in Montecarlo riding through the “Fiaba di Pinocchio” road

Breakfast at the Hotel, meeting with the guide and transfer with train to , the town famous for its nurseries of flowers, olive and lemon trees. Our first step is Montecarlo, an amazing medieval village very well-preserved. This village is very famous for its wine and oil. We admire the landscape from the top of the hill and we visit Teatro dei Rassicurati one of the smallest theater in . Second stop is at Witches Oak a very old tree (around 600 years old) famous because is the place where Pinocchio was hung by murderers in the Pinocchio book. Witches danced on the branches of this tree during the sabbath night in old time.

Our third stop is in San Gennaro Village just in front of the Church of San Gennaro, a Romanesque church very suggestive and famous for a sculpture made by Leonardo da Vinci; probably the only statue made by Leonardo himself. Once we reach San Gennaro we stop in a nice tavern to have a brunch with typical products (cold cuts, cheese and local wine). Let’s continue, leaving the village eastwards, taking a dirt road that leads back to the Valle towards the Collodi residential area, the hometown of the author of the story of Pinocchio. Tour of the park dedicated to Pinocchio. Here you can find mosaics, statues and small buildings set in a unique and picturesque green area, all mainly based on the episodes of Pinocchio. From the village center it starts the “Via della Fiaba”, this flagging path leads us back to the start. We return to Montecatini by train. After leaving the bikes to the hotel, you will reach Terme Excelsior for a relaxing break and then dinner and overnight stay in Hotel.

Cycling: 29 km (18 miles), medium difficulty

PROMOZIONE ALBERGATORI MONTECATINI (PAM) - Tettuccio Tour [email protected] +39 0572 75365

rd - 3 ​ day - Friday, October 12 ​ To the discovery of the Marsh Land of Fucecchio

Breakfast at the Hotel, meeting with the guide and with your bike, riding to the marshy area of “Padule di Fucecchio”. You continue through uncongested roads and a small stretch of white road which lead straight to the marsh land. The Marsh Land of Fucecchio is the widest marsh land in Italy and one of the latest marshlands in Europe, perfect habitat for numerous and various local fauna. With its 1800 hectares, the land covers an area that goes from Pistoia to Florence. A real natural jewel: a large area rich of local flora and fauna of great interest, from the royal fern to various types of water lilies, from the herons (among which the wonderful squacco herons) that nest in colonies, to cranes and black storks for a total number of more than 200 types of birds. At the arrival in the Marshland we leave for a moment the bike and we take a traditional boat (barchino) for a tour of the channel of Padule. These boats were used until a century ago in order to carry goods from the Arno river to Valdinievole. After this boat tour we stop for a brunch of typical food and keep visit of Padule di Fucecchio on bike to reach Grotta Giusti Spa in ​ ​ Monsummano Terme to have a steam bath in the cave. Divided into three distinct areas called Heaven, Purgatory and Hell, the cave offers visitors a chance to experience a unique environment with temperatures ranging from 28° to 34° C, and natural steam with healing and therapeutic properties. The interiors of the cave are decorated with stalactite and stalagmite formations, and feature several underground labyrinths with spacious caverns where you can relax in total peace and quiet. After the cave, bath in the thermal pool (the biggest thermal pool in Tuscany). Back to the Hotel on bike. Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel.

Biking: 22 km (13.6 miles)

PROMOZIONE ALBERGATORI MONTECATINI (PAM) - Tettuccio Tour [email protected] +39 0572 75365

th - 4 ​ day - Saturday, October 13 ​ The magic of the Svizzera Pesciatina

Breakfast at the Hotel, meeting with the guide and transfer to Pescia by train. You will ride with your bike along the river Pescia slightly ascending until reaching the village of Pietrabuona, the entry to the so called Svizzera Pesciatina and its ten Castella, historical villages made of pietra serena, (a typical Italian sandstone), in a green valley which reminds to alpine landscape with its colors, vegetation and breathtaking glimpses. You continue towards Aramo, then San Quirico and finally Castelvecchio, from where you may have a unique view on the entire valley.

