2019 Northern Italy Tour - Lakes, Alpes & Dolomites Tour

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2019 Northern Italy Lakes, Alpes & Dolomites Tour

2019 Northern Italy Lakes, Alpes & Dolomites Tour We are! excited to again offer our most popular cycling holiday through three of Italy’s most picturesque regions. A fully support 10 day extravaganza of cycling and sightseeing. No matter what level or rider you

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are, we have your back with plenty of support before the tour and lots more on the road.

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You will be captivated by the beauty and serenity of the Italian lakes, the awe-inspiring and ancient jagged Dolomites and not forgetting the breathtaking Italian Alpes. You will ride some of the world’s most famous

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climbs including the amazing Passo dello Stelvio (2760m) and the Sella Ronda in the Dolomites.

Experience !! the best Italy has to offer with unquestionably the best team in the industry.

Slumber ! in deluxe accommodation, dine on classic Italian & South Tyrolean cuisine and plenty of local wines and travel in peace and comfort both on and off the bike, assured in the knowledge that we take care of everything ! for you from the moment you arrive to well after we bid you ‘arrivederci’.

As for !the cycling, no stone is left unturned. All levels of riders are catered for. We explore the classic cycling routes within these three iconic regions. Providing you with all the support you need, you will cycle

! and along many of our favourite roads, including Lakes Maggiore, Lugano and Como, the classic up, down Giro d’Italia routes in the Dolomites, the sublime Passo di Gavia, which will feature in the upcoming Giro d’Italia, !and legendary Passo dello Stelvio in the Alpes….both sides!

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With so much to see and do off the bike, this tour is also the perfect holiday for partners who ride a little or not at all.

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We hope you enjoy our Lakes, Alpes and Dolomites Tour itinerary and if you have any questions

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whatsoever, we’d love to answer them! As with the past years, this tour will sell out.

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We look forward to welcoming you to Italy in 2019. Let yourself be ‘treated like a PRO by the PROS’.

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DATES:

12 – 21 June 2019

(10days / 9nights)

PRICE:

$5,990 AUD

GROUP SIZE:

Maximum of 14 guests with 4 staff

START/FINISH:

Italy (Malpensa International Airport)

CONTACT:

info@procyclingtours.com

DAY 1 BENVENUTI IN ITALIA We will! collect you from Milan Malpensa International

12 JUNE

airport and travel the short distance to our beautiful

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lakeside hotel in Luino on the Italian/Swiss border where we will spend the ! picturesque Lake Maggiore.

next 2

nights

on

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Once checked in we will be available to help set up your bike or !introduce you to your hire bike, then depending

on how you feel, we will go for a ride along the lake and perhaps! take in a little climb of the region so to stretch out the lungs and legs.

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The city of Luino is located in the spacious plain at the end

! of Valtravaglia and is the most important city on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore. The first thing to do in

Luino is!to stroll down the grandiose lakeside promenade, dotted by gigantic plane trees and the harmonious

! architecture of the buildings delimiting the old Napoleonic

harbour. Palazzo Verbania, which is home to the library

! Museum of Archaeology and Palaeontology. A and Civic stroll through the historic centre is also pretty, with its

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steep narrow pedestrian alleyways, Renaissance and Baroque palaces, loggias on the inner courtyards, craft

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shops and cafes.

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Our 4 star hotel is a charming villa dating back to the late nineteenth ! century, located on the prestigious lakefront boulevard, just a few miles from the Swiss border and a stones throw from fresh water beaches. A real favourite !

with our guests this is an outstanding hotel and considered ! one of the finest in the region.

Tonight ! we will enjoy a very generous and delicious welcome dinner right on the waters edge as we watch ! the beautiful sun set over this stunning Italian lake.

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RIDE

2.5 hours / 50km / flat and rolling

STAY

Luino 4* deluxe lakefront hotel

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DAY 2 GIRO DE LAGO MAGGIORE With a !number of challenging mountains ahead of us, today we will take in a flatter ride around Lake Maggiore,

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taking in two countries. However there is an option to climb for those looking for it!

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Riding north into Switzerland, we’ll circumnavigate our

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way through Lacomo and Ascona (pictured right) where we may like to relax for a lakeside lunch before riding

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back into Italy to the beautiful village of Cannero Riviera.

