Program for Milano - Rome, week 26, 2012: All roads lead to Rome!? Now we will see, if it is true!

This itinerary is packed with the best nature and the best attractions that Italy can offer! And the variety is striking! From the round, soft Apennines to the sharp and rocky Apuane Alps and the two volcanoes: Monte Amiata and Lago di Vico. Not to mention the rocky coast of Liguria which is one of a kind! We will climb high and steep mountain passes in the north, pass through the hilly Tuscany in the center and coast, high speed across the flat Lazio in the south. We'll se medieval castles and fortified cities, culturally rich, ancient towns and desperately poor, romantic villages; magnificent architecture and the quarries of Carrara!

All together we'll do 887 km (126 km in average a day) during seven days. Approximately 13.000 height-meters.

Optional: Day 3: We will arrange a short bonus trip in Carrara to see the marble quarries, which are truly amazing. Day: 5: Those who want more climbing, will take a longer and higher way over Monte Amiata.

Program:
1. ride: Milano (Piacenza) – Castell’Arquato – Bocchetta Sette Sorelle (821 m) - Bardi - Passo delle Centro Croci (1.055 m) - Varese Ligure. 129 km (Three Ascents: 800 hm, 300 hm, 550 hm).

Description: After some flat warm-up kilometers we will arrive at the impressive medieval city walls and towers of Castell’Arquato which will set the tone for this "ride in time," we have just initiated. Slowly we follow a mountain ridge towards Passo Bocchette Sette Sorelle (the seven sisters) (900 m), the first of three ascents in the Apennine Range. After a quick descent we'll reach Bardi with its medieval castle, Castello di Landi, where Hannibal's last elephant should have died according to the legend. The third ascent of the day brings us to Passo delle Cento Croci ("pass of the hundred crosses"), from where we can enjoy the view to the Mediterranean Ocean while we count to a hundred (crosses) placed on the various hill tops in our surroundings. We are now arrived in Liguria, the famous former pirate territory (now conquered by tourists). On the way to our hotel we will pass the beautiful little circular medieval town Varese Ligure.

Ride 2: Varese Ligure – Levanto – Cinque Terre – Portovenere – La Spezia – Massa di Carrara/Carrara. Bonus trip to marble quarries. 134 km. (Four ascents: 300 hm, 600 hm, 500 hm, 500 hm).

Description: From Varese Ligure we'll continue the descent to Levanto, one of these super romantic villages that Liguria is known for. This is where the legendary Cinque Terre (the five areas/villages) is beginning, which belong to the most loved Italian tourist destinations! Romance in its purest form! The small villages are built on the sides of narrow crevices in the raw and inaccessible rocky coast line. The road along the coast is every car-tourist nightmare! A narrow mountainous road with many vertical drops to the see. Numerous turns with no visibility. Numerous climbs and descents, one after another. Constant view over the ocean. For bikers... it's Paradise! On our way, we will visit two of the small towns to get the romantic juices flowing (again): Riomaggiore and Portovenere. The later was used to make the film: The Count of Monte Cristo. We'll continue towards Carrara, the town of marble, passing through the large sea port, La Specia. Maybe there will be time for a quick swim in the ocean or a closer look at the impressive marble quarries.

Ride 3: Massa di Carrara/Carrara – Apuane Alps – Passo Vestito (1.030 m) – Gallicano – Borgo a Mozzano – Il Ponte del Diavolo – Lucca. 92 km. (Two ascents: 1000 hm, 200 hm).

Description: On the third day we'll take on the Apuane Alps, a group of high mountains which resembles the real Alps. The road has many turns and some steep passages and will take us to Passo Vestito (1.050 m) which doesn't sound much but when you start from the sea, the elevation will be felt, for sure! On the other side we'll stop at a remarkable piece of ancient engineering: Ponte del Diavolo (the Devils bridge) from the 14. century! We will stay in one of the most characteristic Tuscanian towns, Lucca, with its narrow, curving streets, oval square and impressive fortified walls.

Ride 4: Lucca – Calci – Monte Serra (956 m) – Buti – San Gimignano – Colle di Val d’Elsa – Monteriggioni - Siena. 143 km. (Five ascents: 200 hm, 650 hm, 200 hm, 500 hm, 300 hm)

Description: From Lucca we'll go straight to Monte Serra (956 m)a legendary bikers hill. From the top, we will have the entire Tuscany lying under us. Medieval towns, one after another, undulating hills with the colors of wine-fields, grain and sunflower. Our first stop will be San Gimignano, with its characteristic high towers that makes it very unique. Continuing through this fairy tail country we'll pass Colle di Val d’Elsa and Monteriggioni surrounded by medieval walls. Our destination is Siena, famous for its central square designed like a giant clam shell where locals celebrate Il Palio twice a year - a crazy horse race where every part of the city is represented with one horse.

