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Venice – Rome, See It All
TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 26 days, 25 nights
Dates: Thursday, 7th May – Monday, 01 June 2009
Start: Milan, Malpensa Finish: Rome
Accommodation: Selected quality 4 Star Hotels (one night 3 Star)
Group Size: Maximum 40 people (5 Staff)
Cost: AUD$10,500
Deposit: AUD $1000* – Reserve your place now.
*We charge for our trips in Australian dollars (AUD$).

Optional Extras:
Bike Rental $1250 (Cannondale Synapse carbon fibre)
Entry to Nove Colli $150 AUD
-Pre or post tour accommodation to extend your stay
-Travel Insurance (with a 10% Discount for Australian Clients)
-Car Rental Email us for details

Who is this trip for?
Someone who wants it all! This tour offers an amazing variety of terrain, race viewing and cycling. As with all of our tours you�ll be guided by our expert team of ride leaders, drivers and guides. You will experience the excitement of the Giro d�Italia centenary edition and see stage starts, finishes, the team time trial, two individual time trials and of course get to cheer the riders up close on the legendary climbs of the Dolomites, the Alps and the mountains of the final week. This tour starts in Milan before moving to Venice for the early stages, then to the rugged beauty and legendary climbs of the Dolomites. From the Dolomites we travel east for a ride on Lake Como, the fast paced stage around Milan and the biggest mountain stage of the Giro over Col D�Izoard and Sestriere, the Italian Riviera, the regions of Emilia Romagna and Umbria, the coastal beauty of the Amalfi Coast, and finally the race finish in Rome.

Our tours to Italy are for those that love cycling but there is so much more to see and do and highlights on this tour include:

• Challenge yourself on famous climbs including Italy�s Passo dello Stelvio, Sestriere, Col d�Izoard, Block Haus and Mont Vesuvio.
• Visit some of Italy�s most beautiful towns including Venice, Bassano del Grappa, Bergamo, Milan, Assisi, Gubbio, Positano and Sestri Levante.
• Ride through some of Italy�s most scenic countryside in the Veneto, Dolomites, the Alps, Italian Lakes, Umbria, the Appenine Mountains, Abruzzo, the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre.
• Opportunities for sightseeing including Venice Island and Italy�s fashion capital, Milan, Pompei, the isle of Capri and Assisi�s Basilica of St Francis.
• Stay in a 4 star hotel with a history dating back 700 years in the mountain village of Castelrotto, a converted monastery in Gubbio and a restored villa in Sestri Levante.
• Witness the spectacular opening stage of the Giro d�Italia centenary edition , a team time trial along the shore of the Venice Lido
• Side Trips will incluse a visit to Gibi Simoni�s shop in Trento and the famous cyclists Chapel at Ghisallo incorporating the Museo del Ciclismo above Lake Como.
• The chance to take part in the annual Gran Fondo Nove Colli, Italy�s largest sporting cycling event.
• Witness the final stage of the Giro d�Italia centenary edition, a time trial past the Colloseum and the Roman Forum in the centre of Rome.

The trip is geared to suit anyone with an interest in cycling and experiencing the food, people and culture of Italy. We cater for cyclists of all abilities by providing riding options each day. On most days we offer two rides. All of our rides are escorted and they vary from �serious� to �relaxed�. We ride on quiet scenic roads and where possible we ride on the race course ahead of the race. This trip does involve some days in the mountains so there will be the opportunity to challenge yourself. As with all of our tours you�ll be guided by our expert team of ride leaders, drivers and guides, including ex pro riders who know the Giro d�Italia intimately. This tour also caters to people who do not ride bikes, but an interest in the Giro d�Italia is important as this is the main focus of the tour. We�ll do our best to make our non riding clients enjoy their experience of Italy and where possible will include visits to other attractions as well as visiting the race in our support vans.

For your convenience and comfort we start and finish our Giro d�Italia tours with a pickup and drop off at major airports. This means that you don�t have to bother with expensive and time consuming transfers to smaller airports such as Florence or Venice to start your tour.

Stages you will see:

