Cycle Romagna - From Ravenna to Bologna
This tour allows you to explore the famous ceramics town of Faenza, medieval villages such as Brisighella and Dozza and the planned renaissance village of Terra del Sole, built by the Medici family to protect the northern flank of Tuscany in 1564. Start in Ravenna once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and cycle through Romagna region all the way to Bologna, the culinary capital of Italy. Easy, flat rides and more serious hill rides make for a cycling paradise through the heartland of homemade pasta, so don't wait until you arrive to Bologna to delight your culinary taste buds with freshly made "tagliatelle", "lasagna", "ravioli" and more, all washed down with local Sangiovese wine.
BIKE INCLUDED
Region : Emilia-Romagna
Duration : 7 Days / 6 Nights
Level :
Type : On the way
Category : Bike
Trip : Self-guided
Activity : Hybrid
Dates : Starts any day
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day 1 : Arrive in Ravenna Fit bicycles
Arrive in Ravenna today, once the capital of the Western Roman Empire. Your centrally located hotel allows you to walk to Dante's Tomb and the UNESCO World Heritage mosaics of San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia this afternoon. Don't miss these early Byzantine churches with their colorful mosaics that draw travelers from around the world.
Accommodation : Ostello Galletti Abbiosi - "Ravenna"
Day 2 : Ravenna to Faenza
Distance 1 : 34 Miles - 55 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 94 Meters
Exiting Ravenna, you have the choice to visit another very important Byzantine masterpiece: Sant'Apollinare in Classe. Cross the plains through fruit plantations and arrive to Faenza. Your hotel is a restored convent near the central square of this regional market center and famous ceramics town. Enjoy the bustle in the market square and the main "piazza" which is always full of bicycle riders of all ages. Faenza is world-renowned for its hand decorated ceramics; we recommend a visit to the International Ceramics Museum as well as several of the local artists' studios specialized in this colorful pottery.
Accommodation : Hotel Vittoria Faenza - "Faenza"
Day 3 : Bicycle Faenza to Brisighella and on to Riolo Terme
Option 1 : 16 Miles - 26 Km
Option 2 : 38 Miles - 61 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 355 Meters
Elevation gain 2 : 931 Meters
Enjoy a quiet ride through vineyards and kiwi orchards on your way to the enchanting Medieval town of Brisighella. You should certainly plan to explore the historic town center and to see the unique Via degli Asini, one of the best preserved medieval artisan streets anywhere in Italy. The homemade pasta in Brisighella is worth a lunch stop (and the gelato is not bad, either)! Your ride continues on to your Agriturismo, a country house hotel with a working farm just outside Riolo Terme.
Accommodation : Agriturismo Rio Manzolo - "Brisighella"
Day 4 : Riolo Terme loop ride
Option 1 : 19 Miles - 31 Km
Option 2 : 39 Miles - 62 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 373 Meters
Elevation gain 2 : 1131 Meters
Today offers options for the avid cyclist and options for the more relaxed rider. Riolo Terme is a spa town so you can always elect to relax in town, enjoy a plethora of thermal water spa treatments, play a round of golf, get a massage, and just take it easy. We'll recommend a long ride into the hills for those wanting to put some hill rides on their legs and an easy ride to Castel Bolognese for those who want just a little exercise.
Accommodation : Agriturismo Rio Manzolo - "Brisighella"
Day 5 : Bicycle from Riolo Terme to Dozza
Option 1 : 17 Miles - 28 Km
Option 2 : 26 Miles - 42 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 515 Meters
Elevation gain 2 : 664 Meters
Today’s route reaches Padova passing through the town of Este, travelling along the banks of the River Frassine. You will be riding along quiet country roads with interesting natural features and the typical landscape of the Veneto countryside. Arriving in Este you will see the tower of the castle and part of the ruins, dating from the eleventh century. They are the only remaining artifacts of the five castles, built on the banks on the outskirts of the city to defend the strategic river accesses. This part of the route is mostly along the banks of the canals that surround the isolated group of hills. In particular you’ll ride along the banks of the River Bacchiglione taking a network of cycle paths.
Padova is a city characterised by complex town planning, a result of 2500 years of history. The city houses some world-famous works of art; from the traces of the Roman Age splendour to the masterpieces of the Middle Ages.
Accommodation : Albergo Ristorante Cane - "Dozza"
Day 6 : Bicycle from Dozza to Bologna
Option 1 : 28 Miles - 45 Km
Option 2 : 44 Miles - 71 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 208 Meters
Elevation gain 2 : 208 Meters
Today’s route reaches Padova passing through the town of Este, travelling along the banks of the River Frassine. You will be riding along quiet country roads with interesting natural features and the typical landscape of the Veneto countryside. Arriving in Este you will see the tower of the castle and part of the ruins, dating from the eleventh century. They are the only remaining artifacts of the five castles, built on the banks on the outskirts of the city to defend the strategic river accesses. This part of the route is mostly along the banks of the canals that surround the isolated group of hills. In particular you’ll ride along the banks of the River Bacchiglione taking a network of cycle paths. We'll leave the hills of Dozza to ride to Bologna today, Emilia Romagna's administrative capital, and, arguably, its culinary capital too. Home to the oldest continually operating university in the world, Bologna has a long tradition of studies, arts, and gastronomy. Speaking of gastronomy, Bologna gave birth to the mortadella, vulgarly distorted abroad as "bologna," although the fresh, artisanal mortadella has nothing to do with processed ham! Make sure you put this culinary delight on your 'must try' list!
