Tuscany is one of the best tourist destinations to visit Italy by Bike. Most tourists think there as museums and the arts, but it's not all ...

The most famous area of Tuscany is called "the wine route". In this area, there are 2 of the biggest attractions of Tuscany: Florence and Pisa, cities rich in historical and artistic resources.

[Special Thanks to the Adventure Tours non commercial association Tripadventure.org to providing the pictures and resources to write this post]

Florence is the city where are born of famous people like Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Dante and Brunelleschi. Siena is the homeland of the "Palio", an event which every summer attracts thousands of visitors to see this medieval horseback.

The land between these cities is made up of 2 parts, one called "Chianti" (typical hilly landscape easy to bike famous for its wine production) and the other called "Via Franchigena" (One way medieval used to connect the 'Europe in Jerusalem)

What to see:

The main attractions can be visited Florence (the capital of Tuscany) and the Chianti region (Radda in Chianti and Passo dei Pecorai cities).

Florence was the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. Most sites are located in the Florence compact historic center.

Top places worth visiting in Florence

• Piazza della Signoria, and the Palazzo Vecchio - The heart of the historic centre and freedom of outdoor sculptures as Michelangelo's David. The Palazzo Vecchio contains medieval decorated public rooms and private apartments.
• The Dome also know that the "Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore" - This is a Gothic building which can accommodate 20000 people.
• The Baptistery of John the Baptist - is a classic 11th century. Inside, you can see the mosaics and a marble paving of the zodiac.
• The Campinile tower is on the Piazza del Duomo. It's a 414 stairs building that offers great views of the cathedral and its dome and in the vicinity of Florence.
• The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) - It is a medieval bridge crossing the Arno River.
• The Uffizi Gallery - He holds the world's largest collection of Renaissance art (paintings, sculptures, antiques, illuminations, etc. ..)
• Galleria dell 'Accademia - He owns Michelangelo's David, probably the most famous sculpture in the world.
• Piazza Santa Croce, is the largest Franciscan church in Italy and holds the tombs of several major Florentines, including Michelangelo and Dante.

Radda in Chianti is a medieval feudal and a centre of the residence of the thirteenth century. By the middle of the thirteenth century, Florence asserted its dominance here because of the strategic importance of Radda. Starting from 1384, it became the capital of the League of Chianti, as evidenced by the oldest statutes.

By mid-1300 years, on the orders of the Florentine government, the wall of the castle were reinforced and new fortifications were needed after the invasion Aragonese in 1478 during which the Radda castle was conquered and devastated. From 1500's Radda is mainly active agricultural center.

Among the most important monuments to see in Radda in Chianti, please visit:

• La Pieve di San Giusto in Salcio
• La Pieve di San Polo in Rosso
• The Palazzo del Podestà
• Tthe Convento di San Martino al Prato

Benefits for the cycle in Tuscany

• Breathtaking views
• A journey through centuries of history and culture of Italy
• Easy to bicycle paths
• Mild climate all year
• The cities have good cycling trails

Disadvantages

• High temperatures and humidity during the summer months
• Some roads may not be easy, in the hills of Chianti

Suggestions

• Choose spring or autumn months (March to October, not August)
• Buy a topographic map or a GPS
• The land a sweet descent and ascent. 70% of the roads are paved.
• Tours recommended for those who have little experience of a bicycle.

You will need this type of equipment:

• City Bike (you can rent or bring your own)
• Water proof vest
• Sun Cream
• Compensation for your bike
• First Aid Kit