Easy or Hard - Take Your Pick Of Cycling Holidays In Italy

Heading off on cycling holidays in Italy? Distance cyclists, mountain bikers or easy riders will all find something well suited to their style.

With its mild climate, amazingly diverse terrain and the warm, welcoming people, there’s one country that’s perfectly created for cycling holidays! In Italy, bicycles are said to be almost as ubiquitous as pasta – and it’s not surprising! Almost everything is better seen and experienced on foot or on two wheels.

Choose Your Ride

If you want leisurely rides on flatlands, you can take cycling holidays in Italy around the coastline, through vineyards, or through the rural countryside, admiring the view and stopping once in a while for a bite to eat.

For those with the stamina for harder mountain climbs, there is a wealth of choices for this kind of adventure. In the northeast, you have the spectacular Dolomites, while in the northwest lie the Alps. In the middle, the Apennine Mountains cut right through the country’s centre and with all those mountains there is plenty of trail riding to be had.

For bike enthusiasts of whatever persuasion – distance cyclist, mountain biker or easy rider – you’ll find something well-suited to your type of biking on cycling holidays in Italy.

Easy Riding Puglia

Located at the very heart of the Mediterranean, this region boasts a unique landscape sandwiched between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Its Mediterranean climate, and mainly flat landscape with some hilly portions, plus two towns that are UNESCO World Heritage sites, lends itself perfectly to cycling. You can expect magnificent views, a welcoming coastline and great cuisine.

The Magic Hills of Tuscany

There’s something quite magical about cycling holidays in Italy’s Tuscan region. The characteristic golden sunlight of Tuscany casts a dreamy glow over its hilly landscape, punctuated once in a while by a magnificent villa or surprising castle. As you cycle your way through the vineyards and olive groves down side paths and country lanes, you can stop to enjoy a plate of pasta and a glass of the area’s famous Chianti wine. It's a wonderful way to end a day and get ready for the next leg.

Stunning Sardinia

With its archaeological sites, abandoned mines, ancient ruins and stunning beaches, riding a bike around the Sardinian coast can be a truly uplifting experience. Considered an area of outstanding beauty, it offers a very different kind of view from those of Tuscany or Lombardy, with its crystal seas and amazing wetlands. You can cycle the many routes, stopping at picturesque fishing villages to enjoy fresh seafood and spectacular ocean views.

The Dramatic Dolomites

The Italians are convinced that the Dolomites are the most beautiful mountains in the world. There are not many who could argue against that. If this breathtaking region is all you see on your cycling holidays in Italy, it’s still well worth the trip!

Coast To Coast

For hardcore, high-stamina sportspeople, biking from one end of the country to the other make for the ultimate cycling holidays in Italy. Tours vary from moderate to hard, and take anywhere from 10-14 days. A popular itinerary takes cyclists from the coastline of the Adriatic, through interior flatlands, art cities and Renaissance villages, over the softly rolling hills of La Bella Toscana and to the Tyrrenian Sea.

Article Tags: Cycling Holidays