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From here, we you will have the option to ride to Piancavallo (1300m) on a wonderful back road riding

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through dense forest and arriving on a natural balcony that takes in some of the most beautiful scenery of the ! region, including the majestic Monte Rosa (4600m).

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Those looking for a gentler ride today will follow the lake to Verbania where we can regroup.

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Descending into Verbania, we’ll explore this ancient town

before !taking in a ferry ride over Lake Maggiore to Laveno before riding the short distance back to our

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hotel. Those not riding today will be chauffeured around Lake Maggiore, stopping in the many villages and taking ! in a walk.

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This afternoon and evening will be free for you to relax in the old town of Luino. Alternatively, the hotel is equipped

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with fabulous spa facilities and even a jetty to take a swim from – so you may simply prefer to lounge around.

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RIDE

4 – 6 hours / 80 – 110km / some hills

STAY

Luino 4* deluxe lakefront hotel

13 JUNE

DAY 3 LAKE LUGANO & BORMIO Today we! will bid farewell to Luino and Lake Maggiore and head deep into the Italian Alpes to the alpine village of

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Bormio and home base of the Passo dello Stelvio!

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So to shorten the drive time, and for those interested in pedaling today, we will ride to Lugano for a morning coffee,

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before making our way along Lake Lugano and to the stunning! lakeside village of Maggiore, where Lake Como and Lecco meet.

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Maggiore is indeed a place where the rich and famous call their second home, be careful not to rest your bike up ! against a Ferrari or Lamborghini!

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It’s a 50km ride, but you will have the option to simply relax

! this morning, driving the same route and in the van enjoying the scenery. After some time in Maggiore,

perhaps! a Panini and bierre, we’ll transfer by van up the valley to Bormio and start the carb preparations for our

! the Passo dello Stelvio (2758m) tomorrow! assault of !

Once in Bormio, and settled into one of our favourite speciality deluxe bike hotels in Europe, a chance to become

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familiar with his wonderful town, perhaps a look at one of the bike shops to grab some Stelvio memorabilia before an

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early night for an epic day on the bike tomorrow.

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We will enjoy a group dinner tonight at our hotel, which serves magnificent regional cuisine.

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RIDE

3.5hrs / 80km / mostly flat

STAY

Bormio 4* star deluxe chalet

14 JUNE

DAY 4 THE EPIC PASSO DELLO STELVIO We will! feel the excitement build this morning as we

15 JUNE

prepare to ride one of the most epic and iconic climbs in

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the world, the Stelvio!

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A challenging climb ahead of us we will start our day driving the short distance over the Passo d’Eira (2208m)

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and our ride the final 7km of the (Pass dal Fuorn) to warm up the legs, before a wonderful descent through Swiss

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countryside and to the more famous the classic side of the Passo dello Stelvio.

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The Stelvio is not just a mecca for cyclist, it is also the

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highest pass in Italy and one of the highest roads in Europe. The entire climb is within the limits of the Parco !

Nazionale dello Stelvio, Italy’s biggest national park and the largest protected are in Europe.

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Once we reach Trafoi you will be ready to replenish before

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your epic assent. Remember our support vehicles will be strategically positioned all the way up the climb if you wish

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to take a breather!

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Hotel Bellavista, run by former Olympic skiing champion, Gustav Thoni, is a great suggested alternative stop (and be ! sure to ask for cyclist discount). From Trafoi, the almost surreal succession of switchbacks heads for the pass,

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quickly climbing above the tree line and affording remarkable views over the surrounding mountains and ! glaciers and even the stunning road itself.

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At Passo dello Stelvio (2758m) the largest summer ski area in the Alpes, allows for a celebratory drink or perhaps

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a personally printed colour certificate of your achievement from the! Tourism Office including the time you did it in – so be sure to time yourself from Trafoi!

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A filling and very well deserved dinner will be enjoyed by the group. !!

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RIDE

5-7 hrs / 80km to 130km / 3000m

STAY

Bormio 4* star deluxe chalet

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DAY 5 PASSO DI GAVIA or BORMIO BATHS After a !relaxing start to the morning, today we have the envious opportunity to ride the Passo di Gavia, which

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starts from the doorstop of our hotel!

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Featuring countless times in the Giro d’Italia and again this year, the Gavia is a magnificent Italian pass. Often the

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highest point of the Giro d’Italia at 2610m, this is a legendary ! climb, sometimes with ample walls of snow lining the road at the summit.

