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A Culinary Cycling Circus
Bicycling Italy with ExperiencePlus!
Tour Duration :
9 Days
Tour Category : Bicycle Touring Tour, Gourmet/Gastronomy Tour,
Cultural Expeditions Tour
 Day 1:
Meet today in Parma, the home of Parmesan cheese - il parmigiano! We'll fit
you with a bike this afternoon, and you can go out for a shakedown ride if time
allows. We have an inaugural dinner this evening appropriate to the beginning
of a 'culinary' bicycle tour. Today's mileage: your option.
Day 2:
We leave Parma this morning after breakfast and finalizing bicycle fittings
and head toward Modena. Along the way, we'll stop at a balsamic-vinegar
maker for a tour and lesson on the world's finest vinegar. Our route, along
the foothills of the Apennine Mountains, winds through vineyards to a 'clinica
gastronomica' near Modena. Our hotel is adjacent to the 'clinica.'
We'll have dinner together this evening. Mileage: 67 km (42 miles).
Day 3:
After breakfast, we go straight to our favorite Parmesan cheese factory to
watch the entire process-from milk to huge wheels of fresh cheese. While the
milk cooks, we tour the warehouse and hear about the aging process for quality
'parmigiano.' This afternoon, our ride takes us into the flat Po River valley.
Before dinner together this evening, we'll have a pasta-making lesson in our
hotel. Mileage: 60 km (38 miles).
Day 4:
We continue around Bologna after breakfast this morning and work our way to
Dozza in the foothills of the Apennines. Those who wish can continue into the
hills for an optional loop ride. Dozza's 14th-century castle houses the official
Emilia-Romagna wine museum. We'll have a wine tasting before dinner together.
Mileage: 81 km (51 miles).
Day 5:
It's a short ride today! We pedal through medieval Imola this morning before
heading to Faenza, world famous for its ceramics. Once in town, you'll have
time to visit the International Ceramics Museum and to explore some of the local
ceramics studios this afternoon. Dinner together. Mileage: 35 km (22 miles).
Day 6:
We enjoy a picturesque ride to the hilltop town of Brisighella this morning.
You'll want to stroll the medieval square and grab a bit to eat there. Then,
we continue on to Paola's family farm where we will explore the vineyards and
peach orchards, take a nap under the shade tree and enjoy a glass of good, local
wine. Mileage: 50 km (31 miles).
Day 7:
Like Dozza, Bertinoro is a small, hillside village famous for its wines.
We'll be there this evening. But on the way, we go by cousin Katia's gelateria,
where we stop to see how Italian gelato is made and to have a taste! We
also go through the 16th-century Medici fortress at Terra del Sole and the
spa town of Castrocaro. Those who wish can go out for another hill ride
on the way to Bertinoro. Dinner on your own. Mileage: 55 km (34 miles).
Day
8:
The church at Sant'Apollinare in Classe has mosaics dating back to the 6th
century A.D. We'll visit the church this morning on our way to Ravenna. The
last capital of the Western Roman Empire, Ravenna today is home to more early
Christian mosaics than any city in the world other than Istanbul. You'll have
time to visit the local sights this afternoon after we arrive at our hotel,
which is near the city center. This evening, we'll regroup and head to dinner
at Paola's brother's (Massimo's dad's) elegant seafood restaurant. You'll be
talking about this meal for some time. And so what if you overeat - you've earned
it! Mileage: 52 km (32 miles).
Day 9:
Our tour ends after breakfast this morning, but there are plenty of spots in
Ravenna still to enjoy. Or perhaps you'd prefer to book a few extra days at
the beach? Rimini is nearby. You could be a tourist in the mornings and enjoy
the beach in the afternoons. Whatever your choice, have a great trip! Total
mileage: 400 km (250 miles).
 Note: Tour and
Tour Information are subject to change.
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