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Particulars

Trip Dates:

2012
TBA

 

 

Trip Size:

8-16 participants

Total Days:

7 days/ 6 nights

Arrive/Depart:

Rome

Accommodations:

Victoria Hotel****, Pescara

Grand Hotel****, Sorrento

Hotel Forty-Seven****, Rome

 

Activity Level:

Moderate/Challenging
20-40+ miles daily
van supported

Terrain:

Mix

Cost:

Land Cost (current year):
US $3250
Includes 6B/2L/5D

Single Supplement:
US $400

Bike Rental:
US $140

Giro D’Italia, Biking

Tour with the Pros- the Giro celebrates 100 years!

The official announcement of the 100th running of the Giro D’Italia was made December 13, with an exciting course beginning in Venice and finishing 3 weeks later in Rome. The big news is that Lance Armstrong will come out of retirement in 2009 and his entry in the Giro is being widely anticipated. Italian Ivan Basso will be the local favourite, but Carlos Sastre, winner of the 2008 Tour de France will be a contender, as will Australian Cadel Evans, who last raced the Giro in 2002. Starting and finishing in Rome, our tour will follow the Giro from the Adriatic Sea through the Apennine mountains to the Amalfi Coast, Naples and into Rome, with live viewing of 5 stages, including the mountain stages at Blockhaus and Mount Vesuvio and the final time trial in Rome.

Itinerary

Getting there :
Rome: Direct flights from North America are frequent. Keep in mind that most flights are over-night and you'll want to spend at least one night in Rome prior to our morning meeting.

DAY1 May 26:
We meet in Rome at 9:30 on the morning of May 26, (if you prefer to fly from London direct to Pescara this is an option also-Ryan Air has daily flights). Our first day’s ride will begin in Pescara, as we make our way along the Adriatic coast south with lunch in one of the villages along the way; there will be time in the afternoon to swim or explore town and museums before dinner at La Vongola, a restaurant specializing in sea-food. Pescara is a popular sea-side resort, with sandy beaches and lots of restaurants. 40/60/80+km

DAY 2 May 27:
Stage 17- Chieti to Blockhaus 79 km

You’ll have a choice to cycle the 10 km to Chieti and the start of today’s stage or pick-up the route in Pescara (the route passes close to our hotel) and follow towards Blaukhaus, the stage finish. Back in Pescara, we’ll arrange a wine tasting before dinner at a local trattoria. 45/65/85+km

DAY 3 May 28:
We’ll transfer to Sulmona early to ride the race route south through the heart of Abruzzo. We’ll ride the quiet roads along the Valturno River towards Benevento, before transferring to the Amalfi Coast at Sorrento. We’ll stay at the beautiful Grand Hotel with swimming pool and extensive grounds. 50/70/90+km
 

DAY 4 May 29:
Stage 19- Avellino to Monte Vesuvio 164 km 

We’re in perfect position again as the route passes right through Sorrento, a short cycle down from our hotel. We’ll ride the most spectacular section of the stage route today, beginning from Salerno and passing through Amalfi, Planiano and back to Sorrento where we are based. 60/80/100+km

DAY 5 May 30:

Stage 20-Napoli to Anagni 203 km

This is a day to take in the stage start in Napoli and then we’ll cycle north along the stage route. Late afternoon, we’ll make our way to Rome to prepare for the final day’s festivities. 80/100/120+km

DAY 6 May 31:

It will be a very exciting finish to the Giro in 2009 with a time trial through Rome and we’ll be in position to watch the excitement. We’re staying in atmospheric Trasteverre, and after the race and festivities, we’ll celebrate with dinner at a special restaurant.

DAY 7 June 1:

You can depart at your leisure after breakfast for onward travel.

 

Pre-trip extension- Croatia: For anyone that would like to combine this with a trip to Croatia, the ferry to/from Split arrives to Pescara and our May 18-24 trip would combine nicely. We’ll cover the ferry between Split and Pescara!