LIGURIA AND TUSCANY

The Riviera dei Fiori, the Cinque Terre, Pisa, Lucca and Viareggio, these are the main ingredients of the guided bike tour. Ride in history on the roads of the Milan-San Remo, cross the evocative landscapes of the Cinque Terre by bike and by boat, always by bicycle visit the Piazza dei Miracoli with the leaning tower and the Tuscan hills up to Lucca.

The tour begins on the coast of the Ligurian Riviera, the “Epic” path awaits you, which is wedged between the pre-Maritime Alps and the sea, “I 3 capo-Colle d’Oggia (1153 meters above sea level)”, the tasting of ‘Taggiasca extra virgin olive oil in an oil mill, the “Cipressa” and the “Poggio”, the final climbs of the very classic “Milano-San Remo”. On the 4th day a quick transfer with our shuttles (luggage and bicycles in tow) will take us to pedal through the 5 Terre to reach Viareggio by boat. We will spend the other 4 days cycling through the Tuscan hills, discovering the city with the leaning tower, Pisa, and Tuscan wines with a tasting at a historic wine shop in the fortified city of Lucca.

The itinerant tour is open to cyclists of all levels and accompanying persons

To those who want to visit two regions of Italy by bicycle, on routes rich in cycling history, panoramic roads, “la dolce vita”, culture, and the eno-gastronomy of Liguria and Tuscany.

DAY 1: Check-in, Fitting, excursion with “Ghost and Bike” guide 14.00-16.00 arrival in the Riviera dei Fiori and check-in at “Villa Giada Resort” in Imperia. 16.00 Bike fitting for guests who have rented a bicycle. 16.30 short excursion with guide “Ghost and Bike” distance 24 km / 14.90 mi – uphill altitude difference 490 meters. / 1607 ft. A gentle ride to become familiar with the roads and the bicycle: we will reach Valloria, the town of the “Painted Doors” where we will stop for a visit. (possibility of extending the excursion with the path “La Contea di Pietralata” distance +15 km. / +9.3 mi. – difference in height +435 mt. / +1427 ft.) 19.00 Welcome drink, let’s get to know our travel friends. 19.45 Dinner at the Villa Giada Resort restaurant 21.15 Briefing: our Tour Leader will present us the itineraries, guides and points of greatest interest. 

DAY 2: guided excursion “Milano Sanremo, final sprint, the Cipressa and the Poggio” 07.30-08.30 buffet breakfast. 09.00 excursion with guide “Milano Sanremo, final sprint, the Cipressa and the Poggio” distance 55 km. / 34 mi. – difference in height 739 mt. / 2424 ft. All in the saddle on the route of the Milan-Sanremo Spring Classic and the 2 final climbs: La Cipressa and Poggio. (Possibility of extending the excursion with the “Civezza – Cinque Burche” route distance +18 km. / +11.18 mi. – uphill difference in height +480 mt. / +1574 ft.) 14.00 After Ride Buffet, with appetizers, hot dishes, pasta, cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables, salads, fruit, desserts and water. 15.00 -19.00 After bike, relax in the two (heated) swimming pools of Villa Giada Resort. 19.30 Dinner at the restaurant of Villa Giada Resort 21.00 -… if you still have energy, we recommend a drink on the tourist port of Imperia (taxi service available from € 12) 

DAY 3: excursion with Epic Ride guide “The 3 chiefs, Alassio, Ginestro pass, Colle d’Oggia 1156” 07.30 – 08.30 buffet breakfast. 09.00 excursion with guide “The 3 chiefs, Berta, Cervo and Mele, Alassio, Passo del Ginestro, Colle d’Oggia 1156 meters above sea level” distance 92 km. / 57.16 mi. difference in height 1685 mt. / 5528 ft. An “epic” day by bike, we tackle Capo Berta, Capo Cervo and Capo Mele up to Alassio (stop for an espresso in front of the famous “Muretto”). The climb to Moglio awaits us, which takes us on a beautiful panoramic road up to the Ginestro pass (second stop). We leave again uphill for Colle San Bartolomeo and Colle d’Oggia – 1156 meters above sea level. After the usual panoramic photo, a beautiful descent on the oil roads awaits us to return to Imperia. (Possibility to shorten the ride on an alternative route: distance -35 km. / -21.74 mi.; Height difference -580 mt. / -1902 ft.) 14.00 After Ride Buffet, with appetizers, hot dishes, pasta, cold cuts , cheeses, vegetables, salads, fruit, desserts and water. 15.00 -19.00 After bike, relaxing afternoon on the beach, followed by (about 5.30 pm) tasting and guided tour of an oil mill. 19.45 Dinner at the restaurant of Villa Giada Resort. 21.00 – … if you still have energy, we recommend a visit to the San Remo Casino (taxi service available from € 50) 

