Bike Across Europe. Pedal from Italy to France through Switzerland BIKE ACROSS EUROPE 2016 ITINERARY OUTLINE CLASSICO. Trip Essence / Page 2

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1 Bike Across Europe Pedal from Italy to France through Switzerland Start from Genova, Italy, on a course that embraces three countries - Italy, Switzerland, and France - and culminates in the beautiful town of Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region in France and also the official seat of the European Parliament. Spend twelve days exploring this part of the old continent, the way most Europeans do by bicycle. Relive the march of Napoleon and the battles of World War I and II. Of course, do all this while enjoying the true gems of the area: Piedmont and Aosta in Italy, Lake Geneva, the Swiss regional park of Juras, the Vosges forest and the quaint town of Colmar, the Routes des vins in the Alsace region and finally Strasbourg. This will be an unforgettable experience featuring a huge variety of traditional recipes and fresh gelato, delicious, gourmet food and local native grapes. Andiamo, forza, allez les cyclistes! ITINERARY OUTLINE Trip Essence / Page 2 Daily Itinerary / Page 3-6 Arrival & Departure / Page 7 Bike Information / Page 7 Terms & Conditions / Page 8 Reserve Your Space! / Page 8 Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 1

2 TRIP ESSENCE Lesser-traveled, gorgeous country roads Travel by bike through three countries and discover the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Colmar and Strasbourg Gourmet meals and charming accommodations Emerald valleys & vineyard-laden hillsides featuring Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Alsace wines and more! Savor cheese, wine and beer with our local hosts & sommeliers Learn more about Roman civilization, Medieval Castles, Citadelles, and more! WHAT S INCLUDED Carbon bike rental, see page 7 for details Service of local, professional guides throughout the program Ciclismo jersey and water bottle All accommodations All breakfasts, 8 dinners and 2 lunches Guided tour of Aosta, Castle of Chillon in Geneva and Colmar TRIP DETAILS 2016 Trip Dates Itinerary available as a private group departure, dates can be chosen based on your preferred time to travel and the best time to visit the location Ability Level Advanced Summary of Daily Distances Day 1: 13 miles Day 2: 55 miles Day 3: 90 miles Day 4: 55 miles Day 5: 68 miles Day 6: Rest Day Day 7: 69 miles Day 8: 81 miles Day 9: 69 miles Day10: 55 miles Day11: 55 miles Day12: Au Revoir! Optional extra loops available Trip Price Please contact us for pricing, adjustments to the itinerary can be made upon request Shuttles provided to beginning, during and at end of tour 1 Tasting of local products such as beer or wine or cheese Cycling clinics Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 2

3 DAY 1 GENOVA, THE LIGURIAN RIVIERA AND ARENZANO Daily Mileage - 13 miles Riding Terrain - Gently rolling Hotel - Punta San Martino Location: Arenzano html We have a group pick-up shuttle in Genova in front of Aquarium main entrance at 12:00pm and then a 30-min. transfer to the hotel in Arenzano. At 1pm we meet at the hotel for a light lunch & introduction talk, then we enjoy a quick warm-up ride inland and the view of the beautiful Ligurian coast. Today s ride features also the Mediterranean landscape with olive trees, surrounded by the typical scrub greenery. Situated on a quiet and charming position on the top of a green hill overlooking the sea, the Punta San Martino Hotel offers a beautiful view on the Bay of Genova and the Ligurian Rivier. A panoramic railway funicular, leaving directly from the hotel, will bring you to the beach below and to the cycling promenade in a few minutes. DAY 2 ACQUI TERME Daily Mileage - 49 miles Riding Terrain - Rolling to hilly Hotel - Grand Hotel Nuove Terme Location: Acqui Terme it/ Today we pedal northwest away from city life to Acqui. Along the way you ll encounter Monte Beigua in the Ligurian Apennines. Acqui Terme, according to legend, was founded by Greek colonies. Acqui has been well known for its hot waters since Roman times. Enjoy the thermal facilities of our hotel and to uncover the secrets of local gastronomy. The Grand Hotel Nuove Terme was established in 1892 in Acqui Terme and quickly became one of the most frequented throughout Europe, in addition to one of the most famous hotels of the Belle Epoque. DAY 3 ROMANO CANAVESE, IVREA Daily Mileage - 90 miles Riding Terrain - Hilly with a few climbs Hotel - Relais Villa Matilde Location: Romano Canavese home_villa_matilde.htm Roll through abundant vineyards along quiet roads today, arriving in Ivrea, which boasts a Roman amphitheater and a fourth-century cathedral, believed to be built over a pagan temple. When the main gate of the Relais Villa Matilde closes behind you, you ll have no doubts: in this magnificent 18th-century villa you are going to feel as if you re are starring in a film. The hotel features paintings, marbles, friezes, fireplaces, mirrors, stables turned into a restaurant and the age-old park create the refined and genteel atmosphere which was the aim of the aristocratic owners. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 3

