Bike Across Italy
Pedaling coast to coast through Italy’s cultural soul
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- A thorough daily itinerary
- Details for exact accommodations
- What to expect
- Travel planning tips
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This spectacular 11-day coast-to-coast bicycling tour across the fabled heartland of Italy winds through lush, sweeping countryside and charming medieval villages. Our route from Pesaro on Italy’s Adriatic eastern shores to the west coast Costa d’Argento passes through: Le Marche, Umbria, and Tuscany. Three regions celebrated for their rich history, distinctive local cuisines and stunning panoramas. We’ll explore the awe-inspiring Grotte di Frasassi, Italy’s largest cave system, and ancient underground Etruscan settlements. Walking tours with top local guides at Urbino and other sites give you an insider experience, while our deluxe hotels ensure each day of your coast-to-coast Italian journey ends in pampered comfort. A “must do” on the bucket list.
Tour Essence
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Experience the excitement of a grand journey coast to coast
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Cycle through beautiful hilltowns of central Italy
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Wander through medieval hill towns, castles, and ancient abbeys
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Learn about the Etruscan and Roman civilizations
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Discover Urbino, a UNESCO World Heritage city of the Renaissance
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Learn to go uphill and downhill on the spectacular roads of the Apennines
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Visit Italy’s largest cave, the Grotte di Frasassi
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Explore the medieval center of Gubbio, the city of stone
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Taste distinctive wines and cuisine from three regions
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Immerse yourself in the spirituality of Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis and St. Claire
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Enjoy the art of Giotto, Piero della Francesca, and Luca Signorelli
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Explore the fascinating underground of Orvieto
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Ride through the southern part of Tuscany known as Maremma
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End the journey on the cliffs of Talamone, protected by its fortress
- Browse the Top Photos from our Bike Across Italy tour!
Exclusive for May Departure:
- Experience the Festa dei Ceri (Race of the Candles), considered one of the most unique events in Italy! See Detailed Itinerary for this Special Departure!
What to Expect
Terrain
Rolling to hillyStart Location
PesaroEnd Location
TalamoneMileage
Average Daily: 34 / 41 miles Total: 340 / 412 milesElevation
Average Daily: 2,760 / 3,650 ft Total: 27,600 / 36,500 ftOnce you have a trip confirmed, we will feed you a steady diet of additional pre-departure information that includes: How to train, prepare, pack and all the wonderful, inspirational and practical things you want and need to know before you go! Our Travel Advisors will be available to help plan your pre- and post-tour travel.
- Van support
- Expert, bilingual guides
- 1 wine tasting
- Guided walking tours of Assisi, Urbino and visit to a private underground cave in Orvieto
- Cooking demonstration
- Visit to the Frasassi grottoes and paper maker in Bevagna
- One group shuttle to the train station on the last day of the tour
What’s Included
- Use of our exclusive carbon road bike, La Classica Ribelle (or Equivalent Carbon Road Bike)
- Garmin Edge Explore GPS loaded with the GPX tracks of your rides
- Two water bottles
- Saddle bag with repair kit
- Optional: Map holder on handlebar
Pedal Options
- Flat pedals
- Half-toe pedals (without straps)
What’s Not Included
- Helmet
- Optional: clipless/SPD pedals with shoes
- Optional: your own saddle
- All accommodations
- All breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 8 dinners
One of our most popular bike tours in Italy, this coast-to-coast cycling adventure showcases some of the country’s most important monuments. We’ll have a challenging climb to see the Monastery of Fonte Avellana, discover the medieval town of Gubbio with its outstanding amphitheater, and explore Assisi and Spello, home to the famed Roman Gates, the Temple of Minerva and the Basilica of St. Francis. Along the way, we’ll have a wine tasting at a family winery, observe the medieval art of paper-making, and learn the culinary secrets behind the incredible regional cooking you’ll enjoy throughout the trip. Each day highlights Italy’s best and most scenic bicycling routes, from the incredible ascent to Orvieto to the grand finale of the Tombolo di Feniglia.
2025
Start Location
PesaroFly Into
RomeEnd Location
TalamoneFly Out Of
Rome, Pisa, FlorencePesaro
Meals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
10 / 20 milesElevation Gain
800 / 1,600 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling hillsMeals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
Hotel Excelsior & Spa
The Hotel Excelsior is a luxurious 5-star boutique hotel situated on the seafront in the heart of Pesaro, offering stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and a private beach. Guests can unwind in the heated indoor pool, complete with hydromassage waterfalls, a sauna, and Turkish baths for ultimate relaxation. Surrounding the pool are comfortable deck chairs and a relaxation lounge with a selection of herbal teas and drinks.
