No Comments Written by Anders on April 6, 2008 – 9:01 am

Cycling your way through Italy, or any country for that matter is undoubtedly an adventurous affair and something you might have longed for ever since you learnt to ride a bicycle. Italy is easily one of the top romantic getaways in Europe. It offers a sensual experience - a medley of sights, sounds, smells and tastes.

From the vineyards of Tuscany to the beaches of Campania, from the mountains and lakes of Lombardy to the port towns and vineyards of Puglia, and the architectural wealth of Lazio to the forested heart of Umbria – Italy is a treat that takes a lifetime to explore. If you are looking for novel Italy tours, something off the beaten track, different from the gondola riding experience, you may try pedaling your way through the country, which is one of the finest world travel destinations.

The fact that Italy is a nation of varied topography adds to the excitement all the more. A good world travel guide focusing particularly on Italy tours helps you choose an itinerary of your choice. Firstly you have to find out what kind of cycle tour you are looking to embark on – whether you want to trail across the plains, or the mountains, or simply the coasts or vine regions. In case you are on a cycle tour with your family, opt for Tuscany, Aeolian Island and Sicily; Mountain trekkers can choose to hit the paths of Trentino, Veneto or Abruzzi while Apulia, Emilia Romagna and the Chianti region in Tuscany offer opportunities for cyclists who want to combine a cycling tour with a culinary one.

Ride your bicycle through the quiet country lanes and by-lanes, vineyards, the olive trees, sunflower fields, sandy beaches, the open terrain and gentle hills in sunny Etruscan Coast and medieval hilltop villages. You will enjoy your trek up to the lovely Giglio Island where you will not regret the wine tasting and cooking class sessions. The bustling harbor and old-fashioned village of Porto Santo Stefano and Capalbio, the medieval hilltop village, full of cobbled streets and high walls provide for great sites on your tour to one of the choicest World Travel Destinations. If you are traveling with your little kid you need to be certain about baby seats, safety belts, trailer and trailer bikes. Basically get your protection gear in order such as biking helmets, knee pads and the like.

Riding through Aeolian Island and Sicily will offer cycling opportunities on the paved slopes of the Etna volcano; go for an exciting hydrofoil ride to Lipari and pedal through this charming Mediterranean island to make your Italy tours more exciting and worth remembering. Stop over at Salina Island to delight in a dash of traditional Sicilian cuisine consisting of the special grappa and the Malvasia wine at some of the best Italy hotels.

However, cycle treks to Apulia, Emilia Romagna and the Chianti will prove most fulfilling for the foodies. Dig into the prosciutto di Parma, the delicious ham, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, the equally delicious cheese at some of the finest Italy hotels in Emilia Romagna. Try your appetite at the centuries-old, fortified Italy hotels called masseria while you cycle down to the calm country roads flanking the glimmering coast of the rather virgin island of Puglia.

The hikes along the Alps, Dolomites, Abruzzi and the Apennines while in Veneto or Trentino are excellent options for travelers on cycle tour to Italy thus making your Italy tours an experience of a lifetime. You may want to dump your cycles in Venice and take to the gondolas and water taxis. Whenever you get a chance do drop in at some of the most authentic Venice hotels top savor some of the most lip smacking dishes like Polenta, Risi e Bisi and the wines like the dry white Soave, the red Bardolino, and the Valpolicella.

Wherever you take your bicycle to on your Italy tours, you need to assure yourself of the basic tools, like a safe pair of gloves, a well-fit helmet; light and shatterproof eyewear to keep you from the sunrays, and flies; fitting pair of shorts to protect the perineum (opt for full length pants for most of the year except for the summers); windcheaters and waterproof jackets for obvious reasons. Make sure you have regular intakes of water, sugar and salts to ensure that the level of your fluid intake does not fall alarmingly.

Last but not the least, a piece of information - flights to Italy do not charge you extra for your bike but you better make sure that you get into the trains with a bicycle pictogram on them while you are on your Italy tours. Board any of the cheap flights to the boot country of Europe with your bicycle for a trip to remember.