Italian Cycling Tours and Weekend Cycling Escapes – FAQs

When you’re riding with A’QTO, you’ll always have at least one ride guide on the road with the group, and most often, there will be two guides. To manage varying levels of fitness, we often break into two groups with a guide leading each small group. There will also be a mechanic with a full tool kit and spare parts not far away – usually in a support car behind the group and sometimes in a very nearby town. Your guides and mechanics will be able to help you out with ride food and drink, as well as local knowledge, first aid, and even a hand to push you up the hill if you feel you need it. They’ll do everything they can to keep you and your bike on the road but, if for any reason you need it, there will always be a seat in the support vehicle.

Yes, you can either rent or buy a bike through us in Italy.

For our Giro d’Italia and Piemonte tours, we have access to a range of carbon top-specification hire bikes and for L’Eroica, we can also arrange very good quality steel vintage bikes for rent. If you would like to rent a bike, please let us know when you book so we can guarantee the right size is available.  Please also send us your fit measurements, so our mechanics can set up the bike for you, ready for the start of your trip. If you’re renting a bike, you need to remember to bring your helmet, pedals and saddle to your trip start.

If you would like to buy a bike in Italy, we can assist with custom made carbon or steel frame bikes by Formigli, a master frame builder in Italy with whom we partner.  To have a custom made bike made by Formigli available for pick-up when you’re in Italy, we require 2 months notice to facilitate your bike build.

If you would like to buy a Steel Vintage Bike for L’Eroica, we have a very trusted source whom we recommend highly.  Talk to us when booking.

All of our trips include the option of some off-the-bike activities as we believe a big part of the enjoyment of a trip is to experience and appreciate the local areas we stay in, as well as riding across their amazing terrain.  From wine tastings to must see sights and local cultural experiences, to exploring the villages and towns we are in, we like to include options for you to explore should you choose to.  On all tours, you will always have free time post-ride and your choice of activity can often also include massages and visiting wellness centres, therapeutic pools and saunas in and around our accommodation.

Absolutely. A trip to Italy and/or to the beautiful regions of Australia that we visit, will be made all the more special by having your partner come along.

During the booking process, we speak with each of our non-riding guests to create a custom itinerary, specifically catering to their interests. Non-riding guests can enjoy the relaxation and surrounds of our beautiful accommodation/grounds, as well as a range of organized activities which can include spectacular walks and hikes, cooking classes and wine appreciation, to wandering around towns, shopping and sight seeing (guided or unguided), and enjoying special lunches with other non-riding guests.

For trips to Italy, we ask all customers to pay a deposit of 1,995 when they book, which confirms their reservation. The balance is generally due 120 days before departure. If you book less than 90 days before departure, we will ask you to pay the full price upfront.

For our Australian weekends and adventures, full payment is payable up-front.