Urbino
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
30 / 38 milesElevation Gain
3,000 / 4,000 ftRiding Terrain
Flat leaving Pesaro, followed by challenging, short and steep climbs to Colbordolo; rolling ridge ride to UrbinoMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Albergo San Domenico
Albergo San Domenico is a charming 4-star hotel located in the heart of Urbino, directly across from the Ducal Palace. Housed within a former Renaissance convent, the hotel beautifully combines historical charm with modern comforts, making it a unique and immersive experience. Guests can relax in the serene monumental courtyard, adorned with sculptures by renowned contemporary artists.
Genga
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
46 / 51 milesElevation Gain
2,700 / 3,500 ftRiding Terrain
Flat and rolling with two main climbsMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Le Grotte Hotel & Spa
Le Grotte Hotel & Spa is a 4-star establishment located in Genga, within the Parco Naturale Regionale della Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi. The hotel offers 24 spacious and elegantly furnished rooms. The hotel’s wellness center, Ile Spa, features amenities like a Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, emotional showers, Kneipp path, and a relaxation area. The hotel has been recognized for its environmental policies and has received awards for its commitment to sustainability.
Gubbio
Meals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
32 / 40 milesElevation Gain
4,600 / 5,500 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling hillsMeals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
Park Hotel ai Cappuccini
Our accommodation for the night is the prestigious 4-star Park Hotel ai Cappuccini housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century convent. It offers elegant rooms and suites, an on-site restaurant featuring regional cuisine, and a comprehensive wellness center with a spa, indoor pool, and fitness area. Situated close to Gubbio’s historic center, the hotel provides easy access to the town’s medieval architecture and scenic Umbrian landscapes.
Assisi
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
33 / 41 milesElevation Gain
2,900 / 4,600 ftRiding Terrain
HillyMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Nun Assisi Relais
Located in the highest part of Assisi’s old city, Relais Nun offers spectacular views and blends modern design with history. This 5-star resort is a restored 1275 Benedictine monastery built over a 1st-century Roman bathhouse. Its award-winning spa lets guests bathe among ancient Roman pillars, creating a unique journey through time.
Assisi Rest Day
Meals Provided
BreakfastAverage Mileage
16 milesElevation Gain
1,300 ftRiding Terrain
Gentle rolling with gradual elevation gain back to AssisiMeals Provided
BreakfastAccommodations
Nun Assisi Relais
Located in the highest part of Assisi’s old city, Relais Nun offers spectacular views and blends modern design with history. This 5-star resort is a restored 1275 Benedictine monastery built over a 1st-century Roman bathhouse. Its award-winning spa lets guests bathe among ancient Roman pillars, creating a unique journey through time.
Todi
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
50 / 57 milesElevation Gain
2,800 / 3,500 ftRiding Terrain
Three great climbs: Montefalco, after Bastardo and the final ascent to TodiMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Hotel Bramante
The 4-star Hotel Bramante is a beautifully restored stone villa just outside town. Guests enjoy elegantly furnished rooms, some with private terraces and valley views, and a restaurant offering Umbrian cuisine with panoramic views. The hotel boasts a pool, tennis courts, and stunning open views.
Orvieto
Meals Provided
BreakfastAverage Mileage
29 / 42 milesElevation Gain
3,000 / 4,500 ftRiding Terrain
HillyMeals Provided
BreakfastAccommodations
Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini
The Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini is a beautiful 4-star palace originally created for the pontifical family in the late 16th century, built atop medieval foundations. Recent restorations have revitalized its historic splendor, from the refined facade on Piazza Ranieri to the striking underground rooms carved into the tufa rock, making it a magnificent sight to behold.
Sovana
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
42 / 50 milesElevation Gain
3,500 / 4,000 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling with several climbsMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Sovana Resort
Our accommodation for the night is the elegant and intimate Sovana Resort, a 4-star hotel. Recently renovated, the rooms blend simple furnishings with antique pieces. Guests can enjoy views of the splendid ruins of Sovana while having breakfast in the dining room or the spacious outdoor garden. The hotel also features a Renaissance-style swimming pool set against the open Tuscan countryside.
Talamone
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
52 / 57 milesElevation Gain
3,000 / 4,000 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling hills with several climbsMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Hotel Capo D’uomo
Capo D’Uomo is a cliffside hotel in the charming village of Talamone, known for its yachters and fishermen. Nestled in the rock with terraced gardens leading to Cala Regina, the round building offers rooms with stunning sea views. Step onto your balcony, savor a drink and let the sea breeze and Mediterranean views captivate you.