Short description
Start in Ravenna once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and cycle through the Romagna region all the way to Bologna, the culinary capital of Italy. This tour allows you to explore the famous ceramics town of Faenza, medieval villages such as Brisighella and Dozza and the planned renaissance village of Terra del Sole, built by the Medici family to protect the northern flank of Tuscany in 1564.
The itinerary
Day 1 | Arrive in Ravenna
You will arrive in Ravenna, once the capital of the Western Roman Empire. Your centrally-located hotel allows you to walk to Dantes Tomb and the UNESCO World Heritage mosaics of San Vitale, SantApollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia this afternoon. Dont miss these early Byzantine churches with their colourful mosaics that draw travellers from around the world. We meet for your full tour briefing and personalised bicycle fitting.
Day 2 | Ravenna to Faenza
Exiting Ravenna, you have the choice to visit another very important Byzantine masterpiece: SantApollinare in Classe. You will ride across the plains through fruit plantations and arrive to Faenza. Your hotel is a restored convent near the central square of this regional market centre and famous ceramics town. Enjoy the bustle in the market square and the main piazza which is always full of bicycle riders of all ages. Faenza is world-renowned for its hand-decorated ceramics; we recommend a visit to the International Ceramics Museum as well as several of the local artists studios specialized in this colorful pottery.
Day 3 | Faenza to Brisighella and on to Riolo Terme
Enjoy a quiet ride through vineyards and kiwi orchards on your way to the enchanting medieval town of Brisighella. You should certainly plan to explore the historic town centre and to see the unique Via degli Asini, one of the best preserved medieval artisan streets anywhere in Italy. The homemade pasta in Brisighella is worth a lunch stop (and the gelato is not bad, either!) Your ride continues on to your Agriturismo, a rustic country house hotel with a working farm just outside Riolo Terme.
Day 4 | Riolo Terme to Dozza
Your ride today takes you through more vineyards and rich orchards to the medieval hill town of Dozza, famous for its wall murals. The castle in Dozza houses the Emilia Romagna Regional Enoteca or wine museum. Regional specialties include the red Sangiovese (father grape of Chianti) which is gaining more and more worldwide recognition as an important wine in and of itself, the light and fizzy Lambrusco from the hills of Modena and Bologna (excellent accompaniment to the regional cold cuts like prosciutto and salame), or the sweet Albana di Romagna. Plan to arrive mid-afternoon so you can tour the castle and taste a little wine!
Day 5 | Dozza to Bologna
Well leave the hills of Dozza to ride to Bologna today, Emilia Romagnas administrative capital, and, arguably, its culinary capital too. Home to the oldest continually operating university in the world, Bologna has a long tradition of studies, arts, and gastronomy. Speaking of gastronomy, Bologna gave birth to the mortadella, vulgarly distorted abroad as bologna, although the fresh, artisanal mortadella has nothing to do with processed ham! Make sure you put this culinary delight on your must try list. Note: On the shorter ride you will take a train from Burdio to Bologna.
Day 6 | Tour ends in Bologna
If you have the time you might consider an extra night or two in Bologna to enjoy the rich cultural history here. Alternatively, train connections are convenient to Rome, Venice or Milan. Thanks for joining us and buon viaggio.
Key information
- Highlights
- Fully serviced bikes water bottle and accessories
- Bed & breakfast basis as standard
- 3 & 4 star accommodation (unless otherwise stated)
- Tour information pack upon arrival
- Detailed navigational material often including GPS maps
- Local support whenever needed
- E-bikes available on request
- Flights and transfers not included as standard but available on request
- Full financial protection through ABTA and ATOL
