Self-guided: Grand Cycling Emilia-Romagna

Landscape scene from Brisighella
  • Length 13 days
  • From USD$2950
  • Style/Level Self-Guided 2.0
  • Countries Italy
  • Begin/End Ravenna/Parma

This 13-day self-guided tour combines the Heart of Romagna and the Taste of Italy tours into one grand cycling tour that showcases the renowned food traditions, expansive landscapes, beautiful towns and limitless riding throughout Emilia-Romagna. Stretching along the northern flanks of the Apennine mountains and spilling into fertile plains dominated by orchards and fields, Emilia-Romagna is often over-looked for neighboring Tuscany. This tour elevates the region’s gastronomy while introducing cyclists to towns and cities, such as Ravenna, Bologna, Modena, and Parma, that have influenced the country’s cultural identity. As you pedal and eat your way from the former capital of the Western Roman Empire to the birthplace of Parmagiano-Reggiano, you’ll experience an impressive network of bike paths, enjoy a multi-night stay at a lovely agriturismo, discover the leaning tower of Bologna, witness how balsamic vinegar and Parmagiano-Reggiano cheese are made, and be charmed by the region’s rich history, art, culture and traditions. Pedal as much or as a little as you prefer as you make each day your own adventure on this unforgettable tour.

Highlights

  • Medieval town of Brisighella

  • Ravenna and its 6th century mosaics

  • Bologna and its 60 km of porticoes

  • Faenza, one of Italy’s most famous ceramics towns

  • Wine village of Dozza and Emilia-Romagna Regional Wine Museum

  • Planned Renaissance town of Terra del Sole built by the Medici family in 1564

  • Balsamic vinegar cellar

  • Parma’s famous cured ham

  • Parmegiano-Reggiano cheese

  • Castle of Torrechiara

  • Modena

    Extra meals & activities (separate fees apply)

  • Cooking classes available in various tour locations! Organized by Le Cesarine where you will be hosted by a local at their home and will help the Cesarina (the host) prepare three courses. In the fourth and final hour, you will enjoy the meal (lunch or dinner) which you prepared during the class. Water and one bottle of house wine for every 3 people are included.
    Additional optional activities:

  • Dinner available every night (typically 3-course meal in great local restaurants)
  • Guided visit of Ravenna (approx. 3 hours)
  • Olive Oil Tasting in Brisighella
  • Cooking class: available in Faenza and Imola

Includes

Keep in mind

We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

  • The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to change according to availability.
  • City hotel taxes are not included.

Relatively short distances and mostly flat riding every day make this epic bike tour accessible to most cyclists in decent shape. Some loop days into the lower hills, with some short climbs. Bike paths along rivers or rails-to-trails, and quiet country roads. Some of the bike paths are on hard packed dirt roads or levees. For cyclists looking for more challenging rides, two optional longer rides are available.


From USD $2950

  • PRICING: Based on double occupancy. $500 per-person deposit. Departures for one person only will require supplemental fees.
  • HIGH SEASON PRICING May 1 – June 15 and September 1 – October 15: USD $3,075 per person.
  • START DAYS: This tour departs any Tuesday between March 1 and October 31. Other start days of the weeks may be available on request, for USD $300. Please note that changing the start day could make some cultural visits and activities impossible.
  • REQUEST YOUR DATE: Click the blue “Request a date” button to submit a tour inquiry.
If dates appear below, they reflect already requested departures. Multiple parties may join listed dates.

Download Itinerary

We’ll send you a link to a full day by day tour itinerary that can be downloaded and printed so you can review all the details online and offline. This packet also includes details about what to expect on tour and arrival and departure details.
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  • Total distance 554-627 km (345-390 miles)
  • Average daily distance 19-67 km (12-42 miles)
  • Tour style Self-Guided
  • Tour level 2.0

Highlights: Byzantine mosaics, 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Arrive in Ravenna today, 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 this afternoon. Don’t miss these early Byzantine churches with their colorful mosaics that draw travelers from around the world, as well as the beautiful Renaissance historical center of Ravenna.

Accommodation: Hotel Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details.

Highlights: Faenza International Ceramics Museum and Renaissance Town Square

Meet our staff in the early morning to fit bikes and get ready for your tour ahead. Exiting Ravenna you have the choice to visit another very important Byzantine masterpiece: Sant’Apollinare in Classe. Cross the plains through fruit orchards and arrive at Faenza. Your hotel is a restored convent near the central square of this regional market center and famous ceramics town. Enjoy the bustle in the market square and the main “piazza” which is always full of bicycle riders of all ages. Faenza is world-renowned for its hand-decorated ceramics; we recommend a visit to the International Ceramics Museum as well as several of the local artists’ studios specialized in this colorful pottery.

