We have partnered with Australian company AllTrails to bring you a bicycle expedition from Rome to Torino. On our ride we'll leave the eternal city and pedal north through stunning southern Tuscany, over the Apennine Mountains to Emilia Romagna and through the Po Valley to the wine hills of Piedmont. The finale of the bike tour comes with our arrival in Turin, designated the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, the home of the House of Savoy, and the leader in uniting Italy under one flag. Along the way we'll learn about the unique features and customs of a diverse set of Italian regions as we pedal along quiet roads, through country towns, medieval and renaissance castles and cities. Of course there will also be ample opportunities to sample some of each region's finest wines and foods. Join us for this special bicycling expedition.
If you are interested in doing all three legs, making your total journey 37 days of riding from Bari, Italy to Paris combine this tour with Leg 21 and Leg 23.
Day 1: June 27: Rome
Highlights: The eternal city
Arrive early to visit this incredible city - with more than enough monuments, ruins and small streets to explore we highly recommend spending a few days in Rome before our bicycle adventure north begins.Day 2: June 28: Rome to Bracciano
Highlights: Ride along the Tiber River, Tuscania
Our ride out of Rome takes us on a bike path along the Tiber River from the Vatican. Enjoy the views of this great city as we head north to Tuscania for the evening. Dinner together tonight. Approximate mileage 45 km (28 miles)Day 3: June 29: Bracciano to Tuscania
Highlights: Tuscania
Today we head north past fishing villages, quaint little cottages and lovely architecture, to Tuscania, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Dinner together tonight. Mileage 55 km (34 miles)Day 4: June 30: Tuscania to San Quirico d'Orcia
Highlights: Pedal the Val d'Orcia valley
We pedal across the 'Tuscia' today, a remote part of Italy that formed the southern part of Etruria (the heartland of the native inhabitants of this region - the Etruscans). This is a horizontal landscape made up of layers of previously airborne volcanic ash. We pedal by and through several ancient, inactive volcanoes, specifically that of Lake Bolsena, today a popular summer destination for families seeking nice lake beaches. Our ride takes us along the ancient Roman road 'Cassia' as we wind our way into one of Italy's most picturesque valleys, the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site so named for the interaction between humans and landscape. Our destination is San Quirico d'Orcia, perched on the northern edge of the valley and so affording a fantastic view over the dry rolling hills lined with classic Tuscan cypress trees. Our hotel has a stunning swimming pool with a great view over the valley. Dinner together tonight. Mileage 100 km (62 miles).Day 5: July 1: San Quirico d'Orcia to San Gimignano
Highlights: San Gimignano and it's medieval towers
We'll pedal north toward Siena today, along the famous (or infamous!) Tuscan hills. Gear down and spin and you'll be up and down these hills in no time! We're skirting the big city of Siena to reach the smaller town of San Gimignano, picturesque for its historic towers that dot the horizon as we approach town. Our hotel is just 1km outside of town with a lovely swimming pool in which to relax after the day's ride. There is a pathway for those who want to walk into town which is definitely worth it. Mileage 85 km (52 miles)Day 6: July 2: San Gimignano to Lucca
Highlights: Walled city of Lucca, vineyards of Tuscany
We continue north along the vineyards of Tuscany and wheat fields full of poppies. Our destination is Lucca, a wonderful medieval town that still retains an intact 17th century wall. Dinner together tonight. Mileage: 80 km (49 miles).Day 7: July 3: Lucca - Rest Day
Highlights: Enjoy Lucca, or take a side trip to Pisa
Lucca was a Roman town and one of medieval Italy's most prosperous city-states. Today, Lucca retains its medieval charm with its small shops and sidewalk cafes. Take a day to relax, or if you feel the urge we can organize a trip to Pisa for a visit to the leaning tower. No bicycling today.Day 8: July 4: Lucca to Equi Terme
Highlights: Pedal the foothills of the Appennines
We ride into the foothills of the Apennine Mountains. We'll spend a good part of the day in the Garfagnana, a vast chestnut forest north of Lucca. Dinner together tonight. Mileage 90 km (56 miles)Day 9: July 5: Equi Terme to Salsomaggiore
Highlights: Cross into Italy's culinary heartland, Emilia Romagna
We have flirted with Italy's Apennine Mountains for four days now without crossing them. Well, today we head up and over to the north side of the Apennines. We leave 'Mediterranean Italy' and head into the Po Valley which enjoys a more subcontinental climate. Mileage 150 km (93 miles)Day 10: July 6: Salsomaggiore to Castello di San Gaudenzio
Highlights: Rolling hills and flat riding, beautiful restored castle hotel
Our ride today takes us through the foothills of the 'Oltre Po Pavese' south of the Po River through the foothills of the Apennine Mountains and out onto the flat Po Valley. Our hotel tonight is a restored castle. Dinner together tonight. Mileage 105 km (65 miles)Day 11: July 7: Castello di San Gaudenzio to Asti
Highlights: Enter Piemonte Region, bicycle through wine country
We follow the flat Po Valley for the most part today on our way to Asti, Piemonte. We end in one of Italy's most up and coming wine regions where vineyards produce many of the famous Piemonte wines, including Barbera d'Asti and Asti Spumante. Mileage: 77 km (48 miles)Day 12: July 8: Asti to Torino
Highlights: Torino - home of the Savoy family
Our final ride is relatively short today and it takes us into Torino, the seat of the House of Savoy and the first capital of a unified Italy beginning in 1861. We'll celebrate our journey through Italy with a group dinner tonight. Mileage: 55 km (34 miles)Day 13: July 9: Tour ends after breakfast
Highlights:
Whether you are continuing to pedal to Paris on Leg 23 or staying in Torino and Italy, buon viaggio!-
HighlightsRome, the Forum, Coliseum , Lucca (home to Puccini), Pedal the Apennines of Italy, Etruscan coast of Tuscany, Wine country of Piedmont, Optional side trips to Pisa, Sienna, Torino, the first capital of a unified Italy
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IncludesUse of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 13 days, 12 nights in comfortable 3 and 4 star hotels and country estates; 12 breakfasts, 7 dinners, van support; bilingual tour leaders; cultural activities as described in itinerary.
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CountriesItaly
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Begin/EndRome/Torino
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Arrive/DepartRome/Torino or Milan
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Total Distance842 km (520 miles)
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Daily DistanceAverage daily 85 km
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What to ExpectVaried terrain throughout, mostly back roads with little traffic. Extraordinary bicycling routes and travel companions.
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Rating501
Long days and hilly terrain makes this a challenging tour. -
NotesSome daily procedures may vary from ExperiencePlus! tours as this trip is operated in tandem with AllTrails, an Australian Bike Tour Company. As an Expedition tour this trip receives no Re-Cycle credit.
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Terms
| Dates | Price | Single Supplement* |
Notes | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 27 - Jul 09, 2013 | AUS$5090 | AUS$1000 | Confirmed Departure. Save AUS$100 by bringing your own bike. Payments and paperwork will be processed by AllTrails in Australia. | Book It |
| *We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour. | ||||
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