Travel northern Italy exploring the Italian Alps, the Swiss Alps, the Dolomites, and the spectacular cities of Venice and Verona! Experience the epic climbs of the Giro d'Italia and world championships while enjoying the quaint, picturesque mountaintop villages and spectacular views. In addition to cycling, this tour provides unforgettable walking tours of both Verona and Venice. Climbing highlights include the challenging passes of the Stelvio, Gavia, Umbrail and Mortirolo, and many others.

The tour begins in the Lake Garda area, which offers a wealth of spectacular climbs and incredible scenery, and also is home to many of the world’s best professionals. Cyclists have the opportunity to participate in the famous Granfondo Pinarello cycling event. This tour offers a healthy mix of both challenging climbs and easier rides for rest and recovery. We spend multiple days in various locations with plenty of time for sightseeing, making it a great option for non-riders as well. If you would like to learn more about these events go to Cycling Events.

Package Includes

Climbing Highlights

Tour Itinerary

We will pick you up at the Verona airport and bring you back to our three star sporting hotel near Lake Garda to settle in for a few days. Build the bikes in our well equipped bike room and purchase any last-minute items from the local bike shop. Take an easy spin through the wineries and orchards. After the ride take a refreshing dip in the pool, grab a beer in the bar, enjoy a sauna, or treat yourself to a message. Tonight we will enjoy a great dinner prepared by our hotel's chef,  talk about the tour, and pass out maps and Jerseys.

• Arrival date for this tour is Monday, July 14, 2008

• Early arrival is available for Sunday, July 13, 2008

• Departure date is Sunday, July 26, 2008

• Arrival and departures from the Verona VRN airport or Milan & Venice by shuttle

• See Airport Pick-up & Drop-off Schedule

After breakfast we'll go out for an easy ride around the lake. Later we will go into the town center of Verona for a walking tour and gelato (Italian ice cream). The walking tour will focus on the key historical sites, architecture, and the legendary Juliet's Balcony from Shakespeare's famous 'Romeo and Juliet'. After the walking tour you will have free time to explore Verona and its famous Arena. We will re-group for dinner together at a local pizzeria.

Today will be a moderate intensity ride with a longer climb through the Valpolicella wine region. This afternoon we will enjoy wine tasting and appetizers in the lush green vineyards of Tre Colline. We will tour their wine production facilities and have a short lessen in the making of wine and olive oil. Tonight we have a special dinner planned at a reservation only agriturismo, "La Zerla." This restaurant offers a variety of local culinary delights and a good selection of wines including their own wine produced in the vineyard that surrounds the restaurant.

This is a challenging course with a few rugged climbs. Today we will travel out north of the lake and up in the mountains. Here we will get a chance to visit some of the small villages rarely seen, and take in views of Lake Garda and the alpine countryside. Be prepared for steep endless switchbacks and long winding descents.

After a short recovery ride on our rest day we will head off to Venice for a spectacular walking tour of one of the worlds most interesting cities built on the water. The walking tour will feature some of the highlights of Venice. Visit St. Mark's square and learn the history that lies behind the walls of its most famous landmarks; the Basilica and its Byzantine heritage, the Doge's Palace and its adjoining prisons, that retain the true secrets to comprehend how a city built on swamps became one of the most enlightened cities in the western world. You will also get to leave the square and crowds behind to discover the “real Venice ”, enter a labyrinth of narrow passageways and alleys where you will find an enchanting city of meandering canals punctuated by delicate bridges. The tour finishes at the Rialto bridge. After the walking tour we will have plenty of free time to explore, shop, or take a gondola ride. Dinner will be on your own tonight, Venice offers a wealth of restaurants from the ultra elegant to a corner tattoria.

After an early breakfast we'll pack up and take a short drive to Treviso. This town is located at the base of the Dolomite Mountains which is the start of the Granfondo Pinarello. We will go to the cycling expo and pick up our ride numbers. The cycling expo is a great place to buy souvenirs and see the newest cycling gear. After checking in we'll take an easy spin around the area. Today we will go to the Pinarello's main factory outlet store.

The Granfondo Pinarello is a very well run event and offers two routes, the medium route is 80 miles and the long route is 125 miles. Both rides go through the Dolomites for breathtaking climbs and countless small villages. After the ride we'll relax in town and stay for the pasta dinner.

After breakfast and an easy recovery ride we'll load up and drive to Bolzano centered in the Adige valley of the Dolomites. We take a cable car ride 3000 vertical feet to our hotel overlooking the mountains and Bolzano below. This hotel is a tour favorite featuring a remote château atmosphere and hiking trails to explore. After lunch we'll take an easy walk and enjoy the sights, or if you prefer, relax with a glass of wine out on the deck. Tonight the hotels' chef will prepare a meal you will not soon forget.

On our way to Bormio we will be going over the Stelvio Pass. Today you will have the option of climbing from the North side, boasting an incredible 48 switchbacks. Test your courage and stamina against today's highest Alpine pass. This climb was first introduced into the Giro d'Italia in 1953 and made famous after Fausto Coppi's victory. At the top we will enjoy the view of the Italian and Swiss Alps while sipping cappuccinos and watching tourists from all over the world mill about in this exciting atmosphere. A German sausage sandwich from the cart vendor is always a favorite on this route.

• Stelvio Pass - 2,758 m

Today's major climb will include the beautiful Gavia Pass. Ride through the Santa Caterina Valley to the the base of the Gavia pass which has been touted to be the most beautiful pass of the Alps. At the top of the pass send a post card to a friend at the outpost and have a snack. Later you can enjoy the thermal baths, take a swim, have a massage, or have the full spa treatment. It's up to you. The thermal center is equipped with thermal pools, sauna, lap pool, and a Turkish bath. Also available are aroma therapy, hydrotherapy, hydro massage, facials etc.

• Gavia Pass - 2,621 m / 26 km / 5.4% Ave

After breakfast we head south down the valley for the notorious  Mortirolo Pass. Climbing an astonishing 4,000 ft in 7 miles!, see why when Lance rode this pass in 2005 he said it was the most difficult one he had ever done. Just below the top we find the new memorial commemorating Marco Pantani. 

Marco Pantani Memorial

• Mortirolo Pass - 1852 m / 12.5 km / 10.6% Ave

In the morning you can sleep in or take a ride up Bormio 2000. This climb was a highlighted stage finish in the 2004 Giro d'Italia won by Damiano Cunego. After the climb we transfer back to Lake Garda. We will have time to pack up the bikes and relax by the pool. With two weeks coming to a close we'll have a chance to reflect on all that was seen, the experiences encountered and the challenges that were overcome. Although it will be time to go, I am certain that everyone will leave with much more than they came with and memories to last a lifetime.

Additional rides based on departure time