• Stage 1, Saturday, May 9th, 21.5 km, Lido di Venezia, TTT
• Stage 2, Sunday, May 10th, 156 km, Jesolo – Trieste
• Stage 3, Monday, May 11th, 200 km, Grado – Valdobbiadene
• Stage 4, Tuesday, May 12th, 165 km, Padova – San Martino di Castrozza
• Stage 5, Wednesday, May 13th, 125 km, San Martino di Castrozza – Alpe di Siusi
• Stage 6, Thursday, May 14th, 242 km, Bressanone – Mayrhofen (AT),
• Stage 7, Friday, May 15th, 244 km, Innsbruck (AT) – Chiavenna
• Stage 8, Saturday, May 16th, 208 km, Morbegno – Bergamo
• Stage 9, Sunday, May 17th, 155 km, Circuit race in Milano
• R, Monday, May 18th, Rest day
• Stage 10, Tuesday, May 19th, 250 km, Cuneo – Pinerolo
• Stage 11, Wednesday, May 20th, 206 km, Torino – Arenzano
• Stage 12, Thursday, May 21st, 61.7 km, Sestri Levante – Riomaggiore, TT
• Stage 13, Friday, May 22nd, 150 km, Camaiore – Firenze
• Stage 14, Saturday, May 23rd, 174 km, Campi Bisenzio – Santuario San Luca
• Stage 15, Sunday, May 24th, 159 km, Forl� – Faenza,
• Stage 16, Monday, May 25th, 237 km, Pergola – Monte Petrano
• R, Tuesday, May 26th, Rest day
• Stage 17, Wednesday, May 27th, 79 km, Chieti – Block Haus
• Stage 18, Thursday, May 28th, 181 km, Sulmona – Benevento
• Stage 19, Friday, May 29th, 164 km, Avellino – Monte Vesuvio
• Stage 20, Saturday, May 30th, 203 km, Naples – Anagni
• Stage 21, Sunday, May 31st, 15.3 km, Roma – Roma, TT

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Thursday, 7 May 2009
Our tour starts today with our staff meeting you as you arrive at Milan Malpensa airport and transferring your� to our hotel a short distance away. Our hotel is a modern 4 star property in a quiet location ideal for our test ride this afternoon and has great facilities including a heated outdoor pool. Once you are checked in we�ll assist you with getting your bike set up before heading off this afternoon into the surrounding countryside of which straddles the regions of Lombardy and Piemonte. It�s fairly flat around this region with the lakes to the north and a gentle rural landscape to the south, so it will be an easy ride with a perhaps a stop for a cup of wonderful Italian coffee. Tonight we will have a welcome dinner where you will meet your fellow travellers and where our staff will go over the plans for our 12 journey through Italy.

Overnight: Milan
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Friday, 8 May 2009
After a good night�s rest we will travel from Milan to the Veneto, a region famed for its rich cities of art and of course the island city of Venice. It is a large area of varied terrain from the flat coastal plains to the soaring heights of the Dolomites, and is Italy�s most visited region by tourists. We will leave Milan early as it�s a long drive to Venice, but we will still have plenty of time to fit in a ride this afternoon. We will make our lunch stop in between the important cities of Vicenza and Verona at the wine town of Soave, one of the few places in Italy with fully intact medieval walls. After our ride we will travel to our home for the next 4 nights, Jesolo Lido, a popular tourist destination on the Gulf of Venice and the Adriatic Sea. Our hotel is ideally situated on the beachfront but only a short walk to the town�s shopping and nightlife area which is home to one of Europe�s longest pedestrian malls. Tonight we will enjoy a meal of local specialities in the hotel restaurant, which is a member of a local project to use only the highest quality locally grown and certified fresh produce.

Today�s riding:
After lunch we�ll take a 60 km ride out into the rolling hills through some typical Veneto countryside, visiting some of the very interesting little villages and towns including Montagnana, famous for its massive city walls with no less than 24 watchtowers.

Overnight: Jesolo Lido
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 Saturday, 9 May 2009
After enjoying a buffet breakfast on the hotel terrace overlooking the beach we will prepare for our first day at the Giro d�Italia. Today�s prologue is an unusual one to mark the start of the centenary tour, being a Team Time Trial along the Venice Lido. This will be a great chance to see the big stars of your favourite team riding in unison in this highly disciplined event on the shoreline of this narrow isthmus opposite Venice island. Sitting between the Adriatic and Venice Island, the Lido di Venezia is a 9km long sandbar island popular with tourists in the summer months and famous for the Venice film festival in September. Many grand hotels line the main road along the island, Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta, which is incorporated into the 20.5 km route of the Team Time Trial. After the team time trial we will depart Venice Lido for dinner, before heading back on the ferry to Jesolo Lido. For those not wanting to see the time trial today there is the option of spending the afternoon exploring Venice Island. In the late morning we�ll head off on the ferry from nearby Punta Sabbioni to Venice Lido, passing through the Venice lagoon and its small islands with a great view of Venice as we approach the Lido.

Today�s riding:
We expect the prologue to be late in the afternoon so we take an early morning 65km loop to stretch our legs along the flat roads to the attractive seaside town of Caorle, returning to the hotel late morning. This will allow some time for sightseeing and race watching!

Overnight: Jesolo Lido
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Sunday, 10 May 2009
Today�s opening stage is from Jesolo to Trieste, so we can take it easy this morning and relax before wandering down to the stage start a short distance from our hotel. This will be the ideal chance to see the riders close up as they head to the sign in area. Being early in the race the pros will be fairly relaxed so it�s a good opportunity to get an autograph or some up close photographs. In the early afternoon once the race has departed we will head off on a local ride over the flat coastal roads used by the race today. The other option this afternoon will be to visit Venice Island and explore the canals and piazzas of this unique city. If you have never been to this magical city this is highly recommended as the best way to spend the afternoon. The best way to get to Venice is by ferry as we did yesterday to Venice Lido, only this time you�ll get the most splendid view of the city on the approach to St Marks Square. Tonight is free for you to dine in Jesolo Lido, or to remain in Venice for dinner, returning later this evening by ferry.

