GIRO D ITALIA PACKAGE 2015

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GIRO D’ITALIA

PACKAGE 2015

Come to the country that

taught us how to cycle with

passion, how to build

bicycles with style, and

with the most stunning

cycling scenery in the

world … come to ITALY !

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GIRO D’ITALIA

PACKAGE

Our Our Our

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During this trip you will get caught up in the drama and excitement of the Giro D’Italia, and will become one of the tifosi on the side of the road – cheering for the best cyclists in the world. But you too will ride the epic rides, and experience first hand the thrill of pedaling through the Italian countryside filled with vineyards, and over the cobbles of medieval villages.

You will be surrounded by Italian history and culture in walled cities, like Romeo and Juliet’s Verona and Marostica, known for its lifesize chess board, and also in the beautiful lakeside villages of Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore, both with breathtaking landscapes and mountain views. And, you will indulge in the typical dishes of the region, and enjoy the local wines.

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GIRO D’ITALIA

PACKAGE

This is a very special, exclusive trip

for a small group of cyclists.

You will be accompanied by several

experienced guides, and a support

van while you ride.

You will ride portions of the Giro

route and be close to all the action

when the pro peloton comes by.

For

cyclists

passionate

about

racing and about Italian cycling

culture, this experience will be the

thrill of a lifetime.

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GIRO D’ITALIA

PACKAGE

This is our 4th year offering a

Giro package, and with our

experience

and

local

knowledge, you can trust that

we

will

provide

you

with

quality

hotels,

smooth

transfers, special Giro stage

access to be close to the

action,

and

of

course,

a

cycling holiday that you will

talk about for years to come…

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE

VENETO REGION

The 98th edition of the GIRO d’ITALIA will take place from the 9th until the 31st _{of May 2015, with}

a total of 21 stages.

The GIRO d’ITALIA will arrive in the Veneto on Thursday, May 21, with the 190 km stage from Imola to Vicenza.

The next day’s stage will be ideal for sprinters. From Montecchio Maggiore to Jesolo - 153 km, and it’s a completely flat Venetian stage

Saturday, 23rd _{May, will be a crucial day for the Tour,}

as the individual time trial traverses the roads of the Veneto. It’s a long time trial from Treviso to Valdobbiadene at 59.2 km. This is a scenic route, but technically challenging, due not only to the distance, but also to the hilly terrain.

On Sunday, May 24th_{, the 15}th _{stage will take the}

riders through the Dolomites, 165km, from Marostica to Madonna di Campiglio. There are several tough climbs today, including the Passo della Fricca, the Passo Daone, with sections of 14%, and the 15.5 k climb to the Rifugio Patascoss at Madonna di Campiglio.

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OUR PROGRAM

ITINERARY

from 22.05 to 01.06

22 May 2015

We will meet you at noon at the Venice Airport for your transfer to our hotel in Maser (Asolo). . . .

On request, we can also provide your transfer from other Italian airports situated in northern Italy, , , , such as Milan Malpensa/Linate/Bergamo or Verona. . . .

Maser is located in the province of Treviso, Veneto Region. It is known for its production of cherries and is rich in dramatic landscapes and historical villas, including Andrea Palladio’s famous Villa Barbaro.

Today we will set you up on your bicycle, review the specifics of our itinerary, and have our first dinner together.

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23 May 2015

STAGE 14 OF THE GIRO:

TREVISO – VALDOBBIADENE

OUR RIDE OF THE DAY:

50 km discovering the Prosecco wine area.

We will stop to watch the riders pass us

during the Individual Time Trial of the

Treviso-Valdobbiadene stage.

Treviso is a land where taste and beauty come together masterfully.

You will enjoy the local cuisine and discover cultural, artistic and architectural treasures and enchanting landscapes, scattered among the hills of Valdobbiadene, which have been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage

recognition.

STAGE 14 OF THE GIRO

TREVISO – VALDOBBIADENE

RIDE OF THE DAY

50 km discovering the Prosecco wine area. We will stop to watch the riders pass us during the Individual Time Trial of the

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24 May 2015

Marostica is a town in the province of Vicenza, and known for its famous life size chess game that takes place every two years, a tradition started in 1923, with players dressed in historic folkloric costume.

There are many peaks in this area, but the Monte Grappa is considered one of the most beautiful mountains in all of Italy.

STAGE 15 OF THE GIRO

MAROSTICA – MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO

RIDE OF THE DAY

We will ride 105 km, from our hotel to Marostica to watch the Giro’s start in Marostica. We watch the riders climb Monte Grappa, a part of the Venetian Alps. Its peak, in the village of Cima Grappa, rises 1775 meters above sea level.

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25 May 2015

TRANSFER DAY – LAKE GARDA

Today we will transfer to Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, for our stay at Enjoy Garda Hotel.

This is a typical training route for the riders of Verona, with a light climb leading us from Torri del Benaco, on the lake, to Albisano in the hills above.

During the climb you will see the panorama of Lake Garda. We’ll climb about 500 meters today.

RIDE OF THE DAY

After we arrive and settle in, we will take a 70 Km ride over a panoramic route into the hills above Lake Garda.

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26 May 2015

LAKE GARDA

This area is also known for its cherries and olive oil. We leave the vineyards behind as we enter the city of Verona, and after a ride

through the city’s historic streets, we arrive at the Arena, a Roman Amphitheatre, across from Piazza Bra for photo opportunities and gelati! Then we have an easy ride back along the Adige River, for a total of 1354 meters of climbing.

