Emilia Romagna to Calabria
Cycling Level
12 days 11 nights
11 nights Half Board accommodation
from €1,950 per person (sharing a twin/double room)
Contact
If you wish to enquire about this tour please contact us on +44(0)1225 315787 email: enquiries@vyvigo.co.uk
Guided: minimum 6 people
Custom dates for groups of 4 or more
9 Stages / 1 Rest day
Total distance: 1,260 km Total climb 14,800 mts
average mileage: 137 km/day
average climb: 1,645 mts/day
Strictly for the very experienced cyclist!
Starting in Bologna and finishing in Tropea, discover why riding in Italy is so special.
With amazing journeys up and down the country’s back-roads, through charming villages of the Appennini mountain range and breathtaking land and seascapes, this tour will cover over 1200 km in 9 stages where 9 different regions will be crossed: Emilia, Toscana, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Basilicata and Calabria.
One of the most daring and comprehensive Italian cycling tours you will experience, ever.
Our price Includes:
11 nights half board accommodation in Agriturismo and 3 star hotel
Transfer from Bologna airport on arrival
Transfer to Lamezia airport on departure
Baggage transfers throughout the tour
On-call assistance
Daily maps and cue sheets
Cycling guide (for groups of minimum 6 cyclists)
Full van support throughout the tour (for groups of minimum 6 cyclists)
The itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival Bologna
We meet you at the airport in Bologna for transfer to our accommodation in Rastignano.
Day 2:
Stage 1: Rastignano-Bibbiena 149 km (total climb 2400 mts)
We begin with a long climb to Passo Raticosa, then through the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano, followed by the hills that separate Bologna from Firenze and, at the pass, we cross the border into Toscana. A winding descent takes us to Firenzuola where the 2nd climb to Passo del Giogo begins, followed by a second descent that takes us to the medieval town of Scarperia where we have lunch before cruising Val di Sieve to Dicomano. Here begins the last summit of the day: Passo Croce ai Mori and the last descent will take us into the Arno Valley where it gets easy until the last km to our hotel in the historic town of Bibbiena.
Day 3:
Stage 2: Bibbiena-Foligno 153 km (1200 mts)
Today there will be only one climb but from the start we tackle Passo La Verna in the Park of Foreste Casentinesi. The descent ends with a coffee break in beautiful Pieve S.Stefano, where we cruise to through the Tevere Valley. At Città di Castello we cross the Umbria border cycling across some of the region’s finest towns. After lunch in Umbertide we ride through Assisi and Spello. Our hotel is in the main square of old Foligno.
Day 4:
Stage 3: Foligno-L’Aquila 151 km (2300 mts)
Today we cross Umbria, land of saints, truffles and... climbs! The first to Valico del Soglio is easy but the second one is tough: 22 km will stretch beyond 10% but we promise that the views will relieve the pain. We summit in the medieval hamlet of Monteleone where we have lunch. The descent leads to the foot of the Terminillo Mountains from where we then ride in a rolling and luscious green area of Lazio. A short climb in a chestnut wood reveals the wild landscapes of Abruzzo. We descend into the Aterno Valley for the last, flat miles to L'Aquila.
Day 5:
Stage 4: L’Aquila-Barrea 131 km (2100 mts)
Be prepared for one of your finest rides. For 50 km we cruise down the Aterno Valley, crossing medieval villages immersed in the wilderness and endless rows of mountains looming at the horizon. We awaken from this dream-like ride with 6 km at an average of almost 10% on the slopes of Monte Selva. The long but easy descent into the National Park of Abruzzo has views that are a joy to the eye. After lunch in Anversa we enter the Sagittario gorges where the road is attached to the rock with a roaring stream running alongside. As we gain altitude the stream forms a mirror of still water reflecting the mountains above. After circling its lake we arrive in Scanno where we start the long but regular climb to Passo Godi. At 1630 mts, this pass is the tour’s Cima Coppi (max elevation). Prepare for the following descent where many a travelled rider has howled with joy. We land on the shores of Lake Barrea and get to our hotel in town after a 2 km mountain finish.
