A warm welcome to the adventure! Our guides will meet you at Pisa International Airport and will take you to your hotel in Lucca. After a refreshing lunch, we’ll get fitted on our bikes and head off for a warm-up ride to get comfortable for the week ahead. From the centre of Lucca, in a few minutes we will reach some of the most beautiful hills around Lucca, surrounded by age-old olive groves and vineyards. We’ll stop at one of the best-known local enotecas and with glass in hand, we’ll toast to the week ahead. Back to the hotel we will get ready for a five-star dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town.

Meals: Dinner

Cycling: distance 35 km, elevation 400 meters

Pick-up location: Pisa International Airport

Today we are off to Forte dei Marmi. The first 12 km are pretty flat, before we take on the first slopes at Piazzano. We’ll go downhill, crossing the Freddana Valley to Monteggiori, where we’ll soak up the impressive vistas of the Mediterranean Sea and take some photos. After a moderate descent, we’ll pedal along flat beautiful roads to the enchanting small town of Pietrasanta, known for its marble and bronze workshops, artists and monuments. Here we’ll start climbing up a challenging ascent to Capriglia, a pretty little village where we’ll stop to enjoy the impressive vistas of the sapphire-coloured sea and the Ligurian Gulf. We’ll keep on pedalling along a thrilling descent which offers infinite views of the coast, before heading back to Forte dei Marmi where our reward will be a traditional homemade lunch. In the afternoon we will have time to relax before dinner.

Meals: Dinner

Cycling: distance 75 km, elevation 600 meters

Following a relaxing Italian breakfast, we’ll hit the road to enjoy another stunning ride with jaw-dropping views of the sea and of the mighty Appennines. We’ll cycle along the coast before taking on a gentle slope to Fosdinovo, a tiny medieval hamlet 20km away from Carrara and its marble quarries. Here we’ll marvel at its famous castle before pedalling downhill to Sarzana. Here we’ll ride flat roads before a short climb which will lead us to Monte Marcello and to the amazing Gulf of Poets. After an exhilarating descent to Lerici, we’ll ride the last 25km on the flat to Portovenere, a real jewel on the Ligurian coast. Here we’ll have a look at San Pietro’s Church, a small black and white Gothic style church which offers beautiful views of Portovenere. After lunch at our favourite restaurant we will have some time on our own before re-grouping for dinner.

Meals: Dinner

Cycling: distance 80 km, elevation 800 meters

A nourishing breakfast prepares us for a challenging ride that will lead us to Riomaggiore, Menarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, the five fishing villages that comprise the Cinque Terre, the most iconic highlight of the Italian Riviera. We will ride a series of gentle ascents and descents along the dramatic rugged coastline which is full of ancient little villages that still maintain their feeling of remote authenticity, and we will experience endless combinations of unspoilt natural beauty. We’ll follow beautiful paths that lead us to breath-taking getaways off the beaten track, which will enlighten our senses and nourish our souls. We will stop at our favourite trattoria to savour a delicious meal. Back on our bikes, we’ll cycle along the coast having an unforgettable experience. Then off to our hotel in Monterosso where we will relax before indulging in a gourmet dinner.

Meals: Dinner

Cycling: distance 65 km, elevation 800 meters

Today we’ll cycle along some of the most scenic roads in Europe, with incredible views of the mountains, cliffs, bays and the endless emerald sea. From Monterosso to Sestri Levante we’ll ride along a series of gentle ascents and smooth descents passing through lovely little villages. We will pause to taste the delicious focaccia di Recco and other local delicacies. Back on our bikes, we’ll ride the flat roads along this stunning coastline to Santa Margherita Ligure area. After another long series of gentle ascents and smooth descents we will get to Santa Margherita, one of the premier tourist destinations well-known all over the world for its picturesque harbour and for the colourfully painted houses that line the shore. Dinner alongside locals at the most renowned restaurant in town.

Meals: Dinner

Cycling: distance 70 km, elevation 800 meters

This morning we will wind our way through the enchanting tiny villages that dot the stunning Ligurian coastline with scenic views of the Apennines, passing through Chiavari and Sestri Levante, well known for its wonderful quiet romantic Silent Bay, and the beautiful Bay of Fairy Tales. From there we’ll ride along peaceful roads to the hinterland passing through Casarza Ligure. We’ll be greeted by the luxury of a unique natural panorama discovering Passo Bracco. After a panoramic descent we will encounter several enchanting medieval villages like Borghetto, where we’ll be moved by the Accola Sanctuary and where we will have a light lunch. We’ll continue our ride pedalling past rows of olive trees and vineyards ending in La Spezia where we’ll wander around its atmospheric winding streets. Once at our hotel we will have a professional soothing massage before a fantastic Ligurian dinner.

Meals: Dinner

Cycling: distance 70 km, elevation 700 meters

Our final breakfast is followed by goodbyes with our guides before they see you off to your next destination.

Meals: Breakfast

Drop-off: Pisa International Airport