Accommodation : Hotel Touring - "Bologna"
Day 7 : Tour ends in Bologna
Your bicycle ride in Emilia Romagna ends this morning in Bologna. If you have the time you might consider an extra night or two in Bologna to enjoy the rich cultural history here. Alternatively, train connections are convenient to Rome, Venice or Milan. Thanks for joining us and buon viaggio!
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day : Post-tour Night
Day : 1
Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi, an ancient aristocratic residence built in the XVIII century, is located in Ravenna historical centre, in front of one of the most beautiful churches in the city, the Basilica of St. Apollinare Nuovo. Ravenna train station is within walking distance from Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi, which is in an ideal location to visit Ravenna and its several monuments like Dante's Tomb, the Basilica of St. Vitale, the Baptistery of Neon and the Galla Placidia Mausoleum, and to admire its wonderful mosaics. If you are looking for an accommodation in Ravenna city centre, from which you can visit also the surroundings of the city, or going to Mirabilandia, Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi is the ideal solution.
Day : 2
The Hotel Vittoria is located in a period building in Faenza's historic centre, a short stroll from the central Piazza del Popolo and close to the town's main attractions: the Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche, one of the world's finest and most complete collections of ceramics, and the Museo Carlo Zauli, dedicated to the well-known ceramicist and sculptor from Faenza who died in 2002.
Day : 3, 4
The farm guesthouse "Rio Manzolo" was built in the 16th century with a small church near it, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrow. The ancient farm house building, originally used for cattle farming, belong to the historic family Rondinini. It's name "Rio Manzolo" derives from the stream running beside it. The guest accomodation retains original features and has a comfortable rustic feel with en-suite facilities and a charming atmosphere.
Day : 5
The Hotel Restaurant Cané was opened in 1928 and it is considered one of the historical hotel restaurants of the area. It managed to keep up with the times renovating the quality of its services while keeping the gastronomic tradition of the region and the hospitality untouched.
Day : 6
Hotel Touring is a 3 stars superior hotel in Bologna, situated in a quiet location in the old town a short walk from Piazza Maggiore, the Church of San Domenico. The Touring Hotel Bologna is a peaceful hideaway in the heart of the city that combines up-to-the-minute sophistication with ample old-world charm. Just steps from the main square Piazza Maggiore, expect familiar service, understated comfort and newly furnishings throughout. The Jacuzzi on the Rooftop Terrace will make you stay.
Bikes available for your tour |
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The perfect combination of light and comfortable for long rides or the cyclists who wants performance but sitting in more of an upright position. Mixte/Step Through Frame also available. Van Nicholas Amazon 3AL/2,5V titanium hybrid/mixte frame and VN Slx carbon fork.
Hybrid bike - Standard
VAN NICHOLAS AMAZON 3AL - ( or equivalent) INCLUDED 
Our fleet of bikes is made up of Winora Sinus i10 2020 model e-bikes. These bikes feature state of the art technology and are a fantastic option for bicycle travelers who need a little push. Although you still have to pedal the E-bike drive provides a nice boost for your efforts. For example when your pedal stroke increases to get up a hill so does the amount of power the electric motor outputs. Less effort on your part translates to less power assist. These bikes come with rapid-fire shifters that operate in the same way as a regular hybrid bike.
Electric assist bike - Standard
WINORA SINUS i10 - ( or equivalent) with supplement (70€) 
Van Nicholas Yukon 3AL/2,5V or Nevi titanium road frame and carbon fork – a great light bike for touring or riding classic alpine climbs of Europe.
Road bike - Standard
VAN NICHOLAS YUKON 3AL - ( or equivalent) with supplement (no fees) 
Cannondale tandem road 6061 smart formed alloy frame and Cannondale Fatty tandem fork / Comotion tandem with zonally-butted cro-moly steel tubing and taper gauge with CNC tandem steerer fork. Tires: Continental Ultra Sport 700c x 28. Weight: 10kg. Adjustable captain stem and stoker stem.
Tandem bike - Standard
CANNONDALE TANDEM ROAD - ( or equivalent) with supplement (on_request) |
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The characteristics of this bike are presented as an example and are not guaranteed Please note that any bike changes during the trip may incur an extra fee. |
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Hybrid bike - Standard
VAN NICHOLAS AMAZON 3AL - ( or equivalent)
INCLUDED
The perfect combination of light and comfortable for long rides or the cyclists who wants performance but sitting in more of an upright position. Mixte/Step Through Frame also available. Van Nicholas Amazon 3AL/2,5V titanium hybrid/mixte frame and VN Slx carbon fork.
