Travel Guides: Italy Travel Guide: Overview
In Southern Europe—right in the heart of the Mediterranean—lies a boot-shaped country stuffed to the brim with culture, history and fine cuisine.
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Umbria to the Adriatic Bike Tour
Italy's Assisi to Le Marche
Rolling bike routes through the incandescent Umbrian countryside. Cappuccino breaks in Montefalco and Bevagna. Discover the World Heritage city of Assisi. Ride onward but step back in time as you approach the ancient stones of Gubbio. Then cross the wild Apennine mountains to the coastal wonderland of Le Marche. Olive groves and vineyards roll down to the Adriatic Sea. The food. The people. The landscape. It’s Italy at its finest.
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Casual & Casual Plus Hotels
FROM:
$3,999 pp dbl occ
($200 for sgl occ)
Italy
Start Arezzo / End Bologna
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Experience a different side of Italy in the magnificently lush and undiscovered regions of Umbria and Le Marche
- Bike through timeless towns and enchanting farms nestled in Umbria’s rolling landscape, Italy’s Green Heart
- Dive into an old-world atmosphere and then into the sparkling Adriatic as you reach Le Marche’s sun-drenched coast
- Treat yourself to a post-ride massage at Borgobrufa’s decadent spa and take in the unbelievable views over Perugia
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Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Casual & Casual Plus Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Discover the quiet roads and undulating hills of the Umbrian countryside by bike | Meet our local friends at their farm and enjoy lunch fresh from the garden | Arrive at our elegant retreat in Brufa di Torgiano | Soak up a dazzling 360-degree view over Perugia | Ride tranquil back roads flanked by bright red poppies, cypress trees and picturesque hills | Follow a route through timeless towns like Montefalco and Bevagna | Hearty Italian cuisine awaits in the Valle Umbra | Join a guide for a tour of Assisi, a World Heritage site and one-time home of St. Francis | Pamper your muscles at our hotel’s legendary spa—it’s one of Umbria’s finest!
Borgobrufa Spa Resort
Brufa di Torgiano
| Casual Plus Hotel Sweeping panoramic views over the Umbrian countryside, classic Italian décor and the region's most impressive spa are just a few of the reasons to fall in love with this beautiful resort. (pool, spa)
Day 3
A scenic climb brings you to lost-in-time lands where shepherds still tend their flocks | Follow breathtaking forgotten roads to hilltop Gubbio, a millennia-old stone village and the cradle of Umbrian civilization | Visit the Palazzo dei Consoli Museum and witness the Iguvine Tables, bronze inscriptions from the 2nd century BC | Savor traditional fare at a ristorante in one of Gubbio’s impressively preserved medieval buildings.
Park Hotel Ai Cappuccini
Gubbio
| Casual Plus Hotel This ancient stone monastery, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World Member, has been transformed into a serene retreat nestled into the hillside above Gubbio's historic town center. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
Pass through the awe-inspiring Furlo gorge as you bike along the Via Flaminia, an ancient Roman road | Cross over the Apennine mountains—Italy’s geographic spine—to Le Marche | Enter an off-the-beaten-path landscape filled with sprawling vineyards, silver-green olive groves and golden wheat fields | Be greeted by the radiant Adriatic coast | Unwind at a 17th-century villa in the village of Trebbiantico | Cycle along the azure Adriatic Sea and climb up the rocky coast for spectacular views high above the shore | From a sailboat, admire a new perspective of San Bartolo's dramatic cliffs | Enjoy a sunset walk and dinner in the seaside resort town of Pesaro.
Villa Cattani Stuart
Pesaro
| Casual Hotel The classic Italian gardens and olive groves that were once part of this 17th-century villa enhance the already picturesque setting of this elegant family-owned hotel. (pool)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
SMALL GROUP? TRY RENDEZVOUS | An extra leader and van for even more flexibility | Call us to book your Rendezvous.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
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Activity Level: 1-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do. LEARN MORE.
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
Performance Road Bike
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Touring Bike
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
NEW! Electric-Assist Bike
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Carbon Bike
Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS. Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package—it’s built for hard-core riders.
$400 rental fee
Tandem Bike
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Traffic
Our exploration of Umbria and Le Marche brings us from rolling countryside to the Adriatic coast. Most routes travel along beautiful country roads but, on occasion, you can expect to encounter increased traffic as we pass through larger historic towns like Assisi, Perugia and Gubbio. Along the coast near Pesaro, a summer destination popular with locals, we ride on urban bike paths that sometimes intersect with busier roads. Of course, the van is there to support you if you want a lift.
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