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Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Bicycle Romagna, Heartland of Italy's Homemade Pasta Tour Itinerary

The Facts | Full Itinerary | Interactive Map

  

Day 1: 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.
The center of Ravenna

Day 2: Bicycle to Faenza
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.
Daily mileage: 54 km (34 miles).
Main square in Faenza

Day 3: Loop ride to Castrocaro and Terra del Sole
Highlights: Sixteenth century planned Medici Fortress town of Terra del Sole; alternative bicycle ride over Monte Trebbio
You have two options today. Both include a ride to Terra del Sole, a border town built by the Medici family in 1564 to protect the northern frontier of Tuscany designed with the new Renaissance concept for the "Perfect City". On your way to Terra del Sole you'll pass by our headquarters so we'll plan to show you around, give you morning coffee and cake and send you on your way. Those who want an easy day will ride to Terra del Sole and back to Faenza at the base of the low foothills, giving you time to take it easy in any of the towns today. Those with more energy can climb one of the most famous mountain rides for cyclists in the area, Monte Trebbio.
Daily Mileage: 38 - 64 km (24 - 40 miles).

Day 4: Bicycle Faenza to Brisighella and on to Riolo Terme
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 Riolo Terme, a small spa town nestled in the Apennine foothills.
Daily Mileage: 30 km (19 miles) plus more for those who wish.
Via degli Asini in Brisighella is a unique Medieval urban feature (the via actually is above the shops, on the second storey).

Day 5: Riolo Terme loop ride
Highlights: Delightful hill and ridge rides through vineyards and orchards; alternative easy ride to Castel Bolognese
Today offers options for the avid cyclist and options for the more relaxed rider. Riolo Terme is a spa town so you can always elect to relax in town, enjoy a plethora of thermal water spa treatments, play a round of golf, get a massage, and just take it easy. We'll recommend a long ride into the hills for those wanting to put some hill rides on their legs and an easy ride to Castel Bolognese for those who want just a little exercise.
Daily Mileage: 24 - 74 km (15 - 46 miles).

Day 6: Bicycle from Riolo Terme to Dozza
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!
Daily Mileage: 40 km (25 miles).
Wall mural in Dozza

Day 7: Bicycle from Dozza to Bologna
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!.
Daily Mileage: 54 km (33 miles).
Bologna sky-line

Day 8: 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 (or anybody fancy a cooking demonstration?). Alternatively, train connections are convenient to Rome, Venice or Milan. Thanks for joining us and buon viaggio!