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Tour Magazine

2013 Italian Lakes, Alpes & Dolomites

5th - 16th August

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ITALIAN LAKES, ALPES & DOLOMITES

The best of northern Italy

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DATES:! !!!!!!!!!!!!!5th!–!16th!August!2013!(12!days/11!nights)!

PRICE:! !!!!!!!!!!!!!$5,880!AUD!!single!supplement!$1500!! !

GROUP!SIZE:! Maximum!14!guests!!

START/FINISH:! Milan,!Italy!(Malpensa!International!Airport)!

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One of our signature tours is back for 2013. A 12 day fully supported holiday incorporating the 3 classic regions of northern Italy. The beauty and serenity of the Italian lakes district, the awe inspiring Dolomites and the breathtaking Alpes, including the mighty Passo dello Stelvio (2770m). Experience the best Italy has to offer through deluxe hotels, plus savour quintessential Italian & South Tyrolean cuisine.

As for the cycling, no stone has been left unturned, capturing the classic cycling routes within these 3 regions. With all the support you need, you will cycle up, down and along many of our favourite roads, including around Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, the classic Sella Ronda Loop, Bellagio and pay homage at Madonna del Ghisallo, the sublime Gavia and leg sapping Mortirolo!

Be quick as we are limiting this trip to 14 guests only.

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DAY!1!!!!!!5th!August! BENVENUTI!IN!ITALIA! !!!!!!!!!!!(Lake!Maggiore!3*!hotel)!

Calende)!

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We will collect you from Milan Malpensa International airport and travel the short distance to our beautiful lakeside hotel in Sesto Calende where the Ticino rivers leaves Lake Maggiore – a picturesque start to your holiday. Once checked in we will be available to help set up your bike or introduce you to your hire bike. Depending on how you feel, we will go for a ride along the lake to Stresa to

stretch out the legs and perhaps enjoy a classic pizza and cafe in the Piazza.

Tonight you will enjoy getting to know your fellow cycling enthusiasts, over a

delicious welcome dinner. !

DAY!2!!!!!6th!August! !!SWISS!BORDER!/!LAKE!COMO!!!!!!!!!!!(Como!4*!hotel)!

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Today we will set-off for our ride to Como from our hotel but not without a dabble over to

Switzerland. We will enjoy the next 3 nights on the beautiful shores of Como, our hotel

situated right in the main Piazza Cavour on the shores of Lake Como.

An undulating ride of 80km today, via Laveno, along Lake Maggiore, before heading into

Switzerland and to Lake Lugano. This is a beautiful rolling ride to get your legs going.

RIDE TIME up to 4hrs!

Today we will ride to one of the jewels of the lakes district, Bellagio. Ask any Italian about their lakes and they'll pretty soon start a sentence with 'of course, Bellagio is perfect...' And they're not wrong. After a walk around Bellagio we will climb 9km to the famous Madonna del Ghisello patron saint of Italian cyclists, a bestowment made by Pope Pious XII in 1949. Today, her Chapel in the hamlet of Magreglio, is a shrine to cycling’s greats past and present. It’s then an optional second climb over the Colma di Sormano (1124m) before a breathtaking descent back onto Lake Como. !

RIDE TIME up to 2hrs

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DAY!3!!!!!7th!August! !!BELLAGIO!–!GHISELLO!LOOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Como!4*!hotel)!

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RIDE TIME up to 5hrs

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After yesterday’s ride around the lake to Bellagio, we will head in the opposite direction (past George Cluny’s former holiday house) and en-route to the lakeside village of Menaggio for lunch (be sure not to lean you bike up against the many Ferraris or Lamborghinis). It’s here we will have a stunning view over the lake to Bellagio where we were yesterday. But of course a nice lunch is not well earned without a hearty ride !.

