Easy Biketour of Abruzzo
for cycling beginners with a good level of fitness and for intermediate cyclists

from Sunday to Sunday
from April to October (except August)

Self guided (min 2pp) Eur 790
Guided (min 8pp)      Eur 850
Deposit (30 days before the start) 
Eur 200 

The price includes:
-  7 nights in double room w/bath 
in Agriturismo or Hotel 3 stars
-  7 breakfasts and 6 dinners
- house wine at dinner (only in Agriturismo)
-  individual daily cuesheets and maps
-   transfers of luggage
- transfers from and to Pescara Airport or train station
-  assistance on call
-   cycling guide (only guided tours)
-   cycling guide & van support (only guided tours)

Not includes:
-   beverages in hotel
- van transfer from and to Roma Airport 
(Eur 50pp/each way)
-   bike rentals: 
Hybrid - Eur 80 
Race - Eur 130
(includes helmet, extra tube, pump, lock)
-   single room: Eur 150

In the self-guided tour (min 2 people) A van with an English speaking driver transports you and your bike from and to the Airport and moves your luggage from inn to inn. We provide you with hotels booking, a phone number for assistance, daily maps with detailed itinerary, sightseeing and restaurants suggestions. In the guided tours (min 8 people) you have also the help of a cycling guide and a support van following at all times.

ASSOCIAZIONE ABCYCLE
38, Via Brecciano
65013 Città S.Angelo (PE)
Abruzzo, Italia

tel/fax: Italia 085 969410
abcycle@virgilio.it

Day by Day

Day 1: Arrival in Loreto Aprutino
We wait for you at Pescara train station or Airport and transfer you to Loreto Aprutino. This little town still preserves its medieval layout of tile roofs rising upon the hill and surrounding, at the summit, the Norman Castle (the secular power) and the Cathedral (the spiritual power). A stroll in the town alleys, browsing inside churches and palaces, and a visit to the local Ceramics and Archeological museums will reveal you unsuspected treasures.
The Agriturismo (country inn) where we take you is a couple of miles from town. The countryside setting is charming and you will love their swimming pool. Agriturismo in Italy are required to serve only meals based on fresh, homegrown ingredients so be prepared for an outstanding traditional dinner. Before dinner we give you route maps and a briefing about the tour.  

Day 2: Loreto (loop) 53 km - tot climb 900 mts
The area of your first ride is called Vestina from the name of the population that lived here before the Roman conquest. Agriculture is the main activity accounting for some of the best wines and extravergine olive oil produced today in Italy. The quiet roads wind up and down gentle hills with open views of the Gran Sasso and Maiella massifs, the highest peaks of the Italian Appennini. Not an easy start but you can take your time and pause for refreshment in the several cute villages crossed: Catignano, Vicoli, Civitella Casanova and Vestea.

Day 3: Loreto – Caramanico Terme 60 km - 900 mts
The going south from Loreto starts with some rolling terrain. The first easy hill takes you to Pianella, an historical town well deserving a visit. The rolling gets even easier on the way to Cepagatti, famous for its muralled walls. Soon after you have the chance to pause at one of the local wine producers for snacks and a taste of the celebrated red Montepulciano and white Trebbiano. You must be careful not to indulge in the toasting as the ride gets now quite challenging: after crossing the Aterno-Pescara, Abruzzo’s longest river, you must tackle a 6km climb to get to S.Valentino. After that the mountain water springing out of the faucets in the town’s main square will taste like nectar! And don’t wave the opportunity to sit outside one of the bars for a well deserved gelato. You have just entered the National Park of Maiella Mtns and the road now rises very gently in an open, lusciously green valley surrounded by mountains. Only the last km into Caramanico requires more sweat. You will stay in an hotel in this old spa town town for 2 days.  

 Day 4: Rest day in Caramanico Terme
Thanks to its mineral and sulphur springs Caramanico has been a spa resort since 1576. From a simple massage to the mud and spring water therapy a wide range of cosmetic and medical treatments are available. But Caramanico is also the starting point for spectacular hiking trails. So, before you get pampered in the spa, we suggest you a morning hike in the pristine wilderness of the National Park of Maiella.

 Day 5: Caramanico Terme-Fara Filiorum Petri 52 km - 700 mts
Today you cross over to the eastern side of Maiella. The ride starts with a 15 km descent that takes you back to the Aterno River and the old Tiburtina road. Soon it’s time to turn right to enter another of Maiella’s deep valleys. The Maiella mountains are also land of saints and this valley is particularly blessed by ancient sanctuaries and hermitages. The few villages show a well preserved Romanic style. With its cathedral, palaces and fountains built with the local stone Serramonacesca is the best example and worthy a pause of your ride. The road rises mostly gently but with a few steeper sections up to Pretoro. Clung to the side of the mountain this spectacular stone town is a perfect spot for lunch and toasting. The few kms left are all downhill. The next inn is an Agriturismo in Fara Filiorum Petri, a village whose name declares its roots back to the Longobards.  

 Day 6: Fara Filiorum Petri - Marina di S.Vito 40 km - 400 mts
So far you have seen the hilly countryside and the rugged mountains now Abruzzo is going to show you that it has also one of the nicest coast of the Adriatic. The ride now is definitely easier and you will have time to enjoy swimming and sunbathing. You descend in Guardiagrele. The major town this side of Maiella is renowned for its jewerly and wrought iron masters. A stroll in town for window shopping is highly suggested. 
You ride among vineyards as the road keeps going down. A suggested detour (add 15 km) will let you hit the coast in Ortona. A gelato by the Aragonese Castle on the Via Orientale, the high promenade that spans over the Adriatic sea, is a pleasure we’d like you to enjoy. Otherwise you can ride straight to Marina di S.Vito, the charming beach resort where you spend the last 2 days. You stay in an elegant hotel just across the street from the beach. 

Day 8: Van transfer to Pescara (1/2 hr)