Italian Dream Vacation Please Help

[openwheelracing]

Looks like I am taking family to Venice and then Florence. We will be able to see TdF first two stages. Leaving Florence on July 2nd.

At this time I have zero plans. Just an agriturismo booked between Bolognia and Florence. Family of 4 will have a VW hatchback rental car. Family knows I want to ride!!!

Where should I plan to ride?
Where should I rent from?
Should I bring my bike?
Where should we go to see the TdF without paying?

Very excited!

[litcrazy]

Last summer, my family stayed in sienna and rented gravel bikes for two of the days.
One ride we did was to san gigignano from Siena, primarilly on dirt on the pilgrimage trail.
We also did some of the famous gravel outside of Siena the second day.
Renting bikes went well. Much easier than bringing bikes. And we loved the riding. Though the Dolomites were definitely the highlight for all of us.

Sounds like a great trip. Enjoy!

[openwheelracing]

Much appreciated. I will look into Siena/San Gigminano. I am also leaning towards renting a gravel bike to try Strata Bianche as well. Seems there are lots of beautiful dirt/gravel roads.

[herb5998]

I've done a couple trips to Italy for cycling, really depends on what you enjoy.

Last summer we spent 12 days at Hotel Melodia Del Bosco, which is located in the heart of the Dolomites, it was a half-board setup, so breakfast and dinner were included in the nightly rate. Incredible riding and roads, guides were excellent, Excellent food and the hotel staff (family run) is all great. Lots of beautiful climbs, not much in the way of "flat" rides.

In 2016 I did a week at Hotel Dory in Riccione. As above, great food and staff. The city and location is very much more beach tourist related. A wide variety of riding to be seen. The roads were pretty good, but not as nice as in the Dolomites, and the guides (at least in 2016) weren't as good. You won't find rides with as many famous climbs from the Giro D'Italia, but some are around the area, as well as Nove Colli route.

[cnighbor1]

On the organized ride I did the organizer broke down his bike rack and shipped it with his plane luggage and put it on the VW Golf

[robin3mj]

Big fan of Puglia. Food and architecture are great. Punchy hills for cycling and good beaches.

[hokoman]

When we were in Venice last year, we took the hour long train ride to see the Pegoretti crew - super nice group and Pietro measured my wife and me up for new bikes. Cristina and the rest of the team were great and I would highly recommend it (if you're a fan/in the market for a new bike).