Giro D'Italia Bike Tour

Start planning ahead for the 2011 Giro d'Italia as this year marks a special occasion! The 2011 Giro will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and race organizers have just confirmed that the race will start in Turin with a team time trial on May 7 and end in Milan on May 29 with an individual time trial (full details of the route will be released in October 2010).

You won't want to miss out on your chance to ride this historic Giro with DuVine Adventures - so call now to reserve your space.

Some of the best cyclists in the world will take part in this year's Giro and you will be on the front line, in the saddle and celebrating along with them! So if you are interested in joining us in 2011, we advise that you hold your spot now and we will keep you updated as the list of confirmed participants grows and the racing schedule is finalized.

To reserve your space or for further details about our Giro d'Italia tour please contact us at info@duvine.com or call  1 888 396 5383 or 617 776 4441.

Here's a sample of last year's itinerary to tide you over...

2010 Giro D'Italia Itinerary

Day 1
Our guides will pick you up in Florence in the morning and transfer you to the stunning hilltown of Volterra. Founded by the Etruscans, the town has a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. The Roman amphitheater and medieval cathedral attest to its long-term historical importance. Here we will toast your arrival with a glass of prosecco before fitting the bikes and going out for a warm-up ride in the nearby hills. Upon returning to the hotel, you can choose to watch the team time trial on TV at the hotel or explore Volterra. Tonight we will have the first of many fantastic dinners at a restaurant in town.

Meal: Dinner
Destinations visited: Volterra
Distance cycled: 30km/20 miles

Day 2
Today you will be introduced to the Tuscan topography with a rollercoaster of a loop ride to the town of San Gimignano . Known as the Manhattan of Tuscany for its imposing skyline of medieval towers, the town was given a facelift during the reign of Mussolini, making it one of the most popular destinations in Italy . You will have time to explore the town, eat lunch and visit the world-champion gelateria in the main square. We will return to Volterra in the afternoon with time to watch (on TV) the finish of the day's Giro stage in Novi Ligure. Tonight, we'll enjoy another dinner in town.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Destinations visited: Castel San Gimignano, San Gimignano, Vicarello
Distance cycled: 80 km/50 miles

Day 3
Today you will preview part of stage 7, riding from Volterra through the Sienese countryside to the medieval abbey of San Galgano. This abbey once dominated the surrounding countryside, its monks acting as accountants and diplomats to the Sienese city-state. Now, the roofless main church is one of the most evocative sites in all of Italy . In the summer there is a popular series of concerts and operas held here. We'll have a picnic lunch and explore the grounds before continuing on to Siena . Siena is gem of a medieval city with beautifully preserved Gothic architecture.  The city is built around the Piazza del Campo, regarded by many as the most beautiful piazza in all of Italy. Here you'll have time to shop while exploring the many hidden medieval walkways.  The night is yours and your guides will be happy to point you to a favorite local trattoria for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Destinations visited: Casole d'Elsa, San Galgano, Siena
Distance cycled : 105 km/ 65 miles

Day 4
This will be your first opportunity to see the Giro up close. Starting from Siena , you will ride through the green hills of the Crete Senesi to the abbey of Monte Oliveto di Maggiore. The renaissance fresco cycle inside is one of Tuscany 's greatest treasures. After a picnic lunch we will ride down to the village of Buonconvento where you will have the choice of climbing the main road into Montalcino to watch the stage finish, or (if time allows) riding the race route on mixed paved and dirt roads up the back way into town. Following the stage finish, we will transfer to the sleepy village of Montefollonico to spend the evening with our friends, Dania and Umberto, at La Chiusa. Dania runs the kitchen of this Michelin-starred restaurant, and Umberto will be eager to welcome you as a friend, and show you how to live like a local. Enjoy the breathtaking views from this ancient olive mill while savoring the region's gourmet specialties, grown on La Chiusa's estate, then unwind and let this heavenly Tuscan experience take over.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Destinations visited: Arbia, Asciano, Monte Oliveto di Maggiore, Buonconvento, Montalcino
Distance cycled: 88 km/ 55 miles

Day 5
From Montefollonico, we will transfer east into Umbria to the town of San Luca . From here, you will ride south past Spoleto towards the Giro's first big mountain finish at the top of the 1672 meter Monte Terminillo. For those who want to try it, we can ride up the back side of the mountain (others can ride in the van) to see which of the big guns has the legs to make a run at the pink jersey in Verona . After the race you will be transfered back to our hotel in San Luca for an Umbrian feast.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Destinations visited: Montefollonico, San Luca, Spoleto, Monte Terminillo
Distance cycled: 88 km/ 55 miles

Day 6
Leaving San Luca, you will ride northwest into the rolling Umbrian foothills as the Giro heads south. Along the way, you'll stop in the lakeside fortress of Castiglione del Lago. Once an important strongpoint in central Italy , the town is now the premiere place to enjoy the beauty of Lake Trasimene . We'll enjoy lunch here at a local café before continuing on. Your destination is Cortona, an old Etruscan city made famous by the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Set into a steep mountainside, the town has a lively feel and plenty of options for a great local dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Destinations visited: San Luca, Castigione del Lago, Cortona
Distance cycled: 112 km/ 70 miles

Day 7
Today's loop ride from Cortona starts out along the north shores of Lake Trasimene where Hannibal won one of his most resounding victories over the Roman army in 217 BC. Leaving the lakeside, you will head north through a series of small passes into some of the wildest parts of Umbria . The mountain villages here are extremely isolated and you will see a way of life that has largely disappeared in the rest of central Italy . The return into Cortona is an unforgettable winding descent with the whole of the Val di Chiana spread before you. On this final night we will enjoy a fitting dinner with an array of local specialties.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Destinations visited: Cortona, Passignano, Lisciano Niccone
Distance cycled: 97 km/ 60 miles

Day 8
Enjoy an optional morning loop ride or just relax in Cortona before departing to your next destination. Guides will provide a transfer to the local train station where you can catch a train to Florence or Rome .

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations visited: Cortona and surrounding countryside
Distance cycled: Optional

Total Distance Cycled: 600 km/ 375 miles

Hotels: Park Hotel Le Fonti (Volterra), Scacciapensieri ( Siena ) La Chiusa (Montefollonico) Villa Zuccari (San Luca) Hotel San Michele (Cortona)

2010 Giro D'Italia Tour - $4,995
Single supplement $950

Your 7 night/8 day Luxury Cycling Escape includes:

All fantastic accommodations.
All breakfasts, four lunches, five gourmet dinners including wine.
Bilingual guides who look after your every little need.
Support vehicle that sweeps the day's route distributing refreshments, picking up your purchases, and offering lifts to the hotel.
All wine cellar tastings.
All entrance fees to historic sites, museums and parks, and all other exclusive-access events featuring guest experts.
Lightweight Wilier Triestina road bicycle with triple crank, and helmet.
Highlighted regional maps showing the route.
All transportation from rendezvous to final drop-off.
All gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service.
All baggage transport.
Exceptional customer service including a personal travel coordinator.
Your guides review each morning at breakfast the day's ride.
DuVine Adventures t-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags.
A $500 per person deposit to hold space. Space is very limited so secure your spot today!  Our epic 8-day Giro Bicycle Adventure will bring you up close to this classic event.  DuVine Adventures has worked hard to make the Giro d'Italia a special vacation experience.

Call and reserve your space today (888) 396-5383 and speak with one of our Giro trip specialists! You will receive all tour documents when the race is announced.