DAYS, 7 NIGHTS CYCLING TOUR IN ITALY
IN THE SANTERNO VALLEY OF IMOLA IN THE EMILIA ROMAGNA REGION.
ROAD BIKE, £649 PER PERSON
DAY 1
Arrival in Italy at Bologna airport and transfer to hotel.
(pick up at approximately 4 pm). Bike fitting for customers who have hired bicycles will take place at the hotel followed by a briefing by the tour leader. The evening is rounded off with a welcome dinner with local wine.
DAY 2, RIOLO TERME, BRISIGHELLA, RIOLO TERME
An easy tour using secondary roads with little traffic, riding across beautiful, rolling hills filled with interesting historical landmarks.
The tour starts in the town of Riolo Terme, with its picturesque narrow streets and as you leave town, the landscape is dominate by the Vena del Gesso Romagnola (the visible bed of chalk rock) which runs along the road all the way to the medieval village of Brisighella. It has gorgeous views of the surrounding hills as well as a wealth of historical landmarks. You cannot leave town visiting the Rocca Manfrediana and the Rocca Veneziana, built in the XIV and XVI centuries respectively.
Mileage = 38 km Level = Up hill 420 m
DAY 3, RIOLO, IMOLA, DOZZA, RIOLO
This tour offers cyclists some of the most beautiful landscapes that encompass the Senio and Santerno valleys all the way out to Valsellustra and through a great number of historical sites including the Rocca di Imola, Porta Montanara,
the Cathedral, and the restored 19th century pharmacy, with its frescoes and original apothecary jars. On the way back to Riolo, the tour goes to Dozza, a gorgeous medieval hilltop town with picturesque narrow alleys. Riders will reach the castle, which now houses the prestigious Enoteca dell’Emilia Romagna.
Mileage = 56 km, Level = Up hill 400 m
DAY 4, DEGUSTAZIONI TOUR RIOLO, SANTERNO VALLEY, RIOLO
A classic tour to the Imola hills to stimulate the riders’ palate and help them appreciate the deeply rooted agricultural
and gastronomic heritage. The tour stops at selected “tasting” sites that offer local wine, honey, cheese, olive oil produced in the Romagnolo tradition.
As you follow the river, wild vegetation replaces the farmlands. The flora and fauna of the wilderness areas are a sign of an uncontaminated ecosystem. The valley bears traces of Roman and medieval civilizations.
Mileage = 57 km, Level = Up hill 540 m
DAY 5, DAY TRIP TO FLORENCE
This is the day to rest your legs as we will take you on an unforgettable trip to Florence.
You will catch the train at Faenza which will meander through the Apennines to La Colla at 950 m with fantastic views
of the valleys below and then descend to Florence. We will see the city including the Duomo and Baptistery, Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria before catching the train back.
DAY 6, RIOLO, FAENZA AND RIOLO
This is an easy day tour through the valley at the Apennines` foothill on the quiet roads to Faenza. We will ride through the fertile Romagnolo countryside famous for the fruit groves and vineyards of the Sangiovese grapes. Here we will visit the centre of the lovely town of Faenza with the wonderful Piazza del Popolo and the world famous Ceramic’s Museum.
Mileage = 50 km, Level = Up hill 300 m
DAY 7, RIOLO, MONTE TREBBIO, RIOLO
This is the toughest day of the tour. Using quiet roads and going through breath taking scenery you will reach the top
of Monte Trebbio where there is a monument dedicated to the cyclists.
On the way down from the mountain, you will reach the old village of Modigliana with its medieval castle ruins.
Finally, we cycle back to the hotel for a farewell dinner with wine and local music and dancing.
Mileage = 62 km, Level = Up hill 750 m
DAY 8.
Transfers to Bologna airport for flight back to London. |