4 DAY 4 AOSTA Daily Mileage - 55 miles Riding Terrain - Mountainous Hotel - Hotel Milleluci Location: Aosta Easy or challenging? It s your choice on today s ride to the Roman capital of the Alps. In Aosta we ll learn more about Roman times and we will discover with a local guide the ancient walls of Augusta Praetoria Salassorum, still preserved almost in their entirety and also the triumphal arch, built in 35 BC in honour of Augustus. This hotel has a perfect position for enjoying the area s breathtaking Alpine setting. The glorious natural landscape here, a legacy of the Ice Age glaciers that carved out this valley, is spectacular and the hotel offers also some pleasant amenities like a pool and a small spa. DAY 5 TO LAKE GENEVA, MONTREUX THROUGH THE ALPS Daily Mileage - 68 miles Riding Terrain - Passo San Bernardo (7419 ft) Hotel - Hotel Eden Palace Location: Montreux Duration: 2 Nights Follow the shadow of Napoleon on today s ride through beautiful landscapes in the Alps with splendid views of surrounding peaks such as Grand Combin (12,943 ft). We cross the Gran San Bernardo alpine pass -- covered in snow at least nine months of the year. It was here that Saint Bernard trained his famous dogs to assists winter pilgrims on their way to Rome from lower Gaul. We ll say a short ciao to Italy as we enter the stunning Swiss Alps and stay on the Lac Geneva. Upon entering The Eden Palace au Lac you will feel welcome in a great atmosphere and environment. All lakeside rooms have air conditioning, with either balcony or terrace overlooking the Lake and the Alps. The majority of city side rooms have a balcony with view over Montreux and its surrounding mountains. DAY 6 LAKE GENEVA REST DAY Hotel - See Day 5 Get out of the saddle, get ready to enjoy the Lake of Geneva and its marvelous surroundings. The beauty of the shores of the lake and of the sites of many of the places near its banks has long been celebrated: this is the perfect location for a relaxing and well-deserved rest day! One of the highlights of the day is the guided visit to the Chillon Castle, an architectural jewel located on the shores of Lake Geneva, right at the foot of the Alps. This monument with over 1000 years of history, has always inspired artists and writers, from Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Victor Hugo and Lord Byron, from Delacroix to Courbet. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 4

