Northern Italy Cycle Tour

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Milan / Cuneo Arrival Day

   Gather today in Cuneo, south of Turin and Milan. It is an easy 2.5 hr train ride from Milan or 1.5 hr from Turin (Torino). You may wish to spend a day or two in either of these two attractive cities before heading to Cuneo.

   You'll be fitted to your bicycle this afternoon, then you will be free to explore the town and to take a warm-up ride. Be sure to look up the Arione Bar and Confectionary, famous for its "cuneese al rhum" a chocolate rum candy (Hemingway stopped by here to pick up some of these on a trip to Italy in 1954, the year he won the Nobel Prize.)

   This evening, you'll celebrate the beginning of the tour with a traditional Piedmontese dinner together.
   

   • Local lodgings
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Cuneo Loop to Vinadio

   Your ride today follows the Stura di Demonte River valley to the fortress of Vinadio along a historic military road that has now become mainly a bike path. The Vinadio fortress was built by King Carlo Alberto of the house of Savoy in the 1830s and '40s to protect Piedmont from possible invasions from France. You'll be back in Cuneo late afternoon to enjoy a stroll through town.
   

   • 47.8 miles
   • Local Lodgings
   • Breakfast
3. Day 3Cuneo to Monforte

   Your ride today takes you through the small town of Bene Vagienna as you follow an ancient Roman road. You might want to stop and peek inside the archaeological sites along our road, where you’ll find the remains of a theatre, an amphitheatre, and other buildings. From Cuneo, the ride is an easy constant downhill until you reach the feet of the Langhe hills. Tonight you will be in Monforte d'Alba, one of many picturesque wine villages in the Langhe region of Piedmont.
   

   • 42.9 miles
   • Local Lodgings
   • Breakfast and Dinner
4. Day 4Monforte to Alba

   Your ride today takes you through some of the most beautiful vineyard landscapes in Italy. You can stop in Mango for lunch or a break under the castle shade before continuing on through Neviglie and Trezzo Tinella, villages of less than 500 inhabitants, on the way to Alba. You are in the heart of truffle land, so anybody wanting to learn about truffles can join an optional tasting this evening before dinner.
   

   • 34.2 miles
   • Local Lodgings
   • Breakfast
5. Day 5Alba to Acqui Terme

   You'll want to take time to visit Alba before leaving this morning. Not only is Alba the capital of the Langhe wine region itis also home to Ferrero Rocher, the chocolate maker that manufactures Nutella and Kinder chocolate. Shortly after Alba, the tour operator will recommend a detour to the small town of Barbaresco, where the famous Barbaresco wine gets its name.
   

   • 41 miles
   • Local Lodgings
   • Breakfast and Dinner
6. Day 6Loop ride from Acqui Terme

   Acqui Terme has been a spa town since Roman times and you'll be here three nights! If you wish to take the day off to enjoy the thermal spa this is your chance. Otherwise hop on the bike and head to the hill town of Mombaruzzo, home to one of Italy's famous "amaretto" makers. Amaretto is a delicious cookie made from a base of almond paste. You’ll enjoy a unique visit to a biscuit maker before pedalling back to home base. Take time this afternoon for a walk in town or to enjoy the spas.
   

   • 26.1 miles
   • Local Lodgings
   • Breakfast
7. Day 7Acqui Terme Rest Day

   A beautiful place to spend a rest day, Acqui Terme is famous for its thermal springs that reach the surface in Piazza Bollente. Here a marble edifice has been built and you can see the steam rising from the waters.

   Take time to wander through the narrow streets and markets as the friendly vendors offer tastings of the local cheeses and meats. Cobblestone streets lead through the old town which are lined with elegant shops, homeware stores, fabulous food shops and inviting restaurants. Piazza d’Italia sits on the edge of the old town and is a central meeting point where cafes overlook beautiful flower gardens and the steps of water that flow from the waterfall.
   

   • Local Lodgings
   • Breakfast
8. Day 8Acqui Terme to Pavia

   Flat riding today as you exit Piedmont and its vineyards and cross the Po River. Arrive at Pavia, a famous art city and home to the centuries-old University of Pavia and the Visconti Castle, now home to Pavia’s civic museum.

