“We had a blast! Bordeaux was the best trip I have ever taken and from start to finish the DuVine experience was exactly that.... Divine! The guides were the most informed, interesting, supportive, passionate, and all around brilliant people and guides; Their knowledge and enthusiasm for wine and cycling was inspiring as well as instrumental in our adventure's success. We always considered ourselves self-educated wine enthusiasts but, on this trip we became Bordeaux experts. Thank you so much for a great trip”
Idyllic Italy
- How do I Prepare for my bicycle tour in Tuscany Italy?
- What are the best Italian wines to try while biking Italy?
- What should I know about a Piedmont bike tour?
- Why Bike Italy?
- Would my partner enjoy a bike tour in Italy?
- What to see when taking a Puglia Bicycle Tour
- How can I Learn more about Tuscany?
How to Prepare for Your Bicycle tour in Tuscany
Tuscany is an art lover’s paradise but it is also a superb destination for history buffs, wine connoisseurs and of course - cycling enthusiasts! To get you started here are a few tips on how to prepare for a bicycle tour in Tuscany Italy.
When to travel. Italy is considered a year round destination.
Entry Requirements. Passports are required but Visas are not.
Customs. Many food items cannot be brought back into the States from Italy, although U.S. law allows minimal alcohol to be imported without customs tax.
What to pack. Conservative change of clothes for viewing religious buildings.
Language. Italian with limited English.
Health Risks. Italy is considered a very safe and healthy travel destination with no major health risks reported.
Money Matters. Currency is the Euro. All major credit cards are accepted. ATMs are common and currency exchange facilities are available in most airports/hotels.
Driving. Traffic drives on the right.
Tipping. Tips are appreciated with rates comparable to the U.S.
Italy - Touring the Land of Wine
Italy and wine. Could there possibly be a better match? Well, perhaps a DuVine bike tour that combines the best of biking, Italy and wine into a complete Italy cycling extravaganza.
The history of Italian wine is almost as varied as Italy itself. Vineyards are present in almost every region and have been since the ancient Greeks referred to Italy as "Enotria Tellus," or land of wine. Today bike tours to Italy top the list of "must see" adventure and luxury travel destinations.
DuVine appreciates fine wine almost as much as cycling, and our expert guides are as well acquainted with the nuances of wine as the proper fit of a helmet. When traveling with DuVine in Italy, you'll find yourself passing through doors typically closed to the public or being invited for a glass of Prosecco with the Luigi in his 16th century wine cellars.
Since bike tours in Italy are just not complete without a full measure of wine, here are the top ten Italian wines you won't want to miss as nominated by Bamero Rosso, publisher of the definitive annual Italian wine guide.
- 2006 Gran Sasso Pecorino Terre di Chieti
- 2005 Canaletto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
- Bellavista Franciacorta CuvÉe
- 2000 Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Tenuta San Guido
- 2004 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico
- 2007 San Angelo Toscana Pinot Grigio
- 2006 La Segreta Rosso
- 2005 Masi Campofiorin Rosso del Veronese
- 2003 Pio Cesare Barbaresco
- 2006 Malvira Roero Arneis
Piedmont Please
Piedmont, Italy is a food lover's paradise, and a Piedmont bike tour is the perfect way to enjoy the best the region has to offer without guilt. Rest assured you can bike away every ounce consumed while exploring one of the loveliest areas of Italy.
Located near the borders of France and Switzerland, Piedmont is a picturesque area of vineyards, lakes and hills. Long known for its wines, Piedmont also has an impressive history of cheese-making traced back to Pliny the Elder, the first century Roman scholar who referred to Piedmont cheese in his writings. But, not to be overshadowed, the other local favorite is truffles.
To assist in your quest for culinary delight, use our Piedmont bike tour cheese hunter checklist. For good measure, we include a bit about truffles to whet your appetite.
White Truffles: Rare white truffles can sell for up-wards of $1,500 per pound so don't expect to locate this rarity without exceptional effort. Fall is the standard truffle season but you might still find a resourceful chef to provide a sample, or you can "settle" for slightly more common forms served upon request.
While enjoying your Piedmont bike tour take time to taste the world famous cheese including selections such as...
