Why?
Italy is the perfect choice for a cycling club bike vacation. It offers world-class riding and food, and is home to cycling legends. Cycling culture runs deep in Italy, and Italians love to share their passion with visitors. The scenery is beautiful and everyone loves the laid-back dolce vita lifestyle Italy has to offer. It is in this environment that the bike hotel concept was born. Tourissimo has partnered with some of our favorite bike hotels in Italy to provide weeklong packages for cycling clubs.
What is a bike hotel?
A bike hotel is a hotel that caters to cyclists. While amenities at each hotel can differ, here are some that you should expect to find:
- Secure bike storage: Your bike is secure from the elements and from theft. Access is restricted to hotel guests only. These storage rooms may also include basic tools to work on your bike.
- Workshop: Some bike hotels go even further, offering a separate room where you can work on your bike and even more tools.
- Guides: For those not already on a bike tour, guides are available to accompany you or offer advice. They can also give you maps and GPS tracks if you want to go out on your own.
- Laundry Service: Your sports clothes are washed on request for a charge (or for free).
- Special Menus: Food is available outside of traditional mealtimes so you can fuel up in the early AM before a ride or enjoy a hearty buffet after. Special diets can be accommodated. Meals are balanced and often emphasize regional specialties.
- Spa and Massage: After a day on the bike a massage can be arranged and many bike hotels have on-site spas. Others might partner with nearby facilities.
- Bike Services: Bike rentals and repairs, either on-site or with trusted partners are available.
- Multiple routes available each day that cater to different levels.
How it works:
Once we are at the hotel, our group will have dedicated bike guides who are working just with us. They will suggest rides that are appropriate for the abilities of the participants in our group.
The beauty of the bike hotel model is that there's a lot of flexibility and customization, and there will be multiple rides available each day to accommodate different levels.
How much?
These tours are typically priced under $2,000.00 per person.
How are the hotels?
We only work with the best bike hotels in Italy. They offer plenty of amenities, nice rooms, private beach access (when located near the beach), and amazing food. They are 4-star hotels or 3+ star hotels.
What’s included on a cycling club vacation with Tourissimo at a bike hotel?
Typical inclusions are (may vary depending on hotel):
1- Group airport transfer from and to the airport (airport varies depending on hotel).
2- Seven nights accommodation 3 or 4 star hotel
3- Welcome drink to introduce the program, staff and facilities
4- Super buffet breakfast
5- Lunches (light pasta buffet)
6- All Dinners
7- Soft drinks and local wines with meals
8- Daily rides with guides (different levels available)
9- Daily laundry service for cycling kits
10- Secure bike room with alarm and videocamera
11- A unique experience at an agriturismo for wine tasting with local specialties
12- Free entry to wellness center
13- Outdoor pool
14- Free Wi-Fi
15- Cycling jersey made in Italy
16- At least one Tourissimo Tour Manager on site
17- Tourissimo van for support and emergencies
18- Activities for non-riders
Non riding companions?
Non riding companions are welcome and there is plenty for them to see and do. For example:
- Cooking classes
- Shopping
- Visit local towns and other interesting sites
- Pool, spa, and gym
- Lounge at the private beach
- Massages and other spa treatments
- Ride along the promenade on complimentary beach cruisers (where applicable)
- Boat ride along the coast (where applicable)
Bring or rent a bike?
Most people rent bikes. The bikes available are listed in the booking form. They are mid range to high-end carbon road bikes (Pinarello, Bianchi, Wilier, etc.).
Pre and post tour extensions?
We offer optional pre and post tour packages to nearby destinations. Here are two examples for bike hotels in Emilia Romagna:
CLASSIC BOLOGNA (ONE NIGHT)
This tour includes a guided walk in the center of Bologna, starting from Piazza Maggiore and its monuments, like San Petronio, Palazzo del Comune, Palazzo dei Banchi. Then, we will visit the courtyard of the magnificent Archiginnasio, the first seat of Bologna University, the oldest in the world.
Following our route, we’ll visit the church of Santo Stefano, an astonishing group of churches that reproduce the Holy Places of Jerusalem.
Finally, we’ll head toward piazza della Mercanzia and the two towers, the medieval skyscrapers of the town.
$300 per person (double occupancy); group discounts available.
GASTRONOMIC BOLOGNA or MORTADELLA TOUR (ONE NIGHT)
This tour includes a guided walk in Quadrilatero district, the historical heart and market of the city, where it’s possible to buy typical food.
The district keeps its historical atmosphere and is full of bars, where it’s possible to taste wine and eat specialties of Bologna, like mortadella, prosciutto (ham) and ice cream.
$ 330 per person (double occupancy); group discounts available.
Cycling Levels?
Cyclists of all levels, except for beginners, are welcome and each day there will be multiple rides to choose from (up to 5, depending on hotel). Distances range from 30 to 70 miles and elevation gains range from 300 ft to 5,500 ft. The terrain is hilly with some steep climbs.
How do the rides work?
A local, experienced bike guide leads each ride. We will leave every morning between 8 am and 9 am and we plan to be back around 1 pm. We’ll spend some time on the first day to find a good bike fit. In case of mechanicals, guides will be reasonably close by to assist you. Your rental bikes will also be equipped with a repair kit. The rides are escorted and a sag wagon is on call.
Getting There
You should plan to arrive in the late morning or early afternoon the day that your tour starts. You will be greeted by a Tourissimo staff member or driver - with a Tourissimo sign - at the airport. We will let you know at what time the transfers will happen and the meeting point. Since guests might land on different flights, or make it to the airport from different places, Tourissimo will take into consideration everyone's flight schedule to optimize logistics while minimizing guests' wait time. For those arriving before the day the tour begins, it might be easier for you to take a train to a station near the hotel and we will pick you up there.
How Long?
Our standard program is eight days/seven nights, from Saturday to Saturday.
First Day
Check in at most hotels is 3PM. You’ll have time to meet your rental bike or assemble your own bike, make adjustments and do a short warmup ride. In the late afternoon/early evening, you will gather at the hotel for an aperitivo (welcome cocktail), introductions and program overview.
Last Day
There is no riding this day. The tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to the airport or train station. Earlier or later transfers may be arranged.
What to Bring?
This is a section that we could spend an age on but we think that packing is such a subjective thing that it really isn’t worth it. What we will say is that the nature of the vacation is such that you will want plenty of bike gear. Luckily, the hotel provides a complimentary cycling kit wash service (We suggest to get yourself a mesh laundry bag). However, it is important that you bring a few spares of all your bike gear.
In terms of evening wear, there is nowhere that we go that has a dress code and casual wear is the order of the day. The hotel has a pool and a spa and the beach is within walking distance.
Regarding bike equipment, the hotel’s bike room has a full tool kit along with spare inner tubes. It is also worth having a multi-tool on your person for those small adjustments on the road (optional).
How do I request a sample program?
Fill out the form on this page.