Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Bicycle Romagna, Heartland of Italy's Homemade Pasta

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1 Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Tour Facts Sheet. This tour allows you to explore the famous ceramics town of Faenza, medieval villages such as Brisighella and Dozza and the planned renaissance village of Terra del Sole, built by the Medici family to protect the northern flank of Tuscany in Start in Ravenna once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and cycle through Romagna region all the way to Bologna, the culinary capital of Italy. Easy, flat rides and more serious hill rides make for a cycling paradise through the heartland of homemade pasta, so don't wait until you arrive to Bologna to delight your culinary taste buds with freshly made "tagliatelle", "lasagna", "ravioli" and more, all washed down with local Sangiovese wine. Highlights Wide choice of easy or challenging rides, Medieval town of Brisighella, Ravenna and its 6th century mosaics, Bologna and its 60km 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 Price 1150 Single Supplement: 250 (singles traveling with others pay a 200 supplement) GROUP DISCOUNTS 5% (on groups of 4 or more) Includes 7 nights lodging in 3-4 star hotels, all breakfasts, 2 dinners; use of a high quality titanium racing or hybrid bicycle; bike delivery and collection; use of GPS with preloaded tracks; detailed routes description; map; dinner suggestions; luggage transfer Countries Begin/End Arrive/Depart Italy Ravenna/Bologna Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) Visit our website for tour dates, price and full itinerary description at Do you need more information? Read our Self Guided Tour FAQ Sheet here. Total Distance Daily Distance What to Expect Rating Terms km ( ) more by choice 0-74 km (0-46 miles) No mileage on rest days by choice Choices of easy rides on the flat or serious hill rides for those with energy to burn 2 View Tour Rating Descriptions Optional hill rides make this a dream trip for those who want to alternate easy rides with more challenging rides. Terms & Conditions

2 Tour s Dates: Tour can start any day of the week. Your Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Ravenna. Fit bicycles 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. Mileage: your option Accommodation: Ostello Galletti Abbiosi Day 2: Ravenna to Faenza Highlights: Faenza International Ceramics Museum and Renaissance Town Square Exiting Ravenna, you have the choice to visit another very important Byzantine masterpiece: Sant'Apollinare in Classe. Cross the plains through fruit plantations and arrive to 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. Mileage: 51 km (32 miles) Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria

3 Day 3: Loop ride to Castrocaro and Terra del Sole Short option. Mileage: 39 km (24 miles) Highlights: Sixteenth century planned Medici Fortress town of Terra del Sole; alternative bicycle ride over Monte Trebbio You have two options today. Both include a ride to Terra del Sole, a border town built by the Medici family in 1564 to protect the northern frontier of Tuscany designed with the new Renaissance concept for the "Perfect City". On your way to Terra del Sole you'll pass by our headquarters so we'll plan to show you around, give you morning coffee and cake and send you on your way. Those who want an easy day will ride to Terra del Sole and back to Faenza at the base of the low foothills, giving you time to take it easy in any of the towns today. Those with more energy can climb one of the most famous mountain rides for cyclists in the area, Monte Trebbio. Day 4: Bicycle Faenza to Brisighella and on to Riolo Terme Long option. Mileage: 78 km (49 miles) Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria Short option. Mileage: 26 km (16 miles) 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 on to your Agriturismo, a country house hotel with a working farm just outside Riolo Terme. Dinner is included tonight. Long option. Mileage: 61 km (38 miles) Accommodation: Agriturismo Rio Manzolo

4 Day 5: Riolo Terme loop ride Short option. Mileage: 31 km (19 miles) Highlights: Delightful hill and ridge rides through vineyards and orchards; alternative easy ride to Castel Bolognese Today offers options for the avid cyclist and options for the more relaxed rider. Riolo Terme is a spa town so you can always elect to relax in town, enjoy a plethora of thermal water spa treatments, play a round of golf, get a massage, and just take it easy. We'll recommend a long ride into the hills for those wanting to put some hill rides on their legs and an easy ride to Castel Bolognese for those who want just a little exercise. Dinner is included tonight. Long option. Mileage: 62 km (39 miles) Accommodation: Agriturismo Rio Manzolo Day 6: Bicycle from Riolo Terme to Dozza Short option. Mileage: 28 km (17 miles) Highlights: Wine village of Dozza; beautiful views across the Po Valley: wall murals in Dozza Your ride today takes you through more vineyards and rich 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. Plan to arrive mid-afternoon so you can tour the castle and taste a little wine! Long option. Mileage: 42 km (26 miles) Accommodation: Albergo Ristorante Cane

