FULL ITINERARY
DAY ONE FRI 7 JUN | ARRIVAL & WELCOME
Arrive and settle into your hotel in Verona. We'll make sure the bikes are set up, whether you are bringing your own, or hiring a bike, so you're ready to roll tomorrow. Time to wander Verona before a Welcome dinner and Tour Briefing in the evening.
DAY TWO SAT 8 JUN | WARM-UP RIDE
An easy ride today, along part of the Granfondo course. A good opportunity to stretch the legs after travelling and become familiar with the start of the route on Sunday.
In the afternoon we get to meet and mingle with current world tour riders at the Alé fashion show. Awesome venue in the beautiful Piazza Bra, opposite the famous Arena di Verona.
DISTANCE | 31KM
ELEVATION | 300M
DAY THREE SUN 9 JUN | ALÉ MERCKX GRANFONDO
What a great day! The atmosphere at the start of an Italian Granfondo, lined up in the start grid, is not to be missed. Choose to ride the challenging long or shorter medium course of the Alé Merckx Granfondo. Or ride the Griglia Scaligera. Ideal for those that want to experience granfondo for the first time. The Scaligera is lead by exceptional cyclists who provide technical advice, and offers the opportunity to savour the beauty of the landscape behind the main bunch.
GRANFONDO | 129KM | 2600M
MEDIOFONDO | 82KM | 1450M
GRIGLIA SCALIGERA | 82KM | 1450M
DAY FOUR MON 10 JUN | REST DAY & ARTISANS
A day off the bike, with visits to two of the Artisans on this tour. We visit the De Rosa factory, seeing their brilliant titanium frames being hand made. Following lunch, we'll visit the Vision/FSA factory where their high performance wheels are also hand made.
DAY FIVE TUE 11 JUN | PESCHIERA LOOP RIDE
Gorgeous ride to the shores of Lake Garda. We follow the lake round to Peschiera and Sirmione. After a delicious lunch stop we head to our hotel in Peschiera, home for a few days. In the afternoon, our third Artisanal visit to the Alé factory to see Alé garments and Cipollini bikes being hand made.
DISTANCE | 55KM
ELEVATION | 450M
DAY SIX WED 12 JUN | SALÒ LOOP
Great day out as we ride along Lake Garda and catch the ferry across to Salò. You'll love the different perspective from the waters of this beautiful lake. From Salò, we ride back to Peschiera via the impressive Torre di San Martino della Battaglia.
DISTANCE | 90KM
ELEVATION | 900M
DAY SEVEN THU 13 JUN | PERI FOSSE LOOP
Fantastic loop ride to the Peri Fosse climb. The start and finish are undulating, and after the 12KM climb to the summit at Fosse and a well-earned caffe, the reward is a gradual, undulating but ultimately downhill journey with sweeping views across the Valpollicella region. A perfect mix for cyclists - quiet roads and rejuvenating scenery.
DISTANCE | 95KM
ELEVATION | 1450M
DAY EIGHT FRI 14 JUN | VALPOLICELLA LOOP
Today, for our final ride, we head into the heart of the Valpolicella wine region. The route is winding, through hills of vineyards, olive trees and woodland. Once again, an undulating start and finish, with two ascents to keep things interesting. And that means two descents!
We will transfer you back to our hotel in Verona for a very special finale. Celebration dinner and a night at the opera. Cultural heaven with the classic Aida performed in the Arena di Verona. A brilliant day to wind up a memorable tour!
DISTANCE | 80KM
ELEVATION | 1000M
DAY NINE SAT 15 JUN | GOODBYE
Morning transfer to Malpensa airport.
Time to say farewell, until next time!