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.
Combine this tour with AllTrails Torino to Paris and be in Paris for the finalé of the Tour de France. The Rome to Paris ride was voted by Men's Journal as one of the top "Epic Long-Distance Bike Tours for 2014.
There are no upcoming tours scheduled at this time.
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.
This is scheduled in mid-summer so that it can combine with the Turin to Paris itinerary and coincide with the finale of the Tour de France. Expect temperatures to be in the 80s to 100s. Some 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.
Includes
13 days, 12 nights in comfortable 3 and 4 star hotels and country estates; 12 breakfasts, 5 dinners, 2 aperitivi; van support; bilingual leaders; cultural activities as described in itinerary.
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.
Our ride out of Rome takes us on a 20km 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.
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.
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.
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.
Highlights: Enjoy Lucca - home to Puccini, 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.
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.
DAY 10: 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.
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. We'll enjoy a special wine tasting and dinner together.
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. Congratulations on a journey well traveled through Italy!
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.
This is scheduled in mid-summer so that it can combine with the Turin to Paris itinerary and coincide with the finale of the Tour de France. Expect temperatures to be in the 80s to 100s. Some 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.
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To do right after you booked!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation and After you Book Information (link sent to you by e-mail), it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country.
Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
Begin your chosen training program.
Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.
We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).
Day of Your Flight
Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle
Rolling hills
Hilly
Very hilly
Mountainous
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