5 Day 7: Bicycle from Dozza to Bologna Highlights: Bologna - Italy's culinary capital Short option. Mileage: 45 km (28 miles). Then by train from Budrio to Bologna. We'll leave the hills of Dozza 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! Long option. Mileage: 71 km (44 miles) Accommodation: Hotel Touring Day 8: Tour ends in Bologna Highlights: Tour End Your bicycle ride in Emilia Romagna ends this morning in Bologna. If you have the time you might consider an extra night or two in Bologna to enjoy the rich cultural history here. Alternatively, train connections are convenient to Rome, Venice or Milan. Thanks for joining us and buon viaggio! NOTE: This hotel itinerary is subjected to changes according to availability. City taxes are not included. LODGING UPGRADE: Room upgrades are possible in some hotels. Ask for availability.

6 GTA: How to get there and away Starting point: Ostello Galletti Abbiosi Via Di Roma, Ravenna The airport closest to the tour start is Bologna s Marconi Airport. Take a shuttle bus to Bologna train station, then a train to Ravenna. Private transfer is available from Bologna airport to hotel in Ravenna for 135 for 2 to 4 people (subject to change depending on arrival time and flight delays). Ending point: Hotel Touring, Via De' Mattuiani, 1/ Bologna You can fly out from Bologna s Marconi Airport. Private transfer is available from your hotel in Bologna to Bologna airport for 35 (subject to change depending on departing time). Once you book the tour we will send you detailed information and different options on how to get to the starting point and away from the ending point of the tour. Luggage Transfers Luggage transfer is included in your package. Normally, the luggage is collected from am at the reception of the hotel and is delivered at the following hotel by 3.30 pm. Every luggage must be marked with a visible luggage tag. Please make sure yours have correct tags. If your luggage is not ready by the time the driver comes to collect it, you may need to have to pay directly a local taxi for the service. Please consider that the luggage is not insured during the transport. You need to have your own insurance. Do not leave valuables or fragile items in your luggage. Normally you cannot use the luggage transport service to skip the stage. In case you need help to skip the stage, please contact our emergency number. Services available at an additional cost (ask for prices and availability) Private transfer from Bologna airport to hotel in Ravenna: 135 for 2 to 4 people (subject to change depending on arrival time and flight delays). Private transfer from hotel in Bologna to Bologna airport: 30 (subject to change depending on departing time). Electric bikes available for an extra charge (see below). Extra nights are available in Ravenna or in Bologna. Ask for details. Pasta making demonstration possible on day 5 for a small overcharge

7 Your roadbook Here below you ll find a snapshot as a sample of what you ll have in your roadbook day by day. As you can see you will find the map with the marked itinerary, the elevation profile, maps for entering and leaving a towns and step by step instructions. Together with this we ll provide cultural information, lunch and dinner suggestions, list of bike shops and taxi numbers.

8 Bicycle Specification All bikes come with a pump, rear rack, lock, and an under-seat pack that contains a spare tube, tire irons, and patch kit. We can provide flat pedals, with cage but no straps or with cage and straps: you can choose the type you prefer during the bike fitting. We don't provide clipless pedals as there are different kinds, so you'll have to bring your own pedals with you and we'll mount them on your rented bike. The bikes come also with a rear rack bag for carrying personal items. Accessories on request:

9 Accessories provided:

10 Titanium Road Bike Frame / Fork Front Derailleur Crankset / Shifters Van Nicholas Yukon 3AL /2,5V Titanium road frame and Ax carbon Audax fork Shimano Ultegra or Shimano triple crank 10 speed: or 50 T Rear derailleur /Cassette Shimano Ultegra 10 speed: or Weight 8.3kg / 18.2 lbs. (size 56) Equipment cyclometer, bell, pump, lock, and an under-seat pack that contains a spare tube, tire irons, and patch kit

