The Grand Tour cycling holiday in France & Italy

Understandably an old favourite. Our Grand Tour of the Mediterranean has become our “signature road trip” and deservedly so with its miles of great classic riding; it really is a distinctly varied adventure.

Following arrival and an evening of superb Nicoise cuisine in the chic capital of the French Riviera, we ride out of town onto the classic Col d’Eze of Nice. Our first day’s circular route is a popular training ground for pro riders and on any day of the week you’re likely to encounter some big names on a route once ridden regularly by Lance Armstrong when he lived in the area.

The following day we set sail for the beautiful island of Corsica. Our early afternoon arrival in Calvi gives us plenty of time for riding as straight away we head for the hills. During the next 2 days we will ride some of the island’s most dramatic roads, visiting numerous beautifully rustic and very typical towns and villages along the way. Our final Corsican ride sees us rising into the chestnut forests of the Castagniccia before descending into Bastia. The following morning we make our crossing to Tuscany, in Italy. In Tuscany we spend two days riding out from our historic walled city base of Lucca.

In Tuscany we ride out from our historic walled city base of Lucca. Riding through the dramatic vine clad hills in the north of the region which is home to many top professional cyclists. There’s just time to visit Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo, before hitting the dramatic slopes of Italy's most enchanting coastline, the Cinque Terra (Five Lands), where, if time allows, we visit each of the five villages which give their name to the area.

For our final day of riding we transfer to the mountain town of Gavi for a grand finale blast through the Piemonte region, home of the legendary Fausto Coppi before transferring back to Nice for a final celebratory evening.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day One - Arrival into Nice
Following a short flight to the "jewel in the crown" of the Côte d’Azur (Nice) we take a short transfer to our conveniently-located hotel, where we will have time to prepare ourselves and our bikes for the forthcoming trip before heading into the chic central area of town for a typical Nicoise evening out together.

Day Two - Nice - circular ride
Our first day in the saddle will be spent riding along the chic coastline and through the hills surrounding the Cote d’Azure. We will pedal the most famous roads of the area, including an ascent of the  Col d’Eze, and a ride along the Grande Corniche to the perched village of Pielle. Depending on the progress we make during our ride we will either continue inland taking a series of minor roads which will eventually take us back to out starting point. Alternatively we may take a shorter loop, arriving back at hotel via Monte Carlo and Monaco.

Day Three – Nice-Porto (Corsica)
A sunny continental breakfast will lead us in to the day with a smile. Our schedule for the day will depend to a certain degree on our ferry crossing time to Corsica however if all goes according to plan we will take the first ferry, scheduled to arrive in Calvi early in the afternoon. Riding straight off the ferry we head away from along the coast in the direction of Porto. The route we take is widely considered to be amongst the most picturesque coastal routes in Europe and there is no better way to see that by bike. Our destination this evening is a quiet and sleepy resport in a sheltered cove and we should arrive in time enjoy a relaxing tipple in the sunshine before dinner.

Day Four – Porto - Corte
Following a leisurely local breakfast we saddle up and head out for another fantastic day of Corsican riding. Riding east, away from Porto, we head up the amazing Spelunca Gorge. The road climbs from sea level up through this sheer sided gorge and right across backbone mountains of the island. We cross the Col de Vergio, the highest road on the island and a genuine high point of our tour(1477m). Frome here we begin an afternoon of sheer joy as we descend 40km from the top of the col. Firstly we descend through a pine forest and then later through the dramatic and imposing Scala di Santa Regina, a beautifully winding road carved into the red Corsican rock. Regrouping at the bottom of the gorge all that remains is one final small climb leadign us to our overnight stop in Corte, the mountain capital of Corsica, a beautifully rustic and historic town.

Day Five – Corte- Bastia
Continuing our Corsican “coast to coast” we spend another challenging day in the hills. Today we ride deep into the forest of the Castagniccia and we'll be taking an extremely scenic and thrilling route where pigs and other livestock roam freely, feasting on the fallen chestnuts for which the region is famous. Chestnuts are an important ingredient in Corsican cuisine and you’ll find them in everything from cakes to beer! Today is one of the longest days of our tour but it’s well worth the effort with incredible views, breathtaking scenery and quiet roads through unspoiled countryside leading us all the way to our hotel situated on the coast on the outskirts of Bastia.

