DAY 1 | SATURDAY | ARRIVAL AND AIRPORT TRANSFER

Welcome to Italy. We will meet you at Milan Malpensa airport  and transfer as a group to the Perlo Panorama cycling hotel in Belaggio. Transfer time is  around 1h 30min, and in the afternoon, after we tune up our bikes, we  can make a visit to the city centre before dinner at the hotel. 

DAY 2 | SUNDAY | GHISALLO LOOP
The two iconic climbs of Il Lombardia, Ghisallo and Muro di Sormano,  await those who want to challenge their legs and hearts like the professionals do every autumn. The mileage is not long, but the awe is provided by the challenging ascent of these two legendary climbs. The Ghisallo is only 8.6 km, but it consists of two challenging climbs that rarely dip below 10% and hit with a maximum of 14%.

After a photo at the Madonna del Ghisallo cycling church and a fast descent from the pass, we begin a gentle 5 km climb to the base of the Muro di Sormano. Take it easy as you will need your legs to conquer the feared Muro. This is the steepest cycle path in Italy which measures 1.9 km with an average gradient of 16% . There will be of course an option to take a bypass, with two guides by your side you choose your way. When we reach the summit there will be a coffee break and a chance to rest at the rifugio to regain your strength before the 13 km of breathtaking panoramic descend  to the lake and return to the hotel.
60KM | 37MI 1810M | 5940FT

DAY 3 | MONDAY | 4 NOTHERN LAKES. FROM LAKE COMO TO LAKE MAGGIORE

After breakfast we depart on our bikes from Belagio, cyclng on rolling panoramic roads with lake Como on our right, passing  briefly in to Switzerland towards lake Lugano. We ride along its  splendid shores towards Lake Varese, leaving only another 15km to  our next  destination, Ranco in Lake Maggiore.

We settle into our steady pedalling rhythm to arrive to the hotel Belvedere in the afternoon, making regular stops for lunch and coffee along the way. Our minivan will  follow us with the luggage for any support.

After the check in and a little rest, in the late afternoon we can discover what the area has to offer.
96KM | 60MI 1710M | 5610FT

DAY 4 | TUESDAY | LAKE MAGGIORE LOOP

Today we ride an awesome panoramic route that will highlight the  beauty of Lake Maggiore from every point of view. During the tour we  will pass from Lombardy to Piedmont, crossing a bridge on the river Ticino, in Sesto Calende.

Then heading to Verbania, about 10 km after Arona, we  will turn left to face a 6 km ascent that brings us to a magnificent view of the lake. From Verbania, we take the 10 minutes ferry crossing back to  the Lombardy side and the last 20km pedal  along the lake  to ariive back to  Hotel Belvedere.
81KM | 50MI 685M | 2250FT

DAY 5 | WEDNESDAY | LAKE MAGGIORE TO MONFERRATO (PIEDMONT)
Third and final transition stage of our cycling adventure as we ride from Lake Maggiore to Monferrato in Piedmont. Along the route we will  pedal through the cities of art of Novara and Vercelli.  Our route will pass throught the rice cultivation camps and along secondary peaceful roads, with the support minivan always behind. We stop for a coffee and  lunch and aim to arrive for check in at our hotel in Camino Monferratoin  the early afternoon. Ca' San Sebastiano is a rural and authentic agriturismo hotel  and vineyard,  nestled in the green fields of one of the most famous wine regions of Italy, Piedmont. 
97KM | 60MI 485M | 1590FT

DAY 6 | THURSDAY | WHITE TRUFFLE LOOP

Today we will ride the central Piedmont roads, winding among the 'cantone' stone houses. Cantone is the traditional local rock created more than 3 million years ago, when the central part of the Piedmontese territory was bathed by the sea that covered the 'protopadana' plain, between the Langhe hills and the Alpine system, The valleys are also famous for their white truffles.

We will discover the area surrounding Casale Monferrato, the capital of Monferrato and famous, among other things, for its religious architecture, including the brick narthex of the Cathedral of Sant'Evasio which dates from  1108 and the Synagogue, whose external facade is plain to escape the religious intolerances of the time in contrast to the richly decorated interior with its paintings and gilded stucco. 
87KM | 54MI 446M | 1466FT

DAY 7 | FRIDAY | LAND OF BAROLO LOOP

A tour of Monferrato starting from the hills overlooking the river Po. We ride through Val Cerrina, a fairytale land with its particular morphology of the morainic hills formed by the retreat of glaciers in glacial times. We stop for a coffee in Moncalvo, the smallest town in Italy and home of the beautiful Rosin, first the lover and later the morganatic wife of the King of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele, who granted her the minor noble titles of Countess of Mirafiori (territory south of Turin) and of Fontanafredda (territory of Serralunga d'Alba). We continue towards the Sanctuary of Crea, a UNESCO heritage site and Regional Park located on one of the highest hills of Monferrato.

Our tour would not be completed without tasting the famous Barolo in one of the vineyards and return to the hotel for the Gala dinner.
56KM | 34MI 1103M | 3620FT

DAY 8| SATURDAY | DEPARTURE,
GROUP AIRPORT TRANSFER

Time to say A Presto, until next tour! We check-out after breakfast and depart as a group for Milan Malpensa airport. Transfer time is usualy 1 hour and 15 min, so you are there in plenty of time to catch an afternoon flight taking nice  memories back home with you.