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Welcome to Hooked on Cycling and our cycling holidays in Italy. We are very proud of the varied nature of the cycling holidays in Italy. These range from Cycle Resorts , fixed location hotels which specialise in supporting our cycling holidays, to full moving on tours in some of the most beautiful and historic regions. Our cycling holidays cover many regions from Sicily in the south to Sardinia in the west and famous regions such as Tuscany , Venice , Lombardy , Lake Garda , Lake Como , Chianti , Umbria , Apulia , Romanga and Marche. Indeed we think we have the most varied range of cycling holidays available by any tour operator.
In Italy Cycling is a near national sport where many people cycle for leisure as well as for sport. The local people idolise the sporting hero of cycling but this also means that locals appreciate cyclists and would often give you verbal encouragement while cycling as well as drivers being courteous. The regions we have chosen for our cycling holidays are all superb for cycling , lush green Hinterlands a few miles inland from the breathtaking coastlines. History is also to be seen with ancient villages and castles to admire as you cycle along.
To view the holiday of interest Click on the tour name
Tuscany Chianti- 6 or 7 night level 2 independent & Guided tour . You are sitting in a cosy tavern, letting the bicycle day ease to a close. You truly deserve the spaghetti al pesto, and with it you are enjoying the Chianti-wine. You are then without any doubt on the way through Tuscany - the Italian landscape and the cultural jewel. Often by surprise a wonderful castle or a stylish villa emerges from behind the woods. Surrounded by silvery green olive groves and the violet of the lilies. Tuscany has always been a magic place for people all around the world. To experience this landscape with its immense cultural heritage by bicycle is an unforgettable experience. Again and again the cycling tourist discovers wonderful historical monuments. As an opposite a typical Tuscan landscape offers often an ambiance where you can enjoy seclusion. To discover Tuscany by bicycle is to cycle through regions that lie way off the tourists’ paths. Tuscany has a dreamlike but also hilly landscape. During all tours our accompanying mini bus is always within your reach. We cycle on lovely side paths and country lanes from one famous city to another.
Venice - 7 night level 1-2 independent tour & Guided tour . A circular tour taking in the great historic cities of Venice, Vicenza, Bassano and Treviso with a choice of smaller family run hotels and farm tourism to larger city centre hotels. The landscape is generally flat making this a tour suitable for beginners and experienced cyclists. Follow the circular route we call the Pearl enjoying the lovely flat landscape but also enjoying he historical cities during the late afternoon or evening. You can also spend an extra night in that great City Venice.
Cycling Holiday in Piemonte - 8 night level 1-2 independent tour This particular biking vacation in Italy is in the region of Piemonte in the North west bordering France. Piemonte is very well known for the Olympics which were held in the north of the region near Turin but it is also well known for its Truffles , chocolate and gastronomy. It is also a region little explored which means it is a wonderful area for your cycling tour. Our bike tour is a circular tour follow the foothills of the local mountains but never climbing into them , this means that you are always in view of breathtaking mountains on your left shoulder but also in view of the fruit growing plains on your right shoulder.
Pisa to Florence - A 6 night level 2 independent tour. This is a very flexible and varied trip that touches the highlights of Northern Tuscany. Every day except 1 there are 2 cycling possibilities, a short and easy route and a longer or more demanding route for the keener cyclists. The trip starts in Pisa, whose origins are lost in Myth and legend. It was an extremely important maritime republic and it holds some of the world’s most famous monuments. The next overnight stop, after a short climb takes us to Lucca, a small intimate town full of beautiful churches and surrounded by an impressive city wall that is still intact. On the way to Vinci, home of the famous Leonardo we pass though the Fucecchio wetlands, one of Europe’s most important inland wetlands; here many different bird species come to nest or rest during the migratory period. The last ride takes us to Florence; cradle of the Renaissance
Italian Cycle Resort - 7 night level 2-4 independent and groups Suitable for tourist , club and cycling enthusiasts. The cycle resort based in Riccione on the Adriatic coast offers everything a cyclist could ever wish for. A wonderful 4 star hotel with indoor and outdoor swimming pool and wellness centre. Each day the several guides will provide guided rides from 30 miles ( 50 km) to 75 miles ( 120 km) or even longer on request. These will visit the many historic inland towns often positioned on hilltops like San Marino. Return from your ride to a lovely pasta snack , rela x by the pool or beach before your evening dinner. Often in Spring and Autumn the hotel will be full with cyclists
Tuscany Cycle Resort 7 night level 2-4 fixed location cycle holiday. The Tuscany Cycle Resort is based in a 4-Star Hotel situated on the top of a hill at Casino di Terra, in the southern part of the Province of Pisa, bordering with the Province of Livorno, in central Tuscany and not far from Cecina. The fabulous converted farm complex is typical Tuscan Style offering lovely rooms and quiet surroundings. This location is ideal for anyone who loves cycling but wants a quiet relaxed surroundings. The hotel offers superb facilities, large pool , wellness centre and tennis.
