2012 Giro in Tuscany
This trip combines experiencing the 2012 Giro d’Italia with cycling through some of Italy’s most beautiful regions. We’ll enjoy stays on Lake Garda, the Adriatic coast and Tuscany. A great trip for anyone with plenty of time to savour the real Italy with the help of our experienced team of Italian guides. Their enthusiasm and love for their native country will add an extra dimension to your Giro d’Italia experience.
TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 11 days (10 nights)
Dates: Monday, 7 May to Thursday, 17 May 2012
Start: Milan Finish: Florence/Milan
Accommodation: Selected quality 3 and 4 star hotels
Group Size: Maximum 20 people (3 Staff)
Cost: AUD$4490.00 – Single Supplement AUD$720.00
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 $600.00 (Cannondale Synapse carbon fibre)
Pre or post tour accommodation to extend your stay
Travel Insurance
Email us for details
Highlights:
- Cycling the backroads of Emilia Romagna, Umbria and Tuscany
- The exciting team time trial in Verona
- Ride to the Giro stage finish in the hilltop town of Urbino
- Visits to Siena, Montalcino and Florence
- 3 nights stay in beautiful Pienza, Tuscany
- 2 night stay on Lake Garda
Who is this trip for?
This trip is geared to suit anyone with an interest in cycling who wants to see Italy’s own Grand Tour, the Giro d’Italia.
Italy is a fabulous country to visit with unequalled scenery, friendly people and of course great food. As well as seeing the Giro d’Italia we enjoy 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 Lake Garda, the Adriatic coast and charming towns in Tuscany. 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.
Each day we’ll have options for rides to suit people who feel like a challenge, or an easy day enjoying the scenery. We ride on quiet scenic roads and where possible we ride on the race course ahead of the race. Non cyclists are welcome on our Giro d’Italia tours. As with all of our tours you’ll be guided by our expert team of ride leaders, drivers and guides.
Monday, 7 May 2012, Benvenuto
Your Italian experience 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 your own. Our staff will be there to assist you if required. We will organise a short (around 40km) ride after lunch that will take us along the pleasant Naviglio Grande Canal. It’s a great mostly traffic free introduction to riding with just a few small hills to stretch the legs on.
Tonight there will be a welcome dinner where you can meet up with the staff that will be looking after you on the trip and also your fellow travellers.
Overnight: Milan Malpensa
Meals: Dinner
Tuesday, 8 May 2012, Lago di Garda
This morning we leave Milan and head across the plains of Lombardy and Veneto to our 4 star hotel by Lake Garda. We spend the next two nights on the shores of Italy’s largest lake with stunning mountain scenery and attractive lakeside towns.
We will arrive at Lake Garda late morning and after checking in to our hotel enjoy some lunch with a view of the lake. After lunch it’s on to our bikes and head north along the eastern lake shore to the resort town of Riva del Garda. We’ll make a stop along the way to admire the view and have a coffee or gelato (it’s Italy so it’s compulsory!). In Riva del Garda we can spend time in this attractive lakeside town or if you feel like a challenge take to one of the climbs up in to the mountains just behind the town.
Tonight we will enjoy a typically lavish Italian meal in the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: Garda
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Wednesday, 9 May 2012, Verona Team Time Trial
The Giro d’Italia returns to Italy today after the first 3 stages in Denmark. The riders have had a day off the bike while transferring back to Italy and today’s Team Time Trial in Verona is a chance for a big shake up in the fight for the pink jersey.
Team time trials are becoming rarer in the Grand Tours, so this is a chance to see a part of road racing that can either be incredibly rewarding, or deeply disappointing for the teams.
Our day will start with a morning ride to Sirmione, a pretty lakeside village 30km from our hotel in Garda. Considered the finest village on the lake it’s a popular destination due to it’s lovely setting on a small peninsula in the lake and it’s many historic buildings.
After our visit to Sirmione we will ride back to Garda for lunch before heading off to Verona for this afternoon’s team time trial. Verona is a city with a long association with cycling, hosting many stages of the Giro and the 2004 UCI Road Cycling World Championship.
It is a stunning setting for a time trial event with the start and finish a stone’s throw from the famous Romeo and Juliet balcony and in the shadow of the impressive Roman arena.
