Itinerary
- Day 1
Ravenna
You'll arrive in Ravenna and settle into your centrally located hotel, which puts you within walking distance of several key sites. The afternoon is yours to explore the UNESCO World Heritage churches with their early Byzantine mosaics, including San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. After that, you can wander through Ravenna's Renaissance historical center at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi)
Optional Activities
- Visit Dante's Tomb
- Visit San Vitale Byzantine church with mosaics
- Visit Sant'Apollinare Nuovo Byzantine church with mosaics
- Visit Mausoleum of Galla Placidia Byzantine church with mosaics
- Explore Renaissance historical center of Ravenna
Landmarks San Vitale Sant'Apollinare Nuovo Mausoleum of Galla Placidia Dante's Tomb - Day 2
Ravenna to Faenza
Meet the staff early, around 8:30am, for your bike fitting and a briefing on the route ahead. Before cycling out, you have the option to visit Sant'Apollinare in Classe if you'd like another Byzantine site. Then you'll ride through fruit orchards and flat plains heading toward Faenza, which will be your base for the next few nights. Your hotel is a converted convent right near the central square, making it easy to explore the piazza and check out the hand-decorated ceramics Faenza is known for.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vittoria)
Included Activities
- Bike fitting and briefing in English by professional staff
Optional Activities
- Visit Sant'Apollinare in Classe Byzantine church
- Visit International Ceramics Museum in Faenza
- Visit local artists' studios specializing in hand-decorated ceramics
Landmarks Sant'Apollinare in Classe International Ceramics Museum 
- Day 3
Faenza
This is a gentle loop ride that starts and ends in Faenza, taking you past farms and fruit orchards mostly on quiet backroads with the Apennines visible in the distance. You'll pass through Terra del Sole to see the impressive Medicean fortress, then continue to Castrocaro Terme, a medieval city on the lower hills where you can visit the castle if it's open. On the way back, stop at any of the farms along the route to pick up supplies for a picnic.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vittoria)
Optional Activities
- Visit Castrocaro Castle (if open)
- Picnic supplies from local farms
Landmarks Terra del Sole Medicean Fortress Castrocaro Castle - Day 4
Faenza to Riolo Terme
You'll cycle through vineyards and kiwi orchards to reach Brisighella, a medieval town with a historic center worth your time. The Via degli Asini, one of Italy's best-preserved medieval artisan streets, is particularly interesting to see. Stop for lunch and try some homemade pasta and gelato, then continue through more scenic landscapes to Riolo Terme, where you can see the medieval castle and moat still surrounding the hilltop town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Hotel Riolo Terme)
Optional Activities
- Explore historic center of Brisighella
- Visit Via degli Asini medieval artisan street in Brisighella
- Lunch with homemade pasta in Brisighella
Landmarks Brisighella Via degli Asini Riolo Terme - Day 5
Riolo Terme to Imola
Today's route takes you through vineyards and orchards to Dozza, a medieval hill town covered with striking wall murals. Visit the castle, which now houses the Emilia-Romagna Regional Enoteca where you can learn about regional wines like Sangiovese, Lambrusco, and Albana di Romagna. Later you'll ride to Imola, a town famous for its Formula 1 racetrack and originally founded as a Roman settlement on the Via Emilia. Spend your evening exploring the historical center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (B&B Callegherie 21)
Optional Activities
- Visit Dozza castle and Emilia-Romagna Regional Enoteca wine museum
- Wine tasting in Dozza
- Explore Imola historical center
Landmarks Dozza Emilia-Romagna Regional Enoteca 
- Day 6
Imola to Bologna
You'll cycle to Bologna today, the administrative and culinary heart of Emilia Romagna. The city is home to the world's oldest university still operating and has a strong tradition in arts and food culture. Make sure to try fresh, artisanal mortadella here, which tastes completely different from the processed version sold elsewhere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Touring)
- Day 7
Bologna
Your bike tour ends this morning in Bologna. You have the option to stay an extra night or two to experience more of the city's cultural offerings, or you can head out via train to Rome, Venice, or Milan. Thanks for cycling through this region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extra nights in Bologna
- Train connections to Rome, Venice, or Milan
