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/ Outdoor Activities
7 days Italy tour package to Forte dei Marmi
Cycling along the Tuscan Coast
7 Days from $3,520
Day 1 - Lerici and Montemarcello
Length: 38.5 miles (62 km)
As we depart from Forte, we ride along the coast, eventually reaching
the Castel of Marina di Massa. Through 3.1 miles (5 km) of gently rolling
roads, the ocean and the beautiful port of Marina di Carrara is to our
left. Soaking up an hour and a half of staggering scenery has given us
an appetite, so it's time to take a break for lunch at one of our favorite
spots, perched on the veranda overlooking the ocean. After leaving the
ocean, we head towards the gulf of La Spezia on our first uphill grade.
It's only half a mile long but it will bring us to La Serra and an incredible
vantage point over the ocean. We continue on for 1.9 miles (3 km)
through rolling hills before reaching Montemarcello, a medieval village
nestled on top of a hill. As we circumnavigate the town, we start to head
back, descending the wide switchbacks that bring us to the bridge over
the Magra River. We head south with an alternative view of the coast,
through the Marina di Carrara and Marina di Massa, eventually
reaching Forte dei Marmi, where we began.
Day 2 - Sanzara, Fosdinovo, Massa and Carrara
Length: 47.8 miles (77 km)
On our second day, we head north out of Forte. This gives us a chance
to warm up at a leisurely pace as we zip along the totally flat coast line
next to the beach, soaking up the fresh breeze from the ocean. We
make our way to the Historical center of Sarzana. We gather a little
momentum up the low-grade hills towards Fosdinovo. To fully enjoy
these narrow streets, teeming with local culture, or the views from the
road circumventing the city walls, we continue climbing the winding
road, go through the Cyprus forest and reach the base of the medieval
castle, Castello Dei Vescovi. At this point, we can take a break at one
of the many local restaurants. After lunch, we head down towards
Carrara. As we reach a fork in the road we will be tempted to stop
because the panoramic is breathtaking; valleys, mountains, sea, snowcapped
mountains all from one vantage point. It's all downhill, back to
Massa for a quick zip back to Forte. Time for a gelato!
Day 3 - Pruno
Length: 24.9 miles (40 km)
Starting at Forte Dei Marmi, we follow the main road up to Querceta.
Leaving the downtown area, we go west through the villages of Corvaia
and Seravezza. We cycle for a while through rolling hills that bring us to
the village of Ruosina. At this point we turn left and go up to towards
Pruno. After 2 miles we meet our first hill and eventually arrive at
Cardoso. It is here where we could discover the incredible delicacies of
Norcineria Barsanti Ristorante. As we enter the valley, we find ourselves
surrounded by unusual mountains with natural bridge formations from
one hill to the next. As we circumnavigate a beautiful medieval church,
we begin a climb of 1.9 miles (3 km), which gets a little challenging in
the last 200 meters. We finally arrive in Pruno. The town sits right at
the foothills of a large mountain called Procinto, which is nearly 4,000
feet. The Ristorante Monteforato where you can taste different kinds
of homemade local delicacies is right off the road that leads to Volegno.
Most churches along this course have shaded piazzas where we can
stop to fill up bottles with fresh water from the nearby fountains, or in
Pruno, where the terrazzo overlooks the green "Pineta Verde"
contrasting with the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. We then return
back down to the sea breeze of Forte, for a glass of wine or a pizza from
one of our local restaurants, and the contemplation of where to venture
next!
Day 4 - Pietrasanta and Valdicastello
Length: 28 miles (45 km)
Starting from the Forte dei Marmi, we ride toward Viareggio along the
coast. After reaching Lido di Camaiore, we reach an ancient Roman
road that connected Rome to the Northern Provinces. We turn right and
we go up toward the hills. Here, we can either go right where the road
steadily ascends to what could be considered a hard ride towards the
top of Cappezzano. A spectacular view of the deep blue Mediterranean
Sea, white beaches, and the city-scape below await us.
If we go straight, without climbing, we will arrive at Pietrasanta. The ride
up to Cappezzano is spectacular. After leaving the town square of
Pietrasanta, a small narrow road leads us up the mountain and to a
whole series of switchbacks to get us there. As we ascend, we might
pass one of the locals with their donkeys pulling a three wheel cart,
delivering supplies to one of the residents up the hill, or a group of older
women contemplating which way to go on their morning constitutional.
If you are feeling particularly energetic, you may want to get up out of
the saddle and push past the turns for the occasional acceleration, or
remain in the saddle for a steady ascent. Reaching the top is a gem,
with a view that will take your breath away! After a moment of recovery,
it's time to fly back down to the ocean!
Day 5 - Fiumaretta, Marina di Carrara, Portovenere
Length: 40.3 miles (65 km)
Another day of glorious sightseeing on two wheels is calling us! As we
ride from Lido, towards Forte dei Marmi, we ride along a flat road until
we reach Fiumaretta and Marina di Carrara. Now it's time to dig in a
little and make the climb to Montemarcello, but the view all the way is
so beautiful, you will be lost in joy, and before you know it, you will be
at the top. At this point, a breathtaking view and scenic descent brings
us to Lerici, which overlooks the port of La Spezia. It's time to take a
breather at this point. The van will take us from Lerici, to a fork in the
road that goes to either Portovenere or Riomaggiore. We will then get
on our bikes and ride to Portovenere. This village on the ocean cliffs
will make you feel like you have arrived in another world, and you will
be snapping your camera endlessly to get pictures of this remarkable
and dramatic locale. For those who still want to ride the hills from
Portovenere to Riomaggiore, they can do so. After a fantastic lunch, we
will head back to the hotel in the van.
Day 6 - Viareggio and Torre del Lago Puccini
Length: 36 miles (58 km)
We travel south along the ocean towards the town of Viareggio, and
one of the most glorious beaches in all of Italy. As we soak up the sea
breeze, we turn towards Marina Di Levante. From here, we enter an
area of pine trees surrounding the road. As we ride up a gradual incline,
we enter the beautiful Villa Borbone, a 16th century landmark. We
continue straight for a few kilometers towards the town of Torre Del
Lago Puccini. This is a beautiful little village, and the birthplace of the
famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. We reach a lakeside area,
and it's time to have lunch. As we take a break, we will have a view of
the outdoor open theatre, which hosts a musical festival during the
summer and the fall, featuring the operas and the music of Puccini. It
is time to move on, and we head back on a downhill road with a
contrasting view of the pine trees and the deep blue of the
Mediterranean Sea. After leaving the aroma of pine needles, we once
again reach the beaches of Viareggio and head back along the coast
to Forte Dei Marmi. Life is beautiful!
Day 7 - Return to USA
Transfer to the airport for your return flight
home.