Day Six - Bastia-Lucca (Italy) - Rest day - ferry crossing to Livorno and transfer to Lucca
Today we take a well earned rest from the cycling, a short walk after breakfast takes us to Bastia’s main port , from where we cross by ferry to Livorno in Italy. We make the short drive from here to Lucca, arriving in time to explore the beautiful ancient walled city and sample some  fine Tuscan food and wines.

Day Seven - Lucca - Vinci
Making use of a designated cyclepath we leave the hussle and bustle of Lucca behind us. Our route today takes to Vinci, the beautiful hometown of the great artist, but the scenery in the region is so special that it would be waste not to make the most of it on the bikes. We take an indirect route via Monte Serra. The mountain dominates the skyline and can be seen from miles around. It isn't a big mountain but it is quite a tough one and it's easy to see why the local professional riders use it as a training ride.The views fromthe summit are spectacular and you will feel justly rewarded for your efforts. The rest of the day is spent on more typical and somewhat gentler Tuscan roads as we make our way to Vinci

Day Eight- Vinci - Cinque Terre
A beautiful circular ride today allows us to explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside surrounding Vinci. We'll make a short loop around the town to warm our legs before we begin to gently climb the winding road out of Vinci through the olive groves and vineyards. Returning to the town upon completion of the ride we load up and transfer to Riomaggiore in the Cinque Terra.

Day Nine - Cinque Terre - circular ride
The Cinque Terre (five lands) is one of the most imposing and special places in all of Italy. Steep sided hillsides rise up from the coast, all terraced and vine lined. Narrow winding roads link together the steeply terraced fishing villages of the area, and we will spend a hilly day in the saddle exploring the region. The day presents various options, allowing us to visit as few or as many of the 5 villages by bike. Alternatively it is possible to explore on foot or simply take it easy all day and soak up the atmosphere in Riomaggiore.

Day Ten - Cinque Terre - Gavi
Our second ride in the Cinque Terre initially takes us away from the coast and into the Ligurian hills that overlook the city of La Spezia. We complete our circuit back on the coastal road high above the villages and enjoying some of the best views of the Cinque Terre possible. After a good day on the bikes we load up the van and, leaving the seclusion of the Cinque Terre behind us we transfer west to the small town of Gavi in the Piemonte region.

Day Eleven Gavi - Nice
It’s our last day in the saddle - and what a corker it is! Today's ride takes us around some of the finest roads, and through the best scenery in the Piemonte region. We wind through rolling hills, vineyards and ancient walled towns as we ride in the wheel marks of local hero Fausto Coppi, a great way to end our classic tour. Late afternoon we transfer back to Nice for our final night.

Day Twelve - Departure from Nice
We’ve come full circle! And what an incredible and rewarding journey it’s been. Depending on flight times there should be time for a last minute cafe and croissant before bidding farewell and heading home.

Equipment
We provide everything except a bike, personal equipment and clothing. If you are taking your own bike it should preferably be a road bike or, alternatively, a mountain bike fitted with slick tyres.

Although we will be taking things at a relatively leisurely pace, on occasions the route is hilly, we recommend that you have either a triple or compact chainset or a 27 bottom sprocket to ease the climbing. Please contact us if you are unsure whether your bike will be suitable.

It is imperative that your bike is in good mechanical order. If you are not mechanically minded, we advise you to take your bike to a local bicycle dealer for a service. Our guide(s) will of course be taking a full tool kit and a selection of spares, which we will provide should the need arise but please be sure to carry your own basic tool kit, pump, spare tubes, and any specific spare parts you may require for your bike - especially unusual spokes.

You will need to bring your own accessories including, helmet, gloves and hydration pack / bottles for drinking water. It is also a good idea to bring shoes suitable for walking along with your cycling shoes as well as a light, but waterproof rain jacket and a fleece / sweater for mornings and evenings.

What the price doesn't include
A) Personal clothing and equipment.
B) Evening meals
C) Lunches on Days 3 and 6 (Ferry Crossings)
D) Alcoholic drinks.
E) Travel insurance (if required, £32)
F) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
G) Bike hire (if required).