TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 13 days (12 nights)
Dates: Sunday 8 May to Friday 20 May, 2011
Start: Milan Finish: Milan
Accommodation: Selected quality 4 star hotels
Group Size: Maximum 22 people (3 Staff)
Cost: AUD$5390.00 – Single Supplement AUD$790.00
Deposit: AUD $1000.00
Note: All trip costs are per person, not including airfare and based on two persons per room.
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Inclusions
Optional Extras:
Bike Rental $720.00 (Cannondale Synapse carbon fibre)
Pre or post tour accommodation to extend your stay
Travel Insurance
Email us for details
Highlights:
Ex professional cyclist David McKenzie and Bikestyle Tours have put together a very special small group tour to the 2011 Giro d’Italia. This trip offers the chance to ride in some of the most beautiful areas of Italy as well as experience 6 stages of the Giro d’Italia up close. It’s 10 years since David McKenzie’s memorable solo breakaway and 2000 Giro d’Italia stage win in Teramo at a time when Australians were still a novelty in the European peleton and Australian stage wins were even rarer. 2011 sees a repeat of the stage to Teramo and you’ll join “Macca” on a ride to the finish in Teramo on what will be a memorable day.
As well as seeing the Giro d’Italia and enjoying some great riding on the quiet backroads of Italy we will stay in quality hotels in some of the most picturesque areas of Italy. We’ll enjoy stays on the Cinque Terre coast, hilltop towns in Tuscany and Umbria and enjoy the natural beauty of the Appenine mountains and Adriatic coast in Abruzzo and Emilia Romagna. This tour is also designed for your non cycling partner to join us and enjoy the trip as much as you, with sightseeing opportunities available while you are off on the bike.
SUNDAY, 8 MAY 2011
Our Trip starts today when you arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport. Our staff will be there to greet you and assist you with the transfer to our 4 star hotel. The first job will be to check in and either, test the set up on the bike you have hired or set up you this afternoon and aim to be back in the hotel in time to catch the finish of today’s 242 km stage from Alba to Parma on TV. If you wish you can travel into Milan centre for sightseeing or shopping. If you’d like to see more of Milan why not arrive early and spend a day or two and explore the city.
Tonight there will be a special dinner where David and the staff that will be looking after you on the trip will welcome you and answer your questions about our plans for your tour.
Overnight: Milan Malpensa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
MONDAY, 9 MAY 2011
This morning we leave Milan and head south to Sestri Levante on the Ligurian Coast, better known these days for the small villages of the “Cinque Terre”. We will spend the next 2 nights in this beautiful town in an historic 4 star hotel a short walk from the sparkling waters of the Med.
We’ll arrive in Sestri Levante late this morning and check in to our hotel before heading off on the bikes, following the coastline to Rapallo where today’s Giro d’Italia stage finishes today. It’s an easy ride of about 20 km down the coast to Rapallo, with the option of extending our ride by carrying on to Portofino, a spectacular village hugging the cliffs of the Promontorio di Portofino. Non -cyclists will be able to visit Rapallo and Portofino while we will join the the tifosi and welcome the riders as the sprint across the finish line. Tonight we will enjoy dinner in the hotel’s excellent restaurant, the first of many meals of fantastic regional Italian cuisine.
Overnight: Sestri Levante
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
TUESDAY, 10 MAY 2011
Today’s Giro d’Italia stage to Livorno follows the coastline from Rapallo and passes almost right by the front door of our hotel this afternoon. Our ride this morning will take us out on a scenic 40 km ride on the race route and up the nearby Passo del Bracco, 630 meters above the coast, returning to Sestri Levante for a leisurely lunch as we wait for the race to pass by. Alternatively a longer and more demanding 75km ride will continue on from Passo del Bracco to the coastal town of Levanto, seeing the race on Passo del Bracco and returning to Sestri Levante mid afternoon.
Today our non cyclists will have time to explore Sestri Levante with the option of a scenic drive down the coast to Levanto to meet the longer ride group and enjoy lunch by the sea. Tonight we’ll again enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Overnight: Sestri Levante
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
WEDNESDAY, 11 MAY 2011
We leave the coast today and head south to catch up with the race as it heads to it’s finish in Orvieto in the south of Tuscany. Our destination today is Pienza, an idyllic town on the edge of the World Heritage listed Val d’Orcia. The cycling here is Italy’s finest with quiet roads, endless charming villages and scenery to take your breath away.
