Kaltern
Passo di Costalunga
Maratona dles Dolomites
The Dolomitti
Passo Tre Croci
Valdobbiadene B&B
Monfumo roads
Group dinner
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| Day 1 Kaltern Loop Ride/Wine Tasting
We’ll meet at our hotel at 3 p.m. for a short welcome meeting and to assemble and fit bikes. Afterward, you’re free to relax by the hotel pool, take a walk or enjoy a leisurely ride through the vineyards. Kaltern has numerous castles, lakes, apple orchards and vineyards and is a lovely area to explore. Welcome dinner together.
Day 2 Canazei
Ride: 41 miles/5,000 feet
The day starts leisurely as we glide along a bike path through forests and along the Adidge River as we approach the bustling historic center of Bolzano, a good opportunity to "fill the tank" with a cappucino or gelato prior to continuing up the narrow Val d'Ega. From Bolzano the road starts gradually up a narrow, deep, red-colored gorge, "Mother Nature's sore throat." At the Passo di Costalunga we pass between two magnificent mountains, the craggy peaks of the Latemar group loom up to the right, while the rosy pinnacles of Rosengarten soar up to the left. Descending, we pass beneath the even more spectacular eastern face of the Rosengarten, on our way to our Inn in Alba, a few kilometers after Canazei on the road to Passo di Fedeia.begin a long ascent to the Passo Gardena, the gateway to the Dolomites.
Dinner together.
Canazei, a classic European ski station in winter, is full of hikers and cyclists in summer since it is a perfect base for exploring the Dolomite Region. Ladin is the local language here. From the village you can view the Marmolada , the Sella Group, and the Rosengarten peak.
Day 3 -Maratona dles Dolomites
Ride Options: Choose from three courses below:
Join 9,000 cyclists as you participate in the Maratona dles Dolomites, one of the most popular cycling events in Europe. The event includes the classic climbs of the Giro d'Italia and offers a rare opportunity to ride these wonderful roads with no cars. The route includes several classic passes—Gardena, Sella, Campolongo, Pordoi and Giau.
- Short Event: 35 mi & 5,740 ft climbing
- Medium Event: 68 mi & 9,940 ft climbing
- Long Event: 91 mi & 14,300 ft climbing
You’ll earn a finisher certificate for the best ride of your life, as well as a complimentary Maratona Event Cycling Jersey. You’ll enjoy access to all the racer-only benefits, including the huge post-event celebration. Post-race celebration dinner together.
Day 4 Cortina D'Ampezzo
Ride Options: 39 miles/5,382 feet or a light recovery ride
After a quick shuttle up Passo Sella, we’ll begin with a ride up to the Marmolada, at 10,968 feet, the mightiest mountain in the Dolomites. We’ll begin the steep seven-mile climb up the Passo di Fedaia (6,880 ft.) and then descend eight miles on our way to the final climb up the Passo di Falzarego (6,906 ft.), where we can enjoy a cool drink while enjoying the views of Cortina D'Ampezzo. We’ll finish our ride with an enjoyable 10-mile descent to our hotel in Cortina D'Ampezzo. Dinner together.
Cortina D'Ampezzo lies at the intersection of two valleys and is surrounded by a ring of extraordinary mountains. Cortina enjoys the best location of the Dolomites and offers a variety of shops, biergartens, restaurants and gelatorias, not to mention the nightlife—there’s plenty to keep you busy in town!
Day 5 Cortina D'Ampezzo Ride/Spa
Ride the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop: 37 miles/5,000 feet
Relax, hike or ride today, it’s up to you! We’ll begin with a climb up the Passo Tre Croci and ride to Lago di Misurina, a shimmering, deep blue lake surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Cristallo group.
There’s an optional five-mile climb to the base of the remarkable triple-peaked mountain, Tre Cime di Lavaredo (7,612 ft.), where we can enjoy a well-earned lunch in the refugio at the top. Our loop continues mostly downhill through beautiful alpine scenery over the Passo Cimbanche back to Cortina. Dinner on your own.
Day 6 Valdobbiadene
Ride 78 miles/4,479 feet
Our last day in the Dolomites will not disappoint, as we head south all the way back to the Veneto lowlands. We'll climb 10 miles/3,312 ft. up one of the lesser-traveled passes above Cortina, Passo di Giau (7,293 ft.), the last Dolomite col. We’ll reward ourselves and enjoy a break at the café with the best view of the Dolomites. Next is a breathtaking 11-mile/3,929-foot descent to the valley below to the base of the imposing Monte Civetta, one of the most unusual and striking peaks of the Dolomites.
Valdobbiadene, a small village nestled in the foothills and surrounded by vineyards, is the home of prosecco, one of Italy's finest sparkling wines. We’ll stay at a wonderful B&B located in the vineyards where you’ll enjoy local prosecco tasting. Dinner together.
Day 7 Castelfranco Veneto
Ride Options: 25 miles/1,000 feet or climb Mt. Grappa!
We’ll enjoy a well-deserved leisurely ride on our last cycling day as we ride the beautiful rolling hills of the Monfumo region on our way to Asolo, a medieval hill town. Have lunch in one of the numerous chic cafés in Asolo before descending to the plains of Veneto. We’ll ride along quiet farm roads to our final destination, Castelfranco Veneto, and relax in our comfortable 4-star hotel built into the clock tower of this 12th century walled town. Final celebration dinner tonight!
Day 8 Castelfranco Veneto
Our tour ends after breakfast, when you’ll transfer for your mid-morning train or plane departure home, or you may choose to extend your stay. Castelfranco offers frequent train service to Venice (one hour) or the Marco Polo Airport, so it’s a convenient place to stay if you want to extend your trip.
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