Italy is a top travel destination for cyclists for good reason: challenging hills, temperate climate, mouth-watering cuisine, and fascinating history all make for an unforgettable holiday. Year after year, our self-guided bicycle vacations in Italy continue to be among Pure Adventures’ top-selling tours. To celebrate how much cyclists love this destination, here are the top 10 reasons to visit Italy on your next trip.
1. Tuscany’s Heritage
Cycling in Tuscany is one of the best ways to experience this famously romantic countryside and 3 UNESCO heritage sites: Florence, San Gimignano, and Siena. Did you know that the Palazzi Churches and museums in Florence contain more art than any other city in the world? The hilly terrain in our Florence to Chianti 5-day tour make it popular with fit cyclists wanting a challenging yet scenic ride.
2. Puglia’s Architecture
You may have heard of Puglia, but where is it? Found in the ‘boot heel’ area of Italy, Puglia (also known as Apulia) produces one-tenth of the wine consumed in Europe and its olive oil is renowned. What makes Puglia distinctive is its unique architecture, most notably Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This small town in the Bari province is known for the conical-shaped white Trulli dating back to the 13th century. Painted with strange symbols on their roofs, there are nearly 1,000 Trulli in this village. Cyclists visiting Puglia rave about the easy, rolling landscapes.
3. Tuscany’s Romance
Famously romantic, Tuscany is renowned for its picturesque countryside, sunny climate, and of course – the food: wines, pecorino cheese, olive oils, and local hospitality. Be sure to spend time in Siena, one of the best-preserved Medieval towns in the world. Charming accommodations, friendly locals, and epic cycling make our Etruscan Treasures self-guided Tuscany bike tour a favorite for newlyweds who love to ride.
4. Siciliy’s Pristine Beaches
Sicily boasts some of the bluest waters and most pristine beaches in all of Europe! Not only that, charming villages along the coast and the unique Genoese-style minor Islands of San Pietro and Sant’Antioco add further charm to this island destination. For an authentic visitation experience, try our self-guided Sardinia Discovery Bike Tour! After cycling and exploration, indulge your hunger with the fine typical cuisine and wines of Sulcis Peninsula, which you can only find here.
5. The Dolomites’ Majesty
Located in northeastern Italy, the Dolomites are a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts including mountain climbers, skiers, hikers, and cyclists. Charming towns and premium vineyards are another reason travelers flock here.
6. Piedmont’s Wines
The heart of one of the most prestigious wine regions of Italy: the beautiful land of Barolo in the Piedmont region. The rise of the famous wines of Piedmont is from the successful growth of the distinguished Nebbiolo grape. Mostly grown on small parcels of land owned by family estates, Piedmont produces the largest number of prize-winning wines, such as Barbera, Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Grignolino, Malvasia, and Asti Spumante. Pure Adventures offers a self-guided tour of the Piedmont region, a moderate eight days of cycling set against rolling green hills, with the white peaks of the Alps as a backdrop. Added Bonus: UNESCO-designated Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont – Langhe-Roero and Monferrato.
7. Sardinia’s Sunny Climate
Who needs the tropics when you can visit the charming country of Sardinia? The second largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia offers all the sand, sun, and sea that you can handle, yet somehow manages to maintain its old-world charm. During summer months, the whole area is abuzz with visitors, while spring and fall bring quieter times, pleasant climates, and picturesque landscapes covered in vibrant wildflowers. From the coastline to mountain ranges, Sardinia runs the gambit and provides some spectacularly diverse scenery to behold.
8. Montepulciano’s Traditions
This interesting little town is home to several famous structures, some delectable wines, and some rather unique traditions. Visitors here can sit back and enjoy a taste of the town’s fine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rosso di Montepulciano wines. And those lucky enough to be cycling through in August may be able to witness one of Montepulciano’s most famous traditions – barrel rolling. During what’s known as Bravìo delle Botti, representatives from each of the city’s 8 districts compete in rolling a heavy wine barrel 1.5 km to the Piazza Grande. The winners get to keep the wine. Perhaps the best part of this competition is that the celebration carries on for days following the big event.
9. Siena’s Car-Free Streets
This delightfully charming city offers a virtual step back in time to those who pass through. With its ancient city wall still intact, visitors often muse that it seems time has somehow stood still in Siena. The heart of the town, known as the Piazza del Campo, is lined with various restaurants and quaint cafés and is home to the famous fountain Fonte Gaia. Siena also boasts a multitude of museums that are filled with unique pieces of art and offer a glimpse into the town’s culture and history. If that’s not enough, the simple fact that there are no vehicles to contend with makes Siena a prime place to cycle.
10. Pienza’s Perfection
Widely regarded as the “ideal” city of the Renaissance, Pope Pius II transformed the Italian village he was born in, into his vision of a perfect city. The Pope used his influence and affluence (assisted by architect Bernardo il Rossellino and humanist Leon Battista Alberti) to build a group of Renaissance-inspired structures that are among the most photographed in Italy. Added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1996, we think that Pienza is pretty perfect too. Spend time in Pienza on our challenging 7-day self-guided cycling tour in the Tuscany region.