In Castelvecchio, visit the parish church of Saint Thomas and Saint Ansano of Valeriana, national monument since 1875, restored many times, that reminds of the Lombard sacred architecture of the 12th century. At the end of the descent, you will reach the area where the well-known PGI quality -Sorana bean is grown, a unique type of beans with delicate taste, for a wine and food stop at a typical restaurant. Return to Montecatini through cool chestnut trees woods. The rest of the day is dedicated to relaxation and recharging the energies with the help of the Montecatini Thermal Water. We begin with activities in the spa pool at the Redi Spa where it will be possible to have bath and to benefit of a relaxing massage performed under a source of hot thermal water. The temperature of water allow body to relax properly and fully donating a wave of wellbeing never experienced before. Inside the area dedicated to the thermal pool the participants will find bathtubs with thermal water where they can do the activity of hydro bike and a vascular path with hot and cold water that aims to reactivate the microcirculation of the legs. Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel.

Biking: 28 km (18 miles), 700 meters ascent (2296 ft).

PROMOZIONE ALBERGATORI MONTECATINI (PAM) - Tettuccio Tour [email protected] +39 0572 75365

th - 5 ​ day - Sunday, October 14 ​ The Genius of Leonardo

Breakfast at the hotel, meeting with the guide and departure by bike to the village of Vinci, the hometown of the great Leonardo, through olive groves and vineyards. You can visit the museum, where it is possible to admire the prototypes of the main inventions by Leonardo, then tour of the village. When finished, back on your bike towards the house where Leonardo was born in Anchiano. After visiting the house, lunch with oil and wine tasting at a local farm holiday. Then a bit of relax before heading towards Montecatini Terme, passing through the hill of San Baronto, Lamporecchio and Monsummano. Before reaching Monsummano, it is possible to visit the unique village of Montevettolini, located in a picture postcard landscape. End of tour. Biking: 50km (30 miles), 600 meter ascent (1,969ft) Duration: 5 -6 hours.

Activity level: Moderate (3) - Good physical fitness and cycling experience required. Cycling on a mix of paved and unpaved roads 22 - 50 km/day (18-30 miles) with elevation gains and losses up to ~ 762 meters/2,500 feet.

TOTAL COST: 830,00 Per Person (n°4 overnight in Hotel 3* included) € Not included city tax 1,00 per night per person. € Group size 6-15

PROMOZIONE ALBERGATORI MONTECATINI (PAM) - Tettuccio Tour [email protected] +39 0572 75365

Weather October is considered to be one of the best months to visit Tuscany. The average temperatures in October are set between 11 and 21°C . However, the complex topography of Tuscany includes micro-climate differences within its different regions. Layering is therefore important, as well as be prepared with a proper rain and windproof jacket.

Packing List: Layering is key to remaining comfortable while on an active trip. To achieve maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of ventilation, insulation, and weather protection. Luggage: Assorted Personal Items: ● Medium duffle or rolling soft-sided ● Water bottle (cycling) luggage ● Sunblock and lip balm with SPF ● Luggage lock ● Sun hat ● Packing cubes/stuff sacks ● Sunglasses ● Personal toiletries (toothpaste, Clothing: toothbrush, hand sanitizer, etc.) ● Casual clothing/shoes for travel and city ● Personal first aid kit, medications wear (lightweight, easily washable) ● Camera/memory cards/battery ● Light rain/windproof jacket ● Electronics charger ● Mid-weight fleece/softshell ● Earplugs and eye shade ● Underwear/sports bra (quick drying) ● Swimwear for spas ● Sleepwear

Cycling: ● Cycling helmet – mandatory (You can borrow one of ours with advance notice) ● Stiff-soled cycling shoes ○ Bring your own clipless pedals and mountain bike shoes with recessed cleats (optional) ● Cycling Jerseys ● Padded cycling shorts (x 2) ● Arm and leg warmers ● Regular biking gloves ● Eyewear - Biking glasses ● Lightweight wind jacket ● Rain jacket/pants/shoe covers (just in case!)

PROMOZIONE ALBERGATORI MONTECATINI (PAM) - Tettuccio Tour [email protected] +39 0572 75365