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Every cyclist’s dream is to pedal along a rocky coastline next to an azure sea. Think of Campania’s famed Amalfi Coast. The reality is that these roads are generally clogged by the tourist hordes in their rental cars and tour buses. After much research however, we were delighted to discover a different corner of Campania with all the rugged beauty but none of the crowds and tourist traps found on the Sorrentine Peninsula. The Cilento is protected as a National Park with the lowest population density in Campania. Its traditional cuisine, hillcrest vistas, and quaint seaside villages are sure to make your dreams come true. |
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| May 22 - Overnight flight to Rome’s Da Vinci airport |
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| May 23
- A Benvenuto in Italia! After a short shuttle to our Rome HQ, assemble and fine tune your bike (or be fitted for one of ours) before our orientation meeting and welcome dinner featuring traditional Roman cuisine. |
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May 24 -
Enjoy lunch immersed in an olive grove
after our van transfer, before pedaling among the olive-lined hills on our way to Paestum, an ancient Greek colony that boasts three of the world’s best preserved temples. Descend towards the sea and check in to our night’s lodging in a restored flour mill just outside the ancient city walls. Enjoy a group dinner of regional specialities such as Paestum artichokes and fresh buffalo mozzarella after gazing at the temples in the twilight. |
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May
25 - After a buffet breakfast,
wind up into the hills, rewarding your effort with expansive sea-views and charming hilltop villages. A twisting descent to the coast leads to our first stretch of scenic coastline riding. A final inland climb followed by a quick descent through olive groves leads to an expertly restored farmhouse with a refreshing pool, calming sea views, and hearty country cooking featuring the farm’s own olive oil.
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May 26
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It’s easy to see why the ancient Greek philosophers
Zeno and Parmenides settled in this area of remarkable natural beauty. Today’s loop rides (short, medium, or long) begin on forested mountain roads then descend back toward the shore to return along the coast. Climb back to the olive farm to watch the sun set over the sea and enjoy another exemplary meal from Elvira’s kitchen.
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| May 27 - Your dream continues as we again enjoy scenic mountain and coastline cycling
on our way to Maratea. Wind through lonely backcountry roads lined with aged olive trees rigged with colorful nets to catch their fruit. Pause for a seaside lunch in Marina di Camerota before cruising the most scenic stretch of coast to our hotel in a rocky cove right on the beach! Take a dip in the sea or the pool before the chef tempts us with seafood specialties as only the southern Italians can!
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| May 28 -
Another gorgeous and challenging loop ride
awaits--
or simply take a spin along the coast and then enjoy the private beach at our hotel. Whatever you do, work up a good appetite for another sumptuous dinner of local specialties!
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| May 29 -
Our tour comes to and end with a final ride
along the coast then up into the hills for a final Campanian lunch at the famed Slow Food osteria Zi Filomena. We’ll transfer back to Rome afterwards.
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| May 30 - Morning airport shuttles. |
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