GUARANTEED
DEPARTURE
This scheduled guided
tour is guaranteed
to run even if we receive
no further reservations!
Book with confidence
that your vacation
will not be cancelled
due to low enrollment.
Contact larry@cycleitalia.com for
more details. |
See
the Giro finale in Rome!
Join us for Umbria and
Marche May 21-31 and
stay on in Rome to see
the final chrono stage
and the awarding of the
final Maglia Rosa. Call
for details.
Umbria and Marche are
the best Italian cycling
regions you never heard of.
Our sea
- to sea adventure begins in the ancient Etruscan kingdom near Tarquinia,
just north of Rome and finishes
atop Monteconero, highest
point on Italy's
eastern coast, near
Ancona. In-between we'll encounter classic Italian
countryside: vineyard-covered hills, medieval hilltop
towns, imposing gothic cathedrals, and humble mom & pop groceries.
Umbria and Marche are little-touristed by foreigners, but they contain
some of Italy's greatest treasures.
May
21 - Departure
for overnight flights to
Rome.
May
22 - Welcome
to Italy! A quick shuttle from Rome's
Leonardo da Vinci airport lands you at our nearby hotel
where you can prepare your bike and relax after your
flight. Spend the afternoon downtown or visit with fellow
guests before we toast the upcoming trip at our welcome
dinner party.
May
23 - Follow
Estruscan footsteps as
we begin our journey with a short van transfer to their ancient
kingdom. From here we pedal inland across rolling farmland then along
the shores of Lago di Bolsena.
Pause to enjoy a plate of strangozzi
alla gorgonzola at a
small trattoria
overlooking the lake in Montefiascone. Then prepare for the final climb
up tufa-rock cliffs to our charming hotel in Orvieto -- renowned for
its magnificent duomo and
classico wine. Tonight we’ll visit an authentic Umbrian osteria for
our group dinner.
May
24 - Roll
through cobbled Medieval
lanes to begin today’s ride through the
Orvieto Classico wine country. Choose from loops of 65, 45, or 20 miles that feature roller-coaster hills
and sweeping vistas, including magnificent views of two ancient
clifftop towns: thriving Orvieto and dying Cività di Bagnoregio. Spend the afternoon, or why not the whole day, exploring
Orvieto’s spectacular duomo, mysterious Etruscan caves, stimulating museums, and unique shops. Open night for dinner on the town, followed by a quiet stroll
through Piazza Duomo with some of Italy’s best gelato.
May
25 -
Enter
the "green heart
of Italy" as
you ascend to the scenic crest of Poggio Torrone then plunge down the
twisting descent before climbing to enchanting Todi, famous for its
14th century castle and breathtaking vistas. Stop at a roadside stand to sample authentic porchetta - fire
roasted pork flavored with fresh herbs. Continue on scenic hillcrest roads to our lodgings in charming
Spello. Relax with a drink on the terrazzo and take in the
spectacular view before we gather to sample the chef's creative spin
on traditional Umbrian cuisine at our hotel's renowned restaurant.
May
26 -
Ride along panoramic
hilltops toward Deruta, known for its ceramics, or head straight for Assisi, home of
St. Francis and Santa Clara. Continue on a peaceful loop around scenic Monte Subasio and
descend through olive groves back to scenic Spello. Return to Assisi for dinner and more sightseeing or opt to stay
and explore Spello.
May
27 -
The rugged slopes
of Monte Serano lead us out of the historic Tiber river valley and up into the Appennines.
Today's ride winds through sparsely populated mountains then descends to Le Marche. At San Severino, we'll indulge in a luxury hotel, artfully
carved into one of the town's many historic palazzi. An open night for dinner allows you to explore the local
cuisine featuring Rosso Piceno wine and authentic Marchegian
specialties such as lasagne in truffle sauce.
May
28 -
The famed castles
of Jesi were
once fortified border towns, now they are peaceful villages ideal for wine country cycling. Take
time to taste the Verdicchio, try culinary delights such as olive ascolane and drink in the vista from Cingoli.
Return to San Severino at your leisure to explore the hilltop cathedral and towers before a quiet cena off the romantic town
square.
May
29 -
Catch
glimpses of the sea as you wind your way from
the foothills to the coast before a steep 3k climb to our
hilltop hotel - a converted medieval abbey. Take in the
ocean view or enjoy a dip in the pool before a group
dinner of fresh Adriatic seafood and Rosso Conero wine.
May
30 -
Enjoy the panoramic
ocean view during
a morning hike or ride around the Monteconero nature
reserve before our farewell pranzo. We'll toast
the completion of our trip and enjoy a cornucopia of
local specialties before our afternoon van transfer back
to the airport hotel.
May
31 -
Take a morning shuttle
to the airport for your
flight home, or extend
your stay to sightsee Rome.
Elevation
Profile
