Cycle Romagna - From Ravenna to Bologna

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.

Note: The airport closest to the tour start is Bologna’s Marconi Airport.Take a shuttle bus to Bologna train station, then a train to Ravenna. Private transfer is available contact us ( with supplement).

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.

Distance : 51km (32 mi).

Elevation : 94m

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. Dinner is included tonight.

Distance : 26km (16mi) or 61km (38mi)

Elevation : 355m or 931m

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. Dinner is included tonight.

Distance : 31km (19mi) or 62km (39mi).

Elevation : 373m or 1131m

Your ride today takes you through more vineyards and rich orchards to the Medieval hill town of Dozza, famous for its wall murals. The castle in Dozza houses the Emilia-Romagna Regional Enoteca or wine museum. Regional specialties include the red Sangiovese (father grape of Chianti) which is gaining more and more worldwide recognition as an important wine in and of itself, the light and fizzy Lambrusco from the hills of Modena and Bologna (excellent accompaniment to the regional cold cuts like prosciutto and salame), or the sweet Albana di Romagna. Plan to arrive mid-afternoon so you can tour the castle and taste a little wine!



Distance : 28km (17mi) - 42km (26mi).

Elevation : 515m or 664m

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!



Distance : 45km (28mi) Then by train from Budrio to Bologna. or 71km (44mi).

Elevation : 208m

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!