As always, you have the option to cut your ride short, or choose to ride over to Lake Lugano to the quaint village of Osteno where we take in a great route previously featured in the Giro, before an exhilarating descent back into Como. A day where you will capture the views of the two great lakes in the region and be back mid-afternoon to enjoy the sights of the historic old town of Como. RIDE TIME up to 4hrs

Today we bid farewell to the Lakes district and head deeper into the Italian Alpes. It’s a short drive by van to the valley that takes in none-other than the impressive Passo di Mortirolo. As an official rest day it's a great chance to take in the beautiful surrounds of our next location stop for the next 3 nights. You can choose to be taken directly to our hotel in Bormio for a relaxing spa, massage and a walk around the old town. For those who prefer to take in a ride today, the Mortirolo is considered to be one of the toughest passes one can climb in Italy and many professional cyclists consider it the most difficult mountain to be climbed in any of the three Grand Tours. Lucho Herrera (1991) referred to Mortirolo as being the "Queen climb of Europe" and Lance Armstrong referred to it as the hardest climb he'd ever ridden. Today we are about to see for ourselves. ! REST DAY (OPTION RIDE TIME up to 3.5hrs)!

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We feel the excitement build this morning as we prepare to ride one of the most famous climbs in the world, the Passo dello Stelvio (2758m). The ‘Stelvio’ is not just a mecca for cyclists, it Is also the highest pass in Italy and one of the highest roads in all Europe. We will take a short and scenic drive to the Swiss border where our ride will start. It’s a beautiful ride to the traditional base of the Stelvio and where you will ascent the summit via the 48 switchbacks to achieve something truly very special – we’ll make sure of it! Today is a day you will remember for a long time to come. RIDE TIME up to 4hrs

DAY!4!!!!!8th!August! !!MENAGGIO!–!OSTENO!LOOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Como!4*!hotel)!

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DAY!5!!!!!9th!August! !!REST!DAY!(Mortirolo!option)!!!!!!!!!!(Bormio!3*!hotel)!

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DAY!6!!!!10th!August! !!PASSO!DELLO!STELVIO!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!(Bormio!3*!hotel)!

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How can we be in Bormio and not ride the most traditional of Giro d’Italia cols, the Passo di Gavia. Often one of the highest points of the Giro d’Italia at 2610m, this is a legendary climb, sometimes with ample walls of snow lining the road at the summit. With an average of almost 8% over the 17km, it’s hard to imaging falling in love with this giant, but you will!

The magnificent lake at the summit, together with the exhilarating decent back down to the front doorstep of our hotel in Bormio will make the effort well worth it. We will relax tonight at our hotel taking in the wonderful local cuisine. RIDE TIME up to 3hrs

On route, we will stop and watch the Giro pass by over the Passo Palade. Get a good night’s sleep as this is going to be a day to remember! Our hotel in Bormio is a gem, family run with delicious local cuisine. 90km !

“You haven’t truly conquered the Stelvio until you have climbed both sides” so the locals say. So with that we depart by bike from our hotel located right at base of the Stelvio to climb the way we descended 2 days prior. Whilst not the side made famous by the many hairpins, we must say this is our favourite way to ascend the Stelvio, with wild rapids, tunnels and just as many switchbacks, just enjoy taking photos on your way up! Over the summit and a mind blowing descent through the 48 switchbacks, we will arrive in the medieval town of Silandro before driving the short distance to Bolzano and our 4 star luxury hotel where we will spend the next 3 nights. RIDE TIME up to 4hrs

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Bolzano is both a German and Italian speaking town with an architectural appearance mixed between the two countries. It is bustling and picturesque with several impressive town squares filled with busy shoppers and outdoor markets. A sightseeing must is in the museum containing the "iceman" Otzi, the oldest preserved human and there are also a number of castles, fabulous art museums and plenty of shops to fill your time. Bolzano is located in a broad valley basin and in just a few minutes, the ‘three cable cars’, leaving from town, can 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.

With the Sella Ronda Loop tomorrow, today is a day to rest the weary legs and enjoy this most beautiful place. REST DAY

DAY!7!!!!11th!August! !!PASSO!DI!GAVIA!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!(Bormio!3*!hotel)!

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DAY!8!!!!12th!August! !!STELVIO!&!BOLZANO!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!(Bolzano!4*!hotel)!

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DAY!9!!!!13th!August! !!REST!DAY!IN!BOLZANO!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!(Bolzano!4*!hotel)!

