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Home > Cycling > Italy
Italy
 From the Veneto and Romagna in the north, through Tuscany and Umbria in the centre, to Basilicata, Puglia and Sicily in the south, the regions of Italy are astonishingly varied,
each with its own distinctive culture. These picturesque areas are featured in our cycling programme as the landscapes they offer are immensely rewarding, full of cultural interest, and absolutely ideal for exploration by bike. Wherever you go, history and great works of art are always close by, with Renaissance masterpieces seemingly in every village, classic landscapes over every hill, warm and welcoming locals on every street corner and delicious Italian regional cuisine in the tempting restaurants.
> Tuscany
> Romagna
> Umbria
> The Veneto
> Puglia/Basilicata
> Sicily
 Tuscany
Cypress trees that frame a stone farmhouse, hill-top towns above rolling vineyards and olive groves, village
churches that reveal Renaissance masterpieces ... Tuscany constantly delights. Add to this
the winning combination of Tuscan regional cooking, and such world-class wines as Chianti and Brunello, and you have the
formula for a memorable holiday. Cycling here, you wind from one
beautiful village to another along quiet country roads. Take in the timeless beauty of the
Crete Senesi south of Siena, discover the gently rolling hills that surround the famous towers of San Gimignano, or explore the undiscovered Maremma in the west, where a great sense of ancient spirituality pervades the gloriously quiet hills.
> Secrets of Western Tuscany (grade 2) Enjoy the contrasting landscapes and beautiful hill-top towns of the little-visited Maremma region on your way to the coast.
> San Gimignano & the Sienese Plains (grade 1-2) Explore archetypal Tuscan landscapes as you cycle between high-quality 3- and 4-star hotels.
> Siena & Southern Tuscany (grade 2) Quiet country lanes wind across unspoiled Tuscan scenery, passing numerous intriguing villages and places of interest.
 Umbria
Landlocked in the centre of the Italian peninsula, the Umbrian
countryside is green and lush, where a timeless and spiritual quality
pervades. It is unspoiled and wild, with churches, secret hermitages and
wayside chapels dotted along ancient trails. Summers are long, but the
mountain air is fresh, and the green meadows are filled with spectacular flowers
in May and June. Enjoy the earthy Umbrian cuisine, famed for its use of black truffles, and the
robust reds of Torgiano and Montefalco.
> Saints, Gods & Angels (grade 2) This ride starts in world-famous Assisi
before cycling through
national parks on your way to the medieval towns of Spello, Spoleto and Bevagna.
 Romagna
Little-visited 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.
> Secret Hills & Precious Mosaics (grade 2-3) Starting across the hills, this challenging route gradually enters softer landscapes as it heads to the plains and finally to Ravenna and its Byzantine treasures.
 The Veneto
The great arc of the Veneto Plain holds many contrasts, and beyond the
magnificence of Palladian Vicenza and dazzling Venice is a landscape which is
infinitely rewarding to discover. You are never far from beautiful countryside,
including the green Euganean Hills, calm lagoons and the undulating foothills of
the Dolomites, which provide a magnificent backdrop.
> Vineyards, Venice & Vicenza (grade 2) A discovery of timeless landscapes, visiting charming medieval towns in the foothills of the mountains.
 Puglia/Basilicata
Situated at the northern end of Italy’s ‘heel’, the rural provinces
of Puglia and Basilicata are largely unspoiled and unknown to
many, although they hide a truly astonishing wealth of artistic and
historic treasures. From the coast at Bari, the undulating countryside
of Puglia, dotted with the historical remains of myriad invaders, gradually
climbs up into the hills of Basilicata, where local customs and traditions have survived for
centuries in seemingly timeless hill-top towns protected by spectacular fortresses.
> Vineyards & Castles of the South (grade 2) Starting from Trani, with its amazing
cathedral, you’ll see an octagonal
fortress and the Roman town of Venosa before reaching Unesco-protected Matera, with its unique
cave houses.
 Sicily
Sicily is a mosaic in many senses - the rich diversity of cultures contributing to its lifestyle and buildings over centuries, the patchwork of its landscapes, the palette of warm colours characterising its hill-top villages, and the exquisite golden mosaics of its cathedrals and palaces. Each of our cycling routes offer a colourful journey glimpsing these different aspects - imposing Elymian and Greek ruins, mountain ridges and rolling hills, towns characterised by the exuberant Baroque style - along with varied cycling terrain, and plenty of opportunity to relax over delicious food and fine wines.
> The Realm of the Baroque (grade 1) Cycle through gently rolling hills to discover Baroque cities so perfect that some have been declared Unesco World Heritage Sites.
> Golden Cities (grade 2-3) Enjoy the peace and quiet of Sicily's north-west corner, with plenty of time to visit intriguing towns, superbly preserved antiquities and family-run wineries.
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