   Pavia was built on the Ticino River and you can visit the Ponte Coperto (covered bridge), which was rebuilt based on its original 1350’s design after being badly damaged in WWII.
   

   • 67.7 miles
   • Local Lodgings
   • Breakfast and Dinner
9. Day 9Pavia to Cremona

   Your ride today parallels the Po River, Italy's longest river, as it takes you to Cremona, home of the noble tradition of violin making. Visit the Museo del Violino to learn how Antonio Stradivarius raised violin-making to an art form and taste some torrone (the creamy nougat made from honey, nuts, and egg white) in one of the several pasticcerie in town!
   

   • 57.8 miles
   • Local Lodgings
   • Breakfast
10. Day 10Cremona to Parma

    Today you will pedal through opera composer Giuseppe Verdi’s homeland Polesine Parmense. You’ll leave the city cycling along the Po River bike path and wind your way through a rural area to the small town where Verdi was born, raised, and started his music career at age 8 as the official organizt.
    
    You will then head south to Parma, one of the undisputed culinary capitals of Italy, through pleasant country roads where you can catch a glimpse of the local farm life. The journey takes you to the ducal palace of Colorno. While it passed through the hands of many rulers, today, it houses the headquarters of ALMA, the International School of Italian Cuisine. You will then continue on to Parma, a city where your taste buds will not be disappointed. It is a city where the arts have flourished as Parmigianino, Correggio, and Giuseppe Verdi are some of the most famous citizens.

    • 46.6 miles
    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast
11. Day 11Parma Torrechiara to La-Razza

    Today's ride will take you to the breath-taking castle of Torrechiara. Dominating the Val Parma, the castle was built between 1448 and 1460, devised as an instrument of defence as well as a distinguished home for the count and his lover. You will then continue to Montecchio, before heading to Reggio Emilia (also known as the Tricolor town because it was here that the future Italian flag was first adopted in 1797). You'll ride on along back roads and bike paths to reach the agriturismo, a country house/hotel with a working farm, where you'll stay tonight.
    

    • 46 miles
    • Local Agriturismo
    • Breakfast and Dinner
12. Day 12La Razza to Bologna

    Begin the morning with a fascinating visit of parmesan cheese at the working farm. Today's ride will take you to Modena (home to the famous balsamic vinegar and also to Ferrari) and its beautiful historic center, before heading toward the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region - Bologna.
    
    This evening a sumptuous dinner finishes the first leg of the tour.
    

    • 62.1 miles
    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Dinner
13. Day 13Bologna Rest Day

    Stage 1 participants leave the tour today and Stage 2 new arrivals will appear.

    For those on the full 25 day trip, today is a rest day in Bologna. Take your time to explore this vibrant city. Bologna is a university town, home to what's said to be the oldest university of the Western world (founded in 1088). Another source of pride for the people in Bologna is the local food -home-made pasta, Bolognese sauce, mortadella, etc. Make sure you taste some of the delicacies the city has to offer.
    

    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Dinner
14. Day 14Bologna to Ravenna

    You will pedal today toward the Romagna area, reaching the art city of Ravenna, once the capital of the Western Roman Empire. Your centrally located hotel allows you to walk to Dante's Tomb and the UNESCO World Heritage mosaics of San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. Don't miss these early Byzantine churches with their colourful mosaics that draw travelers from around the world.
    

    • 65.2 miles
    • Hotel in Ravenna
    • Breakfast
15. Day 15Ravenna to Ferrara

    You will head north today, passing through the Po River delta (a beautiful area known, among other things, for birdwatching), before reaching the lovely town of Comacchio. With its canals and bridges, Comacchio is also known as "little Venice". Your destination for today is Ferrara, a great bike-friendly art city.
    

    • 66.5 miles
    • Hotel in Ferrara
    • Breakfast and Dinner
16. Day 16Ferrara to Padova

    You will be riding to the Veneto region today, to reach one of the oldest cities in Italy - Padova (or Padua), also known as the City of St. Anthony. Padova’s claim to history is not only being home to Italy’s second-oldest (and still vibrant) university, but it also acted as the setting for most of the action in Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Make sure you take a walk around Prato Della Valle, one of Italy's (and Europe's) largest squares.
    

