PRIVATE CUSTOM TOUR

  • LAZIO | ABRUZZO | UMBRIA | MARCHE

    START LOCATION: GRAN SASSO, ABRUZZO

    MIDDLE LOCATON: ASSISI, UMBRIA

    END LOCATION: PESARO, MARCHE

    DIFFICULTY | MODERATO/HIKERS

    DATES | 14-28 SEPTEMBER 2024

  • DURATION | 15 DAYS / 9 RIDES,HIKES
    TOTAL DISTANCE BIKE |     718KM/446MI

    TOTAL ELEVATION BIKE | 14239M/46715FT
    TOTAL DISTANCE HIKE | 109KM/68MI

    TOTAL ELEVATION HIKE | 5966M/19573FT
    PRICE | 4450 EURO

  • THAT’S AMORE
    A brand new dolce vita attiva tour exploring FOUR very special locations in Central Italy. 


    Rome, Lazio:

    To overcome our jetlag, we will conquer the Eternal City in one day either by foot or on two wheels.


    Gran Sasso National Park, Abruzzo:

    From our base in the small medieval village, we will hike and bike through the rugged mountains of the national park, including the region’s tallest peak, Corno Grande 2912M/9,554Ft.


    Assisi, Umbria:

    Based just outside the town of Assisi, the spiritual home of Christianity, we will explore the beautiful and historic hilltowns of the region, including a rest day tour of Perugia.


    Pesaro, Le Marche:

    From our home in this coastal resort, we will explore the beautiful beaches and picturesque villages of Le Marche, including the challenging climb up Monte Nerone (Black Mountain), the tallest in Le Marche (1525M/5000Ft).


    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    14 night luxe accommodation (twin share) | breakfasts | lunches | dinners | full guide and vehicle support | on-road snacks and supplements | kit laundry service | group transfers between destinations and on departure | Wine tasting session | Rome city bike or guided walking tour | Entry to Frasassi caves

    WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

    Flights | Insurance | Bike hire | Alcoholic beverages | Coffee stops | Personal hotel expenses | Transfer Day lunches | Dinner in Rome | Lunch in Perugia | City taxes

  • OVERVIEW
    Day 1 | 14 September Saturday: Rome city bike & hike tour.
    Day 2 | 15 September Sunday: Transfer to Santo Stefano di Sessanio
    Days 3-5 | 16-18 September: Gran Sasso, Abruzzo
    Day 6 | 19 September Thursday: Transfer to Assisi, Umbria
    Days 7-10 | 20-23 September: Assisi, Umbria (22 September - Rest Day | Guided visit of Perugia)
    Day 11 | 24 September Tuesday: Transfer to Pesaro, Le Marche

    Days 12-14 | 25-27 September: Pesaro, Le Marche

    Day 15 | 28 September Saturday: Departure transport to Airport

    RECOMMENDED AIRPORTS

    Arrival | Rome
    Departure | Bologna

    PRICE PER PERSON

    Twin share: 4450 EURO

    Single occupancy: 50 EURO per night

  • FULL ITINERARY

    DAY 1 | SATURDAY | ROME

    Morning group meeting at the hotel, guided tour of Rome
    Conquering Rome in one day is no easy task. But you will be surprised at how many iconic sights and beloved monuments are within walking or cycling distance from our homebase in the Trastevere neighborhood. You can choose either: a guided walking tour; or, a guided bicycle tour. [NOTE: cyclists will be in groups of 4 or 5 to make for easier naviagtion of the Roman streets.]

    Later in the evening we will gather for a very special dinner at Cencio la Parolaccia, a one-of-a-kind Roman treasure, as we celebrate the beginning of our adventure tour. [Hint: come equipped with your best Italian insults!]

  • DAY 2 | SUNDAY | TRANSFER TO SANTO STEFANO DI SESSANIO ABRUZZO
    Our location is the picturesque medieval village of Santo Stefano, 1250M/4101FT above sea level. It is nestled in the middle of the Gran Sasso, the mountain chain that forms part of the Central Apennines, and is one of the main geographical features of the Abruzzo region. The area is renowned for its natural beauty and attracts outdoor sports enthusiasts thanks to its high altitude and unique landscape. The highest peak is Corno Grande, and hikers will be conquering that climb on one of the tour days.


