Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Get Set
Before diving into Tuscany's ethereal landscape, get set with the necessary nuts-and-bolts
info and gear to ensure a silky-smooth ride.
Information
ation, interactive maps and inspiring routes on foot, by bike or horseback. Caving, spas and
water sports are other activities it covers.
Throughout Tuscany, tourist offices and national-park offices have mountains of inform-
ation on outdoor activities, including lists of guides and accommodation options en route.
Printed brochures detailing trails are increasingly scarce - buy maps and guides online be-
fore leaving home.
Various actiivity operators and specialists are listed throughout this guide;
Toscana Adven-
ture Team
( 0571 99 32 52, 3487 91 12 15;
www.tateam.it
;
Casa Carbonaia, Via di Santa Lucia 11, Vinci)
is a great all-rounder, organising everything from mountain-biking and horse-riding to
coasteering, canyoning, helibiking, abseiling, trekking and caving. Also try
Hedonistic Hik-
ing
( Australia 61 3 5755 2307, UK 44 1858 565148;
www.hedonistichiking.com.au
)
, which offers
treks around Volterra, Pisa, Elba, Lucca, Chianti and Siena with luxurious villa accommod-
ation and gourmet meals.
Maps
Florentine cartographer
Edizioni Multigraphic
publishes maps for walkers and mountain-
bike riders with
sentieri
(walking trails),
mulattiere
(mule tracks, especially good for
mountain bikes), mountains huts and so on superimposed on the map. Its
Carte dei Sentieri
(1:25,000) and
Carte Turistica e dei Sentieri
(1:25,000 or 1:50,000) map series are both
What to Take
Generally you'll only need the minimum of items - for easy walks or bike rides, a pair of
trainers and small daypack containing an extra layer of clothing and wet-weather gear. Sun-
block, sunglasses and a hat (helmet for cyclists) are essential. Budget at least one bottle of
water, calculating for at least 1.5L per walker or cyclist for a summertime day. A fistful of
