Guest Stories: Diane & Don Guido

Tracing Our Roots, One Memory at a Time

With our three children grown, we were looking for an activity we could pursue together. Diane is a university administrator with experience in sprint triathlons, and I (Don) am a retired optometrist who favored mountain biking. With family roots in Calabria and a liking for off-the-beaten-path experiences, a bike trip in Italy seemed like just the right mix of adventure. We tried a tour and were immediately hooked. We love combining active vacations with visits to family and friends. We’ve now been on four Ciclismo Classico tours and can’t wait for the next!

One of our favorite memories is the Via Francigena route. Not only were we immersed in the history and experiences of pilgrims before us, but we also cherished the grand finish in Rome on the eve of Easter. A quick flight to LaMezia the next morning brought us to a special family Easter Sunday meal in Amantea. The Bike Across Southern Italy trip was especially meaningful—many of the regional dishes and traditions reminded Don of his upbringing. It also gave us the chance to spend another week in Calabria visiting family and friends.

When we did the Bike Across Italy tour, we explored a new part of Italy by spending a week in the Marche region before the official Day 1 in Pesaro. We got to immerse ourselves in the culture, including taking part in the Infiorata celebration in Servigliano. That tour confirmed for us that each region of Italy has its own charm and appeal—there’s always a reason to return!

We love active vacations, and the intermediate-level Ciclismo Classico tours really challenge us to keep up our fitness. It’s a thrill to spin through remote countryside that we would never have seen otherwise. A highpoint is always the amazing food—often from small, family-run restaurants where the guides know the owners, and we know we’re tasting the best of the region. We’ve loved every single guide and feel lucky to get to know them and learn from them along the way. They go above and beyond every day to make our experience even better.

One of our favorite memories happened during the Mediterranean Island Hopping tour. We were climbing a hill to reach our hotel near Oliena, Sardinia, when we passed five young boys at the end of a driveway. These ragazzi cheered us on as we pedaled uphill—one had a guitar, another an accordion. Their animated support gave us a real boost and was captured on video by our trusted Ciclismo guide.

We have so many Ciclismo Classico stories to tell and would love to connect with future fellow travelers who have questions or are curious about this amazing and life-changing way to travel.