Day 6:
Stage 5: Barrea-Cerreto Sannita 120 km (1300 mts)
We leave Barrea with a short climb that allows spectacular views of the lake surrounded by mountains. We descend into Alfedena and resume climbing to Colle Il Calvario. On the following descent we cross into Molise. For the hard-cores there is a detour that follows the road to the highlands; alternatively there is an easier course through the valley. The two routes join in Piedimonte Matese where we meet before lunch. We are now in Campania where the ride continues on an easy rolling road, crossing delightful villages to the last vertical km to our hotel in Cerreto Sannita, a town with remarkable architecture and famous for its ceramics.
Day 7:
Stage 6: Cerreto Sannita-Paestum 173 km (2000 mts)
The longest stage of the tour requires an early start. Again we ride on a gentle rolling road with ample views of the Volturno Valley dotted by villages. After a 5 km climb we cross Pietrelcina and descend to Benevento where we pause for coffee. We then cruise through vineyards of the Sabato Valley and cross Tufo. After the short climb to Prata we arrive at Atripalda where we stop for lunch. As we approach the long climb, vineyards give way to hazelnut and walnut groves and then to a thick wood of chestnut trees that shade the steep switchbacks of the climb to Foresta Ogliara. The long descent is followed by a last short climb to Montecorvino where our pain ends, for the day. We descend to the Tirrenean coast and paceline the flat coastal route to Paestum where the swimming pool at the Agriturismo will be awaiting us.
Day 8:
Rest day
Our Agriturismo is not only an outstanding producer of buffalo mozzarella but an unrivalled interpreter of the best traditional Neapolitan cuisine. Paestum is one of the most important archaeological sites in Italy where few places will reward you with views of ruins of an ancient Greek community. Unlike Pompeii or Herculaneum, Paestum can often be deserted and its gleaming white marble temples, set against the silver mountains and deep blue sea, provide a unique Greek experience in Italy.
Day 9:
Stage 7: Paestum-Maratea 142 km (1800 mts)
After Agropoli we embark on the coastal road of the Park of Cilento. The road is mostly flat but after a few bumps, the seaview opens up through the olive and pine trees. We climb again ending in Pisciotta where we have our coffee break after which we reach Palinuro after descending amongst centuries old olive trees. We cycle through stone tunnels with a flat ride until we reach Marina di Camerota where the road begins to snake uphill to the mountain for a 10 km climb, the longest of the day but with amazing views. We stop for lunch at the top. The next descent leads to the Gulf of Policastro, a flat terrain until we cross into Basilicata. The final kms are spectacular: the road goes up and down with the rocky mountain on one side and the sea down below on the other. Our hotel in Maratea is on the beach.
Day 10:
Stage 8: Maratea-Amantea 130 km (1200 mts)
After a few miles we cross into Calabria, the southernmost region of continental Italy. We ride the Tirrenean coastal route cutting through most beautiful beach resorts like Diamante, where we have our coffee break. We then cycle passed other charming towns until our lunch stop that requires a small bit of climbing but the rest of the ride will be easy rolling. Arriving in Amantea we can choose between swimming in the sea or in one of the hotel's pools.
Day 11:
Stage 9: Amantea-Tropea 88 km (500 mts)
This last stage is an easy spin. After circling the Gulf of S. Eufemia, a short hill gets us to the delightful piazza of Pizzo Calabro. Here we stop for coffee and the superb local pastries. The ramp to Tropea is ideal if you wish to take a final mountain sprint before our toast. The early arrival will give us time to enjoy what is considered the Pearl of the Tirrenean coast.
Day 12:
Today we transfer you to Lamezia airport for your journey back home
Extras
Flights
Lunches and Beverages
Single room supplement of €250
Transfers from and to airports other than Bologna and Lamezia
Bike hire: from €250 (includes cycle computer, repair kit, pump, lock)
Gratuities and items of a personal nature
Bicycle case storage: £90
For groups of 4 or more:
All our cycling itineraries can be customised to your specific tastes and requirements.