    The Giro D’Italia first included Gran Sasso in one of their stages in 1971. Cyclists will be doing the climb made famous by Marco Pantani in May 1999 during the Pescara-Campo |Imperatore stage. On that climb, still covered with snow, he made his Personal Best: 26 km in 53 minutes 50 seconds climbing 1371 meters and averaging 29km\h. Beat that!

  • DAY 3 | MONDAY | GRAN SASSO

    BIKE
    Duke of the Abruzzi Refugo - Torre di Calascio

    From our beautiful base, village of Santo Stefano, we immediately climb to reach the 1600 meters of the famous Gran Sasso plain. Here there is the possibility of 'resting' on a slight slope for 10 km before tackling the 4 km roughness at 9% that leads to Campo Imperatore. Arriving at the hotel in Campo Imperatore (Cima Pantani, as well as the base for climbing the Gran Sasso) we take a coffee break and descend back passing Fonte Vetica. Then the road climbs gently for another 4 km. From here it's all downhill to the beautiful town of Castel del Monte. Once we will pass the town, we cycle on a slight slope up to Calascio (the Rocca is absolutely worth visiting) and then f return to Santo Stefano.

    76KM/43MI 1900M/5505FT

  • DAY 3 | MONDAY | GRAN SASSO

    HIKE

    From Santo Stefano di Sessanio to Rocca Calascio.

    A magnificent walk that from the village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio (1250 mtasl) reaches the hill where the Castle of Rocca di Calascio (1450 mt asl), a place rich in charm and history. National Geographic has included it among the 10 most beautiful castles in Europe. The itinerary takes place on an easy path, very scenic, and the route does not present technical difficulties.

    Development and elevation gain, about 300 m, are moderate and make the hike suitable for everyone.

    10KM/6M 340M/1115FT

  • DAY 4 | TUESDAY | GRAN SASSO

    BIKE
    Anello della Baronia

    We continue our ride through this amassing territory, rich in history and culture. Today from our base we descend to Barisciano and turn left, passing many traditional places and agricultural fields before we face a 10 km ascend to the national park from the left side. The district takes its name from the "Barony of Carapelle" which in the late Middle Ages owned the southern part of the Gran Sasso. We certainly will feel this climb in our legs, so the reward is ahead, only last few road bends and we reach the plateau of Campo Imperatore. Today we will stop in Fonte Vetica, place famous for the Mucciante refuge and its sheep's roasts, a strong dish of Abruzzo cuisine. After lunch it will be mostly descend back to Santo Stefano, expect fascinating views over the territory under first minutes of sunset.

    77KM/48MI 1950M/6397FT

  • DAY 4 | TUESDAY | GRAN SASSO

    HIKE
    Mount Camicia and Mount Tremoggia

    Mount Siella from Fonte Vetica and return to Ristoro Mucciante.

    Following trail No. 252 we climb inside a gully, for about 400 mt of height difference, which takes us to the Valico del Monte Tremoggia in search of the Edelweiss and the Chamois climbing the surrounding peaks. Upon reaching

    the summit of Monte Siella, 2022 mt asl, the view sweeps over the plain of Campo

    Imperatore, over the Majella mountains of Sirente until you can see the Adriatic Sea.

    Returning to the valley, we head back to the Fonte Vetica parking lot, then reach the

    Ristoro Mucciante to taste typical Abruzzo culinary specialties. Return back in the minivan.

    9.5KM/6M 972M/3189FT

  • DAY 5 | WEDNESDAY | GRAN SASSO

    BIKE
    The Best of Marco Pantani

    On our last day riding in the "Little Tibet" of Italy we will climb Gran Sasso from the Northern side. This climb is now a must for every cycling fan and was again the finish of the Giro d’Italia 2023 stage week. The magnificent landscape we will explore today is remote and rugged, especially on the upper slopes, giving the landscape a vast lunar-type atmosphere on its higher slopes. It starts in Paganica with about 10 km of nice and steady uphill, but don't burn you matches at this stage, as we reach Fonte Cerreto base funivia we start main 12 km ascent to Campo Imperatore, arrived!