This morning we’ll drive to Paganico where our ride will take us to on the race route to the village of Saragilio, the first “GPM” summit where the riders vying for the king of the mountains jersey will gain valuable points. It’s a steady climb that takes us around the base of Tuscany’s highest peak, the 1738 meter Monte Amiata. Once we see the race make it’s way up the climb we’ll carry on to Pienza, by bike or bus depending on how testing you’ve found the Tuscan hills this afternoon.
Our next 3 nights are spent in a 4 star hotel in Pienza, a rare example of a Renaissance town which is often referred to as the “ideal city”. Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner overlooking the hills of Tuscany, a wonderful ending to a memorable day.
Overnight: Pienza
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
THURSDAY, 12 MAY 2011
After a leisurely breakfast we’ll head off in the bus to Orvieto where today’s Giro stage departs on a 195 km stage to Fiuggi Terme. The wonderful thing about the Giro is it’s relaxed atmosphere and you’ll be surprised how close you can get to the action today as the cyclists arrive in the start area for the sign on and eventual depart from the centre of Orvieto early this afternoon.
Orvieto sits dramatically perched on a large butte of volcanic rock rising above the plains with impressive defensive walls making the city almost inpenetrable cities in Europe during the middle ages. For us today it’s a pleasant spot to explore and have lunch before we head off on today’s 90km ride back to Pienza. We’ve got plenty of time to complete the ride and along the way we’ll visit the hilltop town of Montepulciano.
Overnight: Pienza
Meals: Breakfast
FRIDAY, 13 MAY 2011
The Giro d’Italia carries on it’s trek south to Sicily. Rather than spend endless days driving south we’ll wait for the race to return north and enjoy a few days cycling and seeing the famous sights of Tuscany, Umbria and Abruzzo. By now we are all getting a bit tired so today is a day or rest for us to recharge the batteries. This morning we’ll have an optional easy ride visiting the nearby village of San Quirico d’Orcia and the interesting Roman baths at Bagno Vignoni. If you prefer a lie in you may prefer to explore Pienza.
Late this morning we will all travel to the historic city of Siena, famous for it’s art, cuisine and medieval cityscape. The afternoon will be free for you to explore and relax in what is possibly Italy’s most beautiful city.
Overnight: Pienza
Meals: Breakfast
SATURDAY, 14 MAY 2011
After a few enjoyable days we leave Tuscany behind and head to neighbouring Umbria, home to many famous art cities set in a timeless landscape of rolling green hills. This morning we’ll drive to Assisi where we will have time to visit the historic centre and the famous site of the Basillica of Saint Francesco d’Assisi, better known as the gentle patron saint of animals.
After lunch in Assisi we will travel to Spoleto where we spend the next 2 nights. By bike it’s a pleasant 65 km ride with a few short sharp climbs up and down from the hilltop villages that dot the Umbrian countryside. Spoleto is a peaceful town with a fine cathedral, interesting sights and pleasant walks, famous for the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds). Tonight is free to explore Spoleto and enjoy dinner in one of the town’s many restaurants.
Overnight: Spoleto
Meals: Breakfast
SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2011
Today we will take the opportunity to ride the route of stage 8 of the 2010 Giro d’Italia to the summit of Monte Terminillo. This was a gutsy stage win by Saxo Bank rider Chris Sorenson who emerged through the fog at the top of the climb to win the stage after a solo effort for the final 6km. We’ll perhaps take it a bit easier today but there is bound to be some friendly competition to be the first to the summit today. From our hotel in Spoleto it’s a 70km ride to the 1668 meter summit, followed by an enjoyable 20km descent to Leonessa where we will refuel before transferring back to Spoleto.
For non cyclists, or those having an easy day, we have organised a special walking tour of Spoleto with a specialist local guide who will take you through the small streets of this historic city.
Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant close to our hotel.
