Compare Ultimate Italy by G Adventures vs Cycle the Via Francigena - Parma to Siena by UTracks

Day 1 Rome

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until tonight's welcome meeting.

We recommend booking pre-tour accommodation to fully explore this magnificent city. Please speak to a G Adventures representative about booking accommodations in Rome before Day 1 of this itinerary. Please note that if Vatican City is on your must-see list, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets online several weeks prior to your trip. Advance tickets can be reserved online at https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home. Same-day entrance to St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel) cannot be guaranteed without advance tickets. We also recommend pre-booking your ticket to the Colosseum to guarantee entrance and avoid long queues: https://ticketing.colosseo.it/en

Day 2 Rome

Enjoy a G Adventures supported migrant led walk of Rome before enjoying a free day to explore a myriad of options. Opt to tour Vatican City, cross the river to charming Trastevere, eat some gelato in Piazza Navona, or swing by the Colosseum and Forum.

While you're here, why not opt to rent a Vespa for the day? Live "la dolce vita" and opt to pre-book the Rome Vintage Vespa Tour on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Day 3 Rome/Montepulciano

Travel to Montepulciano in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Explore the medieval and renaissance hill town with an orientation walk.

Montepulciano is famous for producing delectable local pork, cheese, "Pici" pasta, and honey. It is also major wine producing area. Take in the stunning vistas, wander cobbled lanes, or opt to sample the local delicacies in small, family-run establishments.

Day 4 Montepulciano

Spend the day in the Italian countryside. The famous wine-producing region is the perfect place for an optional vineyard tour and wine tasting, or a bike ride in the rolling hills.

Opt to travel further afield to the thermal springs of Bagni San Filippo.

Day 5 Montepulciano/Florence

Continue on to Florence. Enjoy an evening walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for a fantastic panoramic view of the city.

Continue to the inimitable Firenze. Walk through the city catching a glimpse of the Duomo, Piazza Indipendenza, Piazza della Signoria, and the Ponte Vecchio. Continue to Piazzale Michelangelo for the most famous and photographed vista of the city. Opt to visit the local leather markets and souvenir stalls set up all over the city.

Day 6 Florence

With a free day, the choices are endless. Opt to visit the Duomo, David at the Galleria dell’Accademia, Uffizi Gallery, medieval Ponte Vecchio, or the Medici Chapels, just to name a handful.

The day is yours to explore. Check out the Mercato Centrale or any number of cafés and trattorias. If you came to shop, start at one end of the city and just keep going. There's beautiful architecture, famous museums, Renaissance art pieces, and charming cobblestone streets everywhere. If you wish to go further afield, take a wine tasting bike tour up to Fiesole and the vineyards of Chianti. For a truly local experience, indulge your inner gastronome on a culinary tour of the city. Opt to pre-book the "Florence Food Tour" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

If you wish to visit popular museums like the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries, we strongly advise reserving tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line for a long time (especially during the high season from May-September, where this can take several hours). Advance tickets can be reserved online at https://www.uffizi.it/en/tickets and https://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it/tickets/

Day 7 Florence

Enjoy a day trip to vibrant Siena. After an orientation walk around this medieval city, opt to visit Torre del Mangia, Battistero, il Campo, or the Duomo or to take a "passeggiata" and meet the Sienese locals. Return to Florence at the end of the day.

Day 8 Florence/Cinque Terre

Visit Pisa en route to the coast. Settle into the colourful, charming town in the Cinque Terre.

Head by train to Pisa and stop for a visit at the Field of Miracles to see the famous leaning tower (entrance fee not included). Later, head on to the coastal paradise of Cinque Terre.

Day 9 Cinque Terre

Walk the coastal path between Riomaggiore and Monterosso or opt to take the train. Visit charming, colourful towns along the way.

The national park pass and daily unlimited train ticket is included. Opt to follow your CEO along centuries-old footpaths and mule tracks leading through olive groves, vineyards, and orchards on a full day hike, or hop on and off the train, experiencing each town on your own. Choose to rest in each of the 5 villages, sampling delicacies in each place, such as local pesto, espresso, or delicious gelato.