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With an average of almost 8% over the 17km, there are snippets! of gradients up to 12km. The magnificence of the Gavia comes to the fore near the summit, with its natural

! many a marmot to be spotted! lake and

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relaxing lunch at the summit, before returning to Bormio.

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As an afternoon alternative, ‘when in Bormio’ you have the

! enjoy one of the beautiful spas to give those sore option to muscles some pampering they deserve! There are three

thermal! spas to choose from in Bormio. One is Bagni di Bormio Spa Resort, famous for its thermal baths and spa

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treatments, a trip to Bormio wont be complete without tending to those weary legs!

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A dive into more than two thousand years of history, in the

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Roman baths to the centuries-old grottos, which lead from the hot water spring to the panoramic open-air pool, ! overlooking the valley of Bormio, you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The Roman baths which have been

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famous since the first century B.C.

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Tonight you have the opportunity to explore one of the many restaurants in Bormio at your leisure.

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RIDE

3 hrs / 50km / 1800m

STAY

Bormio 4* star deluxe chalet

16 JUNE

DAY 6 MARMOT SPOTTING ON STELVIO, THE OTHER SIDE Our last! ride in the region will see us climb up the Stelvio the way we descended 2 days ago. They say you haven’t

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truly conquered the Stelvio until it has been ridden up both sides! It also means we get to descend through the ! amazing 48 switchbacks that were previously climbed.

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After we have descended the 48 switchbacks and taken in a wonderful valley ride through the famous apple orchards

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of Tirol, we take a short transfer to Bolzano and the Dolomites.

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Bolzano is in the upper middle of Italy in the foothills of the

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Alpes. It is a German-speaking town with an architectural appearance mixed between German and Italian. It is ! bustling and picturesque with several impressive town squares filled with busy shoppers and outdoor markets. A

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sightseeing must is in the museum containing the "iceman" Otzi, the! oldest preserved human. Bolzano is located in a

broad valley basin, in just a few minutes, the ‘three cable cars’, leaving from town, take you up to the mountain ! woodlands and meadows to above 1000m altitude. Here you can! enjoy magnificent views of the Dolomites and a refreshing mountain walk.

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Our 4 star hotel is situated right in the old town, and considered ! the most stunning in Bolzano. Our guests always rave about its charm, beautiful gardens and superb facilities! but most of all the amazing breakfast.

Tonight !we will enjoy a truly delicious and filling dinner to talk about all things Stelvio.

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RIDE

3-4 hours / 50-80km/ 2000m

STAY

Bolzano 4* star elegant hotel

17 JUNE

DAY 7 A DAY IN SOUTH TIROL ! be an official rest day, and a chance to recharge Today will

18 JUNE

the batteries for the Sella Ronda tomorrow!

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Bolzano is in the upper middle of Italy in the foothills of the !

Alpes. It is a German-speaking town with an architectural appearance mixed between German and Italian. It is

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bustling and picturesque with several impressive town squares! filled with busy shoppers and outdoor markets.

A sightseeing must ! ! is the museum containing the "iceman" Otzi, the oldest preserved human. Bolzano is located in a broad valley basin, in just a few minutes, the ‘three cable ! cars’, leaving from town, take you up to the mountain

! and meadows to above 1000m altitude. Here woodlands you can enjoy magnificent views of the Dolomites and a

! mountain walk. refreshing

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With castles, museums, cable cars, cafes and restaurants abound, Bolzano has so much to offer. You’ll be tempted to

! in the real estate windows. take a peak

! interested, we could take the short drive to For those Merano and visit the largest brewery in the region, Forst –

! this beer! you’ll love

! is also responsible for producing one tenth of The region the wine in Italy and certainly some of the best. Today you

! like to visit some of the local wineries to test that may also theory for ourselves!

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Today is a day where the options are plenty and we know ! very well so will have lots of ideas for your day off this town the bike.

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That said, if you are keen to stretch the legs, we can take

an early! morning ride along the beautiful bike path along the river.

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RIDE

rest day or a gentle 45km ride in the morning

STAY

Bolzano 4* star elegant hotel

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DAY 8 THE BREATHTAKING SELLA RONDA, DOLOMITES !

After exploring the beautiful village of Bolzano and surrounds yesterday, you should be feeling quite relaxed

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and ready for one of the rides of your life.

