Location
Sicily and Southern Italy
Duration
8 days | 7 nights | 6 days riding
Length
up to 450km
Climb
up to 7,500m
9 May 2022 - 16 May 2022
It's tough trying to choose the best portions of Week 1 of the 2022 Giro d’Italia race for you to fully experience. The coasts, countrysides and mountains of Sicily, Calabria, Campania, Molise AND Abruzzo as well as a little luxury time in Napoli.
But don’t be deceived, it’s not all stunning scenery. This week of the Giro is tough for the pros and their teams. Who would've thought you could fit two days of 4500+m climbing outside the Dolomites. No stress, we have created a tour that is not so arduous for you!
Although not riding every kilometre of the race route, you will be riding between 40 - 100 kilometres of the race route on the day before the pros. We have ensured that the longer routes offer shorter versions, and of course there are the opportunities to enjoy the south Italian gastronomy, the wines, to stop for an espresso and cannoli, and to take photos. Napoli will provide the drama and full on festival atmosphere and you also have the rugged and wild beauty of Italy’s national parks.
Grand Tours Project is an Official Giro d’Italia Tour Operator and you have full access to the closed routes, and crossing the finish with access to the podium at Stage 4 on the flanks of the active volcano, Mount Etna.
Total price: From €4,250
Benvenuto
30km | 300m
We will collect you from Catania airport and take you to our hotel. After checking in, we’ll help with bike fitting or reassembling your bike. In the afternoon we head out for an easy bike ride.
At welcome drinks we will discuss the plans for the week and then enjoy a Sicilian dinner.
Scordia - Paternò - Etna Rifugio Sapienza
25km | 1,680m or 60km | 1,900m
After an early breakfast, we’ll transfer you to one of two riding options. In both cases you will be racing before the caravan and professionals on the winding race route through the black lava fields with islands of green, to and over the official finish line at Etna Rif. Sapienza. First day riding and you also get to stand on the Giro d’Italia Podium. We will have warm clothes for you and in the Giro VIP Zone you can cheer and applaud the riders as they arrive at the finish.
After the podium presentations, we’ll transfer you back to the hotel.
Castiglione - Monforte San Giorgio
70km | 855m or 90km | 1,150m
Another two options today, both follow some of the race route starting from our hotel. We’ll climb up and over Portella Mandrazzi and down to Sicily’s north coast. You can stop here or choose to ride further on and into delightful medieval Monforte San Giorgio.
We’ll stop for lunch here and then transfer to Messina and our ferry to Reggio di Calabria, and our hotel.
Time dependent, there is yet a mystery third option to ride from Monforte San Giorgio towards the east coast...a bit more climbing and hairpins on unknown roads maybe?
Palmi - Pizzo
60km | 675m
After a leisurely breakfast we’ll transfer to the start of Stage 6 and then climb the race route to Aeroporto Luigi Razza. We’ll stop here to regroup, have an espresso and cannoli, and then descend to Pizzo for pizza!
Our hotel is close to the start of tomorrow's ride that finishes in Potenza, so our transfer is further than normal. However if we make it to Pizzo in good time, there is the opportunity to transfer from further along the coast.
Viggiano - Potenza
65km | 1,550m
For the professional riders, today is epic. But no stress, we are keeping the kilometres to a reasonable double digit figure and the altitude gain will provide an adequate challenge.
We will be riding through Italy’s youngest national park, Parco Nazionale dell'Appennino Lucano Val d'Agri - Lagonegrese, an area that protects and continues the natural and historic environment with neighbouring parks - beautiful, dramatic with several old villages that you will ride through.
At the stage finish, we will cheer on the pros and then depart for amazing Napoli and our equally amazing hotel.
Napoli Loop
55km | 365m
We think you deserve a little sleep in and a leisurely breakfast today! We have enough time to ride the full circuit but without the multiple loops on the Bacoli peninsula. Yet to be confirmed, we can find a perfect place near Bacoli or on Monte di Procida to watch and cheer on the riders or we can return to the finish and watch them arrive at the Stage 8 finish.
There's time to explore Napoli but keep your personal items close, cross the roads very carefully, enjoy the chaos and craziness of Napoli, espresso, gelati, pizza, fashion, people watching...enjoy.
Dinner will be at an authentic Napolitano restaurant.
Roccaraso - Fara San Martino - Passo Lanciano
40km | 1,500m or 80km | 1,625m
Yet another massive day for the Giro teams. It's exhausting just reading the figures! We have narrowed down two route options again.
It's a long transfer to Roccaraso for the longer route and a bit further to Fara San Martino for the shorter version. There is also a ‘shortcut’ to ensure you get to Passo Lanciano in time to find yourselves with enthusiastic Italian crowds to cheer the pros up and over the pass. They have another 1,500+m of ascent before reaching the Stage 9 finish!!
As soon as the road is open, we are back in the van and transferring to our hotel in Rome.
Arrivederci
Week One of our Giro d’Italia Experience is completed. We hope that you enjoyed the Giro d'Italia is all its pink festive glory, that you achieved some memorable riding milestones or had a relaxed fun time with friends and family.
We will help you pack up and take you to the airport for your onward journey. Or perhaps you are joining us in our next Giro d’Italia Experience in 2 days time?
Until next time, safe journey and see you then.