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Secret Hills & Precious Mosaics
This challenging route allows you to discover an ‘untouristy’ area between Romagna and Tuscany where the welcome is warm and genuine. Along relaxing and silent roads, ideal for cycling, you’ll pass small, quiet, medieval towns full of history to reach the National Park of Foreste Casentinesi and the high Mugello - an unusual side of Tuscany - to then ride back towards the plains and the beauties of Faenza and Ravenna. Nights: 7 Day 1: To reach Tredozio, you have the option of a shorter route through Passo della Busca or a longer but more varied ride via Modigliana, where lunch may beckon. (15km or 37km) Accommodation: Torre Fantini (3*), Tredozio. As its name suggests, this is a converted tower with a pool and garden. Dinner on the first night is included at the nearby Mulino San Michele - a former 14th-century mill - where the owner Pier Luigi will enchant you with traditional recipes and local knowledge. Your second night's stay is on a bed and breakfast basis. Accommodation: Torre Fantini, as above. Day 3: Entering a different Tuscan landscape you pass through Lutirano, Popolano and the chestnut capital of Marradi to reach Palazzuolo al Senio, a village celebrated for its ideal quality of life. (34km) Accommodation: La Locanda Senio, as above. Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria (4*), Faenza. Boasting a liberty façade, frescoed ceiling and comfortable rooms, the hotel is centrally situated, allowing you to stroll around this elegant town. You stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Day 6: Passing San Pietro in Vincoli and San Apollinare in Classe with its precious mosaics, you reach your final destination, Ravenna - the last capital of the Western Roman Empire but today the capital of mosaics that are a Unesco-recognised heritage. (64km) Accommodation: Hotel Diana (3*), Ravenna. A modern, centrally located hotel ideal for discovering the jealously guarded treasures of this town. Take your pick of the local restaurants for dinner (pay locally). Recommendations for extra nights: Choose Ravenna for more time to explore the town and to appreciate its mosaics, or Portico di Romagna for extra cycling - we suggest a challenging circuit via the panoramic Centoforche Pass or a gentler warm-up ride. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. Similar holidays: Siena & Southern Tuscany (grade 2), Vineyards, Venice & Vicenza (grade 2), Secrets of Western Tuscany (grade 2), Golden Cities (grade 2), Saints, Gods & Angels (grade 2) Prices & travel 2008:
Recommended destination airports: Forli & Bologna Extra night prices 2008 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):
> Notes on prices > Any queries? Let us call you back > Booking |
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Romagna Fiorentina lies between Tuscany and Emilia
Romagna. It was along this route that Dante Alighieri
travelled to escape from Florence to Ravenna, where he ended
his days. Hills make the cycling challenging but with enchanting
views along quiet roads, the reward is deserved - excellent cuisine
enriched by seasonal fruits such as truffles, chestnuts or mushrooms.
The route gradually softens leading to the plains and the capital of ‘majolica’
ceramics, Faenza, and finally to Ravenna and its Byzantine treasures.
Starting point: Al Vecchio Convento (3*), Portico di Romagna. You are warmly welcomed to this medieval town by Giovanni and Marisa and their sons. The hotel has been converted from a 19th-century building
with original features, a garden and an excellent restaurant. 
Day 2: Today’s ride takes you inside the
National Park of the Foreste Casentinesi to reach San Benedetto
dell’Alpe and an optional walk to the 70-metre Acquacheta waterfall
(immortalised in Dante’s Inferno) before cycling back down to Tredozio. (40km) 
Accommodation: La Locanda Senio (3*), Palazzuolo al Senio. Your hosts, Ercole and Roberta, are very helpful and friendly, and the food is
excellent, all freshly made to very high standards, with the focus on traditional Italian country food. Dinner is included on the
first night.
Day 5: Today’s long ride traverses
the so-called ‘lavender road’ via Zattaglia and the thermal waters of
Brisighella to reach, Faenza, synonymous in the world for majolica or
ceramics. (52km)