- Frame :Van Nicholas Amazon 3AL /2,5V Titanium hybrid frame, available alsoas hybrid mixte or stepthrough frame /Van Nicholas Slx carbon fork
- Shifters/Front derailleur/Crankset : Shimano SLX 3x10 shifters, front derailleur and crankset (24,32,42 teeth or 26, 36,46 teeth)
- Rear derailleur/ Cassette : Shimano SLX long cage rear derailleur with 11-34 cassette
- Cyclometer,
- Bell,
- Lock,
- Pump,
- Water bottle cage/s,
- Water bottle,
- An under-seat pack that contains a spare tube,
- Tire irons and patch kit.
- Rear rack and rear light.
Accessories
INCLUDED
Roadbook for Discovery allows you to travel freely with all the information you need for your trip: Stages, points of interest, itineraries with interactive guidance, travel documents.
All in offline mode, you download your file before leaving, then you have all the information necessary for your trip. (Phone not provided).
INCLUDED
Our roadbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. We have invested significant time and incorporated the feedback of our customers over many years (since 1997!) to make our roadbooks even better. Our roadbooks include: color maps, highlighted routes, touristic information, orientation points to reach hotels, and easy to follow step by step directions (cue-sheets). Please note that for custom itineraries you will not have cue sheets. Only maps and GPS routes.
INCLUDED
Our Travelbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. You will find information about the hotels, itinerary, regional informations...
Option 1: 34 Miles - 55 Km Elevation gain 1 : 94 Meters
Option 1: 16 Miles - 26 Km Elevation gain 1 : 355 Meters
Option 2: 38 Miles - 61 Km Elevation gain 2 : 931 Meters
Option 1: 19 Miles - 31 Km Elevation gain 1 : 373 Meters
Option 2: 39 Miles - 62 Km Elevation gain 2 : 1131 Meters
Option 1: 17 Miles - 28 Km Elevation gain 1 : 515 Meters
Option 2: 26 Miles - 42 Km Elevation gain 2 : 664 Meters
Option 1: 28 Miles - 45 Km Elevation gain 1 : 208 Meters
Option 2: 44 Miles - 71 Km Elevation gain 2 : 208 Meters
Included
- 6 nights lodging in 3-4 star hotels,
- All breakfasts,
- Rental hybrid bicycle;
- Bike delivery and collection
- Guidance Application (phone not provided)
- Detailed routes description;
- Map.
- Dinner suggestions
- Luggage transfer
What's not included
- Airfare and local transfers to and from the trip
- Lodging before and after the trip
- Drinks with dinners
- Some meals are not included in each destination, which gives you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own.
- You will find all information needed with our team support in your Roadbook.
- Wine tastings, entrance fees, tips
- City tax
- Anything not mentioned above, under "Rate includes".
Informations & Recommendations
Tour rates
Contact our tour consultants for more information and an exact rate based upon your travel dates.
| Price from* & per person | Double occupancy | Single supplement (traveling with a group) | Solo traveler (traveling alone) |
| Standard | 1150 € | 205 € | 1720 € |
Accessories
| Accessories | |
| Guidance Application | Included |
| Biking Roadbook | Included |
| Travelbook | Included |
Bikes available
| Bikes available | Options per person |
| Road Bike Rental | |
| Standard | no fees |
| Electric assist bike | |
| Standard | 70 € |
| Tandem Bike Rental | |
| Standard | on_request |
Please note that any bike changes during the trip may incur an extra fee.
Services available
| Services available | |
| Cancelation insurance | 6% |
Casual : Beginners and occasional cyclists. Easiest tours we provide. Typically flatter terrain, no notable hills or anything of a steep gradient.
Hobby : Weekend riders. People with some cycling experience, rolling countryside, possible short climbs.
Active : Cyclists with experience on longer rides. Hilly terrain with reasonable amount of climbs and difficulty
Pro : Avid cyclists, ride every week and love long and challenging rides. Dream on riding the Tour de France cols.
Comparison chart : (15km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 28 | < 45 | < 300m | 3-4 |
| Hobby |
18 - 35 | 30 - 55 | 300-550m | 3-5 |
| Active |
30 - 60 | 50 - 100 | 550-1000m | 4-6 |
| Pro |
> 60 | > 100 | > 1000m | > 5 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions
Casual : Beginners and occasional hikers. Typically flatter terrain with just rolling hills.
Hobby : Weekend hikers. People with some experience hiking around trails.
Active : Hikers with experience on longer hikes. Hilly terrain with some steep gradients.
Pro : Randonneurs avides, randonnée chaque semaine et adore les longues et difficiles randonnées.
Comparison chart : (4km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 6 | < 10 | < 150m | 2.5 |
| Hobby |
6 - 9 | 10 - 15 | 150-300m | 25-375 |
| Active |
9 - 11 | 11 - 18 | 300-450m | 3.75 - 4.5 |
| Pro |
> 11 | > 18 | > 450m | 4.5-6 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions