Leave the beaten path and discover Friuli-Venezia Giulia tucked into Italy's north-eastern corner, cradled amongst the Julian Alps, the Venetian plains and the Adriatic sea. Discover the passion of Italian cycling as you ride past lush Alpine pastures and quaint towns. This region offers an epicurean delight as you feast on tantalizing cheese, San Daniele prosciutto and experience the delights of local wines from the Colio Region.
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL
Details: You will be picked up in Venice at the airport or the bus station and driven to the picturesque Il Roncal winery, nestled amongst it's vineyards. Located 1.5 hours into the foothills, our accommodation is 4 km outside of historic Cividale, founded by Julius Cesear. Staff will assemble your bike as you get settled and enjoy a glass of vino. After a short and easy ride to test the equipment we'll have dinner in Cividale at a traditional Italian/Friulan restaurant, where one of the samplings is a local cheese that will tease and amuse every taste bud.
- 60-90 min ride
DAY TWO: TOLMIN
Ride Description: Today's ride will venture in to Slovenia on quiet picturesque roads that parallel the turquoise Isonzo river as we make our way to Tolmin, part of the stunning Soča Valley. Once part of communist Yugoslavia, the borders are now open and part of the European Union allowing for easy access with signs welcoming cyclists. We'll approach Tolmin on the Slovenian side, a pretty town to stop in for lunch, with the option of visiting the Tolmin Gorges or the WWI outdoor museum before returning on the Italian side of the border. Riders looking for an extra challenge can climb up Castelmonte to the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin, a leg burner of a climb with rewarding views at the top.
- 90 to 105 km (elevation gain 1,100 to 1,550 metres)
DAY THREE: GORIZIA
Ride Description: We begin with a flat ride into the historical town of Gorizia, a town that has been swapped between countries several times over the centuries as borders have changed due to war. We will ride along WWI historical sites and visit wineries. We’ll have a lunch break at one of the delicious restaurants in Gorizia and enjoy a local drink, the Aperol Spritz.
- 63 to 140 km (elevation gain 900 to 1,900 metres). There are lots of distance options today.
DAY FOUR: MANGART AND VSIC
Ride Description: Today is one of two epic days this week. Riders can choose how epic they'd like their ride to be with lots of options. We'll begin with a 45 min commute to Bovec where the ride will start with a short warm-up before tackling the Mangart, a 20 km climb with breathtaking scenery. We descend the same way we went up and enjoy a flatter stretch through ski villages that will take us to the foot of the Vršič. The looming mountain views and cobbled corners are like nothing else in the world and a must for everyone's bucket list. The descent back to Bovec is parallel to the bright turquoise Soča River and WWI remnants. Every inch of this ride is beautiful.
- 112 km (elevation gain 2,909 metres)
- Shorter route option will be determined based on interest of group.
- Non-bike option: Hike the Walk of Peace through WWI historical sites.
DAY FIVE: ACQUILEIA AND GRADO
Ride Description: The rewards of the ups are the downs, and today we ride 60 km downhill to the Adriatic sea, through the historic and stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site towns of Palmanova and Acquileia, to the white sand beaches of Grado. Acquileia is famous for the roman ruins and mosaic floors of the basilica. Riders are encouraged to take their time exploring in this jewel of a town.
- 70 to 140 km (elevation gain 50 to 500 metres)
DAY SIX: ZONCOLAN
Ride Description: Prepare to challenge yourself as we head in to the Alps! The Zoncolan is a beast of climb; but in 2015, the steep grades, thunder, and rain, didn't stop any rider who attempted it! The reward of making it up this most-epic climb is the knowledge of know you can ride anything! We'll descend the same side and regroup at a coffee shop at the bottom before continuing our ride though some of the prettiest villages we've seen all week before a reward of a 30 km descent.
- 95 km (elevation gain 2,400 metres)
- Shorter route option will be determined based on interest of group.
DAY SEVEN: DEPARTURE
We will have our final goodbyes this morning at breakfast before people leave to return home or continue their journey. Transportation will be provided to Venice or Udine.
"This is the best trip I have ever been on. The trip had pretty much everything I was looking for; great routes, awesome scenery, personal challenges, friends, friendly competition, good food and wine, comfortable casual accommodations, relaxed Italian culture, great support and well planned … everything in the right amount" - Chris Raiskums
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*HST and airfare are not included in the above prices |
"I discovered cycling in the Friuli province of Italy during an 11 month bike tour of 2013 and the Cycling Centre camp will be my 8th return trip to the area since then. I have not yet traveled to every place in the world on my 250,000 kilometre journey so far, but to date Friuli is my favourite. I am more than a little excited to return.” - Nat Faulkner