5 DAY 7 SWISS JURAS Daily Mileage - 69 miles Riding Terrain - Hilly to rolling Hotel - Hotel Saint Pierre Location: Pontarlier Today we cross the regional Parks of Jura, famous for forested hills, gorges, bucolic landscape and quiet atmosphere. This is one of the Cantons which lies in the northwest of Switzerland. It consists of parts of the Jura mountains in the south and the Jura plateau in the north. The Jura plateau is hilly and almost entirely limestone and it is interesting to know that the term Jurassic is derived from the Jura Alps, strata of which date to that era. Pontarlier, our final destination, was a Roman station, famous in the past also for the production of absinthe banned in Distilleries then kept going producing the famous Pastis aperitif and then finally switch back to absinthe in Hotel is situated in the center of Pontarlier, only 10 miles from the Swiss border. The 14 rooms available are all renovated and equipped with all the comforts to make sure you can enjoy your stay in this corner of France. DAY 8 PONTALIER TO BELFORT Daily Mileage - 81 miles Riding Terrain - Rolling with some climbing Hotel - Hotel Tonneau d or Location: Belfort A great ride through a quiet canyon, immersed in deep green forests, in the Doubs valley. Streams and creeks surround the area on our way to Belfort, a fortified town built by the French and used as a stronghold against the Prussian empire. In ancient times the site of Belfort was inhabited in Gallo-Roman times and was subsequently recorded in the 13th century as a possession of the counts of Montbéliard. Nowadays Belfort is a trading centre for wine and grain and its industries include, textiles and the production of the famous high-speed French trains called TGVs (Trains Grande Vitesse). If time allows the Citadelle of Belfort can be visited: this is a breathtaking and immediate way to rediscover history. Step inside Hotel Tonneau d Or and discover the monumental staircase surrounded by stained glass windows. Our team welcomes you in a pleasant atmosphere, ready to meet your expectations. DAY 9 ALSAC, COLMAR THROUGH THE NATIONAL PARK OF BALLONS DES VOSGES Daily Mileage - 69 miles Riding Terrain - Rolling and a climb to Ballons d Alsace Hotel - Hotel le Colombier Location: Colmar Duration: 2 Nights Enjoy a lungful of clean fresh air in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park. This is one of the largest nature parks in France, and is home to an extraordinary mix of fauna, flora and landscapes. The combination of geological features and climatic differences have together created a surprising natural environment here. En route to Colmar, in the spectacular Alsace region, famous, among the others, for its wines, we will tackle the Ballon d Alsace climb, renown as the first climb ever featured on the Tour de France in 1905! Before dinner there will be also the opportunity to join the local guide on a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Colmar, which has been an area of considerable contention between Germany and France. Sited in the quaint town of Colmar in the Alsace region, this charming hotel offers rooms with a mix of modern and antique style. The building dates back to Renaissance time located in the historical center the town. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 5

6 DAY 10 COLMAR AND THE VOGES FOREST Daily Mileage - 55 miles Riding Terrain - Rolling and hilly terrain Hotel - See Day 9 Today s ride goes through the route de cretes, immense area of geometric beauty of Alsatian vineyards and forests, to discover a natural environment of high biological interest dotted with museums, castles, forts and abbeys. This will be a fantastic ride which takes place in the Vosges forest above the city of Colmar, featuring a half dozen of Cols along the front of WWI, on an alpine landscape. Allow also some time to enjoy more the charming Colmar, which features also its historical center, perfectly depicting a typical Alsatian village. Today there will be also a chance to savor local products such as beer, wine and cheeses, which are among the great delicacies that this area is famous for! DAY 11 COLMAR TO STRASBOURG Daily Mileage - 55 miles Riding Terrain - Rolling and hilly terrain Hotel - Hotel Cour du Courbeau Location: Strasbourg index.php?&lang=en On our final ride we ride through the Route des Vins d Alsace, an amazing rollercoaster roads among the vineyards that cross a dozen of fairytales villages, perfectly kept by their proud residents like they were 500 years ago. Our final destination of the tour is Strasbourg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, capital of the Alsace region and the official seat of the European Parliament. This is a perfect location to celebrate a great accomplishment of having crossed 3 countries in Europe in 12 days: tres bien mes amis! Memory of a formerly Alsatian inn, nowadays an established 4-star hotel just a few steps away from the Cathedral. Admire the courtyard through a window, or a sculptured statue which enjoys itself while the time goes by. DAY 12 AU REVOIR! ARRIVEDERCI! GOOD BYE! Stay on and explore other parts of France or at around 9 am take our 5 minute group shuttle to Strasbourg train station, to catch your next connection. From Strasbourg it takes 2.5 hours to reach Paris, 2 hours to Frankfurt, 1.5 hours to Zurich. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 6

