Days 1 - 2
Grand Sila National Park

Our first day will be planned according to your arrival times, and accordingly we will arrange one pick up time.  We strongly advise arriving a day early to make sure you have time to acclimate so that you will be ready to enjoy your first day’s ride with your group the next day. We transfer 1.5 hours into the Grand Sila National Park, who’s first known settlers were the Bruttii, an ancient tribe of shepherds and farmers. After the destruction of Sybaris in 510 BC, Rome began to extend its sphere of influence over Calabria, Sila included. Later it was occupied in turn by the Ostrogoths, the Byzantines and, from the 11th century, the Normans. The latter favored the creation of several monasteries, like the Florence Abbey at San Giovanni in Fiore, built by Joachim of Fiore. We will have plenty of time to visit the Abbey in this town we stay as well as its medieval center.

Our first ride is completely around the Park’s lush Lago Arvo and ends with a long downhill to the base of San Giovanni in Fiore. The following day we ride completely around the 2nd major lake of the region, and again end with a nice downhill to the base of town. We take our time to explore and picnics will be planned along the way if requested.

• Lodging: 2 nights in one of the best hotel’s in the Grand Sila Park region, this 3 star modern hotel is located in an outstanding location and offers us great hospitality and proximity to the regions highlights.

Day 3-4
Ciro, Wine, Olive Oil & Grazing Horses

Through forgotten mountain villages on sunny terraces you reach the Ionian Sea where beautiful, vast views open up. Ride from one jaw dropping town to another as we weave our way through the interiors of magnificent medieval jewels to the premier wine region of Calabria, Ciro, where we end our ride with a visit and tour with creative wine maker Giuseppe Ippolito who produces the rich red wines “Due Cropio” in the old fashion manner. Perfect, no?

It gets even better; in Ciro Marina we will be guest at the estate of Francesco Zito who produces some of Italy’s finest olive oils. At least that is what the awards claim to affirm. His farmhouse was built on the remains of an ancient 17h century country house, now completely restored in a peaceful and wonderful place, among secular olive trees vineyards, and only 3 km from the sea. Francesco’s offers us an assortment of tastefully modest apartments on a special property that is also home to more than 120 horses who roam the land as he cultivates his olives and entertains guest. While here Francesco will cook up delicious Calabrese meals on the estate and escort us during our wine tasting tours. There will be a morning ride up to the important town of Ciro where spectacular views open up both to the deep blue waters of the Ionian Sea and inland the towns falling from the horizon. We then glide back down to earth for a tasting at another of the regions wine producers before meeting up with those who decided on sopping with Francesco rather than ride. Some may opt to visit the Sea for a swim and look around before sitting down to the grand meal.

• Lodging: An an outstanding Agriturismo & property with apartment style rooms located close to the sea.
• Dinner: on the estate.

Day 5-6
Exploring Greek Roots & Roman Conquest

We complete our exploration of the wine region by first transferring to the lofty and significant wine producing village of Melissa. For those that are up to the task we can ride from our estate for 14km to the base of the town that offers 1000 foot climb of 5 to 7% grades to the town castle. We then pass through the rich and peaceful agricultural lands that sport many vineyards and citrus trees as we crisscross our way past the many hill towns sporting lofty medieval castles to the significant coastal town of Crotone. As you ride through this region keep in mid that Cirò wine was the award of choice for victorious athletes in ancient Olympics competitions. At that time Calabria was the center piece of what the Greeks called Enotria (Land of Wine), but these days wine takes a back seat to olive oil and citrus fruit including citron and bergamot. A prize for the first one to point out the tree or plant that produces bergamont.

In Crotone we stay at a beautiful 4-star beach front hotel that Italian President Ciampi once stayed; if it’s good enough for him why not us. I love the place and the owner is sooo nice. From here we will have time to explore a city extremely rich in history. Crotone was long one of the most flourishing cities of Magna Graecia. Its inhabitants were famous for their physical strength and for the simple sobriety of their lives. From 588 BC onwards, Crotone produced many generations of victors in the Olympics and the physicians of Crotone were considered the foremost among the Greeks. Pythagoras founded his school here circa 530 BC who acquired considerable influence with the supreme council of one thousand by which the city was ruled, however, an insurrection took place, by which the Pythagoreans were driven out and a democracy established. Crotone revolted from Rome, and Hannibal made it his winter quarters for three years; it was not recaptured until 205 or 204 BC. In 194 BC, it became the site of a Roman colony. Little more is heard of it during the Republican and Imperial periods. Our next days ride explores the coast and offers some wonderful views. We stop at a major ruinous site of Capo Colona along the way and if time allows we will ride out to the island castle whose surrounding blue waters beautifully contrast the red sand beach. We then loop back to our grand 4 star hotel and may wish to explore the town of Crotone that offers a significant Norman castle of its own.

• Hotel: 2 nights at a beautiful 4 star on the sea Hotel Lido di Scoglio
• Dinner: free night out and one night at 4-star hotel

Day 7 - 9
Le Due Mare

We begin today with a 45’ transfer and pass by what was voted the ugliest city in Italy, Catanzaro. I was amazed that there was such a vote and having had seen Catanzaro years ago I couldn't’t help but stop and have a look at what must have changed. I will just conclude by saying that the vote was most likely not even close and if you wish to see for yourself we have 2 opportunities to do so during our last days of cycling. Fortunately we stay in the charming little village of Tiriolo, where our hotel, situated in a high position at the narrowest point of Italy, controls a view of this arm of land where just 30 km separate the waters of Jonio Sea from those of the Tyrrhenian Sea. On a clear day you enjoy of one of the most incredible panoramas of the region and probably of whole Italy have to offer. The two seas are in full view with the Aeolie Islands framed by the smoking plumes of the volcanoes Stromboli and Etna. If you are able to pull yourself away, just steps above our hotel are the medieval Norman castle and Byzantine fortress.

From our doorstep we ride down through a lush agrarian landscape that eventually climbs over the ridge to the tiny sleepy farming villages. We skirt the valley and aim for the coast where we stop to visit the archeological park of Scolacium. Here we enjoy a guided tour that uncovers the rich cultural heritage of the region. One of the parks main attractions is an international exhibit which aims to foster an appreciation of the link between archeology and contemporary sculpture. Our last day’s ride is by far our most challenging and as difficult as it may be I feel you will all be ready for the task. This quiet path begins with a gradual 3% climb and then mainly descends to our halfway point where we stop for lunch at a beautiful 10th century ruinous Abbey. We then take on a long sustained 3-5% climb and you are always free to opt for the van on this first of several climbs. All along the way spectacular views of the medieval towns that spill down from the hillsides make the ride more intriguing than grueling. Before you know it you are rewarded with a gelato stops in a fascinating villages where curious onlookers are sure to wonder what brought us so far from home and home is most likely on everyone’s mind as we pedal our way back for one last grand dinner together..

• Hotel: 2 nights at a beautiful 3 star above the town with incredible views of two seas and Aeolian Islands and Mt Etna.
• Dinner: free night out and farewell dinner

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Transportation Logistics

*We advise flying into Lamezia Terme and we will provide information on many low cost airlines that fly within Italy and other cities in Europe to/from Lamezia Terme.

Train departure times and tracks are subject to change, so verify before boarding.

Trains from Rome to Lamezia Terme (tour meeting point): ~5 hours

#9371 Roma Termini -06:45 am--arrival Lamezia Terme Centrale ---11:37 pm

#9371 Roma Termini -07:45 am--arrival Lamezia Terme Centrale ---12:50 pm