DAY 1 | SATURDAY | WELCOME TO THE GRAVELART

Start your adventure with a complimentary transfer from Bologna Airport to our beautiful hotel in the middle of the ancient city of Urbino. After we tune up your rental bikes, we will have a welcome drink and talk about the cycling program for the days ahead.

Urbino is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a remarkable historical legacy dating back to the Renaissance. It is the birthplace of the famous painter Raphael, and now is the home of the University of Urbino situated in the historic city centre.

Before dinner we will take a stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets and enjoy a traditional Aperol Spritz in one of the numerous bars around the main square.

DAY 2 | SUNDAY | RAFFAELLO GRAVEL COURSE
From day one of your Italian cycling adventure, you will be immersed in the warm and joyful atmosphere of Marche region. Today's route involves cycling along the dusty roads of the Raffaello Gravel course, a special route designed for the Gravel event in this region. These green, rolling hills were once ruled by the Montefeltro, one of the most powerful families in the region. As we ride, you will be able to admire a variety of medieval villages surrounding the main city of Urbino.
65KM/40MI 1460M/4790FT

DAY 3 | MONDAY | MALATESTA LOOP

Today we point our wheels towards the Adriatic Sea. Our destination is the romantic region of Romagna, with its warm hospitality and joyful, carefree attitude toward life.  Italians are very proud of their history and heritage.  So while we sip our morning cappuccino in picturesque Saludecio village, known as Il Balcone del Mare Adriatico (The Balcony of the Adriatic Sea), you will hear about the infamous Malatesta Family, and their struggles for power and love with the rivals, the  Montefeltro Family during the Middle Ages.

The return route will be up and down, as we make our way through a mix of white gravel and tarmac roads.
67KM 41MI 1572M/5160FT

DAY 4 | TUESDAY | FURLO CANYON GORGE

Today we will take an awesome ride through the rocky cliffs of the Furlo Canyon Gorge, also known as the Italian Grand Canyon. This narrow canyon road was originally built by the Etruscans, and later expanded during the Roman period. As a major trade route to Rome, it has been the site of many battles and conflicts over the centuries. From the recent history, Mussolini used to stop there on his way to Rome. We will be able to see his dining room in the main bar of Furlo, which has now been turned into a little museum.

Our route from Urbino to Furlo is mostly downhill, as it heads towards the central Apennine Mountains. There are no shortage of strade bianche (white roads), as our journey takes us into the Pietralata Enduro Bike Park.

For lunch, we will gather at Dodo's Taverna, where you will have the chance to taste most delicious Crostolo di Urbania: soft handmade flat bread stuffed with prosciutto crudo, burrata and caramelised figs.

Dodo has owned this place since his youth.  Now, his children run the restaurant, but the recipes and his presence have remained unchanged.
80KM/48MI 2673M/8770FT

DAY 5 | WEDNESDAY | MONTE SANTA MARIA

So, how do you like our Marche? It is the green heart of Italy, with its white roads criss-crossing the region like arteries, carrying blood in every direction.  Every beat brings another breath-taking climb or picturesque village. Today, we explore the core of this region, as we climb the quiet, secluded roads of Monte Santa Maria. We will breathe the air of freedom, as the region is so remote, we will be truly lost in nature. 

Once we reach the top, we will be rewarded with great views all the way down to the coast. Our coffee stop today will be in the beautiful hilltop village of Mombaroccio. After our espresso, we will return to our home base, the artistic city of Urbino.
75KM/46MI 2105M/6900FT

DAY 6 | THURSDAY | MONTE CESANE

Today we ride through the national park of Monti delle Cesane, up and down through the pine forest, with uninterrupted views on the central Apennine Mountains. The park is quite large, and fairly quiet, except on weekends when you will find mountain bikers, road bikers, hikers and rock climbers enjoying the mountains and cliffs. 
75KM/46MI 2105M/6900FT

DAY 7| FRIDAY | PANORAMICA ROSSINI VIEW

Today we ride the roads that everyone wishes they would have outside their own homes. Monte San Bartolo Regional Natural Park is the striking sloping headland overlooking the Adriatic Sea, connecting Gabicce to the city of Pesaro. The views are spectacular, and the villages are equally as lovely. We have arranged a wine tasting at Tenuta Carlini vineyard, nestled among our indigenous old vine varieties, Sangiovese, Pinot Nero and Albanella. 

We will learn about the local cultivation and production methods, while enjoying some of the region’s most delicious sparkling white, and of course, our exceptional red Sangiovese wine. Most likely, our vineyard visit will be so enjoyable that we would prefer return back to Urbino in our minivan.
65KM/40MI 1280M/4200FT

DAY 8| SATURDAY | GOODBYE, A PRESTO!

See you at our next cycling trip adventure. Based on your flight times, we will arrange one-time airport transfer to Bologna.