Today�s riding:
In the early afternoon once the race has departed we will head off on a local ride over the flat coastal roads used by the race today.� The ride will be out and back along the race route so we can make it a couple of distances from 60 to 100km.

Overnight: Jesolo Lido
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Monday, 11 May 2009
The stage for today is from Grado on the coast close to Trieste and the Croatian border, to Valdobbiadene to the north of Padova. We will move today from Jesolo Lido to our hotel in the small village of Cavaso del Tombo, 15kms from the finish of today�s stage. This area of the Veneto is scenic and known for two of Italy�s favourite drinks, the sweet sparkling wine Prosecco and the potent liquor that is Grappa. The second circuit begins with an ascent up the small San Pietro climb just out of the town before descending to the town centre for the finishing sprint. This will make it a great town for us to see a race finish today. After the race we can pedal the 15kms back to our hotel and have a relaxing evening and dinner, maybe sampling some of the local Grappa to finish off the night.

Today�s riding:
Those wanting a longer ride today can ride from our hotel in Jesolo Lido , picking up the race route along the way at Conegliano and travel all the way to the finish at Valdobbiadene, a distance of roughly 105 km.
For those wanting a shorter ride we�ll travel by coach to our hotel in Cavaso del Tombo, and then ride to pick up the race route making our way back to the finish in Valdobbiadene, where the race will pass through the town twice.

Overnight: Cavaso del Tombo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 Tuesday, 12 May 2009
The Giro d�Italia gets serious today with the first mountain stage from Padova finishing with a mountain top finish at San Martino di Castrozza in the Dolomites. We will view today�s 165 km stage not too far from our hotel on the small climb of La Rosina, just before the town of Bassano del Grappa. This climb has been used in previous Giro d�Italia races and is a popular one with the local �tifosi� who will be out in force.� Along the way we�ll make a stop in Trento, where you will have the opportunity to visit the bicycle shop owned by Giro d�Italia winner Francesco Moser and dual Giro champion Gilberto Simeoni. Our home for the next two nights is Castelrotto (or Kastelruth as it is known by the German speaking locals), which is considered by many to be one of the finest villages in the region in a spectacular alpine setting.

Today�s riding:
This morning after breakfast we�ll have a leisure start to the day with a ride from the hotel to the historic town of Bassano del Grappa, which is well worth a visit, particularly in the historic riverfront area with a unique covered wooden bridge designed by architect Palladio, better known for the Palladian style of architecture that dominates the larger cities of the Veneto. From Bassano we can ride out to the small walled medieval town of Marostica, where we�ll join the race route and climb up to La Rosina to view the race. There is also a new cycling museum being built at La Rosina, so hopefully we will have a chance to visit on race day. After the race has passed we will move on towards Castelrotto in the Dolomites.

Overnight: Castelrotto
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7, Wednesday 13 May 2009
The finish of today�s stage of the Giro d�Italia is 20 uphill kms from our hotel, at Alpe di Suisi, a ski resort area that in the spring and summer transform into vast alpine pastures. Today�s Giro stage is not overly long at 125 km, but the last 25kms to Alpe di Suisi is an unrelenting climb and will be hard fought with possibly one of the main contenders making a move for the pink jersey, or maglia rosa.

Today�s riding:
Today you will have a choice of two rides.
The first will be to travel to nearby Selva di Val Gardena this morning after breakfast where you can ride perhaps the most beautiful ride in the Dolomites, the Gruppo di Sella. This ride, although only 63km in length, is a challenging ride covering no less than 4 peaks, Passo di Gardena, Passo di Campolongo, Passo Pordoi and Passo di Sella. It�s not quite as hard as it sounds but still a challenge and a beautiful ride with amazing scenery of the rugged peaks of the Dolomites.

For those not wanting to do the full circuit the second option will be an easier ride along the valley and up to one of the peaks, followed by a coffee break with a view and the reward of a fast downhill back to the valley. After our ride we�ll head back to Castelrotto in time to get to the village of Suisi, about 4 kms away where we will view the race on its final climb to Alpe di Suisi. After the race it�s a downhill run to Castelrotto with a dinner of hearty German and Italian cuisine in the hotel restaurant.

Overnight: Castelrotto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Thursday, 14 May 2009
Today�s 242 km marathon stage is Bressanone (Italy) to Mayrhofen in Austria via a fairly mountainous route with two decent, if not overly high passes to climb over. Tonight we stay in the city of Bolzano, an elegant city in the valley of Trentino – Alto Adige. Like all of the towns close to the Austrian border, Bolzano is known by two names, an Italian name (Bolzano) and also a Germanic name, Bozen. Our hotel in Bolzano is a family run hotel, the Scala Stiegl, close to the town centre, where you are free to dine tonight in one of the city�s many restaurants.

