I'm always in two minds about Pisa. The leaning tour is a must-see (even with all the tourists) but for the most part I prefer the nearby walled city of Lucca. Luckily this laid-back Tuscan daytrip features both of them. 

​

In fact, there's much more to see, swooping through the gentle hills, avenues of plane trees casting long finger-shaped shadows over the road and the golden fields beside it. 

​

This is a full day's ride, skirting the edge of the Chianti region and heading down to another honeypot for tourists, the spectacular hill-town of San Gimignano, famous for its towers. 

 

Then the route loops back up to Pisa, keeping to the quiet roads and avoiding the autostrada. Great day out in Tuscany? Pice of cake...