Daily distance: 53 km (33 miles)
Elevation gain: +167 m (548 ft)

Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details.

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: Castrocaro Castle, Terra del Sole Medicean Fortress, Romagna farms

A lovely, gentle loop ride out and back to Faenza. After exiting Faenza, you will pedal past farms and fruit orchards, mostly on quiet backroads, with the nearby Apennines in view. Cycle through Terra del Sole and its impressive fortress – once an outpost of the Medici Family when Tuscany bordered with Romagna in late Medieval times – to Castrocaro Terme, a picturesque medieval city on the lower hills below the Apennines. We recommend a visit of the castle at Castrocaro if open! On your return ride to Faenza, you may choose to pick up supplies for an outdoors picnic in any of the countless farms along the way!

Daily distance: 58 km (36 miles)
Elevation gain: +280 m (918 ft)

Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details.

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: Medieval Brisighella; Via degli Asini

Enjoy a quiet ride through vineyards and kiwi orchards on your way to the enchanting medieval town of Brisighella. You should certainly plan to explore the historic town center and to see the unique Via degli Asini, one of the best preserved medieval artisan streets anywhere in Italy. The homemade pasta in Brisighella is worth a lunch stop (and the gelato is not bad, either)! Your ride continues through lovely scenery on to Riolo Terme, a picturesque town on the Romagna hills, with its medieval castle and moat still intact.

You have two options for your ride today:

Short option: 26 km (16 miles), with + 382 m (1253 ft) elevation gain.
Long option: 61 km (38 miles), with + 996 m (3267 ft) elevation gain.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Riolo Terme, or similar. Upgrades not available

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: Wine village of Dozza; beautiful views across the Po Valley; historic Imola

Your ride today takes you through more vineyards and orchards to the medieval hill town of Dozza, famous for its wall murals. The castle in Dozza houses the Emilia-Romagna Regional Enoteca, or wine, museum. Regional specialties include the red Sangiovese (father grape of Chianti) which is gaining more and more worldwide recognition as an important wine in and of itself, the light and fizzy Lambrusco from the hills of Modena and Bologna (excellent accompaniment to the regional cold cuts like prosciutto and salame), or the sweet Albana di Romagna. Tonight’s destination is Imola, famous for its Formula 1 racetrack. Originally built as a Roman town along the Via Emilia, the historical center is definitely worth exploring this evening.

Daily distance: 50 km (31 miles)
Elevation gain: +520 m (1706 ft)

Accommodation: B&B Callegherie 21, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details.

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: Bologna – Italy’s Culinary Capital

We’ll leave Imola to ride to Bologna today, Emilia Romagna’s administrative capital, and, arguably, its culinary capital too. Home to the oldest continually operating university in the world, Bologna has a long tradition of studies, arts, and gastronomy. Speaking of gastronomy, Bologna gave birth to the mortadella, vulgarly distorted abroad as “bologna,” although the fresh, artisanal mortadella has nothing to do with processed ham! Make sure you put this culinary delight on your ‘must try’ list!

Daily distance: 67 km (42 miles)
Elevation gain: +330 m (1082 ft)

Accommodation: Hotel Touring, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details.

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: Rails-to-trails bike paths, Bazzano, World Heritage Site of historic Modena

Leave Bologna on its city bike paths to get to the foot hills of the Apennine Mountains, where great views reward you as you approach Bazzano. A rails-to-trails bike path in the countryside will then take you all the way to Modena. Don’t forget to visit the historic town center of this city with the marble covered cathedral and its Ghirlandina bell tower.

Daily distance: 63 km (39 miles) Elevation gain: +212 m (695 ft)

Accommodation: Hotel Canalgrande, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details.

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: Explore Modena; optional loop ride on the hills

Take time to explore Modena today by climbing up the bell tower or visiting the Palace of the Duchy. Alternatively, enjoy a ride to the foothills of the Apennines along quiet roads and bicycle lanes. Visit the picturesque town of Castelvetro with its fortified historical center and balsamic vinegar production. If you are a car fan, Modena is the home of Ferrari and other historical brands so there are museums and exhibitions you can indulge in!

Daily distance: 60 km (38 miles) Elevation gain: +374 m (1227 ft)

Accomodation: Hotel Canalgrande, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details.

