Italy - Giro d’Italia - May 14 - 28th, 2012

Giro d'Italia 2012: Tuscany; Dolomites; & Lake Como - May 14 - 28th, 2012

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Join us during the 2012 Giro d'Italia in Italy's most widely acclaimed locations: Tuscany; the Dolomites; and Lake Como. This 14 day trip captures more than the great cycling tradition of the Giro d'Italia, but place's steeped in history and nature, traditional towns and villages, stunning mountainous geography, fine Italian food and wine, and of course great riding and fun. It is Italian cycling and culture at its best.

Day 1: Monday 14th May - Trequanda, Tuscany

Arrive independently at Trequanda accommodation*. Upon arrival at hotel you will meet trip host who will assist you with any initial travel needs and bike set-up. The family owned and operated accommodation is a 336 hectare wine estate and has its origins dating back over 500 years. Surrounded by picture postcard countryside and quite back-roads the area is an oasis for cycling. On our initial night we are treated to a welcome dinner. Meals: D

Day 2: Tuesday 15th May - Floating through the Crete Ride: 75km or 45km (option)

Our first ride in Tuscany focuses on the area of the Crete. This territory is a photographers dream, providing post-card images and landscapes ever so unique to Tuscany: The route on near perfect roads rides along ridges and hills of special atmosphere, connecting to a series of delightful medieval towns and villages. It combines the best of classic Tuscany and Italian cycling experience. Meals: B; D

Day 3: Wednesday 16th May - Val d'Orcia Ride: 75km or 45km (Option)

Today's ride introduces participants to the outstanding World Heritage listed landscapes of the Val d'Orcia. The excursion leads us to the stunning hilltop towns of Montepulciano and Pienza. From both you are treated to sweeping views over central and southern Tuscany, with Pienza sitting like a balcony over the Val d'Orcia and Montepulciano surrounded by vineyards of its famous wines. Meals: B; D

Day 4: Thursday 17th May - Siena Excursion (non-ride) or Chianti Ride: 100km

Today participants have the choice of a riding excursion into the famous Chianti Classico region or a 'bike-free' excursion to beautiful city of Siena. The rustic back-roads of the Chianti provide quality cycling equal to that of its renowned wines; whilst Siena with its network of narrow historical streets and alleys makes for an extra-ordinary day of sightseeing and cultural discovery. Meals: B; D

Day 5: Friday 18th May - Brunello Wine Trail: 100km or 50km (Option)

Today's riding excursion is into the heart of the World Heritage listed landscape of the Val d'Orcia. The route takes us to visit the ancient thermal village of Bagno Vignoni; tranquil castle topped village of Castiglione d'Orcia; and Monastery of Sant'Antimo - one of the most beautiful in Italy. The day's itinerary includes a memorable lunch. Immersing within a small cellar of a local 'Brunello' wine producer, we enjoy local food products along with the legendary wine of Montalcino. Meals: B; L; D

Day 6: Saturday 19th May - Mount Amiata and Bagno Vignoni (Spa Village): 100km or 40km (Option)

Today's ride takes us to delightful thermal springs of Bagno Vignoni. Participants will have the choice of a longer ride via the slopes of Mount Amiata, a volcanic cone 1732m above sea level that dominates the landscapes of Southern Tuscany; or a shorter more direct route via the lovely medieval town of San Quirico d'Orcia. Meals: B; D

Day 7: Sunday 20thMay - Transfer to Dolomites

Following breakfast we transfer to accommodation in heart of Dolomites, our base for the next 5 nights. We stay in a typical Tyrolean hotel accommodation (4 star rating) in small market town of Castlerotto, experiencing the best of the area's cycling and cultural traditions. Each evening of our stay the hotel will prepare and serve us traditional meals of the region. Meals: B; D

Day 8: Monday 21st May - Sella Ronda Circuit: 100km or 65km (option)

Today we ride the most famous circuit of the Dolomites, crossing 4 beautiful passes: Passo Gardena; Passo Campolongo; Passo Pordoi; and Passo Sella. Situated in heart of Dolomites and within UESCO World Heritage landscapes the ride provides incomparable views and feelings of absolute exhilaration. Three of the passes rise to above 2100m, with Passo Pordoi the highest at 2239m, reached via 33 numbered switchbacks. Not surprising then that these are imbedded in Italian cycling folklore. Meals: B; D

