We recently had two guests, Matt and Kirsty, join us on our 2026 Tuscany tour.
It was Matt’s second tour with A’qto, but the first time he’d brought his wife, Kirsty, along. The thing is, Kirsty hates cycling. So how did the tour work?
While Matt tackled the climbs on the bike, Kirsty joined the non-riding program, spending her days enjoying cooking classes and producer visits, along with walks, sightseeing and some time out relaxing.
Matt summed up their experience perfectly: “She still hates cycling but is now asking what’s on offer next year, as she thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.”
It captures something we’ve seen time and again over the years: a cycling tour isn’t just a holiday for cyclists. It can be one of the best ways for couples to experience Italy together, even when only one of you rides.
Italy has something for everyone
We think few places offer as much variety as Italy. From the crystal-clear waters of the Sardinian coast to the medieval hilltop villages of Tuscany and the dramatic mountain peaks of the Dolomites, the scenery changes at every turn. Then there’s the variety of things to do – hiking, history, food, wine and cultural experiences – there’s truly something for everyone.
That’s also what makes Italy so great for couples. Even if you have different interests, or different ideas of a holiday, you’ll both find something you love.
You can have one trip, but two different styles of holiday
When only one partner rides, couples often end up splitting the holiday. The cyclist books a bike tour, and their partner waits in a hotel or meets them afterwards.
But so much of the special and memorable parts of the tour also happen off the bike.
This is why we decided to design two versions of each cycling tour: a fully supported cycling program for riders, alongside a dedicated non-riding program with just as much thought put into its design and curation. You travel together, stay in the same family-run villas and boutique hotels, and share some of the best moments of each day, while each of you enjoys Italy in the way that suits you.
Many of our non-riding guests have told us they would never have organised these experiences for themselves, and that the tour opened them up to things they’d never tried before.
How does a cycling tour work when only one of you rides?
Each morning, the day begins a little differently for each of you.
Riders head out on routes Damian has designed. What this looks like depends on the tour you’ve booked. It might be the quiet country roads of Tuscany, winding through vineyards and olive groves, or the kind of climbs in the Dolomites that make Italian cycling so memorable. There’s always a guide riding with the group (and most often 2 guides) and a support vehicle close behind.
Meanwhile, the non-riding partners set off on a program designed by Nancy. Before you travel, we take the time to learn what you enjoy, so your days reflect your interests alongside those of the group. Most experiences are shared by the whole non-riding group and on occasions we also arrange specific-interest experiences. For example, one guest was particularly interested in Italian ceramics, so we booked her into a three-hour ceramics painting workshop, which she thoroughly enjoyed. If you have a passion for photography, we can organise a photography experience for you.
Some experiences are shared by the whole group, including riders and non riding partners, such as a wine tasting or an afternoon at the thermal baths.
Then in the evening, riders and non-riders come back together for aperitivo and dinner. It’s the perfect way to end the day and share what you both got up to.
What a non-riding partner does in Italy
Hiking and walking. Walking is part of every program. Whether it’s hiking in the Dolomites, walking through the rolling hills and vineyards of Tuscany and Piedmont, exploring Sicily’s coastal national parks or wandering the whitewashed towns of Puglia.
Exploring towns and villages. Day trips to neighbouring towns and historic small cities, taking in the must-see sights.
Meeting the producers. In Italy, food and wine are something of a national obsession, discussed daily and even hourly. Visiting local winemakers, cheesemakers and artisans is one of the best ways to understand a region and their culture.
Cooking classes. In our experience, these are about much more than cooking. Being welcomed into a local family’s kitchen in Sicily, Puglia, Tuscany or Piedmont is a window into everyday Italian life.
Truffle hunting. In autumn, heading into the woods of Tuscany or Piedmont with a truffle hunter and his dog is a wonderfully local experience.
Artisan experiences. Enjoying local artisan experiences such as in nature in Sardinia, with ceramics in Tuscany or Puglia, or with artisans of ancient arts in Sicily.
Time to slow down. Yoga in a villa garden, a morning by the pool or swimming in turquoise seas, or a massage with a view across the mountains.
Coming along for the ride. Many non-riding partners enjoy spending a day in the support vehicle, taking in the spectacular scenery in the mountains and following right behind the riding group.
The program is active, so non-riders do need to be comfortable with a certain amount of walking each day.
The longer we run our tours, the more convinced we become that the best Italian holidays are shared ones. Whether you both love to ride or only one of you does, our tours let you each experience Italy in your own way. That’s why we think a cycling tour, with a fully curated non-riding program, is the perfect way for couples to explore Italy.
If you’d like to find out more about our non-riding partner program or upcoming tours, see our Cycling Tour Calendar. Otherwise, if you need any help finding the right tour for you both, feel free to send us a WhatsApp message.