Today�s riding:
For our shorter option today we�ll ride off from the hotel after breakfast and make our way to the stage start in Bressanone, allowing time to see the race depart from this charming town late this morning. After the race departs there will be time to have a leisurely lunch and explore this beautiful town with its mix of Italian and Tyrolean architecture.

Our longer ride will go from the hotel to Brunico, about 30 km into today�s stage. This route will take you on a steep climb out of Castelrotto and over the Passo di Gardena, in the opposite direction from yesterdays Sella Ronda ride. From Passo di Gardena it�s a gloriously long downhill run into Brunico with a descent of over 1400 meters. Afterwards we will make our way to Bressanone for a distance of 110 km.

If you are wanting more there is the possibility to ride the mostly downhill 40 km to the hotel in Bolzano.

Overnight: Bolzano
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Friday, 15 May 2009
The stage for the Giro d�Italia today is from Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian Tyrol, to Chiavenna in the east of Italy, the second longest stage of the Giro d�Italia at 235 km. Today however we will have a break from the race and take opportunity to ride the most famous of all Italian passes, and one of the highest surfaced roads in Europe, the Passo dell Stelvio. For those not riding you�ll still get a great view with the chance to experience the Stelvio from the comfort of one of our vans. We should arrive in Bormio in time to catch the Giro d�Italia stage finish on television as it arrives in Chiavenna to our south. Tonight we are in the medieval town or Bormio, a thermal spa town since Roman times. Our hotel is a 4 star traditional hotel with a spa facility to help you recover from today�s ride.

Today�s riding:
We will leave Bolzano early to make a start to Prato where we will climb the long winding road to the summit of the Stelvio. At 24kms and an average of 7.4% with no less than 48 hairpin bends, it�s a climb that you take your time on! When you finally reach the summit you�ll be able to enjoy a hot coffee at the cafe before the exhilarating 22km descent to our hotel in Bormio.
The two options today will be to leave the hotel on the bike and ride the 80km to the bottom of the Stelvio. From here it is 24km up and 22km down into Bormio.
Or take the bus to the base of the climb. From here it is 24km up and 22km down into Bormio.
Please note that it is possible the road will be closed from the Prato side due to snow at this time of year, in which case we will drive to Bormio and tackle the climb from the Bormio side.

Overnight: Bormio
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 Saturday, 16 May 2009
As the race enters its second week the peloton will head out of the mountains over a hilly course from Morbegno to the city of Bergamo. From Morbegno the race will head east to Lake Como and along the scenic shore before heading south to Bergamo over the climbs of Culmine San Pietro and Colle del Gallo. Once checked in to our hotel we will walk or catch the funicular railway to the upper town, a spectacular setting for the finish of today�s stage. Bergamo has two centres, the �Citt� alta� (upper city), a hilltop medieval town, surrounded by 17th century defensive walls, and the �Citt� bassa� (lower city). The two areas of the town are connected by a funicular railroad. The Citta Alta is a lively area full of historic buildings, interesting shops and many bars and restaurants. Tonight we will have a special dinner at a restaurant in the Alta Citta with fabulous views over the city and plains of Lombardy.

Today�s riding:
As we�ve had a few tough days on the bike we�ll offer a pleasant 45 km recovery ride this morning following part of the Giro route along the shores of Lake Como from Colico to Lecco, where we will join the coach and travel to Bergamo.

For those wanting a longer ride there will be a longer ride over a 95 km route that will leave the lake shore at Bellano and follow the race route up to Culmine San Pietro, where you will view the race. This will allow you to ride down to Bergamo in time for the race arrival in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Bergamo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 Sunday, 17 May 2009
The Italian city of Milan, the capital of Italian fashion and industry, is the host for the start of today�s stage of the Giro d�Italia. This morning we will ride to the Maddona del Ghisallo, last visited by the peloton in the 2006 Giro d�Italia with a race start from the summit to Milan on the final day. Madonna del Ghisallo is the patron saint of cyclists, and on top of this challenging climb high above Lake Como there is the small church which is a shrine dedicated to cyclists which contains an interesting display of cycling artefacts from Italian cycling history. There is now also a large modern cycling museum, Museo del Ciclismo, which is well worth a visit for anyone with even a passing interest in cycling and its colourful history. After our ride this morning we will travel into Milan by coach to see the stage depart from Piazalle Loretto in the historic city centre, which was the starting point for the very first Giro d�Italia on May 13, 1909. Piazalle Loretto also has a less auspicious place in history as the place where Musollini met his death at the end of WW2 by being strung up by a mob of angry partisans. From here the race will pass by many important Milan landmarks and finish after 10 laps of 15 km with an exciting sprint finish on Corso Beuno Aires. Tonight we will return to Bergamo for our last evening of the tour.

Today�s riding:
It is a 55km loop from the town of Lecco along the shores of the lake, through the town of Ballagio on the shores of Lake Como, up the climb to the Ghisallo and returning to the bus at Lecco. The climb is hard at the bottom and near the Church but the views are worth it.