RIDE OF THE DAY

Today you will enjoy the 80 km ride that takes you through the rustic vineyards of the

Valpolicella wine area, with several climbs and then onto a city tour of Verona. We will ascend and descend the Valpolicella hills four times, as we traverse the vineyards famous for

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27 May 2015

LAKE GARDA

The climbing continues as we go along an old military road built during the First World War, the Graziani. The descent returning us to the lake is very spectacular.

RIDE OF THE DAY

Today we will take on the epic challenge of Monte Baldo on this 130 km, 2000 m ascent ride. We begin on a relatively flat course until till the beginning of our climb, the Monte Baldo -22 km. of true climbing! This climb has been included several times in previous GIRO

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28 May 2015

We will transfer to Arona.

Arona is a beautiful town situated in the province of Novara in the Piedmont area, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, the second largest lake in Italy.

Arona is home to the historic Mercurago, a parish of Arona which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.

Also of particular interest are the botanical gardens of Villa Taranto.

STAGE 18 OF THE GIRO

MELIDE – VERBANIA

RIDE OF THE DAY

ride from Arona to Verbania, to watch the downhill finish of the stage in Verbania.

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29 May 2015

STAGE 19 OF THE GIRO:

GRAVELLONA TOCE – CERVINIA

We will transfer to Pont Saint Martin, an Italian city in the Aosta Valley, and which is on the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route leading from France to Rome. You may want to take the opportunity to spend some pleasant moments among chestnut trees and birch trees in the public gardens.

STAGE 19 OF THE GIRO

GRAVELLONA TOCE – CERVINIA

RIDE OF THE DAY

We’ll ride 60km to the long mountain top Giro finish of stage 19: Gravellona Toce-Cervinia. After the finish, we will transfer to our hotel in Cesana, La Ginestra

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30 May 2015

STAGE 20 OF THE GIRO:

SAINT VINCENT – SESTRIERE

STAGE 20 OF THE GIRO

SAINT VINCENT – SESTRIERE

RIDE OF THE DAY

120 km. Susa Col delle Finestre Sestrier. This is a mountain pass connecting the lower Susa

Valley to Val Chisone in Piedmont. Well known to cyclists, the north side of the pass is long (18.45k), challenging (average gradient of 9.2%), and includes 7.8k of unpaved road.

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31 May 2015

STAGE 21 OF THE GIRO:

TORINO – MILANO

After a good breakfast and coffee we’ll head to Milano, the second largest city in Italy, after Rome.

Milano is the Italian economic capital, is the biggest Italian financial market, and is also one of the world’s capitals of fashion and industrial design. This city will be hosting the world

exhibition EXPO 2015.

In Milano we will watch the end of the stage, with the peleton making a final 7 laps around a 6k circuit.

We’ll then watch the festivities of the

winners’ ceremony and closing of the Giro 2015. That night we will celebrate with a farewell

dinner in Milan and stay at a 4-start hotel in Milan.

STAGE 21 OF THE GIRO

TORINO - MILANO

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1 June 2015

END OF THE TOUR

After Breakfast, we say our goodbyes, and transfer to Milano Malpensa airport or Verona airport.

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GIRO D’ITALIA PACKAGE

TESTIMONIALS

DAVID ABZATZ - Australia

Guest of Giro Tour package 2013

“ … After much research, I decided to

attend the 2013 Giro as a guest. What

a wonderful decision that was! For

those keen cyclists, you will remember

that the 2013 Giro was met with

challenging weather conditions

including snow. It did not matter... The

staff of the tour showed us all such a

fantastic time and gave me memories

that will last forever. From climbing

Stelvio in the snow, to cheering on

Cadel on the TT course in Mori,

everything was first class. Beautiful

accomodation,

sensational

meals,

incredible daily rides, all the while

being attended to by a wonderful staff.

How good was the trip??

It was so

good that I will be back in 2014 with

14 of my Australian friends. Cant

recommend Eros, Nicola and his team

highly enough ! … “

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“… Leisa and I attended the 2013

Giro

with

Eros

and

Nicola,

after

meeting Eros who was our bike guide

whilst we were staying a the fab Garda

Bike Hotel. Despite some challenging

weather conditions, we were treated to

some of the most amazing cycling

experiences possible. The food and

wine was fab, the accommodation very

comfy, including the van, and we made

some great friendships along the way.

We are doing another trip in June with

David who we met on the tour and

some

of

his

cycling

mates

from

Melbourne. If you are a single, fear

not, you will make loads of friends and

have lots of laughs. You can waste a lot

of time thinking about going, but do

yourself a favour, spend your hard

earned money and have the time of

your life-we did…”

BOYD & LEISA - Australia

Guest of Giro Tour package 2013

GIRO D’ITALIA PACKAGE

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• 10 Nights - 11 Days stay in double rooms in 3 – 4 star Hotels

• Daily generous high energy breakfast buffet • Daily 3 course Dinner

• Water and local wine during dinner

• Daily laundry service for cycling clothes (when available) • Mineral water and drinks for the rides

• Water, beer, soft drinks, snacks, bananas & sandwiches for the rides • Professional guides who will look after you personally

• Van driver

• A nice custom cycling jersey

• Minibus equipped to support the rides for wheels, emergency tools, extra clothes, etc

• Transfer from Venice Airport to hotel and from Milan to Airport on day 1 June (transfers to other airports are available upon request at an additional cost)