Travel northern Italy exploring the Italian Alps, the Swiss Alps, the Dolomites, and the spectacular citiy of Venice! 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 a professional walking tour of Venice, wine tasting, and sensational local Italian cuisine. Fantastico! Climbing highlights include the challenging passes of the Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo and many others.

The tour begins in the beautiful Lake Garda area of Italy which is between Milan and Venice. This area offers a wealth of spectacular climbs, incredible scenery, fantastic wine, and also is home to many of the world’s best professionals. From here we will travel to the magical city of Venice where we will have a private boat and walking tour, with a overnight stay in Venice. Next on this tour cyclists will have the unique opportunity to participate in the famous GranFondo Campagnolo cycling event. An experience your will never forget! After the GranFondo we will head to the Italian Alps and its' epic climbs. This tour offers a healthy mix of both challenging climbs and easier rides for rest and recovery. We spend multiple days in various locations which makes it a great tour for non-riders as well. If you would like to learn more about GranFondo events go to our Cycling Events page.

Package Includes

Climbing Highlights

Tour Itinerary

We will pick you up at the Verona airport and bring you back to our four star boutique hotel with it's wonderful view over 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 or down to the lake an back on the 2005 world championship time trial course. 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 Tuesday June 16, 2009

• Early arrival is available for Monday June 15, 2009

• Departure date is Friday June 26, 2009

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

• See Airport Pick-up & Drop-off Schedule for the Verona airport.

Today will be a moderate intensity ride with a longer climb through the mountainous vineyards of 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 many 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. Our tour will start with a boat ride to Mr. Mark's Square. The walking tour will feature 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.

Feltre is a historical quaint town buried deep in the Dolomite Mountains which is the start of the GranFondo Campagnolo. This event is known for its epic climbs and beautiful mountains that draw some of the best climbers of Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. We will take an easy spin around the area and take in the fresh mountain air. After the ride we will go to the Granfondo registration area, pick up our ride bags, have lunch and enjoy the cycling expo. The Granfondo organizers offer for sale a variety of ride souvenirs including jerseys and tee shirts. Tonight we will have a pre-ride dinner at our hotel.

The GranFondo Campagnolo is very well run and is known throughout Italy as a very challenging event. Due to its difficulty there are 3 courses offered. There is a short course of 55 miles. This route is very beautiful and yet not too tough with only one long climb. The medium course of 70 miles is much more difficult with at least 3 long climbs. The long course is regarded as the premier event and can be compared to a professional race. This route is 130 miles with over 15,000 feet of climbing over 4 major mountain passes. 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, hiking trails to explore, Jacuzzi and sauna. 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. Next 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

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

• 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.

Arrive back in the USA the same day and ready for work Monday morning.