Starting in the small town of Lucca in the Tuscany region, we make our way to lovely town of Ferrara in the Emilia-Romagna region, where the 12.5 km GIRO DELLE MURA event is held. The Organisers are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about running and truly love their event, now in its 54th year. Along the way we travel through the heart of regional Italian food. This Tour is what Eat and Run is all about

3 Unique Towns (Lucca - Pavullo Nel Frignano - Ferrara) | 2 Regions (Tuscany - Emilia Romagna) | 9 Days, 8 Nights accommodation | group training | all transfers | ALL meals every day | Guaranteed Event Entry | Sports Massage at the local physiotherapy centre included

Day 1 - Saturday, 24 April - LUCCA

Arriving either at Pisa International Airport or Lucca train station, you will be met and taken to your apartment within the ancient city walls. This evening, we'll head out for a light 8km jog around the city of Lucca before we meet for dinner at a lovely modern Lucchese restaurant

Day 2 - Sunday, 25 April - LUCCA

8am:  We’ll pick up the traditional Sunday ‘long run’ with 12-20km jog around and outside the city walls before breakfast. We'll have a free morning in the centre of Lucca where you are encouraged to climb a tower or book a Puccini recital

Lunch will be at the local pizzeria followed by a free afternoon within the ancient city walls, or you may want an afternoon siesta

6pm: We’ll meet for a light 4-6km walk or jog (your choice) around city walls

For Dinner tonight, we’ll travel to the nearby town of Calci for an amazing setting in a local Agriturismo

Day 3 - Monday, 26 April - LUCCA-PISA-LUCCA

8am:  We take the short drive to Pisa for an easy Run (anywhere between 8 -12 km). We’ll stay in Pisa for Breakfast in a delightful cafeteria

Returning to Lucca for Lunch we are at a typical agriturismo, followed by a stop a local gelateria on the way home

6pm:  4-8km walk/jog (your choice)

Dinner: We travel just outside of Lucca to a family restaurant serving classical Tuscan dishes

Day 4 - Tuesday, 27 April - LUCCA-PAVULLO NEL FRIGNANO

8am:  This morning, you’ll have the choice of either a tempo-run over 8-10km, or an Interval session (typical: 2x4 min, 2x3min, 3x2min, 4x1min).

After checking out of Lucca, we transfer to the town of Pavullo Nel Frignano, the location of our second Region (Emilia-Romagna), home to Reggiano Parmigiano cheese, Prosciutto ham and Balsamic vinegar.

Lunch The first of many long lunches, we head just outside town to a family run restaurant, serving local delicacies.

This afternoon you’ll be booked into the local physiotherapist for a sports massage, or an afternoon siesta (or both)

5pm: 4-8km jog or walk around the local airfield

Dinner: Just outside of town, we'll head to an amazing castle for an amazing dinner. This will be the culinary highlight of our Tour

Day 5 - Wednesday, 28 April - PAVULLO NEL FRIGNANO

8am:  This morning, we’ll run on backtrails – both sealed and unsealed – including some notable climbs (10-16km)

Lunch at another nearby food venue in this region, made famous by Reggiano Parmigiano cheese and prosciutto ham

This afternoon you will have the choice to rest, or travel to the nearby local pool of Fanano with the mountains and nature as your backdrop

6pm: 4-8km light walk or jog around the local airfield

Dinner: low-key tonight, we head to a delightful pizzeria where the pizzaiolo from Naples loves his craft and serving the best pizzas in town. We dine with locals on pizzas, pastas and dessert, of course

Day 6 - Thursday, 29 April - PAVULLO NEL FRIGNANO-FERRARA

8am:  It’s down to the local running athletics track for a session of either steady 4-6 x1km efforts or an easier out-and back run around the city. After breakfast, we farewell Pavullo Nel Frignano and travel on to Ferrara, and extraordinary city where the charm and atmosphere of its glorious past are preserved in time, in harmony with the lively culture of the present

Lunch: typical Ferrarese lunch

Afternoon: You will receive a card giving you access over your time in Ferrara to a number of archaeological museums, including the lovely Castle Estense. Use these over the coming days at your leisure

6pm: 4-8km walk or jog around Ferrara

Dinner will be at a local restaurant in Ferrara

Day 7 - Friday, 30 April - FERRARA

8am:  8km jog (reconnaissance) over the course, before Breakfast

Morning: Each week, the countryside around Ferrara offers a rich selection of freshly harvested products, guaranteed by local farmers and producers in keeping with a true farm-to-table philosophy. Seasonal specialties from the surrounding area are available, including fruit and vegetables, wine, cured meats, cheeses, poultry, jams, flowers and more. You will also have the opportunity to receive expert advice directly from producers on how to select and best enjoy these high-quality local products — an expressive way to truly experience the region’s agricultural heritage.

Lunch: Typical Ferrarese lunch

6pm: 4-8km jog/walk (your choice) around Ferrara

Dinner will be at a local restaurant in Ferrara

Day 8 - Saturday, 1 May - FERRARA - Event Day - Giro Delle Mura 12.5km

Event Day: Giro Delle Mura. After a light breakfast, we head to the start of this event before the run heads out onto the roads of Ferrara and onto the ancient city walls (Le Mura)

Lunch at an Agriturismo, serving all local specialties

Dinner we head to a local restaurant in the city of Ferrara before we move on to a lovely bar in the main square to share our experiences today and for farewell drinks

Day 9 - Sunday, 2 May - FERRARA - LUCCA

After an early morning recovery jog and Breakfast, we depart Ferrara for Lucca. Your drop-off options today are: Ferrara Train Station, PISA International Airport or Lucca train station