Sardinia itself is very unspoilt and the people could not have been more friendly or accommodating. Our guide and support were enthusiastic, attentive and made sure that everyone had a great time.
Amalfi coast is one of the most dramatic coastline in the world and this well organised Exodus Trip will guide you on bike along the coastal road all the way to the end (Termini). There are great do-able climbs, long descents, fantastic scenery, great food, great temples and most beautiful gardens - i.e. just about perfect!
The barge and crew were magnificent. Warm. Welcoming. Shining clean and food exceptional. Guide, Tammy, made time for all while keeping things moving. Herding cats is difficult! But she did this with grace and courtesy. Biking was easy. This was our first guided tour and surprised at all the knowledge Tammy shared plus all the interesting side visits we went on. Loved the cheese and Grappa tasting!!
This was the first time that this trip had been run using E-bikes, so everyone was keen to see how the trip would unfold. We were introduced to our bikes on the first evening, and because of a change of hotel we had the opportunity to cycle into Monopoli, and return in the dark after an amazing first meal. When I checked the itinerary I could see that the first two rides were going to be the most challenging in terms of ascent and distance, but I quickly realised that E-bikes are a great leveller. There are four levels of assistance, with turbo being the most powerful. The motor rewards effort, the faster you peddle, the more assistance it gives you, up to its maximum speed - these bikes are not chipped like the delivery cycles that whizz around around our streets bringing takeaways to the masses. Each person in the group decided how much effort to put in, getting up the many hills, but hats off to the one person in the group who rode the whole way on an ordinary bike . . . . and he was not at the back. Respect!! With uphills come downhills, and there were plenty of those. Long sweeping downhills that went on and on. Great fun. We were well fed and watered on this trip, both at lunchtime and in the evenings, and for the most part the weather behaved itself.
The cycle paths from the Dolomites to Lake Garda and on to Verona were amazing. The leader (Fabio) was fantastic; he was friendly, efficient, knowledgeable and above all patient. He took us to, or recommended, excellent places for lunch and supper each day. The extras in addition to the cycling were great fun, e.g. the cable car ride in Bolzano and the wine tasting in Soave.
The bikes were sturdy and well maintained. There were only two up-hills of note during the trip. If you are reasonably fit you will get up them easily, otherwise be prepared to get off and push for a short distance.
The accommodation was very good with en-suite rooms in all hotels and great breakfasts, including lots of healthy options. On the last night we stayed at a place outside of Venice but very close to the Mestre train station (it took 15 minutes to reach the Grand Canal). We were able to go back to Venice on the Sunday morning, after the organised holiday finished, but before our flight.
We had an excellent holiday, enjoyed with like-minded people who were good fun to be with. Well done to Explore for offering and organising such an interesting and action-filled week.
This was my fifth Explore holiday - the fourth cycling tour I’ve done - and they’ve all been so good I’ve had no hesitation in booking with you again. I think the stand-out feature of each tour has been the guides we’ve had on each trip - they’ve all been excellent without exception and have dedicated every waking moment of each tour to making sure each has run perfectly and participants are happy. Our guide in Puglia - Massimo - was great. He was always cheerful, encouraging, kept us well informed of plans and was very knowledgeable about the region. He also took excellent photos and videos of our trip which he was happy to share. Great memories of an excellent holiday!
Gravel riding paired with local experiences and fresh cuisine paired with local wines – that’s what this tour is all about! From the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Coast, we cycle on 'strade bianche'' – chalk white gravel roads – through the lesser-known corners of the Marche region in Central Italy. Our days are filled with scenic rides, experiential excursions and gastronomic delights, and we unwind each night in cozy hotels and charming agriturismi (farm stays).
Meeting in Fabriano, we begin with a paper-making workshop to discover why this town is known as Italy’s “City of Paper.” Crossing the rugged Apennines, we head towards Montecarotto, where we swap our cycling gear for an apiary outfit to become beekeepers for an afternoon. We then ride through an endless sea of vineyards and olive groves, meeting passionate locals and learning about the production of olive oil and natural wines from seed to shelf. The final chapter takes us through Marche’s ‘Land of Castles', where fortified medieval villages crown the hilltops, before arriving at the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea. The tour ends in the historic coastal town of Sirolo
Join us and discover Central Italy more authentically by bike!
From the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian Sea, this 9-day traverse across Central Italy offers a challenging yet dreamy gravel bike ride. Experience the undiscovered trails of Marche and Umbria and feel the crunch beneath your wheels on Tuscany's unmissable chalk white country roads, the 'strade bianche'. We discover medieval towns, savor local cuisine paired with world-famous wines, and spend our nights in cozy hotels, agriturismi (farm stays), and a nature lodge.
The journey begins in Marche, where we cycle from the coastal town of Sirolo to the ‘City of Paper', Fabriano, in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains. We ride through historic hinterlands, overnight at a wine estate, and climb to the canyon of Gola di Frasassi. Then we transition into Italy’s green heart, Umbria, passing a sea of vineyards, skirting the shores of Lake Trasimeno, and visiting the beautiful Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. The tour’s second half takes us along Tuscany's white roads, winding our way through the rustic countryside to reach the picture-perfect medieval towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino. After glamping under the stars in the Maremma hills of southern Tuscany we roll down to the Argentario promontory on the Tyrrhenian coast. The tour ends in Porto Santo Stefano with views over the azure sea.
Join us on this trailblazing gravel bike tour all'italiana!
