DAY 32 - CERBAIA to VINCI - 22 May 2026

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Our focus today was getting to Vinci in time to see the Leonardo Da Vinci museum... but there were a lot of highlights on the way! 

We were able to find a paved cycle way early in the day which saved us a bit of road walking. It led into a dirt track where we found our first highlight - should we visit the 1st century Roman villa or not? It did involve a short uphill detour and the first sign wasn't promising, but we did get a good view of it in the end. 

The track followed the Pesa river and there was a sign about kingfishers. We didn't see any kingfishers but we did spot some fish from the first bridge, and some other birds at the next bridge.

Shortly after we arrived in Montelupo Fiorentino, known for its ceramics. We enjoyed finding ceramic pictures, signs, pots and at our excellent lunch stop, even ceramic models of the food! 

Luckily there was another cycle way to take us out of Montelupo Fiorentino and then a river walk. We had a gelato break before heading uphill on an unmarked dirt track - 'Is this really it?' We had great views at the top and joined a quiet road for a while with a group of boys riding up and down. The next track was even more overgrown - 'Are you sure it's here? Maybe over here...'

We came out on a gravel road and our reward was bee-eaters, flying out to catch insects and landing back on the wire.

The third track was also overgrown and we were happy to come out on top for fine views over the fields. From there it was a short road walk to Vinci. We quickly dropped our bags and made it in time to see two of the Leonardo Museums - luckily they were open to 7 pm. The models that others have created from Leonardo's designs were especially interesting. 

A downhill start today
Then a few kilometres on a handy bike path
And then a combined bike/footpath for a while
Even though we couldn't get too close, the 1st century BCE Villa Romana del Virginio was well worth the slight detour
Still on that bike/footpath
Looking for fish and birds in the Pesa River
Coming in to Montelupo Fiorentino 
Lots of cyclists in Montelupo Fiorentino today
Street sculpture in Montelupo Fiorentino 
Montelupo Fiorentino 
Some of the ceramic artwork on display in Montelupo Fiorentino 
Lunch
A big upside-down head
Across the Arno River
By the Arno at Limite suĺl'Arno
A refreshing gelato stop
Into the unknown
Heading to Vinci
Another scenic Tuscan road
And another one
Still heading confidently towards Vinci
In places the track was a bit tricky underfoot
And in others a trifle overgrown
More wonderful views along the way
Sharing the road 
Vinci at last
Views from the tower of the Castello dei Conti Guidi in Vinci
The Leonardo Museum in Vinci

Bits and pieces
Birds
Day 32 - Map 
Day:                               32
Distance:                      26.51 km
Walking time:               5 hrs 20 mins
Elevation gain:             319 metres
Cumulative distance:  619.11 km

Comments

  1. Anonymous23 May 2026 at 00:58

    Today’s birds: Barn Swallow, Little Egret, Barn Swallow, mallard (female or young), European bee-eater, Pygmy Cormorant and Little Egret
    Amazed that you were able to find your way through some of the foliage today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barkers23 May 2026 at 06:25

    It certainly was a challenge in places!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Richard Morrow25 May 2026 at 05:20

    There is a great da Vinci museum in Roma with many models of his inventions. You may have seen it in the past?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Barkers25 May 2026 at 07:45

    No, and there is another one here in Florence. So many things to see and do, we have to be selective, but thanks for the recommendation!

    ReplyDelete

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