Please note that some popular hiking paths along the Cinque Terre have been temporarily closed due to water erosion and damage caused by landslides in 2016. Your CEO will guide you on the best, most accessible path for today's hike.

Day 10 Cinque Terre/Lake Como

Travel to Lake Como, a perfectly picturesque region laden with villas and lush gardens. Arrive in the late afternoon and start exploring the town.

Set out from Cinque Terre on a train journey with a few changes en route, passing through Milan and on to elegant Como Town, located on the shores of Lake Como. On the border with Switzerland, enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the snowy-peaked Alps.

Day 11 Lake Como

Spend the day on Lake Como with a day pass for the Lake Como boat. Visit multiple towns along the shores. Opt to take the funicular to Brunate for a fantastic view over the area.

Set out by boat to explore the lake and its many elegant villas and towns, such as Bellagio with its shops, restaurants, and fine residences. In the afternoon, there is plenty of free time for soaking up the elegant atmosphere in one of the lakeside cafés or restaurants. Take some time for shopping — some of the finest Italian designers are to be found in Como's chic boutiques.

Day 12 Lake Como/Venice

Travel to Venice, the "city of canals," and enjoy an orientation walk over bridges and canals and view Piazza San Marco.

Travel east to captivating Venice, the unique "city of canals," full of magnificent monuments. There will be plenty of time to wander the narrow cobblestone streets and wide piazzas, crossing hundreds of tiny bridges and, of course, getting lost in Venice's labyrinth.

Day 13 Venice

Spend the day getting lost in Venice. Opt for a vaporetto (water taxi) ride to the islands of Murano and Burano, take a gondola under the Ponte Rialto (Bridge of Lovers), explore the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, or get lost in the twisting maze of the city.

Day 14 Venice

Depart at any time.

We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this beautiful city has to offer.

Day 1 Arrive Parma

Make your own way to the first hotel in Parma. Known widely for its cured ham and cheese, the city is also packed full of historic sights with impressive architecture found in the old centre. This afternoon you can try and sample as many of the local delicacies as possible. Or you can take your time to explore the artistic beauties of the city - from the imposing interior of its Cathedral and Baptistery, to the enchanting Palazzo della Pilotta and the Farnese Theatre.

Day 2 A demanding cycle to Berceto past ancient churches (74km/46mi)

This morning after breakfast there is a bike fitting at 9am. The cycle today is quite demanding, but is also rich in beauty. Along the way you will pass the villages of Bardone and Terenzo, with their ancient churches. From here an ascent will lead you to Cassio, where a brief descent tricks you in to believing that you have reached your final destination. Whilst you are almost there, there is one last ascent towards Berceto. The village of Berceto is a little “stone jewel”, where you can restore yourself with local mushrooms and pattona, a typical cake made from chestnut flour. Ascent 1068m/3504ft, descent 322m/1056ft

meals : B

Day 3 Continue to Aulla, crossing the Appennines (53km/33mi)

Today you will make your way into Tuscany, and the surprises along the way make your efforts worthwhile. An exciting descent from the Cisa Pass brings you to Pontremoli, a town of bridges and mysterious Stele statues (in the Castello del Piagnaro). Here you can enjoy a relaxing walk through the alleyways of the old town centre. Later you continue to Aulla, where you can set your bike down for the rest of the day and visit the Abbey of San Caprasio, which contains archaeological finds from the medieval period. Don't miss a walk along the ancient walls of the Fortezza della Brunella before making your way on foot through the old town centre. And if you are hungry, there is nothing better than the tasty local focaccias, which are best enjoyed still warm and accompanied by charcuterie and cheeses. Ascent 370m/1214ft, descent 1115m/3658ft

meals : B

Day 4 Cycle in green countryside past medieval villages en route to Massa (48km/30mi)