Overnight: Bergamo
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 Monday, 18 May 2009
We leave Lombardy behind today and move on to Piemonte and the Alps, where we stay in the small town of Bardonecchia close to the French border and the entrance to the Frejus tunnel that connects France and Italy. Today is a rest day for the Giro d�Italia so we are free to choose a ride without the pressure of the race. We will make a lunch stop in the small medieval town of Pinerelo and then head off on a 90 km ride via the ski resort of Sestriere, famous in recent cycling history as the scene of Lance Armstrong�s first mountain win in the 1999 Tour de France, giving him an unbeatable 6 minute lead and cementing his place in tour history.� Our hotel is a family run 4 star hotel with spacious park like grounds and a fine restaurant where we enjoy our dinner for the next two nights.

Today�s riding:
From Pinerelo we climb a total of 1650 meters to the summit at Sestriere, but it�s a gentle and scenic climb with an average of 3% with just a few steeper sections thrown in for interest. It�s a downhill run back to our hotel in Bardonecchia, with the option of travelling back in the coach to reduce the ride distance down to 55 kms today.

Overnight: Bardonecchia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 Tuesday, 19 May 2009
It�s a big day for the Giro d�Italia riders today as the last day in the Alps before the race heads south to the flatter Ligurian coast. The stage starts in Cuneo and moves into France going over no less than five Cols before the fast downhill run to Pinerolo, where we began yesterday�s ride. Just as well that the riders had a rest day yesterday as this is not only mountainous, but is the longest stage of the Giro at 250 km. We will see the race today on the �Cima Coppi� for this year�s Giro, the legendary 2360 meter high Col d�Izoard. The Cima Coppi is named after the famous Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi and is awarded to the highest climb in each year�s Giro d�Italia.

Today�s riding:
From our hotel in Bardonecchia we will ride across the border to France and the town of Briancon, where the climb to the summit of Col d�Izoard commences. The race will be coming from the opposite direction so once we reach the summit we will travel a short way down to the steeper slopes and await the arrival of the race. Once the race has passed it�s a downhill run back to Briancon to watch the final moments on television and see who has the honour of finishing the day with the maglia rosa.

For our second and �easier� option we will ride across the border to France to Briancon and watch the race as it passes through town or on the lower slopes of the Montgenevre (1854m) returning to Briancon after the race passes by.

Thirdly you can leave the hotel on the bus and travel to Briancon from where you can climb up the Col d�Izoard for the race returning to Briancon after the race passes by.

Overnight: Bardonecchia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14 Wednesday, 20 May 2009
We�ll leave Bardonecchia this morning and travel east to Asti, an attractive town in the heart of Piemonte known mainly once again for the production of wine, this time the Italian sparkling wine of Spumante. Our aim will be to meet up with the race before the midway point as it passes through the feed station on today�s 206 km stage from Tireno to Arenzano. Feed stations are a great place to get a good view of all of the riders as they slow down to collect their musettes. They are also a good place to chat to some of the crew from the teams, learn a bit about the workings of a professional team in a Grand Tour and if you are quick score a souvenir water bottle or musette discarded by one of the riders. After we�ve seen the riders come by we�ll ride to our rendezvous point with the coach and travel south to Sestri Levante, our home for the next three nights. Sestri Levante is a picturesque resort town that dot the Ligurian coast, best known for the five towns of the Cinque Terre linked together by a popular walking trail along the rugged clifftops. Sestri Levante originally expanded from a quiet fishing village to a summer retreat when wealthy merchants from nearby Genoa built their grand villas in the town. Sestri Levante is now popular with Italians and foreigners as a relaxing holiday destination. Our hotel is Grand Hotel Villa Balbi, a large 17th century villa located in spacious grounds a short distance from the beach.

Today�s riding:
We will join the race route on the outkirts of Torino and ride the 100km to meet the bus at the feed zone and see the race pass.
For our shorter option we will start near Asti and ride the race route for the 60km to meet the bus at the feed zone and see the race pass.

Overnight: Sestri Levante
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15 Thursday, 21 May 2009
Today�s individual time trial is from Sestri Levante to the historic coastal village of Riomaggiore, the first of the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre. The course is winding, hilly and will make a tough course for the competitors, but make fantastic television as the road winds its way along the coast and up over two small passes, the Passo del Bracco and Passo del Termine. It is a course ideally suited to strong time trialists like Armstrong, Contador, Evans and of course Levi Lepheimer, who excelled in the mountainous time trial of the 2008 Vuelta d�Espagna.

Today�s riding:
Providing the route is open to the public this morning we�ll be up early to ride the time trial route ahead of the race, hopefully all the way to the finish in Riomaggiore, where it�s a short ride to La Spezia to meet the coach. From La Spezia it�s a short drive back to Sestri Levante in time to see the riders set up and depart from Sestri Levante during the afternoon, with of course the top placed riders departing last. For those that wish to stay on in Riomaggiore and view the riders as they approach the finish, transfers will be provided late in the day to return you to the hotel in Sestri Levante.

