This 6 night/ 7 day trip commences in the culturally rich South Tyrol and finishes in the beautiful Roman city of Verona. Along the way we will discover classic Alpine towns and villages, iconic passes, World Heritage listed landscapes, wonderful gastronomic traditions, and the best of the Giro d’Italia.

The Rides
The trip will provide daily guided rides capturing the best of riding in Italy. As with the tradition of the Giro participants will get the opportunity to experience the diversity of terrain and environment that so much defines Italy, as well as making it such a desirable destination to ride.

Importantly we use 3 experienced guides with a maximum of 20 trip participants, thus riders are well supported and flexibility given to those participants that want to ride a little more or a little less.

Accommodation
We stay in small family owned and operated hotels of 3-4 star quality. All are in great locations for rides and live viewing of the Giro, as well for experiencing the best of Italian life-style. For our stay all breakfasts and dinners are provided with emphasis on typical and traditional gastronomy.

Itinerary
Day 1: Monday 24^th May 2010 - Castelrotto, Dolomites
Arrive at our accommodation in South Tyrol, our base for the next 3 nights. We stay in a traditional hotel accommodation (4 star rating) whose origins date back to 1393. Situated in a market square at the foot of Dolomites it is the perfect place to experience the best of the area’s cycling and cultural traditions.
Each evening of our stay the hotel will prepare and serve us traditional meals of the regions with local wines.
Ride Information:Emphasis today will be on fitting and servicing of bikes in readiness for tomorrows classic Dolomite ride. A short ‘warm-up’ ride will be on offer once all bikes have been attended to by mechanic.
Meals: D

Day 2: Tuesday 25^th May 2010 - Sella Loop Ride
Today we ride the most famous circuit of the Dolomites, crossing 4 major passes: Passo Sella; Passo Gardena; Passo Campolongo; Passo Pordoi. These 4 passes are regular highlights of the Giro d’Italia, in particular for their spectacular mountain scenery – arguably Italy’s finest. Three of the passes rise to above 2100m, with Passo Pordoi the highest at 2239m, reached via 33 numbered switchbacks.

In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to find a local bar and watch the highly anticipated Stage 16 Individual Time Trial up the super-steep, part gravel road from San Vigilio di Marebbe to Plan de Corones. 
Ride Distance: Sella Loop 65km or from hotel return 110km
Meals: B; D

Day 3: Wednesday 26^th May 2010 - Giro LIVE Race Viewing: Stage 17 Brunico to Peio Terme
The race today takes us into the mountains south of Bolzano. Surrounded by striking pine forest we are privileged to breathtaking views of eastern Dolomites as well as peaks of Brenta, Ortles, and Passirie Alps to the west.
We ride to the summit of Passo delle Palade 1523m, from where we view the race pass on the day’s most difficult climb. Other highlights on route to live Giro action include the delightful wine village of Kaltern and spectacular climb of Passo Mendola 1363m. 
Ride Distance: Option 100km or 50km
Meals: B; D

Day 4: Thursday 27^th May 2010 - Bormio, Parco Nationale dello Stelvio
Following breakfast we depart for accommodation in Bormio, our base for the next 3 nights. A popular winter and summer resort it is somewhat of a gateway to Italy’s most iconic cycling passes – Stelvio, Gavia, and Mortirolo. The later 2 will feature in Fridays and Saturday’s gruelling Giro Mountain stages.

Today’s ride is along the scenic Val Venosta bike path from Merano to Prato allo Stelvio. From here participants will have the option of either riding or being bus transferred over the highest pass in Italy, Passo dello Stelvio 2757m, considered by many to be the most spectacular of all Alpine passes. From Prato to its summit it is 24.3km, with 48 dramatic switchbacks, and average climbing gradient of 7.4%. 
Ride Distance: Option 100km or 50km
Meals: B; D

Day 5: Friday 28^th May 2010 - Giro LIVE race viewing: Stage 19 Brescia to Aprica
Two classic mountain stages lead into the final day individual time trial in Verona. Today’s route features the brutal Passo del Mortirolo. It is widely considered to be the toughest climb in Italy, with many professionals considering it the most difficult climb on any of the grand tours. Indeed Lance Armstrong referred to it as the hardest climb he has ever ridden. It is sure to provide plenty of high drama.

Our ride today takes us from Bormio 1182m to Mazzo di Valtellina 537m. Staying ahead of the race participants will have the opportunity of riding to summit of Passo del Mortirolo 1854m, or relax in town of Massa di Valtellina where the Giro passes through prior to Mortirolo climb. 
Ride Distance: Option 85 or 60km
Meals: B; D

Day 6: Saturday 29^th May 2010 - Giro LIVE race viewing: Stage 20 Bormio to Passo del Tonale
Today Bormio plays host to the ‘Queen Stage’, saved for the second last day. The route is certain to provide plenty of suspense, with climbs over 5 major passes, including the iconic Passo di Gavia. At 2618m it is the 2010 Cima Coppi, the highest peak in the race, and carries the prize for the first rider to cross its summit.

For our final ride of the trip we will join the many hundreds of other cyclist’s on route to the summit of Gavia 2618m. From Bormio it is 25.6km to its summit, from where riders will have the opportunity of staying to catch the professional’s make this important climb. 
Ride Distance: 50km
Meals: B; D

Day 7: Sunday 30^th May 2010 - Departure to Verona: Giro LIVE race viewing: Stage 21 Time Trial
Following breakfast we depart for Verona. As with the exciting finale to the 2009 Giro d’Italia, the race finishes with a time trial around a roman city. Known as piccolo Roma (little Rome), the romantic riverside Verona is one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.

The TT route is a picturesque 15km circuit that captures much of the cities ancient historic centre. In particular the Roman amphitheatre, built in 1^st century AD and now Verona’s opera house.
Meals: B

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