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Today sees us tackle some beautiful riding through the Dolomites in fact some have even said the most beautiful

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ride in Europe, the classic Sella Ronda in the Dolomites We’ll let you be the judge!

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It’s a challenging and rewarding 100km loop taking in 4

famous !passes in the heart of the Dolomites leaving from the village of Selva di Val Gardena. With the beauty of van

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support, you can also pick and choose how many of the passes you would like to ride.

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The first climb for the day is Passo Gardena a most

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picturesque climb which will have your jaw dropping, showcasing classic ‘dolomite’ geology. The next pass we

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climb is Passo Valparola where the last part of the climb takes us through the forest. Before World War I, there

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was only a trail over the pass, but the area was heavily contended during the war. A remaining fort has been

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made into a museum. Moving on we descend onto Passo Falzarego, ! the name Falza Rego means false king in ladin, a dialect spoken in the Dolomites, and refers to a King of the Fanes, who was supposedly turned to stone for ! betraying his people. We then climb one of our favourites, the Passo ! Pordoi where a memorial to Fausto Coppi stands at the summit of the pass.

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Our final climb takes us over Passo Sella and on our way back to !Selva di Val Gardena. Located on a grassy saddle that separates the Sassolungo from the Sella Group, the

! links Valle di Fassa with Val Gardena. One of Sella Pass the most famous passes of the Dolomites, it is overlooked

! by the majestic Torri del Sella and by the Mesules barrier.

Finally we make our way back to our starting village of Selva di !Val Gardeno.

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RIDE

5-7 hrs / 50-100km / up to 3000m

STAY

Bolzano 4* star elegant hotel

19 JUNE

DAY 9 PICTURESQUE LAKE GARDA !

This morning, after a memorable final breakfast in !our hotel (you’ll love the home made bircher muesli), we make

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a short transfer to Riva del Garda and the entrance to this great Lake of Italy. We’ll enjoy time exploring this ! glorious town, walk along the foreshore and savour a cappuccino or two as we prepare the bikes for our

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leisurely lakeside ride. (provided of course we don’t confront! a head wind!)

This is one ! of Italy’s finest treasures and the perfect finale to our time on the bike.

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As we ride along the lake to Garda, there will be the option to climb! up above to take a ridge road so to enjoy the wonderful views and take a breather, before descending

! into Garda for a LONG lunch. back down

It’s then! a snoozy transfer to our charming final hotel villa, conveniently located near Milan Malpensa Airport, for our

! final farewell dinner and a chance to reflect on our fabulous holiday.

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RIDE

2 – 3 hrs / 50 - 80km / up to 500m

STAY

Malpensa 4* star grand villa

20 JUNE

DAY 10 MORNING COFFEE RIDE AND ARRIVEDERCI ITALIA ! bid you farewell to our amazing journey through Today we

21 JUNE

the beautiful regions of Northern Italy and our new life-long friends.

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Should flight times permit, we may indulge in one last espresso ride in the morning.

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We will !provide assistance disassembling and packing your bike or remove your pedals, garmin etc from your hire bike.

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We will provide all the assistance you need in checking into the airport ! or provide advice and support for you onward holiday plans in Europe. Our travel partner can also assist with all !pre and post tour logistics for you so please ask if you would like further information.

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We thank you for entrusting us in taking you on a journey

through! northern Italy and we really do hope to see you again very soon.

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Take care and buon viaggio!

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RIDE

2hrs / 40km / gentle

TRANSFERS

Milan Malpensa Airport

WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR SPECIAL !

We guarantee more inclusions, more support and the best professional service in the industry

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Slumber in stunning 4* star accommodation throughout this holiday and dine on mouth-watering local cuisine and local wines.

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Explore some of Italy’s most amazing ‘off the beaten track’ scenery.

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All transfers from the moment you arrive at Malpensa for the duration of the tour to the moment you depart, in our modern and comfortable modern vehicles.

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Ride some of the world’s most classic climbs including Passo dello Stelvio (both sides), Passo di Gavia, Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and plenty more climbs.

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Visit and play in many of Italy’s most beautiful villages and ride along several spectacular lakes.

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Delicious and filling buffet breakfast on ALL mornings.

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6 delicious three or four course dinners including beverages.

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Designated ‘rest’ days, with many sights, bars and restaurants to explore.