Overnight: Sestri Levante
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 16 Friday, 22 May 2009
Today the Giro stage is from the coastal town of Lido Cammaiore to Florence. Thankfully for the Giro riders the route avoids the mountainous Appenino mountains to the east and skirts around them over a 150km route with only a couple of small bumps to momentarily slow them down. After the race passes we�ll have time to allow you to explore Lucca�s fine piazzas and small streets, plus maybe a visit to the excellent local bike shop adjacent to the city walls to pick up a souvenir of your day in Lucca. Late this afternoon we�ll head back to Sestri Levante where we will enjoy a final dinner at our hotel to celebrate what has been an unforgettable week of Italian cycling.

Today�s riding:
We will drive south from Sestri Levante to Marina di Massa, where we will start our 60 km ride along the race route. It�s a scenic route up from the coast with the only climb of the day, the 224 meter Monte Pitoro to force us into our lower gears. Our destination is the historic walled city of Lucca where we will see the race pass by early this afternoon.

Overnight: Sestri Levante
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 17 Saturday 23 May 2009
The Giro d�Italia today will race from Campi Bisenzio, close to Florence, to a finish just outside of the city of Bologna at the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca. This is the home of the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca in a basilica church sited atop Monte della Guardia that is linked to Bologna via a 3.5 km long covered portico containing a total of 666 arches, the longest in the world! This morning we will travel from Sestri Levante to Cesena in the Emilia Romagna region. It�s the longest drive of our tour so we�ll make an early start to get to Cesena in time to fit in a pleasant ride through the local villages this afternoon and return to watch the end of the race from the comfort of our hotel. Emilia Romagna is an area with some beautiful rides and home to Italy�s largest Gran Fondo cycling event, the Nove Colli. The 2009 Nove Colli is being held tomorrow, May 24, from Cessanatico, the home of the late Italian cyclist Marco Pantani. For those that wish to ride in this event that regularly attracts some 10,000 entrants we have arranged for entry for you with a special starting position being granted to the Bikestyle team. It�s a tough ride with a substantial amount of climbing, so it�s a challenge for the fit riders only. See our GRAND FONDO NOVE COLLI ENTRY page for all the details of this optional event. Please note entries must be completed and to us by December 30th 2008 for a guaranteed entry.

Today�s riding:
By leaving our hotel early we will be in Cesena in time to fit in a pleasant 50km ride through the local villages this afternoon and return to watch the end of the race from the comfort of our hotel.

Overnight: Cesena
Meals: Breakfast

Day 18 Sunday, 24 May 2009
For those not riding the Nove Colli we�ll have a much easier day enjoying today�s 159 km stage which starts from the town of Forli, an easy 25km ride from our hotel. This will be our chance to see a stage start, watching for our favourite riders as they head to the sign in area and prepare for the days racing. From Forli the race heads up and does a winding loop into the Apennine mountains that form the backbone of Italy from north to south. After some challenging climbing the race will then loop back to the east to finish at Faenza, only 15 km from the start town of Forli. This will give us the chance to see the stage start, then ride on and enjoy a ride through the hills catching the race as they come over either Monte Casale or Monte Trebbio, just before the finish in Faenza late this afternoon. After we�ve seen the race pass you have the option of riding all the way back to Cesena, or riding the short distance downhill to Forli for the comfort of the coach back to Cesena.

Today�s riding:
This morning those entering the Gran Fondo Nove Colli will rise early and be transferred to Cessanatico to take up our position close to the start line of the event. There are two options, 130km (80miles) or 200km (124miles). From our experience their is no event in Australia that compares in difficulty to the 200km Nove Colli, so do not underestimate this event.

For those not riding the Nove Colli we�ll have a much easier day enjoying today�s 159 km stage which starts from the town of Forli, an easy 25km ride from our hotel. This will give us the chance to see the stage start, then ride on and enjoy a ride through the hills catching the race as they come over either Monte Casale or Monte Trebbio, just before the finish in Faenza late this afternoon. This loop will be about 40k. After we�ve seen the race pass you have the option of riding all the way back to Cesena, or riding the short distance downhill to Forli for the comfort of the coach back to Cesena making another 20k.

Overnight: Cesena
Meals: Breakfast

Day 19 Monday, 25 May 2009
Monte Petrano is the destination for today�s 237 km stage of the Giro from Pergola, in the Marche region. This little known mountain at the modest height of 1100 meters is bound to be the scene of a great battle today with tomorrow being a rest day. From the town of Cagli the road climbs 800 meters to the summit with an average gradient of 7.5% over 10 kms, so it still represents quite a challenge for us today as we climb to the summit on our ride this afternoon. This morning we will leave Cesena and drive to tonight�s destination of Gubbio, a splendid example of an Italian hill town complete with a Roman arena and a large Ducal Palace.

