1. Destination
Is there a particular region of Italy that you’ve always wanted to ride in and/or visit?
Is it exploring the quiet, hidden rockwall lined backroads of Puglia or immersing yourself in the history and beauty of Tuscany, which literally surrounds you at every turn?
With tours in 2026 in Sicily, Tuscany, Sardinia, the Cilento Coast, the Italian Alps and Dolomites, and Puglia, we have you covered to experience some of the most iconic riding destinations in Italy, through to regions where cycling tourism is only just emerging, but the landscapes, culture and history allow us to curate a very unique experience for you.
2. Dates
Which month do you prefer to be in Italy? And what temperatures do you prefer to ride in?
We have carefully matched the dates of all of our tours with the optimal times of year to ride in each region.
There is bella Toscana at the start of Summer in June or the Autumn bliss of late September/October and Puglia perfection and the Cilento Coast in September, both with warm days and cooler nights. Sicily is stunning in mid Spring, not only because of the pleasant weather, but also because the landscape is covered in wild flowers of every colour, creating a real spectacle on the road each day.
We have only one tour in the peak of July, our Stelvio & Dolomites tour, which is based in the mountains at 1200m above sea level and so with pleasant temperatures in the 20’s, it is cooler than the rest of the country.
Click here to see our trip calendar.
3. Riding Style
Do you like climbing?
Are you interested in climbing mountains or hills, or a mix of both?
Or do you prefer longer, flatter rides with less climbing?
Below is an overview of each tour’s characteristics:
Tour of Sicily – Longer days, lots of elevation but with the climbs having an average gradient of 3.5%, except Mt Etna at a 7% average. It’s a steady 8 days of undulating climbing, with a superb mountain climb finish.
Tour of Tuscany – Continually undulating terrain with climbs that are between 3-6km, with an average gradient of 5.5%. It’s a hill climber’s paradise with little pinches here and there. With the September edition, you also have the option to ride L’Eroica. If you love gravel and like the idea of vintage steel bikes, this is the ride of a lifetime on the Strade Bianche.
Stelvio & Dolomites – Lots of climbing, with the ascents ranging from 6-26km in length and with average gradients of 7.5%, but plenty of sections that go beyond this. It’s the mountain climber’s bucket list tour.
Tour of Puglia – One of the flattest parts of Italy and while there are some days with elevation, it usually is around 1% for 40km, with a few small pinches as you roll up into a hilltop town or two. It’s a true two-wheel riding adventure.
Cilento Coast – A stunning mix of roads with gentle gradients by the coast and mid levels climbs as you venture inland, into this little known region’s rural and rustic heart. This is the perfect cycling tour for a rider looking to enjoy a diverse riding challenge day after day.
Sardinia – From Another tour with a beautiful mix of undulation and flatter roads and a few days with a handful of longer solid climbs.
Giro d’Italia – In 2026, our Giro d’Italia tour will take in Southern Italy, starting in Calabria, hugging the coast as the race ventures north and including the Amalfi Coast, the tour will be a mix of flatter days by the sea and a few days with mid level elevation, before finishing in Abruzzo with the amazing Blockhaus mountain climb.
4. Bucket List
Is there a bucket list climb or two, an experience following the Giro d’Italia or a particular riding experience in a specific region that you’d like to achieve in Italy?
Our Stelvio & Dolomites tour is perfect for checking off the bucket list climbs of not only Passo dello Stelvio, but also Passo Gavia, Sella Ronda, and Passo Giau.
Or is following the Giro d’Italia on your list of must do’s? See the pro’s race along stunning coastal roads before witnessing them take on iconic mountain passes on our 2026 edition during the first week of the race.
Or if it’s a cycling holiday you’re after with amazing riding, culminating with the bucket list experience of Mount Etna, then Sicily is a must.
5. Travelling Partner
If you’re travelling with a non riding partner, their interests are important.
One of the unique elements of our tours is our highly active and engaging partner program, with each tour featuring its own highlights:
The Best of Sicily – it’s a unique blend of experiences that immerse you in the history and culture of Sicily such as Siracusa and Piazza Armerina, together with our hike on Mount Etna and a very authentic Sicilian cooking class in a private residence, that makes this program special.
Tour of Tuscany – three diverse regions providing three amazing hikes in nature, visits to beautiful hilltop towns including Pienza and San Gimignano, a special experience of Siena and a couple of wonderful ‘meet the producer’ days, learning about olive oil and pecorino cheese, all combine to bring out the special beauty of Tuscany.
Stelvio & Dolomites – in these two spectacular mountain regions of Italy, we hike, explore and maximise our time in nature, taking in the incredible scenery and enjoying delightful wellness experiences post hike to soothe the muscles.
Tour of Puglia – we immerse in the Puglia’s agricultural heart and enjoy experiences including olive oil, burrata making and cooking orecchiette with nonna, while also exploring the region’s unique architecture with its whitewashed towns, gorgeous trulli and baroque Lecce.
Cycling + Multi-Adventure tours of Sardinia and the Cilento Coast – these tours provide the perfect active holiday for partners who enjoy a mix of multi sport activities daily in natural paradises. With a mix of beautiful hikes and water based activities in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, partners are immersed the natural bliss of the regions we’ve selected, day after day
If you’d like assistance with selecting the right Italian cycling tour for you in 2026. click here to send us an email.
