I T A L Y Cycling adventure in Italy’s Apennines Take on Italy’s backroads on two wheels. An adventure through woods, mountains and ancient villages for both beginner and expert cyclists. E X P L O R I N G I T A L Y O N T W O W H E E L S Hop on the bike and prepare to explore the Abruzzo region in the Central Apennines. The vast network of old and local roads makes cycling the most complete and penetrating way to explore and understand this region. Pedaling along the many itineraries offered by the rugged mountains, around the lakes or along the flourishing torrent banks, through solemn beech woods or the heaths of infinite highlands, emotions will run strong and memorable, not only for the neophyte but also for the more skilled and tough cyclist. Remote and ancient villages and timeless landscapes will be the highlights of your trip. Excellent Italian food, good wine and evenings near the fireplace will be what awaits after a day of exploring Italy on two wheels. Your guides are experts on nature and wildlife and will share their passion and love for this unique region. With them you will learn about the Abruzzo’s from both the local and expert point of view. D A Y T O D A Y P R O G R A M M E Day 1 We meet in the town centre of Pescasseroli. You will meet your guide, receive a welcome kit and be presented with the schedule. Dinner and overnight stay. Day 2 Pescasseroli - Monte Tranquillo - Opi From Pescasseroli’s centre we will cross the beautiful beech woods of Macchiarvana and Camporotondo, until we reach the panoramic Santuario del Monte Tranquillo. Through short breaks, we will have the opportunity to listen to the sounds of the forest, to smell its scents, to look at the light and the shades of the colors that characterize it. Dinner and overnight stay. Day 3 Opi - Civitella Alfedena - Barrea An easy itinerary, we will cycle a panoramic ring route around the lake, passing the characteristic towns of Barrea, Civitella Alfedena and Villetta Barrea. We are in the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, and these towns have maintained their typical features of medieval towns in the Apennines, perfectly integrated in the surrounding natural beauty. Dinner and overnight stay. D A Y T O D A Y P R O G R A M M E Day 4 Lago Pantaniello - Scanno You will learn about sheep farming history which really shaped the territory, traditions, language, arts and gastronomy. You will see Monti di Chiarano and the Monte Greco, characterized by moraines, glacial cirques and frequent karstic phenomena, the small Lago Pantaniello, with its transparent and shallow waters, looks like a daydream. In the evening visit the village of Scanno famous for its artistic and cultural heritage. Dinner and overnight stay. Day 5 Scanno - Anversa degli Abruzzi - Cocullo After breakfast, a visit of the town with the beautiful fountains and squares, stately buildings and elegant and decorated portals. You will go through the Sagittario Gorges, a deep beautiful and suggestive canyon. Here is the protected area of Cavuto springs. Lunch in the medieval village of Anversa degli Abruzzi and visit to Cocullo. After lunch transfer to Pescasseroli and departure. D E T A I L S Nights: 5 days/4 nights or 3 days/2 nights Season: April-July and September-November, but winter is also possible Accommodation: Four nights in lovely hotels, family-run in a double room Guide: Umberto, Valeria or Mario How to get there: Closest airports are Rome Fiumicino and Pescara Airport. You can rent a car from the airport for an easy 3 hr drive to the town of Pescasseroli, or request to book a transfer from/to the airport with us. You can also reach Pescasseroli by train (to Avezzano) and bus: www.tuabruzzo.it Languages: English, Italian Other: Elevation gain 300m/800m up and down each day. Length 25/55 km each day P R I C E S Price Private tour (starting 2 people) € 1040 (5 days / 4 nights) € 710 (3 days / 2 nights) Group tour(4/8 people) € 765 (5 days / 4 nights) € 540 (3 days / 2 nights) Price includes: Internal transfer Half-board in double rooms with services, support of official nature guide Front suspended e-bike rental Internal transfers The cost does not include: Transfer from and to Rome Fiumicino or Pescara Airport Flights O U R R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y Rewilding Europe Levy: 5% of your booking sum goes to the local Rewilding Europe organization. In the Central Apennines rewilding area Rewilding Europe is working with local partners to develop large “coexistence corridors” by connecting the local economy with wilder nature in five corridors collectively covering more than 40,000 hectares By reducing the damage caused by such wildlife, and by allowing communities to benefit from it, people living here will become ambassadors for the area’s wild nature. Rewilding Europe is working with local partners to reduce bear mortality and conflict by installing traffic accident prevention measures, removing old fencing, restoring and improving signage, and distributing new mobile electric fences. By working to establish a vibrant nature-based economy in the Central Apennines rewilding area, Rewilding Europe is providing local communities with an economic incentive to protect such wildlife. Read more about rewilding work in the Central Apennines here W H A T T O B R I N G We recommend you to dress in layers. CHECKLIST Hiking shoes Bike pants Sun hat Water bottle day pack Long pants Hat and wool gloves Jacket Raincoat or poncho Sun protection cream Non-smelling mosquito repellent. Personal toiletries/medicines and ... a sense of adventure!.