Campania's
Cilento Coast ~ May 13-21, 2010 ~ $3895
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.
May
13 - Overnight
flight to Rome’s Da Vinci
airport.
May
14 - 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.
May
15 - 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.
May
16 - 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.
May
17 -
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.
May
18 - 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!
May
19 -
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!
May
20 -
Our
tour comes to an 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.
May
21 -
Morning airport shuttles.
Reserve Your Space!
Elevation Profile
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