Our original tour in Italy. We arrive in Lenola, 120k from Rome, where we unpack just the once, take our bikes and daytrip around the local environs of this small unsophisticated and un-touristed town. We ride in the morning and relax in the afternoon. You will get to meet and know all the local personalities in our travels as we visit markets, farmyards, olive groves, vineyards, bars, churches, piazzas and restaurants. On June 24 the town celebrates St Giovanni, with more than half the town joining in the procession. Unhurried, you'll enjoy many picnics be it with fantastic views or just relaxing under the cool shade of a chestnut forest. Experience expansive meals in restaurants accompanied by the singing that flows from the kitchen. You will enjoy an un-forgettable Italian experience with our generous, typically Italian, family hosts. Experience the Italy that few tourists get to see.

The Tour, in detail:
Our trip for 2007 runs June 22-July 2, and the following excursions can happen on any day:

Arrive at Leonardo da Vinci airport (Rome), meet David at the ‘Information Centre’ (Centro Informazioni) on the arrival level, near the arrival gate, look for the large Australian flag. Transfer by car to Hotel Pozzi’s in Lenola. Lunch & orientation of our new surroundings will follow and assembling of bikes etc. Dinner in house, perhaps a passegiata in the evening.

First Day: After breakfast, climb up part of Chiavino (local mountain), through Lenola, visit the local shops, orientate ourselves with local terrain & landmarks. Return for lunch at Pozzi’s, afternoon siesta. Dinner at a local restaurant. (10k) Med.

Morning ride to Campodimele, continue on to Civita for more coffee & views, lunch at Pozzi’s, siesta, dinner ‘Il Tappo’ sulle colle, evening passegiata. (37k) Med-H

Ride to Vallecorsa for breakfast, explore this typical hilltop village, enjoy the coffee & views, return for lunch at Pozzi’s, siesta, dinner this evening at Sperlonga, including an exploratory walk around this clifftop town. (32k) Easy

After breakfast we jump in the car & drive over to Alatri (50k) for a personal guided tour of this town with it’s ‘Cyclopic Rocks’ wall and fascinating history, maybe lunch in a restaurant carved out of the rock at Fumone, or a picnic in the sanctuary of a local Monastery. Return for dinner in house. (This tour available on weekends only).

Breakfast, a big ride today, down one of the hill stages used in the ‘giro d’italia’ through Itri (maybe stop for a coffee), down to Gaeta, where due to the location of a U.S.Naval base we can buy a newspaper in english & catch up on what’s happening in the world. Lunch in Gaeta, before we return up the ‘Giro hillstage’ to home. Afternoon siesta, relaxing dinner at home & a passegiata if anyone has the legs to walk up the hill. (72k med-H)

Sleep in , breakfast, ride to Madonna dell Auricola, via Vallecorsa & Amaseno, picnic lunch, return for siesta, dinner at Belvedere, passegiata, then home. (42k) Easy

Ride over to Pastena for breakfast, explore this not quite hilltop town, continue onto visit the Grotte di Pastena, underground caves. Picnic lunch in the grounds. Return home for a siesta, dinner in house, passegiata sulle colle, gelati & maybe a beer at Gaetano’s pub. (48k) Med

Breakfast, stroll up to the market (Tuesday only), take a coffee, buy enough food for lunch, then off to Civita for a picnic on fresh market produce with magnificent views, maybe a little siesta before returning home, dinner in house tonight. (18k) Medium

Drive over to Cassino to visit the Cheesemaker for breakfast and a tour of his small factory, return via Montecassino, a famous Abbey that was the site of a pivotal battle during WW2, picnic lunch while sightseeing & return home, not much chance for a siesta today. Dinner in house, passegiata for those with the legs for it.

After breakfast today we drive to Terracina then hop on the ferry to Isola d’Ponza, lots of walking around the isle, over to the beach with it’s interesting cave walk access & cliffs, lunch in one of the many harbourside restaurants, lots of swimming & sunbaking, return boat to Terracina, drive home.

Last Day: After breakfast we climb up to the top of the Chiavino to look over all the places we’ve been, and make sure we haven’t missed any, lunch in house, visit any last places of interest, farewell our friends & have a last passegiata, gelati & night at the pub. (10k) Med

Prices:
Price includes half pension (bed, breakfast and one major meal), unlimited coffee, bottled water, table wine, all transport of bike & bags, experienced and enthusiastic guide/s, maps, course information, translations and a guarantee that you will be looked after.
$3,490.00 per person, twin share, land content only. Good quality hire bikes are available for $550.00 for the tour.

This itinerary is subject to change due to many things, be it a market we stumble across, shops, or some other occurrence that has come about due to weather, parties, festivals or group suggestions. One of our golden rules of travel is never refuse an invitation, so we accept these whenever they arrive.

There will be a back up vehicle on all rides (when practical) which can be used at any time you wish to take a break and enjoy some air-conditioned comfort.