Leaving Aulla you will cycle along demanding by gratifying paths. Catch your first glimpse of the sea as you cycle through green countryside and charming medieval villages. Arriving in Sarzana you will be amazed by the Baroque interior of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and you can admire the Gothic facade of the Pieve di Sant’Andrea, the town's oldest building. Continue along flat paths which follow the footsteps of ancient pilgrims who walked from the Roman port of Luni to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The day ends in the town of Massa, located just a few kilometres from the Verisilia sea. Here you can visit the 15th century Malaspina Castle and admire the views over the town. Along with nearby Carrara, the city specializes in the processing and export of marble. Ascent 716m/2349ft, descent 770m/2526ft

meals : B

Day 5 Cycle along the sea, then over Tuscan hills to Lucca (52km/32.5mi)

Today you will follow a lovely coastal cycle path, which leads you from Marina di Massa towards Pietrasanta. Before browsing the art galleries and shops of Pietrasanta we recommend a visit of the town’s Duomo and a walk amongst its marble columns and frescoed vaults. From Camaiore you continue over the Tuscan hills surrounding Lucca. You will enter Lucca through its city walls. This afternoon you can immerse yourself in its old town centre, browsing the little shops of the circular piazza where you can buy spelt and locally-made biscuits. You can also conquer the Guinigi Tower and admire the town from up high in its hanging garden. Ascent 380m/1247ft, descent 356m/1168ft

meals : B

Day 6 Cross the river Arno to San Miniato (46km/28.5mi)

An easy and flat cycle today will lead you from the walls of Lucca to the old town centre of Altopascio. On the way you will pass through the Badia di Pozzeveri, where ancient pilgrims once stopped to rest and pray. Don't miss your chance to sample the local bread here - it's a real delicacy! The route continues across the wild land of the Cerbaie, before crossing the river Arno and leading you towards San Miniato. Here the Seminary which gives its name to the main square will amaze you with its distinctive frescoed facade. San Miniato is a hidden gem of Tuscany and a stroll through town is highly recommended. Tonight you can marvel at the Seminary while perhaps eating a risotto dusted with the typical white truffle, the pride of the local area. Ascent 228m/748ft, descent 122m/400ft

meals : B

Day 7 Continue through splendid scenery to San Gimignano (41km/25.5mi)

A demanding but unique section awaits you today. From San Miniato you descend to the bottom of Val d’Elsa and then later ascend towards Gambassi Terme, where you will be able to cross the threshold of the Pieve di Chianni. Pieve di Chianni is where Archbishop Sigeric slept on his way to Rome. Continuing your journey, pedal across splendid natural scenery to San Gimignano, one of the most beautiful towns along the Via Francigena. As you head towards San Gimignano, its unmistakable famous towers will come into view. You can admire the view of the medieval town and its surrounding valleys from the top of Torre Grossa. If you have energy to spare this afternoon you can even venture up the steps of the Rocca di Montestaffoli, where a spectacular view can be enjoyed. Ascent 640m/2100ft, descent 476m/1562ft

meals : B

Day 8 Cycle the Tuscan hills and through charming ancient towns to Siena (50km/31mi)

Leaving from San Gimignano you continue, up and down, through the Tuscan hills to Colle Val d’Elsa, a timeless Tuscan village with a charming old town centre and narrow alleyways winding through its stone walls. The route continues through one of the most beautiful sections of the Via Francigena: a meditative route where you'll find yourself immersed in the silence of the Pieve di Strove, with its Romanesque interiors. You can also stand in the quietness of the splendid Abbadia at Isola and its imposing Abbey. Along the way don't miss a chance to stroll along the wall of the breath-taking castle of Monteriggioni, which once defended the Repubblica of Siena. Later you will arrive in Siena, cycling through dirt roads and the ancient medieval hamlet of Cerbaia en route. If you want to celebrate your arrival in Siena, try a plate of pici all’aglione in the illuminated Piazza del Campo. And don’t forget to sample the panforte! Ascent 505m/1657ft, descent 470m/1542ft

meals : B

Day 9 Trip concludes Siena (or continue to Rome)

Arrangements conclude after breakfast. Extra nights can be arranged in Siena or continue to Rome.

meals : B