DAY 4: excursion with guide “The county of Pietralata” 07.30-08.30 buffet breakfast 09.00 excursion with guide “The county of Pietralata”. We will start cycling from Villa Giada towards the hinterland to reach the historic villages of Vasia and Borgomaro, surrounded from secular olive trees that paint the territory of the characteristic silver color. 14.00 After Ride Buffet, with appetizers, hot dishes, pasta, cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables, salads, fruit, desserts and water. 15.00 -19.00 After bike, relaxing afternoon on the beach 19.45 Dinner at the restaurant of Villa Giada Resort 21.00 – … if you still have energy, we recommend a visit to the typical Ligurian village of Cervo (taxi service available from € 20 ) 

DAY 5: Transfer to Viareggio with intermediate pedaling in the CinqueTerre 07.30 – 08.30 buffet breakfast. 09.00 Transfer with our Shuttle buses (autonomous for those traveling with their own car) to Levanto where we will stop for a guided excursion following the Alta Via delle 5 Terre to Porto Venere (60 km / 37 mi – 1300 mt / 4265 ft. Of elevation gain). After a lunch stop at the marina to relax and admire the sea, we will set sail by ferry crossing the Gulf of Poets and we will finish our ride in Bocca di Magra. 15.00 Transfer with our shuttle buses (autonomous for those traveling with their own car) to Viareggio and check-in at the Esplanade hotel. 17.30 Briefing: our Tour Leader will present us the itineraries, guides and points of greatest interest. 19.45 Dinner at the “Ciccarelli Esplanade” restaurant of the Esplanade hotel 

DAY 6: free day of relaxation in the spa 07.30 08.30: buffet breakfast 09:00 Free day: relax in the partner spa of the hotel or in one of the many bathing establishments in Versilia. Visit the city of Viareggio. 19:00 Free dinner: ask the reception staff to recommend the best restaurants in town 

DAY 7: guided excursion “Tour to the Leaning Tower” 07.30 -08.30: buffet breakfast 09.00: guided excursion “Tour to the Leaning Tower” 65 km / 40 mi – 183 mt / 600 ft. of altitude. We start to discover the city with the famous leaning tower: we will cycle towards the former Maritime Republic, we will stop for the classic photo in Piazza dei Miracolo and on the way back we will pass through Monte Balbano. 14.00 After Ride Buffet, with appetizers, hot dishes, pasta, cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables, salads, fruit, desserts and water. 15.00 -19.00 After bike, reach the center of Viareggio and visit the Carnival Museum. 19.45 Dinner at the “Ciccarelli Esplanade” restaurant of the Esplanade hotel 21.00 – … if you still have energy, we recommend a walk along the seafront. 

DAY 8: guided excursion “Tour to the fortified city of Lucca” 07.30 -08.30: buffet breakfast 09.00: guided excursion “Tour to the fortified city of Lucca” 70 km / 43 mi – 750 m / 2460 ft. of altitude. Starting from the Viareggio seafront we head east until we reach the fortified city of Lucca. Here we will stop in the historic wine shop located in the historic center for a tasting. 14.00 After Ride Buffet, with appetizers, hot dishes, pasta, cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables, salads, fruit, desserts and water. 15.00 -19.00 After-bike relaxation on the partner beach of the hotel. 19.45 Dinner at the “Ciccarelli Esplanade” restaurant of the Esplanade hotel 21.00 – … if you still have energy, we recommend a walk in the historic center of Viareggio. 

DAY 9: greetings, feedback and photo cards 07.30 – 08.30 buffet breakfast 09.00 – 10.30 greetings of the participants.