Cycle from Lake Garda, the most beautiful lake in Italy, to the legendary mountains of the Giro d’Italia. Leaving lake Garda we will climb Passo Ballino, enjoy spectacular views of the Brenta Dolomiti reward your ascent to the famous mountain ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio. Celebrate the achievement of reaching the top of the Stelvio Pass, 34 switchbacks in 22 km, with an unforgettable descent back into Bormio.  Pedal up the Mortirolo, one of the steepest passes in Europe, and the legendary Gavia, where Andy Hampsten became the first American to conquer the Giro. Once back to Lake Garda, you will watch in a beautiful atmosphere of the highlighted historical downtown Verona, the TT race by night to experience the excitement of an Italian local race. Then Arrivederci Italia but not before participating in a local race, the “Gran Fondo Avesani.” Enjoy the thrill and challenge of riding with Italian local racers who will provide helpful tips to improve your climbing and downhill skills.
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Train for This Tour
Trip Details
- Length: 7 nights and 7 days of cycling.
- Total Mileage: 700-750 km/440-469 miles
- Daily Avg. Mileage: 87-93 km/54-58 miles
- Terrain: From rolling to steep climbs (from 6% to peaks of 16% gradient – from 10 to 27 km distance)
- Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
- Arrival: Verona Airport, Monday September 16
- Participation to Gran Fondo: Avesani – Sunday September 21
- Return to USA: from Verona Airport, Monday September 22
- Map
Reduced Cost: U.S. $2,890/€: 1,780
Cost Includes:
- Pick-up and drop-off at Verona airport
- 7 nights (double occupancy) : € 300 supplement single room
- 7 breakfasts
- 7 dinners (beverages: are not included)
- after ride snacks
- daily cycling laundry
- 2 cycling guides
- Bike Jersey
- Full van supported ride with 1 designated driver
- Water/tea during the ride
- Registration to the Granfondo Luca Avesani
- Luggage transportation
- All the van transfers
What the cost does NOT include:
- Beverages at dinners
- Extra Drinks
- Lunches
- Power bars and/or special power drinks during the rides
- Additional nights
- Guests
- Bike parts in case of mechanical problems. We can help to fix the problem, but parts and, if needed, special bike shop work-time is not included.
- Optional transportations not part of the planned itinerary
- Rental Bike: optional: € 30/day ; US $48/day
Single Room Supplement for all tours: € 300 - U.S. $500 (subject to availability) Prices are based on exchange rates in effect at time of publication. We reserve the right to add a surcharge should the U.S. dollar lose substantial value against the Euro. Please contact us for details.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 : Monday September 15
- Arrive in Italy
- Pick up at Verona airport and drive to our hotel “Veronello” near the beautiful Lake Garda.
- After settling into our base hotel we will go for a warm-up ride in the Verona valley or relax by the pool of hour hotel. 40 km
- Dinner and overnight at our base hotel
Day 2: Tuesday September 16
- From our hotel we will coast the lake – ride up the Passo Ballino – Cross the Sarca Valley with the view of the Brenta Dolomiti and climb up to the famous mountain ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio. – 115 km
- Shorter option: Coast the lake – ride up to the Passo Ballino – Descend the beautiful valley to Ponte delle Arche and van transfer up to Madonna di Campiglio. 75 km
- Dinner & overnight in Madonna di Campiglio
Day 3: Wednesday September 17
- Memorable day: from Madonna di Campiglio we will ride the Tonale pass, down to Ponte di Legno and climb the Gavia from the “historical” side and descend to our hotel in Bormio where we will spend the next 2 nights. 95 km
- Shorter option: Drive in the van up to the top of Tonale Pass and then climb the Gavia and descend to Bormio – 43 km
- Dinner and overnight in Bormio
Day 4: Thursday September 18
- Loop of Stelvio Pass from Bormio – 44 km
- Dinner & overnight in Bormio
Day 5: Friday September 19
- Ride the Mortirolo from Mazzo – descend to Monno –roll to Ponte di Legno – 65 km
- 2nd shorter and a little easier option: ride the Gavia from the other side – descend to Ponte di Legno – 43 km
- Van transfer from Ponte di Legno back to our base hotel by lake Garda –
- Hit of the day: Watch TT race in dowtown Verona by night
- Pizza in the historical Plaza in downtown Verona
- Overnight at our base hotel
Day 6: Saturday September 20
- Easy ride on flat along the Mincio river
- Carbo load dinner & overnight at our base hotel
Day 7: Sunday September 21
- Participation to Gran Fondo Race “Avesani”– 2 choices of route: 97 km or 149 km
- Return to our base hotel - Pack the bikes
- Farewell dinner and overnight at our base hotel.
Day 8: Monday September 22
- Arrivederci Italia - Drive to Verona Airport and catch your flight back to USA.
- If you like to extend your visit of Italy or arrive few days earlier– we provide personalized travel assistance(call Luisa 001-720-289-1384 or e-mail us: tours@davanticycling.com
Optional: 2 more nights and ride on Sunday the 160 km loop of the 3 lakes.
- Arrive in Italy Saturday September 13 always at Verona airport
- Pick-up at the airport
- On Sunday September 14: Ride the route of Granfondo 3 Laghi with picnic lunch – van support and a pro racer as a cycling guide
- Dinners & overnights at our base hotel near Lake Garda
- Cost: + € 225 o US$ 360
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