EuroVelo 5 Via Romea (Francigena) Title: Overview Country: Region: Short description: A gourmet experience from Como to Parma along the Via Francigena by bike. Italy Lombardia Emilia Romagna 7-day itinerary with tour guide and support van always available. The itinerary runs along the Via Frangicena, connecting two very important cities on the way: Milan, economic and cultural capital of Italy, and Parma, renowned for its art and culinary tradition. The itinerary mostly runs along the Eurovelo 5 and also crosses other cities of art, such as Piacenza and Fidenza, and many beautiful smaller towns, less known yet worth to be seen. This is a slow travel across the network of local producers to discover the peculiarities of this stretch of the Via Francigena at a different pace. Special attention is given to the enogastronomic experience, and dinners will be dedicated to visiting some of the most interesting restaurants of the region. Objectives The itinerary enables the visitors to get to know deeply the land and territory they cross, with its wide network of small producers, agricultural businesses and artisanal enterprises mainly specialized in the production of wine and food specialties. The bicycle is the most suitable means of transportation to grasp details and to get to know these small businesses. Moreover, attention is also given to the historical background linked to the pilgrim route and the rich artistic heritage of the area. Target groups Operator, contact The itinerary has no particular challenges, and is thus suitable for all kinds of cyclists, including families with children. The tour is designed to appeal foreign tourists, who can easily access the starting/finishing point of the tour from all major European cities through railways (Milan central train station) and, for internationals visitors, also by plane. Being the focus of the tour on food, it can also be appealing for visitors coming from overseas. In particular, the target tourist of this tour has a good spending capacity and is looking for a high level of comfort along the trip. This itinerary is designed in order to take advantage of public transportation, thus there is no need to use the car. Verde Natura Tour Operator
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Product - detailed description of the services Basic package: Day1 : arrive in Milano Day2: Milano-Como-Milano (trans. by train from Milano to Como), Como Milano by bike 48km. Day 3: Milano Pavia 35 km Day 4: Pavia Orio Litta 52 km Day 5: Orio Litta Fiorenzuola 57 km Day 6: Fiorenzuola Parma 54 km Day 7: Parma - departure (1 h train to Milan direct connection) This itinerary follows the stretch of the Eurovelo 5 between the Lake of Como and Parma. Hotels and Accommodation: hotel*** and ****, high-end agriturismo and B&B, all bike-friendly and with strong local flavor ; FB basis with dinner in selected gourmet restaurants and tasting experiences at lunchtime. Route infrastructures: between Como and Piacenza the itinerary runs mostly on asphalted cycle paths. Some cycle paths are on unpaved surface. Between Piacenza and Parma the itinerary runs on little secondary roads. Other services: luggage transportation every day; insurance travel 24/24 medical and luggage; road book and maps of the itinerary; pilgrim passport; information about visits and tastings at local producers and farms; dedicated over-the-phone assistance. Services on request: Bike rental (different types of bicycle available; also children bikes, tagalongs, trailers, E-bikes). The support van always travels with the group, providing constant technical and logistical assistance, luggage transfer and transfer of the purchased goods in case of shopping in the farms and businesses visited throughout the day.
Overview of the itinerary
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