Bike Across Italy
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Photo Gallery: Bike Across Italy
Named our "Signature Trip" by National Geographic Adventure Magazine!
Be sure to check out a first hand account of Bike Across Italy by Lynette Chiang, cycling enthusiast and Customer Evangelist for Bike Friday.
Highlights
- Medieval hill towns, castles, and ancient abbeys
- Learn more about Etruscan and Roman civilization
- Wander through Italy’s largest cave
- Distinctive wines and cuisine from four regions
- Historical routes detailing threads of Italy’s past from east to west
- Explore with local guides the quaint towns of Assisi, Urbino and Orvieto
Description
Pedal Coast-to-Coast through Italy’s Cultural Soul! This coast-to-coast tour passes through four of Italy’s most beautiful regions: Le Marche, Emilia-Romagna, Umbria and Tuscany, each known for its charming hilltowns, lush landscapes and unique cuisines. We begin in Pesaro, a small resort town on the Adriatic Coast, just north of Ancona. We then pedal inland to Urbino, where we cycle along rivers, which have carved deep ravines through the lush mountains. We stop at the spectacular Grotte di Frasassi, Italy’s largest known caves. We then enter the gentle landscape of Umbria, which has inspired poets and painters from Dante to Raphael. The peaceful rhythm of this region envelops us in Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, where friars wander the narrow streets and birds cast playful shadows on the pink stone. We pedal south through Umbrian meadows to the Etruscan settlement of Todi and on to Orvieto, a delightful city atop a volcanic plateau known for its magnificent cathedral and crisp white wine. We wind through fields of poppies, wild broom and orchids to Italy’s picturesque Costa D’Argento (Silver Coast). We conclude our journey across Italy on the Monte Argentario promontory, known for its captivating beauty and excellent seafood.
Check out a great blog full of stories and pictures from a 2011 Bike Across Italy guest!
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Price
$4,995 - $5,295
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Single Supplement
$850
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Ability Level
Intermediate
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Terrain
Rolling to hilly
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Distance
Total Mileage: 350 Daily Average: 35
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Departing
Porto Ercole
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Arriving
Pesaro
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Bike Rental
Included!
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Other Trips You'll Like
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Dates
- Confirmed | May 25, 2013
- June 8, 2013
- Confirmed | June 23, 2013
- July 6, 2013
- July 20, 2013
- Confirmed | August 25, 2013
- Confirmed | September 8, 2013
- Confirmed | September 22, 2013
- October 6, 2013
Day 1: Pesaro
We meet in the lobby of our hotel for introductions, a light lunch and a quick spin in the area. Before dinner take a walk in town or enjoy an aperitif before a well deserved dinner featuring the local fresh catch of the day.
Day 2: Urbino
Enjoy spinning to the hometown of Renaissance painter Raphael. We'll ride through tiny villages with views of gorgeous foothills and distant mountains.
Day 3: Genga
After a morning tour of Urbino's Palazzo, we set out for the roughly-hewn Le Marche region. Oddly patched with farmland and forests, it has a rather wild feel to it. Today we'll ride through spectacular and lovely farmland. Lunch is at a Slow Food establishment in Cagli featuring local and fresh food. Tonight, stay far away from civilization, a place with a great spa and perfect for relaxing after a satisfying ride.
Day 4: Gubbio
Following a visit to the largest grottoes in Europe (caves with spectacular formations), pedal into Umbria to medieval Gubbio, dramatically perched on a mountainside.
Day 5–6: Spello and Assisi
Day 5: This morning, descend from Gubbio through lush landscape. Stop at the Roman Amphitheater for a great photo op. The gracious beauty of Assisi will unfold in front of you as you approach it from the North. Tonight we dine in the delightful hill town of Spello.
Day 6: Today is an optional loop ride or day off the bike. Enjoy our guided walking tour of Assisi. Feel free to visit the hermitage of St. Francis and/or walk up via Belvedere for a magnificent view of the town. After the tour, enjoy learning about wine making at a local family-run winery and then partake in wine tasting.
Day 7: Todi
Ride through rolling farmland to medieval Bevagna where you will learn about paper-making the way it was done in medieval times--and is still being done today. Climb from Bevagna to wine-rich Montefalco for an incredible view of the Umbrian landscape. We'll ride through vineyards, sunflower and wheat fields to the next medieval hill town of Todi.
Day 8: Orvieto
Spin through vast wheat and sunflower fields and experience the incredible arrival to the imposing center of Orvieto, as seen in this year's Giro d'Italia. Orvieto is famous for its cathedral, white wine...this is a particularly good place for shopping and if you like Italian ceramics, check them out. There's time for shoppng as well as touring the cathedral. This afternoon we'll tour underground Etruscan ruins. At dinner, learn about pasta and make your own, then enjoy a special meal served up by a wonderful family in their bakery's private dining room.
Day 9: Sovana
Cycle the northern shores of Lago di Bolsena to Sorano, a medieval village built on the remains of Etruscan civilization. Along the way, tackle the amazing ridge climb to Gradoli and visit the interesting town of Pitigliano. Tonight, enjoy entertainment and a fun dinner...don't forget to take time to relax at the hotel.
Day 10: Porto Ercole
Today we spin down the Silver Coast to Saturnia, Italy’s oldest city, and soak in its hot springs if you like. Our finale: a downhill ride to the Mediterranean. Breathe deeply, you can smell the water getting closer and closer. There's a great forest to ride through on the way to our final destination of Porto Ercole where we celebrate our arrival!
Day 11: Arrivederci!
This morning we'll say a fond farewell, and you can take our 20-min. shuttle to Orbetello to make your connections. Why not spend a few nights on the Costa di Argento exploring footpaths or relaxing on the beach? We will assist you in creating your own dream vacation!
Guides for this trip
Related Testimonials
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John C. from Reno, NV had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
On the guides: Great team! Wonderful support, guidance, humor knowledge, encouragement and the ability to care for each of us as needed. -
Bruno W. from Princeton, NJ had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
We cannot imagine two more gifted, professional, perfect, invested guides. -
Sarah R., Santa Fe, NM had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
As trite as it sounds, it was a dream come true for me. -
Carolyn N, Cary, NC had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
I just returned from my BAI trip and my only complaint is that it ended too soon!!!! We had a fun group and our guides, Marcello and Massimo, were the best! -
Joanne D. from NY, NY had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
Perfect weather. Beautiful scenery. Terrific guides and van support. Nice group of people. Biking challenging, but do-able. Interesting history and culture. Great food. -
Sandy G., Chicago, Illinois had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
Our guides made us feel as though we were visitors in their home (Italy), not simply tourists. -
Carol S., Silver Spring, MD had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
An excellent biking and cultural experience -- it was perfectly balanced. -
Patricia K., Berkeley, CA had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
Fun, friendship and food... all while rolling along. -
Michael A., Anchorage, AK had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
Bike Across Italy was the best. Italian culture, history and daily life came to life in a way I will never forget. The biking, food & music linger far beyond the last day... -
Amy C., Brookline, MA had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
I felt like I was biking through a postcard collection. -
Dave L., Nederland, CO had this to say about Bike Across Italy:
The guides really made our trip. You can train anyone, but you can't put a price on exceptional talent.
