8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS CYCLING TOUR IN ITALY
IN THE SELVE, VENA DEL GESSO VALLEY IN THE EMILIA ROMAGNA REGION.
MOUNTAIN BIKE, £399 PER PERSON

DAY 1
Arrival in Italy at Bologna airport and transfer to the mountain retreat. (Pick up at approximately 4 pm) Bike fitting for customers who have hired bicycles will take place at the retreat followed by a briefing by the tour leader. The evening
is rounded off with a welcome dinner with local wine.

DAY 2, LE SELVE-BELVEDERE-LE SELVE
Enjoy gorgeous views as you ride through some of the most evocative areas of the valley, the tour leaves from
Le Selve, a resort immersed in the uncontaminated natural beauty of chestnut groves. Continue through some with
up and down hills to reach the village of Belvedere in the Sillaro valley, and then pass through some beautiful ancient villages such as Mercurio, La Mulina and Piancaldoli, situated in the Apennines. You finally return to Le Selve crossing creeks, woods, and fun downhill paths.

Mileage = 2 km Level = Up hill 700 m

DAY 3, LE SELVE-VALMAGGIORE-CA’ DEL GOBBO-LE SELVE
On the third day the tour takes an hystorical context. First we will visit to the churches of Osta and of Valmaggiore,
which are over a 1000 years old and situated at 700 meters high, with a dominating view of the Santerno valley.
Then we will ride through the Gothic line famous or infamous for a very bloody battle during the second world war.
On the way back we will pass through the renaisance town of Castel del Rio, the ruins of the Cantagallo Castle,
built in 1000 ad, and the Alidosi bridge, a great example of a donkey back shape bridge.

Mileage = 21 km, Level = Up hill 750 m

DAY 4, LE SELVE – MT.PRATOLUNGO-S.ANDREA-LE SELVE
Today we will cycle to Montefune, we will see the XIV century church of the Madonna della Nativita`, before arriving,
via trails in the woodlands, to the famous Castagneto (Chestnut woods) at 900 meters high. The chestnuts are the
most important fruit of the region and they are celebrated throughtout the month of October in many festivals in the
local villages. Passings through two mountains which have been connected by the woodlands we will follow a great
and amusing downhill which will take us back to the Selve.

Mileage = 28 km, Level = Up hill 1000 m

DAY 5, LE SELVE-M.FUNE-CASTIGLIONCELLO –LE SELVE
Today will be the most testing day with the majority of the tour being in single track and expecially with the down hills being quite demanding but always rideable. However the views and panoramas from our trails are very beautiful and
very much worth the efforts. We will also pass through the abbandoned village Castiglioncello and the final prize
before returning to le Selve is the pictoresque waterfall of Moraduccio.

Mileage = 24 km, Level = Up hill 870 m

DAY 6, LE SELVE-M.LA FINE-I TRE GIGANTI-LE SELVE
For the nature lovers, today will be the most suggestive ride. With the longest uphill of the week we will reach the top
of Monte la Fine at 993 meters where you will enjoy the most beautiful panorama in the Appenines. The down hill is
just as breath taking, following a single track down to the Sillaro valley and joining a gravel road well known by the
local cyclist for the fantastic views of two valleys. Finally, before returning to the Selve, we will need to cross the
stream Guado del Rio (three times) which is great fun for everybody.

Mileage = 22 km, Level = Up hill 1020 m

DAY 7, LE SELVE-S.CRISTINA-CONIALE–LE SELVE
For the last day we have kept the longest ryde for you which will entail ryding on all aspects of surfuces: gravel roads, paths, single and double tracks. Although we are never above 1000 meters in hight and in the middle of Italy with Florence, Bologna an Ravenna only 65 kilometers away,you will ride through montains and woodlands that will make you feel as if you are high in the Alps. You will be totally immersed in the peace and quiteness and the natural beauty
of area.

Mileage = 31 km, Level = Up hill 970 m

DAY 8.
Transfers to Bologna airport for flight back to London.

To download a booking form

DATES.

IN 2009 TOURS WILL RUN ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

April: 13th - 20th & 25th - 2nd May

May: 24th - 31st

June: 20th - 27th & 27th - 4th July

October: 3rd - 10th & 24th - 31st

PLACES ARE LIMITED TO 12 RIDERS PER TOUR.

WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDES:

- Transfer from and to the airport.
- 7 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels with buffet breakfast.
- 7 Romagnoli traditional evening meals with local wine and mineral water.
- Superb tour leaders who are great fun, bilingual and avid cyclists with local knowledge.
- 6 days guided cycling.

*Flights do not form part of our packages. However we can provide you with advice on relevant flights and make
flights reservations for you.

CYCLING HELMETS MUST BE WORN DURING THE TOURS.

EXTRAS
You are welcome to bring along your own bike. If you’d rather use one of our bikes, we hire either front suspension mountain bikes or road bike made by the top bicycle manufacturer, Cannondale or Kona.

BIKE HIRE: £160 - helmet included.

INSURANCE CONDITIONS
Travel insurance is a vital aspect of booking a holiday, giving you protection against unforeseen circumstances
that could otherwise spoil your holiday. It is important that you purchase travel insurance.

MAKING A BOOKING
To make a booking you must be over 18 and send us a completed booking form and
non-refundable deposit of £29 for each person.