Murazzano. Originally made from sheep’s milk, today it is primarily made of a mixture of sheep and cow’s milk. Served with pepper and olive oil it is used as a self-standing dish.
Testun. Made with sheep and cow’s milk this cheese is considered a standalone dish. Sweet with a slight spice.
Sora. Smelling of coagulated milk, alpine flowers and herbs, this is a sweet but spicy cheese with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Bra. A cheese enjoyed (in much the same way) for centuries. Slightly spicy when soft, it becomes notably spicy with age.
Castelmango. One of the most notable cheese products associated with Piedmont, this has an ancient history with a nearly fanatical following by global cheese aficionados.
Gorgonzola. Gorgonzola is perhaps the most well known of the Piedmont cheese varieties and well worth the effort to locate while in the area.
Reasons to Ride Instead of Drive Italy
When traveling through Italy or Europe it doesn't take long to realize that bicycles are much more popular than in the States. So, why do Europeans loves their bikes? The same reason you will enjoy bike tours in Italy or elsewhere. Once you ride instead of drive chances are you will never approach another vacation the same way.
See the city like a rider not a driver. Bike tours in Italy are popular ways to immerse yourself into the life and vitality that is the city itself. Rather than fighting traffic, trying to locate parking and remaining on accessible roadways try out a Tuscany bike tour instead.
Invigorating. Biking invigorates the mind and body. Research shows even a modest pace burns 400 calories an hour while increasing energy levels and decreasing stress and blood pressure. Maybe that's the real reason Italians can have all the pasta and wine they want without regret!
Cyclist Make Better Lovers. Research conducted by Dr. Belardinelli of the Lancisi Heart Institute in Italy found the results of biking are comparable to those of Viagra without the side-effects. Need we say more?
Signs of the Times
Is your spouse dropping subtle hints that you might be missing? Maybe all your spouse really wants is a bicycle vacation through Italy. Here are signs to watch out for:
- You've had Italian food every night for six months.
- Italian is now the second language of the household.
- Luciano Pavarotti has been playing non-stop on the car stereo.
- Italian travel guides litter the coffee table—with bike tours in Italy highlighted.
- "La Vita Italiana" is more than a slogan, it's a family motto.
- Your spouse refers to the Italian National Football team players by their first names.
- Your calendar is covered with the beautiful small towns of Italy with special events and festivals highlighted that correspond to vacation days.
- Your wine selection is comprised entirely of Italian wine bottles.
- Your wardrobe is being replaced with Italian designers with the not so subtle hint the fit would be better if you were to visit in person.
- You have been handed a DuVine brochure describing bike tours in Italy with two tickets.
Take a Puglia Bicycle Tour
A Puglia bicycle tour is designed for those seeking something just a little different. Less known than the Tuscany region, Puglia (also known as Apulia) is located in the "heel" section of the southernmost area of Italy.
Surrounded by pristine ocean waters and peppered with olive trees and vineyards, trendy shops and upscale shopping are available but Puglia retains its simple yet elegant appeal for those yearning for a relaxed yet luxuriant atmosphere.
When taking a Puglia bicycle tour be sure to drop in on the local festivals, fairs and events. Brightly colored and filled with the luscious sights and sounds of the region these are "not to be missed" events.
- December - January: Pezze di Greco or the Living Nativity Scene
- February: Fasano or the Carnival Parade
- May: Madonna dela Neve Festival
- July: Mola di Bari or the local Octopus Festival
- August: Lecce commemorating St. Orontius
- September: Monte Sant' Angelo Festival
- November: San Cesarea Terine. A Historical Regatta
Travel Through Time
Travel through time with our bicycle tours in Tuscany, Italy. Few places offer more art and beauty than Tuscany and a bicycle tour is the perfect way to experience it up close and personal. To really appreciate the full history, architecture and culture of Tuscany begin your journey by taking a trip back in time as you learn about the ancient peoples and civilizations that helped create the modern day marvel we know as Tuscany.
- Etruscans. The Etruscans were the first major civilization in the area and provide the cornerstone of the pre-Roman society.
- Romans. Following the decline of the Etruscans, the Romans established the cities of Lucca, Pisa, Siena and Florence.
- The Renaissance. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Tuscany is associated w