Day 9: Tuesday 22nd May - Cortina d'Ampezzo: 85km or 55km (option)

Our ride today crosses a trio of major passes en route to the grand valley of Cortina d'Amprezzo. The longer riding option includes the spectacular but gruelling Passo Giau, a Giro d'Italia legend that climbs for 10km at 9%, its summit sitting at a lofty 2236m. Other passes encountered are Passi Valparola and Falzarego, both over 2000m. Meals: B; D

Day 10: Wednesday 23rd May - The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle (non-ride) or Passo di Stelvio: 50km

Today participants have the choice of visiting the most famous tourist attraction of the South Tyrol, or riding Italy's highest and arguably most famous pass, the iconic Passo di Stelvio. The non-ride provides a wonderful opportunity of experiencing what many consider Italy's most beautiful gardens, whilst the Stelvio ride takes riders up, up, and up Italy's highest road, via 48 magnificent switchbacks to its snow covered summit (2757m). Meals: B; D

Day 11: Thursday 24th May - Queen of the Dolomites, the Marmolada: 40km (option: Caprile or Canazei)

Today's ride tackles arguably the most challenging of Dolomiti passes - the fearsome Passo Fedaia. The route winds its way up the Marmolada (highest mountain peak of the Dolomites), reaching its spectacular summit at 2057m. Here lunching over a hot plate of pasta or polenta, riders are privileged to spectacular views of Marmolada Glacier and Lake Fedaia. Riders will have the option of riding Passo Fedaia from either of its sides (Canazei or Caprile). From Canazei it is a long (14km), but relatively comfortable climb. However from Caprile the climb is nothing less than brutal! Meals: B; D

Day 12: Friday 25th May - Transfer to Lake Como - Bellagio

Following breakfast we transfer to final accommodation on Lake Como. Recognised as Italy's most beautiful lake it was for a time Lance Armstrong's favourite cycling location. We stay in a charming 3 star hotel in centre of lake side town Bellagio. Italians refer to Bellagio as 'the pearl of the lake'. Perfectly situated at tip of the lakes southern promontory, Bellagio is one of Italy's prettiest places, with atmospheric zigzag streets, waterside promontory, and surrounding gardens of absolute splendour. Meals: B

Day 13: Saturday 26th May - Madonna di Ghisallo Ride: 75km or 25km (option)

Today's ride rise's high above Bellagio to the tiny cycling sanctuary of Madonna di Ghisallo - patron saint of (Italian) cyclist. A bestowment made by Pope Pious XII in 1949, it adorns the heroic days of Italian cycling with jerseys and bikes from past Italian champions, from Coppi to Pantani. The route continues into the deep green slopes of Lake Como's southern peninsula. These roads feature regularly in the autumn classic race Giro d'Lombardy - widely considered to be the most beautiful of professional one day cycling events. Meals: B

Day 14: Sunday 27th May - Lake Como Loop Ride: 65km

For our final ride we partake in a spectacular lakeside ride completed with short (10min) ferry trip across lake. You could say we will be going out in style!! The route rolls gently to Como at bottom of lake, and then takes us upwards along the western shoreline of lake to Menaggio. Along the way we pass some of Italy's finest and most expensive Villas, as well as absorbing the natural beauty and charm of the lake. Meals: B

Day 15: Monday 28th May - Transfer to Como Station - End of Trip

Following breakfast is trip departure bus transfer to Como Station. Meals: B

Prices:

$5,745.00 twin-share
$610.00 single supplement
$525.00 Bike Hire (aluminium); $645.00 (carbon
Trip Inclusions
11 nights quality 3 and 4 star hotels
3 nights Tuscan wine estate
Daily guided rides with experienced guides
Italian Immersions Trip Host
All land transportation from arrival in Trequanda to departure to Como station
Support vehicle (Dolomites)
Wine tasting - Montalcino
14 Breakfasts
1 lunch with wine
10 dinners (most with wine)
Small group max 22 participants