Riding your mountain bike along the hills surrounding Pinocchio’s park and “Svizzera Pesciatina.
DURATION OF STAY: 4 days / 3 nights
1st day
Arrival at the Hotel in Montecatini Terme and accommodation. Quick tour by bike 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 being him the scenographer of the works by the renowned musician Giacomo Puccini, then the Tettuccio Spa building, where you can find the wonderful and unique works of art by the potter Basilio Cascella, and finally you will have the pleasure to sip a tasteful cocktail at the historical café to go back in time.
Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
2nd day
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer by your own means to Pescia. In Pescia you can start your own itinerary by bike to reach Collodi, 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. In Pescia you may also have the chance to visit the Historical Garzoni Garden, a downright green monument, a rare example in Europe, a triumph of art and tradition referring to Enlightenment. Within the garden you will have the chance to visit the Butterfly House, a large building made of plate glass where it is possible to admire hundreds of butterflies coming from tropical areas. Lunch not arranged. In the evening return to Montecatini along the so called via della Fiaba –the Fable Route- where paved and unpaved areas alternate, for a moment of relax at the Redi Thermal Swimming Pool. Dinner at the hotel.
Medium difficulty with ascents and descents not particularly demanding. 8.50 Km long, mt 200 ascent.
3rd° day
Departure from Montecatini Terme by your own means to Pescia. You will ride 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 sand stone), 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 you can also 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 the Carla’s restaurant. Return to Pescia train station through cool chestnut trees woods. Then relax at the Terme Redi for some wellness treatment. Afterwards tour of the village of Montecatini Alto that can be reached by the historical funicular. Dinner with typical Tuscan menu in the medieval small square.
Medium difficulty with ascents and descents not particularly demanding. 28 Km long, mt 700 ascent.
4th day
Breakfast at the hotel and return home.
- 2 half board and 1 bed and breakfast at a 3 star hotel in Montecatini
- Entry to the Tettuccio Spa
- Evening Cocktail at the Tettuccio Spa
- Entry to the Pinocchio Park and Garzoni Villa
- Entry to the Swimming pool of Terme Redi
- Lunch at the Svizzera Pesciatina
- Roundtrip ticket for the funicular to Montecatini Alto
- Dinner at a restaurant in Montecatini Terme
- GPS tracks on the routes
- Train ticket Pescia – Montecatini
- Transportation during excursions
- what is not explicitly mentioned in the list of what is included
WITH EXTRA CHARGE
- Professional guide during all excursions by bike;
- rental of bikes and sport equipment;