Our hotel in Gubbio is Park Hotel ai Cappuccini, a beautiful example of a sensitive transformation of an historic building into a hotel. The former 17th century monastery is particularly proud of its art collection which includes original frescoes, Flemish tapestries, Renaissance paintings and some modern art. The restaurant of the hotel serves fine local cuisine with a well stocked cellar of wines for you to choose from including the light Chianti Classico and the excellent full bodied red wine, Brunello di Montalcino.

Today�s riding:
I expect many who did the Nove Colli yesterday will have very tired legs. We will have a number of options today as the course winds its way through beautiful Umbria.� It will also be possible for those who are willing to see the race twice today without much trouble. We will ride two rides that will take us to Monte Petrano with one possibility being a scenic 35km ride from Gubbio. From the base it is your choice how far you decide to ride up the mountain, but a place on the steeper sections in the last few kms may be the best viewing point of the weary riders. After the race you can choose to travel to Gubbio by coach or ride via a slightly shorter 30km route off the back of the mountain to the hotel. For those wanting a longer ride today we�ll offer the option of a longer ride starting from a location near the coastal town of Pesaro riding the 70km to Cagli and then the final climb of the stage to Monte Petrano. In total this will be between 80 and 100km (depending on how far you go up the climb.

Overnight: Gubbio
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 20 Tuesday, 26 May 2009
It is a rest day for the Giro d�Italia today so we will ride between two of the most beautiful towns in Umbria. After breakfast we�ll head off from Gubbio across the hills to the town of Assisi. Now the site of many a pilgrimage, Assisi is linked to its native son, St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan order and shares honours with St. Catherine of Siena as the patron saint of Italy. He is remembered by many as a lover of nature and as the patron saint of animals. Assisi was hit by the devastating earthquakes that shook Umbria in 1997, but the recovery and restoration have been remarkable with Assisi�s major attraction, the Basilica di San Francesco, reopened less than two years later. Our ride today is a hilly one, but not overly long at around 55km to allow you time to explore these two historic towns. The option of a rest day on the coach is available, for those wanting more time in Gubbio and Assisi. This afternoon we will travel from Assisi to Caramanico Terme in the heart of the Abruzzo mountains. As its name �Terme� notes this is a thermal spa centre so our hotel is a retreat for those wanting to luxuriate in the healing waters or take one of the many health and beauty treatments available. Perhaps a leg wax for the men who want to emulate the smooth skinned perfectly groomed Italian riders! Tonight we will enjoy dinner in the hotel�s restaurant.

Today�s riding:
Our ride today is a hilly one, but not overly long at around 55km to allow you time to explore these two historic towns. The option of a rest day on the coach is available, for those wanting more time in Gubbio and Assisi.

Overnight: Caramanico Terme
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 21 Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Let�s hope the pro riders in the Giro had plenty of rest yesterday as today�s stage takes them yet again up a tough climb with a finish in the heart of the Abruzzo mountains at the Block Haus ski field. It was here that Eddy Merckx first came to fame as a grand tour rider by winning the stage up the Block Haus in the 1967 Giro d�Italia. This is a very unusual road stage for a Grand Tour being only 79km in length. The climb starts in earnest at the village of Pretoro and gains 1540 meters in height over 23 km of climbing until the summit of Block Haus at 2064 meters. This altitude gain puts it on par with some of the toughest climbs in Europe. This morning you will have a relaxed start to the day in Caramanico Terme, possibly enjoying a pre ride massage, before heading off to climb the Block Haus.

Today�s riding:
From the hotel it�s a ride of 35 km to Pretoro at the base of the climb. If the weather is warm you may choose to plan your ride to remain at the summit to watch the mountain top finish, but if it�s chilly it may be more comfortable to watch the race from lower down on the mountain as the riders make their way to the finish.

For those wanting a longer ride it will be possible to ride down to the start town of Chieti before looping back ahead of the race for the climb to the Block Haus. You will have the option of riding back to the hotel after the race today or avoiding the climb back to Caramanico Terme by travelling in the coach.

Overnight: Caramanico Terme
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 22 Thursday, 28 May 2009
The Giro d�Italia leaves the mountains today and travels south from Sulmona to Benevento. This morning we�ll leave Caramanico Terme and offer a couple of ride options, both departing from our hotel. Apart from this lovely scenic ride and seeing the stage start you can spend some time in Sulmona, an attractive historic town well worth a visit. The attractive streets of Sulmona are lined with confectioners selling the local speciality of �confetti�, sugar coated almonds that have been produced in Sulmona for centuries.�� Our next 3 nights in Sorrento will be special with so much to see and do besides of course the Giro d�Italia. We are based in the town of Sorrento which is perched on a cliff on the Bay of Naples with views over the sparkling waters, Mont Vesuvio and the city of Naples. Apart from its beautiful setting on the Amalfi Coast the town is known for its production of Limoncello, a rather potent alcoholic drink produced from the local lemons and quite refreshing on a warm night. Our hotel in Sorrento is situated in a quiet position with park like grounds and a large pool to cool off in, as the weather can be quite warm even in late Spring in the south of Italy.