    • 61.5 miles
    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast
17. Day 17Padova Options: Loop ride, train trip to Venice or rest day

    Today you can take a spin on the bike south into the Euganean hills and loop back to Padova. Alternatively, take a 30-minute train ride into Venice to visit this enchanting water city, either independently or with the tour crew who will be getting lost in the maze of laneways for the day, following no set agenda. Or simply enjoy a rest day in this fascinating university city and spend some time ambling through its arcaded streets or sit and watch the world go by in one of its many stylish cafes.
    

    • 31.1 miles
    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast
18. Day 18Padova to Verona

    You will head west today and skirt the northern edge of the Colli Euganei (Euganean hills), before heading toward Soave, a small town known for the namesake wine, as well as its Scaligero castle. Keep pedalling to reach famed Verona, city of Romeo and Juliet, and whose arts still delight on a nightly basis with operas and concerts in the Roman theatre. Enjoy a wine tasting of the Soave wines at dinner this evening.
    

    • 59 miles
    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Dinner
19. Day 19Verona to Saló

    Head west from Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. You will reach iconic Lake Garda and get on a ferry to cross to the other shore before hopping on your bike again to reach Salò, located on a natural inlet on the Western side of the lake.
    

    • 40.4 miles
    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast
20. Day 20Saló Rest Day

    Today you can take the day off the bike and explore Salò. You will find plenty to do on the long lakefront promenade and in the small but attractive old town, or you might want to take a ferry for a cruise on the lake.
    

    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast
21. Day 21Salò to Sulzano (Lake Iseo)

    Once again you head west today, this time toward Lake Iseo. Bordering the lake to the south is the densely cultivated Franciacorta region, famous for its sparkling white wines. The dense network of vineyards, church-topped hills and scattering of cypress trees here remind some people of Tuscany.

    As an option, you can enjoy more lake views by taking the ferry to Monte Isola with your bike, a massive mountain that emerges 1200 feet (365m) from the lake surface. On Monte Isola, you'll enjoy car-free cycling around the island and stunning views of the surrounding mainland.
    

    • 45.4 miles
    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Dinner
22. Day 22Sulzano to Lecco (Lake Como)

    The first part of your ride today will let you enjoy views of Lake Iseo, before heading toward the city of Bergamo and its "Città Alta" (literally "High City"). Bergamo is one of the few Italian cities to escape destruction during the World Wars, so its architectural history is well preserved. In particular, Bergamo Alta which is known for its 16th-century Venetian walls. Your destination for today is the city of Lecco, on Lake Como.
    

    • 59.7 miles
    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast
23. Day 23Lecco to Como

    The majority of today's route runs along the shores of Lake Como, heading North toward Bellagio (where you will take a ferry to cross the lake) and then back south toward Como, your final destination for the day. Anybody wanting an extra challenge can ride the Madonna del Ghisallo ride from near Bellagio, paying homage to the Madonna of cyclists after a tough climb.
    

    • 49.1 miles
    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast
24. Day 24Como to Verbania (Lake Maggiore)

    On the last day of cycling, you will pedal along three lakes-Lake Como, Lake Lugano and ending on Lake Maggiore, which is shared between Italy and Switzerland. You'll also spend a half-day pedalling through Switzerland! 

    You will catch a ferry toward the end of the ride and pedal the last couple of km to reach the final destination on the top of Lake Maggiore. Celebrate with Italy’s famed Champagneois wine toast!
    

    • 48.5 miles
    • Local Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Dinner
25. Day 25Verbania

    The tour operator highly recommends staying on 1-2 nights after the tour in Verbania to visit Stra, and the islands of Lake Maggiore if you have the time. If not, you can catch a simple bus transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport (65km/40mi) or catch a train to Milan city or any other European destination on the train network. Tour Leaders will help with advice on how to get to where you need to go.
    

    • Breakfast