*PLEASE REFER TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITION AS SHOWN ON OUR WEBSITE

**Full day guided tour to florence available at any time during the stay as an
alternative to cycling as an additional cost of £75 minimum number of passengers
required is 8.

6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS CYCLING TOUR IN ITALY TRANSPARCO,
THROUGH THE APENNINES AT THE BORDER WITH EMILIA ROMAGNA
AND TUSCANY REGIONS.

MOUNTAIN BIKE, £649 PER PERSON

DAY 1
Arrival in Italy at Bologna airport and transfer to the 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, VISIT TO BRISIGHELLA AND SURROUNDING
Off-road mountain bike ride across the Casentinese Apennines, starting with a cycle tour through the medieval town
of Brisighella.
Brisighella is famous for the Rocca Manfrediana, the Clock Tower and for the “Donkey Way” built on the XII century,
as an internal walkway used in ancient times as a protection against the enemies. This town is also famous for their
olive oil called Brisighello and for many local wines.
In the evening we will take a walk through the pretty centre of Brisighella and we will have dinner in a typical
Romagnolo restaurant.

Mileage = 25 km Level = Up hill 420 m

DAY 3, PASSO PESCHIERA TO PASSO DELLA CALLA
The Tour starts here. As we ride, the typical hilly landscape slowly changes into mountainous and wild area.
We will see the famous Acquacheta Falls, mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy. The best prize for your efforts in
tackling the various up hills is the scenic views of the surrounding mountains, before entering the Forest.
The dinner will be in a restaurant famous for its Romagna Toscana cookery, as we are on the border between
the two Regions.

Mileage = 38 km Level = Up hill 1300 m

DAY 4, PASSO DELLA CALLA TO BADIA PRATAGLIA
Today we will start near the Passo della Calla, with its 360% panoramic views over the surrounding valleys,
woods and mountains; it is the ideal location for every mountain bike and nature lover. Using the ancient
St Francis d`Assisi track, we will reach the top of Poggio Scali at 1520 above sea level; pass through the
Camaldoli Monastery (a wonderful example of meeting between Nature and Spirituality) before reaching
our destination.

Mileage = 30 km Level = Up hill 680 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, POGGIOLO,CA` DI MALANCA AND RIOLO
This is a tough off road tour which will test the technical skills of the bikers. From the valley at the Apennines foothill
to Poggiolo, we will overlook the fantastic natural scenery of the hills and mountains. On the way back to Riolo,
we will ride through the woods and visit Ca` di Malanca, famous as a refuge for the partisans during the last war.

Mileage = 50 km Level = Up hill 1350 m

DAY 7, RIOLO, VENA DEL GESSO E COLLI IMOLESI, RIOLO
Using paths and gravel roads, this off road tour goes through breath taking scenery. We will reach the top of the
Vena del Gesso and then the best part of the tour is the downhill on the famous Rocchetta trail to the
Santerno Valley. We will cycle back to the hotel for a farewell dinner with wine and local music and dancing.

Mileage = 28 km Level = Up hill 770 m

DAY 8.
Transfers to Bologna airport for flight back to London.

DATES.

IN 2009 TOURS WILL RUN ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

May: 17th - 22nd

June: 9th - 14th & 14th - 19th

August: 2nd - 7th & 11th -16th & 16 - 21st

September: 27th - 2nd

PLACES ARE LIMITED TO 12 RIDERS PER TOUR.

WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDES
- Transfer from and to the airport.
- 5 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels with buffet breakfast.
- 5 Romagnoli traditional evening meals with local wine and mineral water.
- Superb tour leaders who are great fun, bilingual and avid cyclists with local knowledge.
- 4 days guided cycling (with van support).

*Flights do not form part of our packages. However we can provide you with advice on relevant flights and make
flights reservations for you.

CYCLING HELMETS MUST BE WORN DURING THE TOURS.

EXTRAS
You are welcome to bring along your own bike. If you’d rather use one of our bikes, we hire either front suspension mountain bikes or road bike made by the top bicycle manufacturer, Cannondale or Kona.

BIKE HIRE: £160 - helmet included.

INSURANCE CONDITIONS
Travel insurance is a vital aspect of booking a holiday, giving you protection against unforeseen circumstances
that could otherwise spoil your holiday. It is important that you purchase
travel insurance.

MAKING A BOOKING
To make a booking you must be over 18 and send us a completed booking form and
non-refundable deposit of £29 for each person.

*PLEASE REFER TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITION AS SHOWN ON OUR WEBSITE

**FOR CLIENTS THAT WANT TO STAY AN EXTRA NIGHT AND EXPLORE BOLOGNA WE
CAN ARRANGE 3 STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION IN THE CITY WITH BREAKFAST AND
FULL DAY GUIDED TOUR OF BOLOGNA FOR £ 95 MINIMUM NUMBER OF PASSENGERS
REQUIRED IS 8.

Bologna is where in the XI century, the oldest University of Europe was founded.
The city is also well known for foods and wines and was nicknamed “la grassa”
the fat one. The symbols of Bologna are the Two Towers built in the XII century,
the basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest in the world, Piazza Maggiore with
the Fountain of Neptune, Palazzo d’Accursio and Palace of King Enzo.