Today�s riding:
This morning we�ll leave Caramanico Terme and offer a couple of ride options, both departing from our hotel. The shorter option will be a 40 km ride from which takes us over the 1282 meter Passo San Leonardo before an exhilarating descent into Sulmona, where we will watch the start of today�s stage.

While our longer ride of 80 km will head out from Sulmona on to the race route and see the race pass as it climbs up to the Piano dell Cinque Miglia, an 800 meter climb out of Sulomna, which is a tough way to start the day for the Giro riders!

Overnight: Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 23 Friday, Friday, 29 May 2009
Another unusual stage for the 2009 Giro today as the race travels from Avellino along the winding Amalfi Coast road and finally up Mont Vesuvio, best known as the volcano that wreaked devastation on Pompeii. Don�t worry though, it�s now dormant and hasn�t had an eruption since 1944 when it destroyed a few local villages, and the funicular railway that was made famous by the Neapolitan song �Funiculi, Funicula�. We�ll start the morning off with a leisurely breakfast then head off on a scenic ride along the Amalfi coast where we will catch the race as it passes over the Picco Sant Angelo, 465 meters above the coast with stunning views to the Mediterranean below.

Today�s riding:
We�ll head off from the hotel this morning and ride along the famous Amalfi Coast and visit the towns of Amalfi (80 km return) and Positano (40 km return) before returning down the coast to see the race as it makes its way over the Picco Sant Angelo. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a ride down one of the most famous coastal roads in the world and shouldn�t be missed. Once the race has passed we�ll travel back down to our hotel in Sorrento, a mere 12 kms downhill, to watch the final moments of today�s stage on Mont Vesuvio on TV from the comfort of our hotel.

Overnight: Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 24 Saturday, 30 May 2009
The penultimate stage of the Giro d�Italia is from Naples to Anagni, just south of Rome. Rather than battle the traffic of Naples we�ll take a day away from the race and explore the Amalfi Coast and the ruins of nearby Pompeii. This morning we will ride from the hotel along the coast to Ercalono (Herculaneum), which was once an ancient Roman city that rivalled Pompeii in wealth if not in size, but was also destroyed in the same violent eruption of Vesuvio as Pompeii in 79 AD.� From Ercalono there is the option of retracing the route of the final moments of yesterdays Giro stage with a ride up Mont Vesuvio. We will then move on to nearby Pompeii where, after pausing for lunch, we will enjoy a walk through the ruins with a local guide who will bring the story of Pompeii and its great civilisation to life. It�s an unreal experience walking through the ruins and hard to believe that it is almost 1800 years since this prosperous Roman town was wiped off the face of the earth until its discovery by accident in 1748. After our tour of Pompeii we�ll head off on our bikes and back to Sorrento with the rest of the day free to relax and explore Sorrento town and harbour. Tonight is our last night in Sorrento and to leave Sunday night free for people to explore the magical city of Rome we will have our farewell dinner this evening at our hotel.

Today�s riding:
It is 30km from our hotel to Pompei along the Amalfi Coast and most of us will ride both ways but you have the option of returning by bus instead of the bike. For those wanting something more, with time permitting we can do a longer ride on the way home. It won�t be hard in this beautiful part of the world!

Overnight: Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 25 Sunday, 31 May 2009
Up early this morning for the drive along the Autostrada del Sol to Rome where we will witness possibly one of the most spectacular finishing stages in recent Grand Tour history. Instead of the usual procession of riders with the outcome of the race a certainty, today�s final stage is a 15 km individual time trial around ancient Rome. The route passes by the many of Rome�s major monuments including St Peters and the magnificent Piazza del Popolo, with an unforgettable finish on the Via Foro Imprealli, close to the Colloseum. This magnificent setting will provide an unforgettable last day for our tour and the centenary race. We�ll be dropped in Rome a short distance from the time trial course late this morning in time to see the riders setting up and on their way. The most thrilling moments of course won�t be until late this afternoon when the top placed riders will battle for the precious seconds that could earn them a podium finish and a place in history. This evening we will arrange transport for you back to our hotel.

Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast

Day 26 Monday, 01 June 2009
It�s been a memorable two weeks of the best of cycling and Italy but like all good things it�s come to an end. This morning we will transfer you to Rome Fiumicino airport for your onward flights. If you wish you may stay on in Rome with our Rome extension packages and enjoy more of the eternal city.

Meals: Breakfast

Meals: Breakfast

Tour cost: A$10,500 per person twin share and includes:

• Transport throughout by private luxury coach with custom bike trailer.
• Services of our experienced tour guides including an ex European pro cyclist.
• Transfer on arrival day from Milan Malpensa airport to hotel
• Transfer on final day from hotel to Rome FCO airport
• 25 nights accommodation in quality 4 star hotels (one night 3 Star) with private facilities.
• Buffet breakfast daily
• 3 course dinners on 17 nights.
• Mechanical assistance with your bike
• Sightseeing as listed
• Maps and Bikestyle guide to the Giro d�Italia
• Bikestyle cycling jersey