Ciclismo Colavita Olive Harvest Tour
Upcoming Dates
- October 8, 2010 Sold Out
- October 7, 2011
- October 17, 2011
Accommodations
Classic
Ability Level
Intermediate
Terrain
Rolliing
Distance
Approx. 280 miles, avg. 40 miles per day
Arriving
Rome
Departing
Rome
Price
- $3,795
Single Supplement
$750
Bike Rental
Included
Join Ciclismo Classico and the Colavita family for a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable culinary cycling journey through the Molise region of Italy where Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Colavita Pasta and other fine Italian specialty products are made. Savor Italy's incredible food, history, scenery and hospitality by foot or on bicycle during this very special time of the year: the olive harvest.
Highlights
- Red carpet treatment by the Colavita family throughout the tour
- Lunch served by the monks at Padre Pio’s former monastery
- Visit to a 1000-year-old supplier of church bells to the Vatican
- Go truffle hunting with a professional truffle master
- Experience every step in the olive oil production process – from growing to bottling
- Visit many charming towns including Larino, the local capital of olive oil since Roman times
- Conclude your trip with an evening of “La Dolce Vita” in Rome
Located in south-central Italy, Molise is a region of contrasts. Just three hours from Rome by car, the region’s lush and dramatic mountains gradually smooth into sandy beaches at the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Molise is a favorite destination for Italians year-round: the mountain resort of Campitello Matese provides the best skiing in central Italy during the winter, while the historic beach town of Termoli on the Adriatic is enjoyed by local tourists throughout the summer. The cuisine of Molise reflects the diversity of the terrain, featuring delicious cheeses turned out by shepherds in the mountains, pasta, wine, and of course, olive oil. Molisanos eagerly await the arrival of the olive oil season and we will be there to experience the harvest, pressing, and of course, tasting of the Novello (very first, very new, just-pressed!) olive oil.
You’ll be charmed by the beauty and hospitality of Molise during this very special time of the year: the olive harvest. With Ciclismo Classico and the Colavita family as your hosts, this will be a most memorable gastronomic and cycling experience for all.
Riding in Molise is a joy for the lack of traffic, the diversity of the landscapes and the undulating terrain. Even for Italians, Molise is “tutto da scoprire” (has everything to discover).
Ciclismo Classico is the first bicycle tour company to offer a tour around the time of the olive harvest to this undiscovered and fascinating corner of Italy.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Rome, shuttle to Pescocostanzo
After a shuttle from Rome airport, we take our first short warm up ride around the National Park near Pescocostanzo, a small town in Abruzzo on the slope of Mont Calvario filled with lots of cultural history. It's here you will get your first taste of the Molise regional cuisine.
Day 2 – Ride to Pietrabbondante, with truffle hunting and church bells
After breakfast, we will accompany a local truffle hunter on his morning hunt for black truffles. Food connoisseurs from all over Italy and the world travel to Molise every fall to search for these highly-prized tubers. After our truffle hunting experience we will hop on our bikes and being pedaling towards Pietrabbondante for a guided walking tour of the Samnite theatre ruins and the mountain town of Agnone to visit the renowned Marinelli Bell Foundry. The Marinelli family, whose tradition of creating church bells dates back over a thousand years, was honored by the Vatican in 2000 with the prestigious commission to create the Giubileo (Jubilee) commemorative bell. At the foundry, an artisan will show us how bells are made and use them to perform a spectacular musical medley.
Day 3 – Ride to Campobassso
During our ride towards the eastern coast, we stop in the town of Frosolone, important for traditional handcrafting of knives and scissors; still nowadays, some historical buildings of the ancient center host family run factories running from decades ago. In the afternoon we ride to Campobasso, the capital city of Molise. After the tour, everyone can explore the city’s center at their leisure (a walk up to Monforte Castle is definitely recommended). Dinner will follow later in the evening at a traditional Molisani tavern in Campobasso.
Later, stroll the historic center of Campobasso. A centre of medieval origin, Campobasso was part of the Lombard Duchy of Benevento. From the 11th century, it shared the fortunes of the Kingdom of Sicily (later of Naples and of the Two Sicilies) though it was held by various local overlords (of which the most famous was Monforte) until the seventeenth century. It was united with the Kingdom of Italy in 1860.
Day 4 – San Elia & Lago di Occhito
En route to the “home town” of Colavita we ride on the northern ridge of the “Lago Di Occhito” along a rugged and wild landscape that merges with farmland on the latter part of the ride. We will view olive oil production in San Elia, which is perfect for a gastronomical stop to discover the local specialties.
Day 5 – Ride to seaside Termoli, visit local capital of olive oil
Today’s ride brings us to Larino, local capital of Olive oil, where we learn everything about the “green gold” as it was called by Romans and naturally, taste and enjoy the local production. to experience the traditional olive oil production process. As we walk through the ancient olive groves, we will pass workers harvesting olives in the peak of the season. We’ll also visit the frantoio (mill) where the olives will be crushed. The harvested olives are carried in large plastic trays up to the mill to be pressed within 24 hours of picking. After the leaves are separated, the olives are ground into a paste, spread on mats which are stacked and pressure is applied to extract the juice (no heat is used). The juice is poured into a centrifuge to separate the water and the new oil is collected in jugs or tins.
Once we have sampled the freshly pressed novello oil and had lunch, we will take a guided tour of Larino’s ancient amphitheater and cathedral. After lunch we ride or take the shuttle towards the Adriatic sea to one of the most enchanting town of Italy’s East Coast: Termoli, a city of Greek origins, with the historical part built on a promontory that overlooks the sea, protected by ancient stone walls, has sunny beaches, perfect for a well earned dip after a week of cycling.
On our way to dinner, we will walk through the ancient walled section of Termoli which is guarded by a castle built above the beach in 1247 by Frederick II. We’ll also visit the town's cathedral which contains the relics of Saint Timothy. Dinner will be at Z’Bass, the renowned seafood restaurant named after Santo Basso, the patron saint of Termoli.
Day 6 – Campomarino & winery tour
We loop inland where olive oil aficionados will the opportunity to visit a different frantoio and sample the olive oil produced there. At midday, we will pedal to the nearby town of Campomarino to visit a local winery. We will have lunch, tour the winery, and enjoy a wine tasting.
In the evening, we will meet in Termoli’s old center where we will experience one of Italy’s greatest gifts to the culinary world: pizza! We will sample a variety of traditional brick oven pizzas in one of Termoli’s best pizzerias.
Day 7 – Ride or Relax and Return to Rome
Ride, relax and shuttle to Rome hotel. This morning we have the opportunity to relax, explore the shops of Termoli or take a short loop ride. We will meet back at the hotel for a quick lunch and board the bus for the drive toward the region of Lazio, home to Italy's capital, Rome.
You’ll be staying in the lovely and quiet Aventino district, just a stone’s throw from the Circus Maximus. You can also experience one of the most splendid views of the dome of St. Peter’s through the keyhole in the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, also only a 10 minute walk from your hotel. The evening is on your own - you may choose to relax in the hotel or head into Rome for one last taste of La Dolce Vita before departure.
Day 8 – Arrivederci!
Ground transport to Rome Fiumicino airport.
Photo Credit for Image of Davide Frattini: Jonathan Devich (http://www.epicimages.us).