We’ll have plenty of time this afternoon to explore the streets of Verona and take in the action of the Giro d’Italia’s first stage in Italy.
Overnight: Garda
Meals: Breakfast
Thursday, 10 May 2012, Giro stage finish
We leave Lake Garda this morning and head south in to the Emilia Romagna region and the coastal resort of Riccione. This attractive town is a popular summer holiday centre for Italians and during the cooler months it has become a major centre for cycling with visitors from all over the world enjoying the town’s hospitality and the region’s fantastic cycling routes. Late in May the town hosts Italy’s biggest Grand Fondo, the challenging Nove Colli, and the region was also once home to the famous Italian cyclist, the late Marco Pantani.
We will leave Garda early this morning and be in Riccione in time for lunch in one of the town’s many cafes before heading off on our afternoon ride to see the Giro stage finish down the coast in Fano. We will ride from the hotel along the Strada Panoramica, a scenic undulating coastal road with great views of the Adriatic sea. Our route will follow the last 50 kms of today’s 199km Giro stage from Modena. The finish today is bound to be fast and end in a sprint to excite the tifosi, the enthusiastic Italian cycling fans.
After we’ve seen the race arrive we’ll return in the bus to our hotel in Riccione for a special cyclists dinner – you won’t go hungry!
Overnight: Riccione
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Friday, 11 May 2012, Urbino stage start
Today we get to experience another aspect of the Giro d’Italia with a stage start in the hilltop town of Urbino, 45kms from Riccione in the green hills of the Marche region. Stage starts are a great way to see the pro’s up close and at the Giro it’s possible to get closer to the action than you’d imagine possible at one of the Grand Tours.
After fuelling up at our buffet breakfast we’ll head off from the coast and up in to the hills. We’ve got plenty of time to enjoy the ride this morning but we’ll need to keep moving to get to Urbino in time to see the pro’s make their way through the streets and sign on for the race, a great chance for photos and autographs.
After the race we’ll have time to explore Urbino, a Unesco World Heritage site nestled on a high sloping hillside which retains most of its picturesque medieval centre. We can return to RIccione by bike or bus and on arrival enjoy a special cyclists afternoon tea at our hotel, relax by the pool or take a walk along the beach.
Overnight: Riccione
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Saturday, 12 May 2012, Undiscovered Umbria
We leave the coast behind this morning and travel through the rolling hills of Tuscany and Umbria to our next destination, Pienza.
We will take the opportunity for one of the favourite local rides of our guides crossing from Tuscany into Umbria. We will start our ride from the pleasant town of Sansepolcro on the border of Tuscany and Umbria where we will slowly climb up above the valley for our exploration of some typical Tuscan and Umbrian villages.
Our first stop will be Anghiara, one of Italy’s “most beautiful” villages with incredible views to the Upper Tiber valley floor. From here it’s a short hop to Citerna where we can stop for lunch and explore this small picturesque Umbrian village. After lunch we’ll carry on and descend back down to the bus for our trip to our next destination of Pienza.
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 you can enjoy dinner in one of the town’s restaurants overlooking the hills of Tuscany, a wonderful ending to a memorable day.
Overnight: Pienza
Meals: Breakfast
Sunday, 13 May 2012, Landscape of the Val d’Orcia
Today we will ride through the timeless landscape of the Val d’Orcia, listed as a Unesco World Heritage area for it’s unspoiled beauty.
Our first stop is the village of San Quirico d’Orcia and the interesting Roman baths at Bagno Vignoni. The riding here is superb as it passes through the typical Tuscan scenery of the Val d’Orcia. From here the riding gets a bit more challenging as we ride via Monte Amiata (not really a mountain but still a challenge!) to the famous hilltop town of Montalcino for lunch and the chance to sample the local cuisine and the excellent local wine, Brunello di Montalcino.
From Montalcino you’ve got the choice of jumping in the bus for the trip back to Pienza, or continuing on by bike to finish off what will be a perfect day of Tuscan cycling.