    65KM/40MI 1600M/5249FT

  • DAY 5 | WEDNESDAY | GRAN SASSO

    HIKE

    Corno Grande, 2919M/9554FT. Highest peak of Gran Sasso

    The Normal Route to the western summit of Corno Grande , the highest peak of themountain range and of all the Apennines, 2912 mt asl.

    A classic route with 850 mt of elevation gain from which you can admire the entire chain of the Gran Sasso D'Italia.

    Long-known hiking route, retracing the first official ascent first made on August 19, 1573 by the Bolognese Francesco De Marchi , court engineer to Margaret of Austria.

    10KM/6MI 900M/2952FT

  • DAY 6 | THURSDAY | TRANSFER TO ASSISI, UMBRIA
    Umbria is called 'the green heart of Italy.' It is the only land-locked region in the country; well-known for its authenticity, ancient history and culture. En route to Assisi, we will stop for lunch in the medieval hilltop town of Todi. Assisi is the spiritual centre of Christianity, and attracts visitors and pilgrims from all over the world. We will be staying just outside of town, and you will have opportunity to explore the town’s cobbled streets and alleys.


    Hikers and cyclists will have a chance to explore the medieval towns of Gubbio and Todi and the surriounding hills of the region. We will also have a “rest day” to take a guided tour of Perugia, one of the true gems of the region.

  • DAY 7 | FRIDAY | ASSISI

    BIKE
    Creste of Umbria
    65KM/40MI 534M/1751FT

  • HIKE
    Gualdo Tadino-Eremo di Terrasanta
    15KM/8MI 940M/3083FT

  • DAY 8 | SATURDAY | ASSISI

    BIKE
    Assisi - Gubbio - Assisi
    97KM/60MI 1940M/6350FT

  • HIKE
    Gubbio-San Ubaldo
    12KM/7MI 480M/1574FT

  • DAY 9 | SUNDAY | REST DAY

    Guided tour of the city of Perugia, Visit to the chocolate museum

  • DAY 10 | MONDAY | ASSISI

    BIKE
    Assisi-Pettino-Rasiglia
    106KM/66MI 940M/3083FT

  • HIKE
    Vasca-Rasiglia ring 
    14KM/9MI 530M/1738FT

  • DAY 11 | TUESDAY | TRANSFER TO PESARO, LE MARCHE
    The last leg of this amazing adventure will explore our home region of Le Marche. Its picturesque landscapes, beautiful countryside and charming hill towns make it a special, and less-explored destination for outdoor adventurers. Both hikers and cyclists will have a chance to climb Monte Nerone (Black Mountain), the highest peak in Le Marche (1,525m/5,003ft). You will also get to know some of the most welcoming people in Italy -but, as this is our home region, perhaps we are a bit biased.


    On our way to Le Marche, we will stop at Frasassi Caves, and immerse ourselves in this parallel, underground world, discovering the amazing natural sculptures, a result of the patient work of water and rock for over 190 million years.

  • DAY 12 | WEDNESDAY | LE MARCHE

    BIKE
    Mountain Nerone
    78KM/49MI 2590M/8500FT

  • HIKE
    Mountain Nerone
    11KM/7MI 624M/2050FT

  • DAY 13 | THURSDAY | LE MARCHE

    BIKE
    Monti delle Cesane
    83KM/52MI 1540M/5052FT

  • HIKE
    Mount Mombaroccio e Santuario Beato Sante
    13KM/8MI 518M/1700FT

  • DAY 14 | FRIDAY | LE MARCHE

    BIKE
    Furlo Gorge
    81KM/50MI 1245M/4090FT

  • HIKE
    Furlo Gorge Loop
    12KM/7MI 662M/2175FT

  • DAY 15 | SATURDAY | DEPARTURE

    Airport Transfer to Bologna
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