Enjoy the Giro d'Italia off the beaten path in some of the most beautiful corners of rural Italy. We begin in Faenza, where you will visit the ExperiencePlus! headquarters at "the farm." We see three stages of the 2012 Giro d'Italia including the stage as it races through Faenza and finishes in Fano. After viewing a start in Macerata, we'll ride the route of Stage 6 out of Urbino through the hills of the Marche region of Italy.
Day 1: May 8 - Arrive today in Faenza
Highlights: Famous Italian ceramics, world class handmade pasta
Faenza is home base for ExperiencePlus! in Italy and in Europe. So we know the territory! We fit bicycles this afternoon and will plan on dinner together in one of our favorite local trattoria after introductions. Your choice for a warm-up ride if you get here early.Lodging: Hotel Vittoria
Day 2: May 9 - Bicycle into the foothills of the Apennine Mountains
Highlights: Bicycle Monte Trebbio, the Medieval village of Brisighella, visit ExperiencePlus! headquarters at "the farm"
Our ride today takes us through the Medieval village of Brisighella and then on to Modigliana. From here we climb to the ridgeline of Monte Trebbio, a ride that is often incorporated into the Giro d'Italia (though not this year). We finish our ride with a stop at ExperiencePlus! headquarters in the middle of a plum and peach orchard for a late picnic lunch. Cycling Distance: 65 km (40 miles) more available for those who wish.Lodging: Hotel Vittoria
Day 3: May 10 - See the Giro d'Italia on the ancient Roman "Via Emilia"
Highlights: Watch the Giro in the heart of a Medieval town, see the finish in Fano
We'll suggest an optional ride this morning just to warm up and then we'll enjoy the festivities as the Giro comes right through Faenza, just down the street from our hotel. Faenza has long been a bicycle town and has hosted many passages, finishes and starts of the Giro. Once the peloton passes through we'll jump in our vans and shuttle to Fano to watch the finish later this afternoon. We'll be in the coastal resort of Pesaro tonight. Dinner will be at the restaurant of our hotel. Cycling Distance: 40-60 km (25-37 miles).Lodging: Imperial Sport Hotel, Pesaro
Day 4: May 11- Bicycle the Giro Route from Urbino
Highlights: Bicycle the Giro d'Italia route from Urbino through the hills of the Marches
We shuttle straight to Urbino this morning and begin our own Giro d'Italia in this famous Medieval city. The Giro will begin later so we'll get a head start and let the race overtake us. We'll have plenty of time to find a great spot to watch the race go by. We'll ride on and shuttle, as necessary, to our hotel tonight in Macerata, (unless you want to try and ride the entire distance). Dinner is together tonight. Cycling Distance: 80-100 km (50-62 miles); 170 km (106 miles) if you elect to ride to Macerata.Lodging: Hotel Claudiani, Macerata
Day 5: May 12 - Watch the Giro start in Recanati and pedal the countryside
Highlights: Watch the start of a Giro stage, bicycling the hills of the Marches
Our plan this morning is to ride to Recanati in time to get a good spot to watch the beginning of the Giro, so you can see the hustle and bustle that accompanies a stage start. We'll then keep on pedaling through the hills and hill towns of the Marches countryside. Take your time to explore this forgotten corner of Italy. Dinner is on your own tonight. Cycling Distance: 70-90 km (43-56 miles).Lodging: Hotel Claudiani, Macerata
Day 6: May 13 - Bicycle to Assisi in Umbria
Highlights: Assisi and Umbria in the Green Heart of Italy
Stage 8 of the Giro is a time trial today in south-central Italy. So we'll head into the Apennine Mountains where we cross from the Marches to Umbria. We'll be in the Umbrian Basin this evening, surrounded by Medieval villages. We'll be in Assisi where dinner is together tonight. Cycling Distance: 120 km (75 miles).Lodging: Hotel Giotto, Assisi
Day 7: May 14 - Tour ends today in Umbria
Highlights:
Thanks for joining us. From here you can continue to enjoy central Umbria or catch convenient trains north to Florence and Bologna or south to Rome.-
Highlights3 stages of the Giro d'Italia, Urbino, Umbria and the Marches, Faenza, Assisi
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IncludesVan support; bilingual tour leaders; 4 dinners, 1 lunch and 6 breakfasts; 3 stages of the Giro d'Italia
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CountriesItaly
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Begin/EndFaenza / Assisi-Perugia
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Arrive/DepartBologna (BLQ) / Florence (FLR) or Bologna (BLQ)
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Total Distance380 - 445 km (236 - 277 miles)
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Daily Distance40 - 120 km (25 - 75 miles)
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What to ExpectRacing excitement and hill rides through some of the most beautiful parts of Italy.
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Rating301-401
Everyone shuttles on a few days in order to see the Giro; 301 level riders may choose to shuttle more on some days -
Notes
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Terms
Please call 1-800-685-4565 or e-mail us for the dates for this tour.
Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.
Map Key
Start
City (on route)
End
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