11 Titanium Hybrid Bike Frame/Fork Van Nicholas Amazon 3AL /2,5V Titanium hybrid frame, available alsoas hybrid mixte or stepthrough frame /Van Nicholas Slx carbon fork Shifters/Front Shimano SLX 3x10 shifters, front derailleur and crankset (24,32,42 teeth or 26, 36 derailleur/crankset teeth) Rear derailleur/ Cassette Weight Equipment Shimano SLX long cage rear derailleur with cassette 11,5 kg cyclometer, bell, pump, lock, and an under-seat pack that contains a spare tube, tire irons, and patch kit

12 Tandems Tandem bike with 27 speed gearing; our tandem bikes are always in demand--please get your reservation in early! SIZES AVAILABLE (Front/Rear): Large/Small, XLarge/Small, XLarge/Medium, Jumbo/Medium see chart for more specific measures FRAME TANDEM ROAD, SMARTFORMED 6061 ALLOY, 1.5 HEAD TUBE, BB30 FORK CANNONDALE FATTY TANDEM, OPI, 1.5" STEERER CRANK FSA GOSSAMER TANDEM, 52/39/30, 42T TIMING BOTTOM BRACKET FSA MEGAEXO, W/ ECCENTRIC BB30 SHIFTERS SHIMANO COG SET SHIMANO TIAGRA 4600, 12-30, 10-SPEED CHAIN KMC X10 DRIVE, X9 TIMING FRONT DERAILLEUR SHIMANO , 31.8 CLAMP REAR DERAILLEUR SHIMANO RIMS DT SWISS TANDEM, 36-HOLE HUBS DT SWISS TANDEM TIRES CONTINENTAL GATORSKIN, 700X25C, FOLDING BRAKES SHIMANO R515 MECHNICAL DISC, 180/203MM HANDLEBAR CANNONDALE C3 COMPACT, 2014 ALLOY, 31.8 / C3 BULLHORN STOKER STEM CANNONDALE C3 1.5", 3-D FORGED, 6 DEG. / C3 EXTENDER STOKER HEADSET TANGE CUSTOM 1.5" BRAKE LEVERS SHIMANO SPOKES DT SWISS TANDEM GRIPS CANNONDALE 3.5MM W/ GEL BACKING GRIP TAPE SADDLE PROLOGO T2.0 SEAT POST CANNONDALE C3, ALLOY, 31.6X350MM FRONT / 27.2X350 REAR

13 E-bikes We are pleased to introduce our new hybrid style pedelecs (pedals assisted bikes). These bikes are excellent quality and feature state of the art technology and are a fantastic option for bicycle travelers who need a little push. Although you still have to pedal the E-bike drive provides a nice boost for your efforts. For example when your pedal stroke increases to get up a hill so does the amount of power the electric motor outputs. Less effort on your part translates to less power assist. Please note: E-bike rentals are not included in the tour price. For 7 to 8 day tours there is 205 fee, ask for price for a longer tour. We limit the number of e-bikes to two per departure. The e-bike drive automatically switches off if speeds exceed 25km/h (15 mph). Though the bikes are very quiet the electric engine does produce a light but constant noise. The bikes can be ridden without assist though they are much heavier than a regular bike. Operating range depends on many factors such as the assistance level, gear switching behavior, route profile, head wind, temperatures but in general the average range of our battery packs is 110km (68 miles). Shifters Tires Weight Equipment 10 and 11-speed drive train with gear ratios very similar to those on a mountain bike 700x40 Schwalbe Energizer Pro tires that feature an anti-puncture layer, good grip, and minimal rolling resistance. 24 kg / 53 lbs. cyclometer, pump, lock, and an under-seat pack that contains a spare tube, tire irons, and patch kit

14 Trailer for child XLC Mono BS-C Single-seater with safety flag, stroller kit and walker kit (16 front wheel), double cover (against insects and bad weather). Innovative folding system, parking brake easily usable in order to lock the wheels. Reflective materials for the marking of the height and width of the trailer. TÜV certificate with Toxproof quality seal. Places: Single-seater Shoulders width: 44cm Leg length: 60cm Head Height: 61cm Seat: 5-point harness L x W x H: 106cm / 70cm / 81cm L x W x H folded 109cm / 70cm / 26cm H Handle height: cm Weight / load: 14kg / 35kg Frame: steel, aluminum body, bumpers Wheel size: /20 x 1.75 steel wheels with spokes in zinc Helm attack Ø 28.6mm Suitable for a baby seat (bottle holder Weber)

15 Tag Along