7 ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE GETTING TO GENOVA AND ARENZANO (ITALY) Option 1: Fly to Genova C. Colombo (GOA) and take a taxi (15 minutes) to the Aquarium to meet our 12 pm group shuttle* to Arenzano. Option 2: Fly to Milan Malpensa (MXP) and take the frequent Malpensa Shuttle to Milano Centrale train station (50 minutes). Take a train ( to Genova P. Principe station then taxi (5-10 minutes) to the Aquarium to meet our 12 pm group shuttle* on day 1 to Arenzano. * Please inform the office if you plan on taking this scheduled group shuttle at least one month in advance via this form: DEPARTING FROM STRASBOURG (FRANCE) OTHER INFORMATION For Flight Reservations Valerie Wilson Travel Call: or ciclismoair@vwti.com Travel Insurance MH Ross Call: Transportation Rome2rio At around 9 am we have one 5 minute group shuttle to Strasbourg train station. From Strasbourg by train ( it takes 2.5 hours to reach Paris, 2 hours to Frankfurt, 1.5 hours to Zurich. BIKE INFORMATION Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Bianchi carbon fork, Shimano 105 triple groupset, an adjustable stem, and a wheel set laced with 32 spokes and 25mm tires. Included on all tours Aluminum Hybrid More relaxed riding at a look-around-you pace, this is our custom-built, highperformance aluminum hybrid bicycles with straight handlebars. We also have woman-specific frame. Included on all tours Bianchi Intenso and Vertigo The carbon frame guarantees maximum performance with minimum stress for the riders, thanks to Bianchi s special C2C (Coast to Coast) frame design/ geometry and different material combination. Carbon bikes are equipped with compact crank and 11/32 cassette. Available for $250 Bianchi Intenso or Vertigo with Shimano included on all intermediate and advanced tours at no extra charge Tandems Cannondale road or hybrid: racing posture with 700c wheels, or a more straight up position and 26 inch wheels. Co-motion Periscope: accommodates smaller team or even children. Available for $400 Honey tandem: light and responsive and perfect for experienced tandem riders. Available for $400 ebikes Available on all easy and athletic beginner tours, some intermediate and advanced tours. Please contact us for more information. Available for $400 Bike type outside of Europe may vary, please contact us at for more information. ON THE BIKE Included Ciclismo Classico water bottle Two water bottle holders Map holder on handlebars (or Garmin Edge GPS) Handlebar bag Tire pump Combination bike lock Gel-padded saddle Choice of pedals Card with your tour leaders mobile phone numbers Garmin Edge GPS Included on all carbon bikes and premium tandems (Comotion and Honey) $30 rental fee for other bikes Pedal Options Flat pedals Half-toe pedals (without straps) Toe cage pedals Things to Bring Helmet Optional: clipless pedals with shoes Optional: your own saddle Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 7

8 INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance Ciclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Information on travel insurance will be sent to you via once trip deposit is received. We recommend MH Ross, but travelers may choose the insurance carrier of their choice. Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to their cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. The purchase of short-term travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Cancellation fees are determined as followed: Days before departure Cancellation fee 121+ days - 50% of the deposit* days - 100% of the deposit* days - 30% of the trip price days - 60% of the trip price days - 100% of the trip price *You may transfer your trip deposit to another departure in the same tour season up to 90 days before your original departure with payment of a $100 per person transfer fee. Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification. OR your deposit (currently $600) may be carried forward to the following year as a credit toward the final balance of a tour. At the time of booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Carried-forward credits expire at the end of the year to which they are applied. Alterations to the tour itinerary Sometimes modifications may be made to the itinerary. We will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure or lodging. Any changes to the program are made in the best interest and safety of the group. To review our policies, please visit RESERVE YOUR SPACE! To reserve a space, call Ciclismo Classico at Or, mail your deposit and contact information to: Ciclismo Classico attn: Rosa 30 Marathon St Arlington, MA At the time of registration, a deposit of $600 per person is due, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check, made payable to Ciclismo Classico, along with your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and address. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days before departure payable by check, credit card, wire transfer or money order. All travelers must review and sign a terms and conditions statement and a waiver form. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 8