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After exploring the beautiful village of Bolzano yesterday you should be feeling quite relaxed and ready for one of the rides of your life. Today sees us take in some breathtaking rides through the Dolomites, in fact some have said one of the most beautiful rides in Europe, the classic Sella Ronda. We’ll let you be the judge! With plenty to see and each climb revealing its own unique beauty, there will be plenty of photo opportunities and places to relax. It’s a 100km challenging loop leaving from the village of Selva di Val Gardena and an all-day affair! With plenty of procyclingtours support and being a loop ride there will be plenty of options to ensure you have an amazing day out. RIDE TIME up to 6hrs

After an unforgettable time in Bolzano it’s one last memorable breakfast that our hotel is well known for before taking in a morning ride up the valley and take in yet more amazing scenery of this most stunning region. It will then be a late morning transfer back to Lake Maggiore, but no without an obligatory stop in Verona and visit to the famous Romeo and Juliette balcony. With something for everyone, from great bike shops, high end fashion to one of the oldest coliseums in Italy, we will also enjoy lunch in the old town. Tonight we will enjoy an exquisite farewell dinner in Sesto Calende. RIDE TIME up to 2hrs

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Today we bid farewell to what has been an amazing holiday. If you need any assistance disassembling and packing your bike, we will be on hand to help. Airport transfers will be arranged and we can of course provide advice / assistance for any other onward journey plans. We thank you for entrusting us in taking you on a journey through northern Italy and hope to see you again soon! !

DAY!10!!!!14th!August!!!!!DOLOMITES!&!THE!SELLA!RONDA!!!(Bolzano!4*!hotel)!

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DAY!11!!!!15th!August!!!!!VERONA!&!SESTO!CALENDE!!!!!(Sesto!Calende!4*!hotel)!

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DAY!12!!!!16th!August!!!!!BUON!VIAGGIO!!!!!! ! !!!!!!!!(airport!transfer)!!!

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TOUR!HIXLIGHTS!&!KEY!INCLUSIONS!

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" Slumber in splendid accommodation and sample mouth-watering cuisine through some of Italy’s most scenic locations.

" Ride classic climbs of the Italian Alpes and Dolomites notably the Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo & Sella Ronda Loop.

" Ride through the Lakes District, enjoying many a good coffee in some of our favourite (and spectacular) locations including Como, Bellagio and Aregno.

" Enjoy walking through beautiful towns including Bormio and Bolzano, exploring shops, culture, their history and architecture.

" Delicious and filling buffet breakfast on ALL mornings " 6 delicious dinners INCLUDING selected beverages. " Step back in time discovering beautiful villages and live ‘La Dolce Vita’ as only

the Italians know how. " Dine on quintessential Italian cuisine. Where better to discover pasta, pizza,

tiramisu & lasagne to name a few? " The OWNERS of procyclingtours create and personally host your holiday

experience. " Modern, fully equipped, air-conditioned 9 seater vans. " On-road PERSONAL coaching and advice. The support you need to get the best

out of your cycling.

" Pre-tour training and holiday preparation advice. " You receive the PRO treatment. Our professional Soignier support includes

transfer of luggage, expert handling your bike right but doesn't stop at handing you your room keys and taking care of any dietary needs.

" We take care of the little details. Do you have a request? Please let us know. " Photography by procyclingtours. We provide you with up to 1000 precious

memories of your holiday with us on USB. " Picnic lunches on selected days, where café lunch stops are not possible. " On road supplements including energy bars, drinks, mechanical, first aid and

vehicle support throughout your ride (not just at the start and finish) " Flexible ride options each day, from challenging to nice and steady. " Quality hire bike option available including full set-up, helmet, spares, bottles. " Challenge yourself whilst knowing that you are fully supported by

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Do you have any questions? Please contact us by phone at (+61) 0412 231 198 or email us at info@procyclingtours.com, we will be thrilled to chat with you.

Or maybe our website’s FAQ’s page can help in answering your questions.

To assure your place on this tour, simply register through our secure on-line payment system by clicking on the button above right and follow the instructions.

*procyclingtours reserves the right to make changes to this itinerary as required

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HOW!TO!RESERVE!YOUR!PLACE!

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click!here!to!reserve!

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For more information please contact us by email at

info@procyclingtours.com

or visit us at

www.procyclingtours.com

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