2025 VIP Trans Apennines

VIP Trans Apennines

From the sumptuous landscapes of Tuscany through the dramatic high peaks of the Apennine mountains, experience the very best of Italy in our version of Tirreno Adriatico

Our latest VIP trip features a sensational ride across the Apennine mountains, from the Mediterranean to the Adriatic.

 

Please note: this trip is only open to repeat guests and their friends.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

June 15th 2025

From

USD $5,495

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

USD $550

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

Starting in the fabulous thermal retreat and spa in San Casciani dei Bagni, our 2025 VIP ride crosses the dramatic high peaks of the Apennine mountains.

The trip starts with a magnificent loop through the famous landscapes and picturesque villages of the Val d’Orcia, considered by many as Tuscany’s most beautiful valley,  and includes the climb to Monte Amiata, the highest mountain in southern Tuscany. After the first 2 nights in Tuscany, you’ll start the journey eastwards across the Apennines, starting with a first stop close to the stunning medieval town of Spoleto where a late afternoon walk to it’s magnificent Duomo and Rocca Albornoziana hilltop castle is a must.

You’ll hit the first big Apennine climb the following day in the form of the 1,900m Passo Sella di Leonessa, offering spectacular views of nearby Monte Terminillo, before the long descent to Rieti, known as the heart of Italy.

For the remainder of the trip you’ll ride through the highest peaks of the Apennines conquering several iconic Giro d’Italia climbs. You’ll ride through the Gran Sasso National Park and climb the incredible Campo Imperatore at over 2,100m. The final day includes the Passo Lanciano, the Passo San Leonardo and for those willing to give it a shot, the mighty climb to Blockhaus, where Giro stage winners include Eddy Merckx, Nairo Quintana and in 2022, Aussie rider Jai Hindley who went on to win the Giro that year.

Join Peter and the best staff in the business on this sensational journey across one of the world’s most celebrated cycling destinations: Tirreno-Adriatico!

 

 


Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Benvenuti in Italia Fonteverde Hotel & Thermal Retreat
02 Classic Tuscany Loop Fonteverde Hotel & Thermal Retreat
03 Through Umbria to historic Spoleto Relais Borgo Campello
04 Monte Terminillo Park Hotel Villa Potenziani
05 Across Lazio and Abruzzo to L'Aquila Canadian Hotel
06 Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso Albergo Parco Gran Sasso
07 Blockhaus and the Parco Nazionale della Maiella Hotel Ovidius Santa Croce
08 End of an epic journey!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Benvenuti in Italia

Your trip starts ar Rome Fiumicino Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to the magnificent Fonteverde Hotel and Thermal retreat, featuring the natural thermal springs of San Casciano dei Bagni in Tuscany.

After a brief orientation, bike build and lunch, you’ll head out for your first ride in the most beautiful region of Tuscany, the Val d’Orcia. After 16km you’ll start the 7km climb to Sarteano, one of southern Tuscany’s most beautiful villages, maybe a good option for a coffee stop!

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


Classic Tuscany Loop

A magnificent ride today through the Val d’Orcia, considered the most scenic region of Tuscany. Included in the ride is the highest mountain in Southern Tuscany, Monte Amiata, which comes at the 60km mark and climbs for 20km to an elevation of almost 1,700m. Amiata is up there with Alpine climbs so pace yourself on this one, and it’s closely followed with a tough wee bump to the hilltop town of Radicofani before the final run-in to the hotel, and a well-earned dip in the natural springs!

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


Through Umbria to historic Spoleto

The journey eastwards across the Apennines starts today with a scenic ride across Umbria towards the historic town of Spoleto. No huge climbs to contend with but a series of short inclines make for a challenging day in the saddle. You’ll ride through the medieval towns of Orvieto and Todi, with a final climb high above Spoleto to your hotel for the evening, the Relais Borgo Campello, a unique destination based in an ancient convent and castle in the medieval village of Campello Alto.

Day 4

Distance

Elevation


Monte Terminillo

Highlight of today’s ride is the spectacular climb over the Passo Sella di Leonessa to Monte Terminillo.

Leaving the hotel in Scheggino, for the first 40km you’ll be following the route of Stage 11 of the 2024 Giro d’Italia over the Forca Capistrella to Leonessa. From Leonessa the Giro went east towards Prati di Tivo where Tadej Pogacar sealed another stage win, you’ll continue south towards into Lazio and the long climb to Terminillo. From the summit, enjoy a 25km descent to your next hotel in the town of Rieti, the centre of Italy!

Day 5

Distance

Elevation


Across Lazio and Abruzzo to L'Aquila

Your journey continues through rural Lazio and the Monte Navegna & Monte Cervia Nature Reserve. From the hotel in Rieti you’ll be straight into climbing mode as you tackle a couple of short climbs to get you of the town and inot the Nature Reservae. From there enjoy a magnificent ride along the shores of Lago del Salto before starting the main challenge of the day, the 22km climb to La Forca di Castiglione. From the summit the next 40km are “mostly” downhill to your next hotel in L’Aquila.

Day 6

Distance

Elevation


Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso

A stunningly beautiful ride today, high up in the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso featuring some of the most dramatic peaks in the Apennines. After a flat 10km start to the ride, the road soon points upwards signalling the start of the climb to the Passo delle Capannelle. From the summit you’ll head into the national park, the scenery is spectacular – and only gets better as you head towards the incredible Campo Imperatore at over 2,100m. The ride continues through the national park, over the Valico di Capo de Serra and eventually down to your hotel in the stunning hilltop town of Castel del Monte.