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: Modena’s covered street market, Balsamic vinegar, stay in an agriturismo

Before heading out of Modena on your bike, we suggest a visit of the local covered market that has been selling local products since the Middle Ages: fruits and vegetables, but also gourmet selections of Lambrusco wine, Amaretti cookies, truffles, cheese and Prosciutto, and of course traditional balsamic vinegar. With your senses alight by the sounds, sights and smells, you will visit the lovely Acetaia Cavalli estate, where the family has been producing the highest quality balsamic for over a hundred years. An easy ride today will lead you along back roads to tonight’s very special stay – an “agriturismo” country house estate with a working farm, parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar production, vineyards and winery, and more, within a wonderful natural setting.

Daily distance: 47 km (29 miles) Elevation gain: +219 m (720 ft)

Accommodation: Agriturismo La Razza, or similar.

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: Canossa Castle ruins or city of Reggio Emilia

Head for the hills today on a ride to Canossa Castle ruins, where the Holy Roman Empire Emperor Henry 4th had to show penance to the Pope, waiting in the snow barefoot at the gate of Matilda’s castle for three days before Matilda, countess of Canossa, convinced the Pope to open. Alternatively, for a shorter loop ride follow the bike path to Reggio Emilia for a visit of this bustling, pretty town.

Short option: 35 km (21 miles) with +236 m (774 ft) elevation gain.

Long option: 57km (35 miles) with +801 m (2650 ft) elevation gain.

Accommodation: Agriturismo La Razza, or similar.

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: Parma cured ham and parmesan cheese

You’ll start the morning with a guided visit of a parmesan cheese factory on the road to Parma. This wonderful experience, in which you’ll learn why Parmiggiano-Reggiano is known as “the king of cheeses”, is one of the tour highlights. With your senses awakened, you are ready for today’s destination – yet another place where your taste buds will not be disappointed, Parma! Famous for its culinary traditions, the arts also flourished outside of the kitchen in this lovely, stately city: Parmigianino, Correggio, and Giuseppe Verdi are some of its most famous citizens, and their influence are present to this day. The city is still an important cultural and artistic center. Explore and enjoy the historic center, and delight your palate with Parma’s signature cured ham (prosciutto crudo) and Parmesan cheese, eaten as an aperitivo or sprinkled on homemade pasta dishes. No place better to do this than from a table in a piazza!

Daily distance: 63 km (39 miles) Elevation gain: +291 m (954 ft)

Accomodation: Hotel Button, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details.

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: Lovely ride in the hills near Parma and the castle of Torrechiara and lunch with a view; explore Parma

Get ready for your last day of bicycling amidst ancient castles and local traditions! Today’s ride will loop to the breathtaking Torrechiara Castle. Dominating the Val Parma, the castle was constructed between 1448 and 1460, devised as an instrument of defense as well as a distinguished home for the count and his lover. This area is famous for its cured prosciutto and local salame—taste them in this historic setting!

Daily distance: 48 km (30 miles) Elevation gain: +240 m (787 ft)

Accommodation: Hotel Button, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details.

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights: World Heritage Site of Parma

Your cycling tour ends in Parma. Enjoy this lovely city in the morning – with your newly refined palate, hit the shop or market and take some recipes home to try in your own kitchen!


PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to change according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.

Meals : Breakfast

Visit our Tour Level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.


  • 2025 premium gravel bike

    Premium road bike

    Frame : Titanium with Carbon Fork built by Van Nicholas, or similar532
    Type : Premium Road

  • Titanium hybrid road bike with flat handle bars and rear rack

    Premium hybrid bike

    Frame : Titanium with Carbon Fork
    Type : Premium Hybrid

  • Titanium hybrid with step-through frame

    Premium mixte step-through hybrid

    Frame : Titanium with Carbon Fork
    Type : Premium Hybrid Mixte

  • Co-Motion or Cannondale tandem

    Frame : Steel / Aluminum
    Type : Tandem

  • E-hybrid bike

    Surcharge: $250 for 6-8 days; $300 for 9-15 days; $500 16+ days
    Frame : Aluminum frame with front suspension
    Type : E-Hybrid

  • e-gravel bike

    E-road bike

    Surcharge: $300 for 6-8 days; $375 for 9-15 days; $600 for 16+ days
    Frame : Carbon frame with carbon fork
    Type : E-Road


Pre-trip planning checklist

Italy travel planning page



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