Welcome to Como! Appointment around 2 p.m. in the hotel lobby. Our first ride together is an easy and short journey. We need to check that your bike is in perfect condition and your riding position is adjusted according to your usual needs. If something isn’t right we’ll have time to fix it and we’re here to help. We pedal along the old Regina road that runs along the shore of the lake. Short climbs and descents through small villages, after which we reach a quaint place where you can enjoy your first real Italian espresso or the unavoidable cappuccino.
Overnight stay: Hotel Asnigo Cernobbio
Today the route will be a little longer, but without tricky climes. Once in Nesso, a short stop allows us to admire the characteristic “orrido”, a natural gorge where two streams, the Tuf and the Nosè, join and throw themselves into the lake forming a suggestive waterfall. In Bellagio, you cannot give up coffee while waiting for the ferry that will take us to the other side. Returning to Como, past Villa Carlotta with its botanical garden, a detour to the left takes us to the splendid Gulf of Venus in Lenno. Here you can enjoy truly exceptional ice cream. We always continue following the shore of the lake to return to the hotel, but do not forget to enjoy the view while pedalling.
Overnight stay: Hotel Asnigo Cernobbio
This tour takes us to discover the Intelvi Valley, through small villages and suggestive panoramas. It starts by skirting the lake on the old state road 640, called “Regina” in honour of Teodolinda, Queen of the Lombards. Once in Argegno, we turn left and tackle the first climb of the day, about 6 km without great difficulty. After Schignano, a splendid panorama opens up and we admire the Comacina island from above. A short stretch of slight slope and we continue to climb up to Erbonne, a village dating back to pre-Roman times and which now has seven inhabitants. Fortunately, it also has an excellent “tavern” where lunch awaits us. We return to the Piano delle Alpi, and a short stop to enjoy another splendid view of the lake and the church of San Zeno. A few kilometres downhill and in San Fedele we turn left towards Pigra for another climb, this time easy and pedalled. From here, right next to the arrival station of the small cable car, you can enjoy another splendid panoramic view. A coffee, a few minutes of relaxation and then descent towards Cernobbio.
Overnight stay: Hotel Asnigo Cernobbio
After breakfast, we go to Valtellina and check in at the hotel that will host us in the next few days. Today our tour runs along the “Sentiero Valtellina”, a cycle path that crosses the whole valley to Bormio. Along the way, it will be possible to discover many small villages and the scenic and natural beauties of Valtellina, surrounded by greenery and embraced by the Rhaetian Alps with their characteristic terraced vineyards and the Orobie Alps.
There are numerous equipped rest areas, as well as accommodation and catering facilities where it is possible to taste the rich local food and wine tradition. We eventually reach Chiuro, the main production area of Valtellina wines. We stop at the cellars for a tasting of local wines and cheeses.
Overnight stay: La Fiorida, Mantello (SO)
It is the day of our Cima Coppi. And as in the “big stages” of the Giro, the day starts early in the morning. The VAN takes us to the upper Valtellina, where today’s tour will start. As soon as we get in the saddle, we realize that the road immediately becomes challenging but, don’t be afraid, we approach Bormio with the right warm-up pace, and from there we start the legendary Stelvio Pass. A 24-km ascent, 24 km of legend, of history of cycling from every age. Up there at 2,850 meters above sea level, our lungs will struggle to find oxygen to bring to our muscles, but once you reach the summit, the satisfaction will be great for each of you. Just enough time for a selfie, then we go down at great speed, but safety in the hands of the guide.
Once in Bormio, a coffee, a cappuccino or a beer are more than deserved.
Bike on the VAN and back to our hotel – tonight, a truly special well-deserved dinner awaits us.
Overnight stay: La Fiorida, Mantello (SO)
Like the Giro d’Italia, after the hardest stage there is a day of rest. The Stelvio puts pressure on our muscles, so today the bicycles remain in the garage and we go to “live” Lake Como up close. The tourist boat allows us to see the lake from the lake, slowly taking us to Bellagio, which shows itself with its narrow alleys, and Villa Melzi, with its centuries-old history and its gardens that attract tourists from all over the world to every place in every season. A lunch with the most characteristic dishes of the area, then another short boat ride to see Tremezzo, Menaggio and finally Bellano.
Overnight stay: La Fiorida, Mantello (SO)
It’s our last day together and after breakfast we say goodbye, hoping to see you soon. If you have requested a ride to the airport, our staff will take care of it, or if you have arrived independently we will take you back to where you left your car. If, on the other hand, you want to stay a few more days and independently, the hotel staff will be happy to fulfil your requests.
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