Non Riding Partners
A’qto welcomes non-riding partners on all tours
We believe in the value of shared experiences and recognise that for many, a tour of Italy is often a shared dream. We encourage non-riders to join their cyclist partners on A’qto’s Italy bicycle holidays, and offer an off-the-bike itinerary for every region we traverse.
Our active travel programs are designed to ensure cyclists and non-riding partners alike are afforded enriching experiences, and shared enjoyment of A’qto’s authentic Italian hospitality and cultural immersion.
As our non-riding partner program is an active adventure, there is a minimum walking requirement for non-riding guests for each tour. Please enquire when booking.
Sightseeing & City Tours
Day trips to beautiful neighbouring towns, historic small cities and ‘must-see’ sights, always forms part of our tours.
Whether it’s a day trip to Siena or Lecce to enjoy a street tour led by a local, a simple and authentic lunch with an incredible view in the Dolomites, a couple of hours shopping while exploring the towns of San Gimignano or Alba, a half day trip to the spectacular Brolio or Grinzane Cavour Castles followed by lunch, or wandering the streets of gorgeous hilltop towns in Tuscany, Piemonte, Puglia or the Veneto, these local travel and sight-seeing experiences always make for a fun, immersive adventure.
Cooking Classes
Cooking classes are often one one of the experiences requested by guests, and not always just the non-riders.
We partner with a range of cooking schools across Tuscany, Piemonte, Veneto, Puglia and the various regions in which we stay, to deliver authentic, local and fun cooking experiences. Just make sure you have room to eat what you cook, following your 3-4 hour class and enjoy the vino along the way.
Food & Market Tours
Often it’s not about the cooking, but learning about the produce or visiting food markets, that is appealing to guests with a ‘foodie’ interest.
Whether it’s discovering the food of Florence with a walking tour, wandering through the ancient Rialto fish markets in Venice followed by a cicchetti tasting, or walking through the Chianti, Barbaresco or Prosecco vines while enjoying food, olive oil and wine tastings along the journey, we can make it happen.
Hiking & Walking
If you love to walk, we’ll have some amazing experiences lined up.
Whether its hiking in the spectacular Dolomites and taking in the mountain air of the Italian Alps, enjoying guided walks through the stunning rolling hills and vineyards of Tuscany, Piemonte or the Prosecco region of the Veneto, or exploring the whitewashed towns and surrounding landscapes of Puglia, just bring your runners or hiking shoes along and we’ll arrange the rest.
Thermal Baths & Spa Treatments
A bit of self-care and pampering perhaps?
Often in the regions we stay, there are natural hot thermal springs or established spa houses with incredible views across the mountains or nature parks in which they are hidden. Wherever they are, bathing and/or having a massage or treatment in nature, always makes for a relaxing half day out and forms part of our non riding partner program.
Meet the producers
An important element of Italian lifestyle and culture is the quality of food, wine and other beverages produced. In fact, it is an Italian obsession; discussed daily, and even hourly, between locals of all ages. So, as part of our non-riding partner program, we ensure you meet the producers in each region we visit to give you a very authentic experience of the local products and production philosophy, and of course, to enjoy tasting them!
Truffle Hunting
If you’re travelling with us in the Italian Autumn Truffle Season (September-November) and you would like to venture beyond the table to do an exciting tour through the Tuscan or Piemonte woods to learn where, when and how to hunt for truffles, a wonderful local experience with a truffle hunter and his dog awaits.
Shopping
Shopping in Italy is always high on the agenda.
If a half day trip to a designer outlet fashion centre is something you’d like to experience, this is possible on our Tuscany tours. The outskirts of Florence provide the most alluring shopping destinations and versatility, with affordable upmarket goods and brands.
Or if it’s just local, artisan boutiques you are after with everything from clothing and shoes to ceramics and art, and other beautiful Italian keepsakes, we’ll have this covered across all of our Italian cycling tours;
Going Along For The Ride
Often non-riding partners like to go along for the ride in our support vehicle for a day to enjoy the spectacular scenery and be right there behind the riding group as they push every pedal stroke up some incredible climbs or watch the Pro’s come over a Mountain Pass in the Dolomites or the Alps, as part of the Giro.
Being able to experience what the riders experience in a day, can be a lot of fun so if this is something you’d enjoy, let us know when booking in.
Testimonials
I want to assure all non riding partners you’ll have a fantastic time
My husband Michael and I went on the A’qto Giro Tour. It was part of a five week holiday in Europe, and it was by far the best part of our trip. I initially thought I would meet Michael after the tour, until I found out I could participate as a non rider. I want to reassure all non riding partners, you can go on a bike riding holiday and have a fantastic time.
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