Ride 5: Siena – Montalcino – Abbazia di Sant Antimo – Monte Amiata (partly optional) – Terme di Saturnia. 120 km. (Two ascents: 200 hm, 700 hm).

Description: From Siena we will be heading south for Montalcino, famous for its Brunello wine. Hopefully in sober condition, we'll go for the old volcano, Monte Amiata (1.738 m) divided in two groups. One will go for the very top in 1.400 meters height starting from Abbedia San Salvatore. The rest will cross the mountain side in about 800 meters height. The two groups will meet again in Terme di Saturnia, which belongs to Italy's very special places. An entire waterfall with hot thermal water is coming right out of the rock and has created a series of terraces - a unique natural zone for relaxing - where we will be washing off the dust from the day's ride. Maybe there will be time for visiting, Pitigliano (also called "Little Jerusalem of Italy") which is one these small, truly amazing towns that you will find only in Italy.

Ride 6: Terme di Saturnia – Monte Argentario  - Porto San Stefano – Ercole - Orbetello – Tuscania. 143 km (No ascents).

Description: On the six day, we will have a more relaxing day with no real ascents. From Saturnia Terme we will be heading west for the ocean again. From the coast we will ride on an isthmus to Monte Argentario, a small (former) island - now connected to the mainland with three artificial isthmuses. First we will visit Porto San Steffano and Porto Ercole, two destinations for affluent boat owners (among others), before we'll return to the mainland passing through Orbetello in the middle of the lagoon. We are now in Etruscan territory and had we been normal tourists, we could have visited a number of Etruscan villages and burial places. Our final destination will be Tuscania.

Ride 7: Tuscania – Viterbo – Passo Cimini (850 m) - Lago di Vico - Monti Sabatini - Bracciano – Rom. 126 km (one ascent: 700 hm).

Description: From Tuscania we'll pass the outskirts of Viterbo and from there we'll continue for Passo Cimini which is on the border itself of a slumbering volcano, Lago di Vico. Awesome landscape and a bit dramatic, I'd say! A bit further down, we'll pass through the Monte Sabatini range before reaching another volcano lake, Lago di Bracciano. From Bracciano, finally, all roads lead to Rome where we have time in the evening and the next morning to see some of the main attractions.

Travel plans: Arrival i Milano, Italy: Friday 22nd of June. Going home: Saturday the 30th of June from Rome. If you would like to prolong your stay in Rome, it can be arranged.

Prices:

Single room: Surcharge pr. night: 25 Euros.

*We cannot guarantee availability of single-rooms in all hotels.

Included in the price: Airport pick-up, eight nights in hotel (double rooms) with half board (excl. drinks), luggage transportation, follow car/minibus and guide.

Not included in the price: Lunch, drinks, activities, insurance, spare parts and reparations.

Guests from America are kindly asked to fly in to Milano, Friday the 22nd of June. Return trip will be Saturday the 30th of June (unless other itinerary has been decided). Your bike should be in a bike suitcase. You will be picked up in the airport and brought to the first hotel.

Remember to include your full name in the payment details!

Last day: Last day for signing up (and paying deposit) is the 15th of May, 2012.

Balance: Once we have received your booking form (mail) and deposit, we will confirm your booking via e-mail and inform you about your remaining balance. The remaining balance is due a month before departure and should be wired to the same bank account. Note: Your bank may charge a fee for a wire transfer. Please ensure Bike Italien receives full payment!

Cancelation policy: In case of cancelation, Bike Italien will charge a fee of 40 Euros. In case of cancelation later than one month before departure, the deposit will not be returned. In case of cancelation less that two weeks before departure, payment will not be returned. Make sure that you have a travel insurance that covers your payment in case of sickness a.o. immediately prior to departure.

Signing up: Send a mail to Joachim Jerichow (joachim.jerichow@bikeitalien.com) with the following information:

Name, address, home phone, mobile phone, email-address, single room/double room? special diet?

Then send a deposit of 300 Euros to:

IWBank:

Johan Joachim Jerichow

IBAN: IT48B0316501600000110477820

SWIFT: IWBKITMM

If you have questions, you are welcome to contact us:

Contact Bike Italien: joachim.jerichow@bikeitalien.com Telephone: 0039-0457580515 or mobile: 0039-3496576683