Overnight: Pienza
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Monday, 14 May 2012, Montepulciano and Siena
We’ve had a full week of riding now, so we’ll have an easy day today and recharge the batteries. This morning we’ll have an optional easy ride visiting nearby Montepulciano, a handsome renaissance town built along a narrow limestone ridge and, at 605 m (1,950 ft) above sea level. The town is encircled by massive walls and fortifications. Inside the walls the streets are crammed with Renaissance-style palazzi and churches, but the town is chiefly known for its good local Vino Nobile wines.
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, famous for the annual Palio di Siena horse race in the beautiful oval shaped Piazza del Campo.
After an afternoon of sightseeing in Siena we’ll return to Pienza for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Overnight: Pienza
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Tuesday,15 May 2012, La Valdinievole
We leave the Val d’Orcia this morning and travel north through Tuscany to our next stop, Monsummano Terme in an area of Tuscany known as La Valdinievole.
This typical Tuscan area to the west of Florence is one of small villages, rolling hills and the elegant spa towns of Monsummano Terme and Montecatine Terme and will also host the World Cycling Championships in 2013. You will be riding the roads that will crown many world champions next year!
Late morning we will arrive in Lucca and spend some time to explore this fascinating medieval walled town and it’s many fine streets and piazzas. From here with the expert help of one of our guides, who lives in the region, we will ride through the surrounding countryside to our 4 star hotel in the town of Montecatin Terme.
After we arrive at the hotel we can releax in the pleasant hotel surrounds or take a stroll around the town. Tonight we will enjoy another fine dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: Montecatine Terme
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Wednesday, 16 May 2012, Montecatini Terme stage finish
Our last day on the bike in Tuscany will be spent exploring the region and taking in the Giro d’Italia stage finish in Montecatine Terme, close to our hotel. We have lots of options for our ride today in this rich historic area, including possibly a trip to nearby Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo di Vinci for a visit to the museum dedicated to his life and many inventions. Our guides will no doubt have some surprises for us and will arrange for lunch at one of their favourite local restaurants.
After our ride we can return to our hotel and tidy up and walk to the town centre to join the locals waiting for the arrival of the race in town. Today’s stage is the longest of the 2012 Giro, a mammoth 243km from Assisi in Umbria, so by the time the Giro reaches us the riders will be tired, but we can still expect a fast sprint finish. As the race passes through Montecatini twice today we can get two chances to see the race this afternoon.
Tonight is our final dinner together, so we will host a special farewell dinner of local cuisine and some great Italian wines.
Overnight: MontecatineTerme
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Thursday, 17 May 2012, Arrivederci
Sadly our journey through Italy comes to an end this morning, so it’s time to say goodbye to your new friends.
We will transfer you to Florence rail station this morning, or if you wish to Milan Malpensa airport for your onward flights. Please check with us on anticipated arrival times in Florence or Milan before making any arrangements for flights or trains.
Meals: Breakfast
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Inclusions
Tour cost is per person twin share and includes:
-Transport throughout by private luxury coach with custom bike trailer.
-Services of our experienced tour guides, plus our coach driver.
-Transfer from Milan Malpensa airport on Monday, 7 May
- Transfer to Florence Train Station or Milan Malpensa airport on Thursday, 17 May
-10 night’s accommodation, in selected hotels (with private facilities).
-Buffet breakfast daily
-3 or 4 course evening meals on 8 nights
-Mechanical assistance with your bike
-Sightseeing as listed
-Maps and Bikestyle guide to the Giro d’Italia
-Bikestyle Tours cycling jersey, cap and musette bag
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If paying by bank deposit or cheque see below
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.
- We charge for our trips in Australian Dollars (AUD). We recommend that you check the exchange rate before booking.
- A surcharge of 1.5% is applicable for payments made with visa or mastercard and 3% for payments made with American Express credit cards.
- Deposits can also be paid by direct deposit or cheque. Please see below.
- It is a requirement of Bikestyle Tours that you have Travel Insurance for your trip.
- * 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.
If you have any further enquiries please email us at tours@bikestyletours.com
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Payment by Bank Deposit and Cheque
If you wish to pay by Bank Deposit or Cheque please tick the box below to get our Bank Details
Prior to paying a deposit it is advisable to confirm a place is available by sending an email to our Office Manager Michelle Knibbs, michelle@bikestyletours.com or telephone our office 07 38465999.
- 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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