Sicily A 7 Night level 2-3 tour around the Western side of Sicily. Sicily is the Island at the bottom of Italy - commonly known as the football whereas Italy is the boot. Sicily's strategic position, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, lying between Europe and Africa, linking the eastern and western Mediterranean and the Latin World with the Greek resulted in it being not only the prized possession of foreign powers in its tumultuous history, but also a battleground between warring nations. Sicily’s long history of foreign domination has produced an incredible mix of traditions and cultures, leaving behind some of the most remarkable works or art and architecture found in the Mediterranean world. As you travel through the least densely populated part of the island, you will be amazed by the many architectonic styles, predominantly Greek Medieval and Baroque.
Sardinia A 7 Night level 2 independent and guided tour. A wonderful climate makes this an ideal cycling location virtually all year round. Your tour starts in the Sinis peninsula, a wet area whose lagoons have attracted some of Sardinia’s most abundant bird life and are also the place to see the flat-bottomed fassonis, boats still used by the lagoon’s fishermen and hunters, or just for local races. The peninsula’s western coast provides same of the most alluring beaches: Mari Ermi and Is Arutas
Baroque Sicily - A 7 night level 2 independent easy cycling tour in eastern Sicily. Eastern Sicily offers a variety of fine and astonishing scenery. Through time, nature has modeled this area. The fast flowing streams descending from the extinct cone of the Monte Lauro have excavated many deep canyons -locally called Cave or “quarries”- on the flat plateau that gently degrades towards the sea. A very important factor that modified the architectonic aspect of the area was the devastating 1693 earthquake. The towns and villages of the area were so severely damaged that most of them had to be built a new. Great architects and craftsmen were called in to design and build the new cities, using the “new” style of the times, thus the Baroque style was applied in the building of an amazing sequence of monumental cities, very much intact still today. Intricately carved portals, windows and railings, richly decorated churches and palaces will astonish all travelers.
Apulia - A 7 night level 2 independent tour A cycling tour through the “heal” of Italy . Puglia, or Apulia as it is called in English, is the most south-eastern region of Italy and this part of the country is the least densely populated as well as the flattest, after the Po delta flatland. People live mainly in towns, owning the lands around them. Tourism is becoming more and more important but it has not ruined the landscape as in other areas of Italy. Here you will also find the best beaches of Italy Its strategic position, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, lying between two completely different Europes, linking the eastern and western Mediterranean resulted in it being attacked by foreign powers, mainly Turks. One of the most famous and helpful conquerors was Frederick II (1194-1250), the last Emperor of the Hohenstaufen line. An enlightened man, he built many castles which still grace the region, along with acres and acres of vineyards and olive groves. The overlapping of cultures and languages (there are influences of Greek, Albanian, Latin and also Spanish in the many different dialects spoken in the region) can be seen not only in the towns and cities, but also in the countryside. Apulia produces one-tenth of the wine drunk in Europe. Olive oil, fruit (citrus trees, grapes) productions and fishery are its main activities.
Estruscan Heartland Orvieto and Rome - A 7 night level 2 independent cycling tour. As you cycle through this gently undulating, sparsely populated and not touristy area you will be overcome by the beauty of the landscape, the authenticity of the old small villages and its people and the amazing archaeological sights scattered around the countryside. Ancient historians believed the Etruscans came from Lidia, now part of Turkey, but it is far more probable they originated from a local population living in central Italy around the year 1000 BC. The Etruscans dominated a vast territory that went from Rome to Florence, in the triangle lying between the Arno and the Tiber rivers, till the sea. Thanks to their great sailing skills they came into close contact with the Ancient Greeks and the Phoenicians from whom they learned much. Not only did they trade foodstuff but also art, philosophy and religious believes.
Lake Garda to Milan - 7 night level 2 independent cycling holiday. The Lombardy region is the richest, most modern of Italy’s regions. Anybody not familiar with the history of Lombardy, the culture, the monuments, art treasures and nature, the tour holds big surprises . The tour is on the whole very easy. Usually slightly hilly paths, mostly asphalted. You cycle on bicycle paths, side roads and country roads.
Cycling holiday in Marche Marche is a wonderful little explored region of Italy on the Adriatic coast. Our seven night self guided ( extra and fewer nights is possible ) biking vacation allows you to explore this quiet region. You will be based on the coast in the lovely town of Gabicce Mare in a wonderful 4 star hotel. The hotel has its own swimming pool , small gym , sauna and spa pool. Each day you will head out self guided following our pre-planned routes. The daily cycle tours will take you to historic hilltop villages, through beautiful scenic roads , exploring castles and stopping to sample wine and local produce. Being centre based allows you to choice your schedule , biking all the days or maybe only a few. The beach is only 50 metres away with nice golden sand. In the evening relax by the pool , in the large gardens of in the nice bar over looking the swimming pool.
Cycling across Italy’s coast to coast A 8 or 10 nights level 3-4 tour across Italy from Marche in the East on the Adriactic coast , through Umbria and Tuscany to the west coast. This truely is a wonderful excursion where you for certain will see the changing cultures and scenery from coast to coast. It is now an easy tour as you need to climb over the central mountains but our longer 10 nighht tour has two optional rest / loop days .
Unknown Umbria A 7 night tour in Umbria's heartland. Beautiful rolling scenery , historic quaint villages and superb cycling terrain. This tour is available as a level 3 tour due to its hilly terrain but often a long climb is rewarded by a fantastic long descent with breathtaking views
Low Cost flights with Ryanair and British Airways
Click Below if you would like to look at our Walking Holidays in Italy
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