2) Follow in the Footsteps of Cycling Legends on the Tuscan Archipelago

The Tuscan Archipelago consists of seven islands that run along the coastline of Tuscany, the most famous of which are Elba and Montecristo.

The legendary Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi came to train on Elba towards the end of his career, and the island retains a formidable network of trails for road cyclists and mountain bikers looking to take on looping trails and technical challenges.

Monte Cristo, of course, was made famous by French author Alexandre Dumas’ famous adventure novel, plotted around the eponymous ‘Count’.

The islands are all part of the stunning Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago, a national park protecting a massive 17,887 hectares of island, the highest point of which is Mount Capanne at 1,109m on Elba.

Ferries depart to Elba throughout the day from Piombino, where you can easily ride to from the aforementioned Fortress of Populonia.

5) Take in the Gastronomic Delights of the Region

The cuisine of Tuscany is famous around the world for very good reason. Gastronomy is much more than just an add-on on the Etruscan coast – it’s a culture and a lifestyle for many of the locals.

While you’re working your pedals on the roads of the region you’ll come across an array of colours on the trees and pass farms boasting ingredients as fresh and delicious as you get, so by the time you get off the saddle and sit down to sample them, you’ll have worked up an appetite.

Cycle to Monteverdi Marittimo and check out ‘Mucci e Staccoli’; a local food shop selling authentic cheese and wild-boar ham you can pack with you for the road to mix those blue skies with a tantalising treat for your taste buds.

Ride south meanwhile, towards Venturina and Campiglia Marittima, and you’ll pass cottages and farms along your route, with local fruits and ingredients providing the perfect palette for dinner. The local farmers will welcome you warmly, and you’ll be dining from a menu picked from the local fields.

6) Sample the Wine in Beautiful Bolgheri

No travel to Tuscany is complete without a comprehensive sampling of the wine in the region. But surely we don’t need to tell you that?

The Etruscan coast boasts 150km of Mediterranean fruits, vegetables, vineyards, pinewoods, olive groves and hayfields. This is where the wine revolution started in Tuscany, and this is where you will find some of the best wines in the world.

We’d recommend a stop in Bolgheri; a small town renowned for its wine, where you can find not only local labels but also the famous names of Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Masseto that have made Tuscan wine renowned around the world.

9) Stroll Down the White Beaches of Vada

If you’re going for a cycle tour of Tuscany, we’d actually recommend avoiding June, July and August to stay out of the extreme heats, but as long as the sun is shining, it’d be rude not to mention the white beaches of Vada that run along the coastline.

The white paradise offers five kilometres of relatively secluded perfection. Views that have been compared to the Caribbean await, while the crowds are nowhere near as obstructive as you’d might imagine.

If you take a short stroll on from the beautiful beaches of Vada, you’ll soon come to Cecina beach, another sandy paradise just 2km down the road with all the feel of a tropical heaven.

10) Roll along the Coast of Marina di Cecina

Take advantage of the scenic shade of the pine forests along the coast of Marina di Cecina as you mountain bike your way through root and rock trails which last for around five kilometres.

The beautiful forests will take you out of the sun and into the shadows, while the coastal wind will keep you fresh as you send it through the sensational surroundings; being welcomed by memorable views of the peaceful beaches every time you turn towards the water.

For more information on the Etruscan Coast:

www.turismo.intoscana.it

www.costadeglietruschi.it

www.visitelba.info

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