Romagna Bike Tour
Ravenna to Bologna crossing Romagna
This tour starts in Ravenna and crossing Romagna arrive in Bologna, the capital of Emilia Romagna Region, also considered the culinary capital of Italy.
The cycling trip is Easy, some part of flat terrain with some serious and challenge hills wait for you.
Wow moments
#Stay Ravenna and sightsee 8 Unesco monuments
#pair your food with Albana and pignoletto wine
#enjoy Riolo thermal hotel
#fresh pasta odyssey: this is the land of Lasagne, tortellini and Ravioli
pasta paradise
Anyway this is a vacation on saddle through the paradise of homemade pasta, so treat yourself every day with fresh tagliatelle, succulent Lasagne, any kind of Ravioli and Tortellini. To be paired with Sangiovese or the local Albana grape white wine.
You will discover many interesting villages: Faenza famous for Ceramics and Maioliche; the medieval villages Dozza; Brisighella that gives name to a local olive cultivates here.
Tuscany connection: the planned renaissance Terra del Sole, built by the Medici family to protect the northern flank of Tuscany in 1564.
Special Highlight is to stay in Riolo Terme and enjoy spa treatments
Ravenna: it is a treasure chest of art, history and culture of the highest order with ancient origins and a glorious past; it was a capital three times: of the Western Roman Empire, of Theodoric King of the Goths, of the emperor of Byzantium. It houses the mortal remains of Dante Alighieri and keeps his memory alive with important events.
DAY 1
Ravenna once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, now famous for Byzantine mosaics, 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Your centrally located hotel allows you to walk to Dante’s Tomb and the UNESCO World Heritage mosaics of San Vitale, Sant’Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia this afternoon. Don’t miss these early Byzantine churches with their colorful mosaics that draw travelers from around the world.
DAY 2
Exiting Ravenna you have the choice to visit another very important Byzantine masterpiece: Sant’Apollinare in Classe.
Cross the plains through fruit plantations and arrive to Faenza. Not to be missed: visit the International Ceramics Museum, local artists’ studios specialized in this colourful pottery, and Renaissance Town Square. Your hotel is a restored convent near the central square of this regional market center and famous ceramics town. Enjoy the bustle in the market square and the main “piazza” which is always full of bicycle riders of all ages.
Distance 56 km /35 miles | Elevation gain: + 143 m
DAY 3
A lovely, gentle loop ride out and back to Faenza. After exiting Faenza, you will pedal past farms and fruit orchards, mostly on quiet back roads, with the nearby Apennines in view.
Cycle through Terra del Sole and its impressive Medicean fortress – once an outpost of the Medici Family when Tuscany bordered with Romagna in late Medieval times – to Castrocaro Terme, a picturesque medieval city on the lower hills below the Apennines. We recommend a visit of the castle at Castrocaro if open! On your return ride to Faenza, you may choose to pick up supplies for an outdoors picnic in any of the countless farms along the way!
distance: 58 km / 36 miles | Elevation gain: +215 m
DAY 4
Enjoy a quiet ride through vineyards and kiwi orchards on your way to the enchanting Medieval town of Brisighella. You should certainly plan to explore the historic town center and to see the unique Via degli Asini, one of the best preserved medieval artisan streets anywhere in Italy. The homemade pasta in Brisighella is worth a lunch stop and the gelato . Your ride continues on to Riolo and you will stay at the grand hotel
Short option: 26 km / 6 miles + 382 m elevation gain
Long option: 61 km / 38 miles + 996 m elevation gain
DAY 5
Wine village of Dozza; beautiful views across the Po Valley; wall murals in Dozza, beautiful views across the Po Valley an get in to historic Imola
The bike ride takes you through more vineyards and rich orchards to the Medieval hill town of Dozza, famous for its wall murals. The castle in Dozza houses the Emilia-Romagna Regional Enoteca or wine museum.
Regional specialties include the red Sangiovese which is gaining more and more worldwide recognition as an important wine in and of itself, the light and fizzy Lambrusco from the hills of Modena and Bologna (excellent accompaniment to the regional cold cuts like prosciutto and salame), or the sweet Albana di Romagna. Tonight’s destination is Imola, famous for its Formula 1 racetrack. Originally built as a Roman town along the Via Emilia, the historical center is definitely worth exploring this evening.
Daily distance: 51 km / 32 miles | Elevation gain: + 520 m
DAY 6
We’ll leave the hills of Dozza to ride to Bologna Italy’s culinary capital, Emilia Romagna’s administrative capital, and, arguably, its culinary capital too.
Home to the oldest continually operating university in the world, Bologna has a long tradition of studies, arts, and gastronomy. Speaking of gastronomy, Bologna gave birth to the mortadella, vulgarly distorted abroad as “bologna,” although the fresh, artisanal mortadella has nothing to do with processed ham! The best pairing? White sparkling wine Metodo Classico! Make sure you put this culinary delight on your ‘must try’ list!
distance: 73 km / 45 miles | Elevation gain: + 260 m
DAY 7
Tour ends in Bologna
Your bicycle ride in Emilia Romagna ends this morning in Bologna. If you have the time you might consider an extra night or two in Bologna to enjoy the rich cultural history here . Alternatively, train connections are convenient to Rome, Venice or Milan. Thanks for joining us and See You in the next bike trip
INFO TOUR
best period From Aprim to October
DIFFICULTY easy to medium
TOUR REVIEWS
Price & Inclusions
Price
Cost: Euro 1490 per person in double occupancy
Single room supplement Euro 390
Inclusions
Six nights in excellent four & three-star superior hotels
Six breakfasts
All Baggage transfers
RideWithGPS App: tracks, route notes, off-line navigation
Trip notes: Sightseeing & meals suggestions
Maps with elevation gain
Delivery bike at Ravenna hotel & bike fitting
Pick-up of bikes and gear in Bologna
Keepsake Cicloposse water bottle
Sales taxes
Not Included
Bike Rental per entire tour
Hybrid bike euro 180
Road bike, E-Bike, Gravel Bike euro 240
City Tax each village charges a tax per day between euro 0,70 to euro 3,00
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Tour Reviews
In summary – the organization and support from Cicloposse was exceptionally good – 10 for 10. However, the route could use some improvement – 6 of 10.
First, we would like to say the level of service from your team was OUTSTANDING.
– trip prep information
– the GPS app — EXCELLENT
– the pre-trip briefing and materials – paper back ups — EXCELLENT
– the bikes and associated gear — tools, pannier racks, saddle bags, etc – EXCELLENT
When we asked for some help, your response was immediate and positive. e.g.
– larger helmet
– alternate route choice for the final day — truly outstanding — a great solution for our day within 30 minutes of reaching you on a Sunday morning. AND downloaded to our apps !!
Finally, please understand that our suggestions are just that — suggestions to make this trip even better. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on our bikes. We really enjoyed being on quiet roads every day with the security of the GPS app knowing that we really didn’t need to worry about anything. Just enjoy.
Best
John and Johanna
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