Short description
Welcome to the Food Valley, an unspoiled microcosm of everything beautiful about Italy: delicious food, warm hospitality and a rich cultural heritage. Our expertly planned itinerary blends rolling hills, unbeaten mountains and a gran finale to the sea connecting Parma, the Unesco Creative city of Gastronomy, to the fishing village of Camogli. You will experience first-hand traditions and gastronomy of 3 different regions: Emilia Romagna, land of castles and medieval hamlets; Lunigiana, the remote northermost corner of Tuscany, and Liguria, a sliver of land where the Appennino mountains dive into the sea. A feast for your legs, palate and eyes is about to start. Join the ride!
The itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to the Food Valley (40km/25mi - 700m/2300ft)
Settle in your cozy Agriturismo and make yourself at ease. When ready, shake off your legs with a gentle ride through rolling vineyards, quiet backroads and the charming hamlets of Vigoleno and Castell’Arquato. Tonight we celebrate the beginning of this adventure with a wine tasting at our favourite cellar and a bountiful dinner of local delicacies. Welcome to the Food Valley!
Day 2 - The hills of Parmigiano (60km/37mi - 900m/3000ft)
Soak in the sights and smell of endless vineyards and enjoy another day of great cycling. After the ride, visit a a traditional caseificio to unveil the secrets of Parmigiano cheese and explore Parma, the Unesco creative city of Gastronomy.
Day 3 - The castles ride (85km/52mi - 1500m/4900ft)
Time to leave the hills and head to the Appennino mountains. Two passes, Pellizzone and Montevacca, and two imposing castles, Bardi and Compiano, guard the way to Borgo Taro: the Slow Food city of good living and capital of the Porcino mushroom. Another feast awaits for dinner. Buon appetito!
Day 4 - Unbeaten Tuscany (90km / 2200m D+)
New day, new region to ride and explore: Lunigiana, the unbeaten northernmost corner of Tuscany. The village of Pontremoli is a tiny treasure to discover and the whole area offers an astonishing mixture of nature, history and culinary tradition. Today’s route is a hard challenge with 3 passes to be conquered: Bratello, Cirone and Sillara.
Day 5 - To the sea (100km/62mi - 1200m/3900ft)
Passo del Bocco, covered by a splendid beechwood forest, is our last fatigue on the Appenini mountains. Once on top merge in the view before we head down to the pastel colored fishing village of Camogli. Relax on the beach and celebrate another great ride with a delicious slice of Focaccia and a cold beer. Cheers!
Day 7 - Arrivederci
Time to say goodbye after this incredible week of cycling. See you soon for your next adventure!
Key information
- Highlights
- Whats included
- What's not included
- High end carbon frame road bikes (TREK, COLNAGO, RIDLEY)
- Support vehicle and local guide(s)
- Discover world fame delights as Parmigiano cheese, Parma Ham and Culatello di Zibello
- Discover Parma, the Unesco Creative city of Gastronomy
- Conquer Passo della Cappelletta and Passo del Bocco, unbeaten climbs of the Apennines
- Sleep in an actual medieval castle and in carefully selected lodgings
- All meals and beverages to unveil the secrets of this foodie heaven
- Rolling hills, unbeaten mountains and a gran finale to the sea
- Private wine tasting in our favourite cellar
- Small Groups (private tours available)
- Official Tour Operator, registered and authorised in Italy
- Photographs and videos taken during the week (digital copies)
- 5 nights of accommodation at carefully selected hotels
- Daily meals as outlined in the itinerary
- Snacks and drinks for each day’s ride
- High end carbon frame road bike equipped with flat pack, lights and pedals
- Daily route support with cycling guides and support van
- Luggage transfers and transportation during your trip
- Entrance fees for all activities, private tours and events as outlined in the itinerary
- Airfare
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Single occupancy supplement (from €500)
- Any optional activity not outlined in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed in the “What’s included” section
Food & drink
The region is a gourmand paradise and the birthplace of world famed delights as Parmigiano cheese and Parma ham.
Going through 3 different regions (Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Liguria) you'll have the chance to taste a myriad of different local dishes paired with the best wines of the territory.