Planning a Cycling Holiday in Italy

The Italian Peninsula has it all, from glistening beaches to ancient cities filled with history. For many, it’s the perfect destination to visit on holiday, where long sunny days turn into warm evenings with a glass of wine in hand. With so much to see and experience, planning a cycling holiday in Italy can seem daunting at first. Where to hire bikes? What routes are good for beginners? Do the hotels let you store e-bikes? This is where Cycling for Softies comes in; our tours are specifically designed for leisure, so you can leave all planning to us. The only thing you need to decide is where you’d like to visit!

Sunshine 

If a holiday is all about soaking up the sun’s rays for you, then Puglia is the perfect choice. As the ‘heel’ of Italy’s ‘boot’, Puglia is one of the southernmost points in the country, meaning there’s plentiful sunshine. Cycling beside the glistening sea is both inspiring and calming; the gorgeous cycle routes here often hug the coastline. Many of the towns and villages in Puglia are found on the coast, thanks to the region’s strong cultural ties to the water.

Our Puglia Discovery tour is a wonderful option if you’re planning a cycling holiday in Italy with lots of sunshine in mind. Starting your adventure in Matera, you’ll visit authentic towns like Alberobello, Monopoli, Lecce, and many others. You’ll also come across the famous and iconic Trulli houses that Puglia is known for. Whilst cycling beneath the glorious sunshine, you’ll learn all about the unique history of the region, including its Greek influences still seen today.

Food

When a foodie is planning a cycling holiday in Italy, Emilia Romagna is the number one destination we point them towards. This region has so much to offer, from fascinating history to splendid architecture, but it’s the food that sets it apart. So many international favourites have their origins here, such as Parma ham, spaghetti Bolognese, Parmigiano, balsamic vinegar, and countless others. When your ‘regional specialities’ are as famous as this, every restaurant is a gourmet experience.

Our Flavours of Emilia Romagna tour is perfect for foodies, as it visits all the most important gastronomic cities. One such place is Modena, where balsamic vinegar was first made. There is many a tasting experience to be had here; you may even be tempted to try sweet vinegar with gelato at some of these tastings. Although food is the main attraction, the cycle paths here are excellently maintained, creating a leisurely cycling experience for you on your holiday.

Natural Beauty

There’s no shortage of natural beauty in Italy. The country contains dramatic mountain ranges, crystal clear lakes, and hidden coastal grottos. However, something as simple as a rolling hill is somehow made beautiful in Italy. Tuscany is perhaps the most well-known for this, with the Val d’Orcia used as a filming location for many films, including Gladiator. The perfect hills roll off into the sunset in various hues of vibrant green and glistening gold. On our Grand Tour of Tuscany cycling holiday, you’ll cycle along these cypress-lined vistas, where every corner reveals another photo opportunity.

When planning a cycling holiday in Italy for beautiful natural scenery, Umbria can’t be overlooked. The often-overshadowed sister to Tuscany, there is arguably more natural beauty here. The verdant forests and idyllic river valleys here are a stark contrast to the manicured landscape of Tuscany. Fed by the Tiber River flowing from the north, it’s often called the ‘green heart’ of Italy. On our Grand Tour of Umbria cycling holiday, you’ll find out just how true that name is.

Culture

For culture, it’s hard to beat Venice and the Veneto region. Once the seat of a grand naval empire, Venice has always been culturally influential. Just wandering the canals here, you can feel how unique the culture is to the rest of Italy, with a strong sense of identity and a rich history. This can be seen in its food, its arts, and most notably in its architecture. Filled with opera and performances, the Venetian culture is delightful to experience.

Italy’s Art Cities is a cycling tour dedicated to exploring the cultural beauty of Italy. Starting in the Venetian lagoon, this holiday is not limited to one region. Cycling along the Po River Delta, you’ll visit cities in Emilia Romagna, as well as Florence in Tuscany. Throughout the tour, you will be well and truly ‘cultured’ by the many museums, galleries, and performances that encapsulate the Italian cultural beauty.

History

Planning a cycling holiday in Italy with history in mind is perhaps the easiest thing to do. Throughout the country, every town is more ancient than the next. The peninsula has seen countless cultures leave their marks, from the Romans and the Greeks to the Spanish and the French. However, there is an ancient history of Italy that can only be found in Sardinia.

Sardinia’s Northern Secrets is a tour dedicated to unravelling the past of this mysterious island. You’ll cycle to ancient villages, founded by the Nuragic people thousands of years ago. Along the way, experience delicious food, gorgeous coastal routes, and culture unique from the mainland. With visits to the Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo, and Lago Del Liscia, there’s no shortage of sights to see.

For more information on planning a cycling holiday in Italy, call our cycle experts today on 020 7471 7760.