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7 Day Cycle Tour from Ravenna to Bologna (Level 2)
This tour allows you to explore the famous ceramics town of Faenza, medieval villages such as Brisighella and Dozza and the planned renaissance village of Terra del Sole, built by the Medici family to protect the northern flank of Tuscany in 1564. Start in Ravenna once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and cycle through Romagna region all the way to Bologna, the culinary capital of Italy. Easy, flat rides and more serious hill rides make for a cycling paradise through the heartland of homemade pasta, so don't wait until you arrive to Bologna to delight your culinary taste buds with freshly made "tagliatelle", "lasagna", "ravioli" and more, all paired down with local Sangiovese wine.
To hire a Hybrid bike (105 EUR) or an E-Bike (160 EUR) please contact [email protected] when booking.
Slow Tours offers a Cycling Tours in Italy
Arrive in Ravenna, Fit bicycles
Highlights: Byzantine mosaics, 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Arrive in Ravenna today, once the capital of the Western Roman Empire. Your centrally located hotel allows you to walk to Dante's Tomb and the UNESCO World Heritage mosaics of San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia this afternoon. Don't miss these early Byzantine churches with their colorful mosaics that draw travelers from around the world.
Bicycle to Faenza. Daily distance: 56 km (35 miles) Elevation gain: + 143 m (469 ft)
Highlights: Faenza International Ceramics Museum and Renaissance Town Square
Exiting Ravenna you have the choice to visit another very important Byzantine masterpiece: Sant'Apollinare in Classe. Cross the plains through fruit plantations and arrive to Faenza. Your hotel is a restored convent near the central square of this regional market center and famous ceramics town. Enjoy the bustle in the market square and the main "piazza" which is always full of bicycle riders of all ages. Faenza is world-renowned for its hand decorated ceramics. We recommend a visit to the International Ceramics Museum as well as several of the local artists' studios specialized in this colorful pottery.
Bicycle Faenza to Brisighella and on to Riolo Terme You have two options for your ride today:
Short option: 26 km (16 miles), with + 382 m (1253 ft) elevation gain. Long option: 61 km (38 miles), with + 996 m (3267 ft) elevation gain.
Highlights: Medieval Brisighella, Via degli Asini
Enjoy a quiet ride through vineyards and kiwi orchards on your way to the enchanting Medieval town of Brisighella. You should certainly plan to explore the historic town center and to see the unique Via degli Asini, one of the best preserved medieval artisan streets anywhere in Italy. The homemade pasta in Brisighella is worth a lunch stop (and the gelato is not bad, either)! Your ride continues on to your Agriturismo, a country house hotel with a working farm just outside Riolo Terme. Dinner is included at the Agriturismo tonight.
Riolo Terme day - loop rides, spa treatments, and more! Short option: 32 km (19 miles) with 346 m (1135 ft) elevation gain Long option: 61 km (38 miles) with 1136 m (3727 ft) elevation gain
Highlights: Riolo Terme and the Romagna countryside. Challenging ridge ride to the feet of the Apennines, or easier ride to Castel Bolognese
The Riolo Terme area offers options for the avid cyclist and for the more relaxed rider alike. The town itself is a lovely small spa center, so you can always enjoy a plethora of thermal water spa treatments, play a round of golf, get a massage, participate in a fun pasta making demonstration and class at the Agriturismo - or just take it easy. We'll recommend a long ride into the hills for those wanting to put some hill rides on their legs, or an easy ride to Castel Bolognese for those who want just a little exercise - both rides in a lovely setting of low hills, vineyards, farms and olive groves all around, with the Apennines in view. Dinner is included at the agriturismo tonight
Cycling Riolo Terme to Dozza Short option: 28 km (17 miles), with + 484 m (1587 ft) elevation gain. Long option: 41 km (25 miles), with + 669 m (2195 ft) elevation gain.
Highlights: Wine village of Dozza, beautiful views across the Po Valley, wall murals in Dozza
Your ride today takes you through more vineyards and rich orchards to the Medieval hill town of Dozza, famous for its wall murals. The castle in Dozza houses the Emilia-Romagna Regional Enoteca or wine museum. Regional specialties include the red Sangiovese (father grape of Chianti) which is gaining more and more worldwide recognition as an important wine in and of itself, the light and fizzy Lambrusco from the hills of Modena and Bologna (excellent accompaniment to the regional cold cuts like prosciutto and salame), or the sweet Albana di Romagna. Plan to arrive mid-afternoon so you can tour the castle and taste a little wine!
Bicycle from Dozza to Bologna Daily distance: 68 km (42 miles) Elevation gain: + 177 m (580 ft)
Highlights: Bologna - Italy's culinary capital
We'll leave the hills of Dozza to ride to Bologna today, Emilia Romagna's administrative capital, and, arguably, its culinary capital too. Home to the oldest continually operating university in the world, Bologna has a long tradition of studies, arts, and gastronomy. Speaking of gastronomy, Bologna gave birth to the mortadella, vulgarly distorted abroad as "bologna," although the fresh, artisanal mortadella has nothing to do with processed ham! Make sure you put this culinary delight on your 'must try' list!
Tour ends in Bologna
Highlights: Tour End
Your bicycle ride in Emilia Romagna ends this morning in Bologna. If you have the time you might consider an extra night or two in Bologna to enjoy the rich cultural history here . Alternatively, train connections are convenient to Rome, Venice or Milan. Thanks for joining us and buon viaggio!
PLEASE NOTE : The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
12
The entire trip was first class from the bikes and their fitting to the GPS and maps with explanations with things to do and see in the area. The route was gorgeous. Rode through orchards and vineyards on roads hardly used by cars....and if there was a vehicle we were given priority as they went far around us. There were some good hills which were rewarded with magnificent views and a hearty appetite. A highlight was the two nights spent at the agricultural farm stay. When riding into Bologna we were on bike paths through the busy areas. Never worried about traffic. - 2018