Overnight: Spoleto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
MONDAY, 16 MAY 2011
Leaving Umbria behind we head east in to the Appenino mountains of the Abruzzo and Marche regions that separate the west of Italy from the Adriatic sea. It’s an area of rugged beauty, pleasant mountain towns and hearty cuisine. An area often passed through by the Giro d’Italia for the cyclist it promises quiet roads and challenges a plenty.
It’s an easy drive east from Spoleto to Norcia where we start our ride through the Appenine mountains of the Marche region to our hote. Although only 70km it’s up and down all the way with fabulous views that you’ll need time to stop and admire, so we’ll easily fill in most of the afternoon. For the next two nights we will be based close to Ascolo Piceno, a handsome town built largely out of the local travertine marble with one of the most admired squares in Italy, the Piazza del Popolo.
Overnight: Ascoli Piceno
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
TUESDAY, 17 MAY 2011
It’s back to the Giro d’Italia with today’s stage taking the race from Termoli on the Adriatic coast to Teramo at the base of the Appenino mountains. This stage is almost identical to the stage won by your tour Leader, David McKenzie, in the 2000 Giro d’Italia. A stage win in a European grand tour is a career highlight for any professional cyclist and David is sure to relive some happy memories with you today.
This morning we’ll ride one of the areas classic rides from Ascoli and up the climb of San Giacomo from where we’ll have wonderful views to the distant mountains and valleys below. From here we’ll carry on to to Teramo where we’ll get to witness the stage finish and see who replicates Dave’s success in 2011.
Overnight: Ascoli Piceno
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2011
It’s down to the coast this morning for the start of today’s stage start in the beach resort of Tortoreto Lido on the Adriatic coast. This will make a nice change for our ride today as apart from a bit of a climb out of Ascoli it’s downhill for 40km to the coast, so we are bound to make good time this morning! This will be our final encounter with the Giro and it’s bound to be a festive day.
As well as see the Giro depart today we can experience a bit of Italian life and take a promenade on the seafront, buy a gelati and enjoy a seafood lunch. After lunch we will head north up the coast to our overnight stay in Pesaro, where we will enjoy a night in a 4 star beachfront hotel. This evening we can walk through Pesaro’s attractive streets and dine in one of the many restaurants in the old town centre.
Overnight: Pesaro
Meals: Breakfast
THURSDAY, 19 MAY 2011
Our final day on the road and we’ve saved something special for our last ride. This morning we will ride along the Strada Panoramica along the Adriatic coast to Riccione in Emilia Romagna, a popular area for cycling in Italy and the training ground of the late Marco Pantani. This scenic undulating coastal road promises great views and a fitting finish to our trip.
After our ride this morning we will head back to Milan. It’s a long drive so we’ll make a stop along the way for lunch before arriving in Milan late this afternoon.
Tonight at our hotel we will have a farewell dinner and toast what has been a wonderful time together in Italy.
Overnight: Milan Malpensa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
FRIDAY, 20 MAY 2011
This morning is the last day of our tour. Transfers will be available to Milan Malpensa international airport today.
Or if you wish stay on in Milan and see the sights or shop for the latest Italian fashions. We hope you’ve enjoyed your trip and that we see you again soon.
Inclusions
Tour cost is per person twin share and includes:
• Services of 2 experienced cycling guides including Giro stage winner David McKenzie.
• Support vehicle with local driver/guide.
• All transport throughout by coach with custom trailer for your bikes.
• Airport transfers on first and last day of tour.
• 12 nights accommodation in quality 4 star hotels.
• Full breakfast daily.
• 3 course evening meals on 8 nights as per itinerary.
• Sightseeing and visits as specified in itinerary
• Mechanical assistance with your bike.
• Ride maps and Bikestyle guide to the 2011 Giro d’Italia
• Bikestyle mussette and cap
NOTE: Please place number of persons attending in box below
- By paying a deposit you are deemed to have accepted our Waiver and Reservation Conditions. If you have any further enquiries please email us at tours@bikestyletours.com.
- Don’t forget it is a requirement of Bikestyle Tours that you have Travel Insurance for your trip.
Purchase your International Travel Insurance here. - * We charge for our trips in Australian Dollars (AUD) and prices shown in other currencies are only approximate. We advise that you check the exchange rate before booking.
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