Longer ride available – feel up for an extra 40km and 1,100m elevation? – then continue past the hotel for a beautiful loop through Ofena and back up to the hotel via the climb through Calascio!

Day 7

Distance

Elevation


Blockhaus and the Parco Nazionale della Maiella

Your trip ends with a magnificent ride through another National Park, the Parco Nazionale della Maiella and features one of the most challenging climbs in Italy (ranked 6th overall in a list of toughest climbs in the whole of Italy). The climb is Blockhaus, referring to a stone house at the top of the climb and thought to have got it’s name from an Austrian commander stationed there during the unification of Italy in the 1860’s. it has featured several times in the Giro d’Italia with the great Eddy Merckx winning there in 1967. Last winner was Aussie Jai Hindley in 2022. It’s a spectacularly brutal climb, over 20km, 1700 elevation gain and an average grade of around 8%. But well worth the effort!

From Blockhaus you’ll ride further into the National Park, over the much more gentle Passo San Leonardo, before the final 20km descent to your hotel in Sulmona – and the end of a magnificent journey across the backbone of Italy, the Thomson version of Tirreno-Adriatico!.

Don’t worry, for those who’ve had enough climbing for the week and would rather skip Blockhaus, there’s a shorter ride avoiding this monster climb, with a total distance of 117km and 2,100m elevaiton gain.

Day 8

Distance

Elevation


End of an epic journey!

Unfortunately, your trip across the Apennines has come to an end.

Our shuttle will drop you off at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

Map & Profile

Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Castiglione d’Orcia
from Bagno Vignoni
5.1% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Monte Amiata
from Seggiano
6.4% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Radicofani
from River Paglia
4.8% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Colonnetta
from Orvieto
4.6% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Todi
from Pontecuti
5.6% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Castelvecchio
from Todi
3.9% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Relais Borgo Campello
from Campello sul Clitunno
4.8% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Forca di Cerro
from Spoleto
4.5% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Forca Capistrello
from Sant’Anatolia di Narco
6.0% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Sella di Leonessa / Monte Terminillo
from Leonessa
6.2% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Colle Moro
from Rieti
7.5% 1
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Vallecupola
from Longone
5.9% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Forca Di Castiglione
from Sant’Ippolito
4.5% 1
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Passo Capannelle
from Cermone
4.7% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Campo Imperatore
from Gigino
4.6% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Blockhaus
from Lettomanoppello
7.7% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Passo San Leonardo
from Caramanico
4.5% 1
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today

Climbs

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07

Climbs

Category Climb Day Difficulty Length Ele. Gain Av. Grade
3 Castiglione d’Orcia (from Bagno Vignoni) 02 38 5.1%
HC Monte Amiata (from Seggiano) 02 109 6.4%
3 Radicofani (from River Paglia) 02 27 4.8%
3 Colonnetta (from Orvieto) 03 39 4.6%
3 Todi (from Pontecuti) 03 37 5.6%
3 Castelvecchio (from Todi) 03 31 3.9%
2 Relais Borgo Campello (from Campello sul Clitunno) 03 33 4.8%
2 Forca di Cerro (from Spoleto) 04 41 4.5%
HC Forca Capistrello (from Sant’Anatolia di Narco) 04 83 6%
HC Sella di Leonessa / Monte Terminillo (from Leonessa) 04 89 6.2%
1 Colle Moro (from Rieti) 05 64 7.5%
3 Vallecupola (from Longone) 05 39 5.9%
1 Forca Di Castiglione (from Sant’Ippolito) 05 62 4.5%
2 Passo Capannelle (from Cermone) 06 49 4.7%
HC Campo Imperatore (from Gigino) 06 78 4.6%
HC Blockhaus (from Lettomanoppello) 07 162 7.7%
1 Passo San Leonardo (from Caramanico) 07 52 4.5%
Show moreShow less

Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2025
Jun 15 - 22
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $5,495
USD $950
USD $1,040
Book this trip
Aug 31 - Sep 7
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $5,495
USD $950
USD $1,040
Book this trip
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Waiting List


Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:



    Trip Hotels

    Fonteverde Hotel & Thermal Retreat

    Relais Borgo Campello

    Park Hotel Villa Potenziani

    Canadian Hotel

    Albergo Parco Gran Sasso

    Hotel Ovidius Santa Croce


    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Sit-down lunch on the 1st day
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick up at Rome Fiumicino Airport
    • Drop off at Rome Fiumicino Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Sit-down lunch on the 1st day
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick up at Rome Fiumicino Airport
    • Drop off at Rome Fiumicino Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Rome Fiumicino Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    Isola Sacra Rome Airport Hotel

    View website arrow

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Rome Fiumicino Airport

    9:30am


    Rental Bikes

    Specialized Aethos Expert

    Frame

    Aethos FACT 10r Carbon

    Groupset

    Di2 Shimano Ultegra

    Weight

    699g (size 56)

    Wheels

    Roval C38

    Chainrings

    52/36T

    Cassette

    11-34t (12-speed)

    Sizes

    49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61

    USD $550

    View Details

    VIP Trans Apennines

    A sensational journey across the Apennine mountains through Tuscany, Lazio, Umbria and Abruzzo