When you think of Tuscany, you’re probably thinking about a vacation filled with fine wine and even finer scenery. But, have you given any thought to how you’re going to get around the Italian countryside?
Sure, you could rent a car and zip around. But if you’re game for a more adventurous, the best way to travel Tuscany is by bike. Today, I’ll offer 4 reasons why you should travel Tuscany by bike.
1. You Get to Indulge More
I should start out by pointing out that Tuscany is famous for its hill country. All those vineyards are situated on the sides of steep hills, after all. So, you can expect to burn several thousand calories per day as you’re biking through the countryside.
All those burned calories need to be replenished somehow. What better way to refuel than with Italian cheese, sliced meats, and bread at every roadside stop? Not to mention glasses of wine and champagne, and Italian desserts in the evenings.
By traveling Tuscany by bike instead of driving, you give yourself the freedom to indulge. Instead of counting calories, you can fully immerse yourself in the food and culture of Tuscany. Chances are, with all the hills Tuscany has for you to climb, you’ll still end up losing weight even if you eat your way through the countryside.
2. Biking Lets You Enjoy the Scenery
Tuscany is famous for its rolling hills, pastoral scenery, and views of vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see. But if you’re zipping by in a car at 50 miles per hour, it can be pretty hard to let those views soak in.
When you’re traveling by bike, on the other hand, the whole experience slows down. Instead of spending five minutes passing through a particular valley, that segment of road is transformed into an experience that takes a few hours.
Even better, you can pull over almost anywhere you like with a bike. There’s no need to find a parking space on the narrow and winding roads that cross the Tuscan hills. Whether you’re particularly struck by a view or just need a snack break, it’s simple to stop and let the views that you’ve worked for wash over you.
3. Traveling by Bike Gives You a More Local Experience
Another advantage of traveling Tuscany by bike is that you get to experience the local culture. Most car-equipped tourists will end up in Tuscany’s tourist hubs – after all, those are the places where it’s easy to park a car or where day tours leave from. But with a bike, you can visit and stay in smaller Tuscan towns anywhere along the route.
That means that you can seek out the truly authentic places that most tourists don’t visit. In the process, you can get a taste of true Italian hospitality from people who have lived their entire lives in the Tuscan countryside. You can stop at local eateries and get a true Tuscan food experience.
To be sure, you might find that those small rural towns don’t include a lot of people who speak English. But in many ways, that’s an advantage rather than a bug. Immersing yourself in the local culture is the best way to ensure you’ll come back from your trip with experiences you’ll remember forever.
4. You’ll Meet New Friends
Chances are, you won’t be the only cyclist on the road seeing Tuscany by bike. The area is famous as a bike touring destination, so it draws both serious cyclists and amateur riders who are looking for a more memorable experience.
It’s easy to run into fellow bike tourers at a winery or restaurant, and even easier to strike up a quick friendship based on your shared travel method. Other cyclists can be a terrific source of information about out-of-the-way places you should include on your itinerary, wineries you simply have to visit, and little-known restaurants that are worth a stop.
You can also commiserate about all the Tuscan hills you each have spent the preceding days climbing – and all the hills remaining on your trip!
Gearing Up for a Seeing Tuscany By Bike
If you are going to bike through Tuscany, it’s essential to have the right bike for the job. As I’ve said, those Tuscan hills are no joke. The better equipped you are for your trip, the better your experience will be and the more time you’ll get to spend sipping wine.
You could rent a bike in Florence when you arrive in Italy and leave for Tuscany from there. But, renting a bike is expensive and you’re unlikely to get a quality ride that fits your body.
Instead, I recommend buying a road bike well in advance of your trip. You can ride it around on your local roads to dial in the fit and get your touring gear assembled. It’s fairly easy to get your bike with you on the plane to Europe, and most European trains will accommodate a bike if Tuscany isn’t your only destination.
Biking Tuscany: A Trip to Remember
Biking through Tuscany an experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. By biking instead of driving, you can indulge yourself on the food and wine that make the region famous. Even better, biking slows down the scenery and allows you to immerse yourself in the pastoral culture of the area.
If you’re ready for the trip of a lifetime, grab a bike and a plane ticket and head for the hills!
Thanks for the Guest Post, Daniel Atlas!
Daniel Atlas is the editor at Rydoze.com. He loves the great outdoors and wilderness. You’ll find him writing about biking, environment and outdoor world all the time.