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The owner of PRO CYCLING TOURS creates and personally hosts your holiday experience along with our dedicated and experienced professional team. Let yourself be treated like a PRO by the PROS.

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Up to 4 staff and a max of 14 guests to ensure you always receive the pro treatment. Hands own the highest guest to guide ratio in the industry. Whatever level of rider you are, you have support all the way.

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Modern, fully equipped, air-conditioned 9 seater vans with WI-FI connectivity, portable showers, change rooms, entertainment systems and more. We don’t use large impersonal coaches, the use of our vans allows us to provide more support and faster transfer times.

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Pre holiday coaching and advice from a former PRO Tour de France, Giro and Vuelta peloton rider and current PRO rider coach. The support you need to get the best out of your cycling holiday.

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At PRO CYCLING TOURS we dedicated to making your holiday with us one of your most memorable.

You receive the PRO treatment from the moment you contact us to well after your holiday has ended.

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Our professional Soignier support includes transfer of luggage, expert handling of your bike and taking care of all the finer details so you don’t have to think about a thing.

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Photography by PRO CYCLING TOURS. We provide you with hundreds of precious memories of your holiday, before you leave for home.

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Detailed printed ride maps and colour itinerary.

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2 sets of PRO CYCLING TOURS PRO style quality riding kit (new exciting design coming in 2019).

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On road supplements including energy bars, drinks, first aid and vehicle support throughout your ride and the day (not just at the start and finish).

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Quality and new season road bikes or E-bikes for hire. All bike hires INCLUDE full set-up, professional helmet, ALL spares, two drink bottles for you to keep, qualified mechanical support and plenty of gears to get you up any climb.

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PLUS plenty more PRO CYCLING TOURS extras to surprise you along the way

PROCYCLINGTOURS.COM

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HOW TO FINALISE YOUR BOOKING To guarantee your place(s) on this tour, simply register and confirm your booking by way of a $1,000 AUD deposit through our 2019 NORTHERN ITALY, LAKES ALPES AND DOLOMITES Tour Page at procyclingtours.com Final balance of tour payment is due 3 months prior to tour start.

For any questions please feel free to email us at info@procyclingtours.com and remember to visit our FAQs page for all trip inclusions, bike hire details etc.

For full terms & conditions please refer to our website www.procyclingtours.com.

SINGLE ROOM GUARANTEE All tour cost are based on twin share. We will match you with a same sex partner. If you are travelling alone and prefer not to share a room or bathroom facilities, we can provide you with your own room.

At an additional cost of $1200 AUD you will be guaranteed a private room with private facilities.

You can select this option at time of booking with a deposit to guarantee the room for $200 AUD.

GLOBAL TRAVEL ASSIST WITH IZAWAY PRO CYCLING TOURS is proud to provide our guests with dedicated and specialist worldwide travel assistance. IZAWAY is a travel company specialising in custom travel - but what sets them apart is their amazing personalised service. They make your travel easier and save you time and money while delivering a seamless travel experience. IZAWAY can assist you with: - Travel planning pre and post tour - Flights and other transport bookings pre and post tour - Hotel bookings outside of tour dates - Travel insurance for US residents Contact owner Isabelle direct at isabelle@izaway.com

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HIGH END ROAD BIKE HIRE or E-BIKE HIRE

In 2019 we have upgraded our fleet of hire bikes to the latest high-end road bike PLUS introducing a limited number of E-Bikes. For the duration of this tour hire cost are: $ 750 AUD for Road Bike $ 1050 AUD for E-Bike Hire bike costs includes: !

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New carbon road bikes with small gearing OR E-bike Professional new season helmet, sanitised and safety standards approved Two new water bottles - yours to keep after the tour Safety saddle bag with multi-tool, spare tube, leavers and gas canister Qualified mechanical support- including daily check and clean of your bike All and any spares (if required i.e. tubes etc.)

As a unique PRO CYCLING TOURS benefit, we offer Theft and Damage Insurance for complete piece of mind for an additional $150 AUD for your road hire bike or $250 AUD for your E-Bike hire. Alternatively we require a valid credit card at time of booking to cover the $6000 AUD for the road bike or $8000 AUD for your E-Bike should your hire bike be stolen or damaged outside of our normal terms of use.

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Contact us at: INFO@PROCYCLINGTOURS.COM *Itinerary subject to change at any time without notice *Full terms and conditions visit www.procyclingtours.com

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