Criminal
03-14-2004, 06:22 AM
http://www.heartcycle.org/2001items/01mempgs_italy01_wup.htm
http://www.heartcycle.org/2001items/01memp1.jpg
By Charlotte Buck
The Abruzzo region of Italy isn’t the place that most tourists head for. Even bike touring companies are more likely to offer tours in Tuscany, Siena, Dolomites and the Italian Alps. But this tour had the prospects of riding in a remote part of Italy that is relatively undeveloped, with rural and pastoral countryside, little traffic, wild and wooly mountain environments, and remnants of an ancient world . This was what compelled the eight cyclists from Colorado, New York and California to sign on. And we got the exceptional Italian bike tour we wanted.
The 12½ days spent cycling through Abruzzo took us into every Mountain and National Park in the region; the scenery was untouched and gorgeous. We rode past hundreds of picturesque towns and villages perched on hillsides, down into gorges, up Giro d’Italia stages, among exquisite wildflower fields, and along the Adriatic Coast (yes, we took a dip). We rode past farms and vineyards, castles and churches, and into thick forests so dark you had to take your sunglasses off. We went to wine tastings, toured Roman and pre-Roman ruins, roamed a medieval village and hung around eating lunches in lovely piazzas.
While the riding was fantastic, (800+ miles and 70,000+ elevation gain), we all know that it’s the food and lodging that can make or break a cycling vacation. Both of these necessities were taken care of beautifully by a wonderful concept called "agritourismo" (closest translation: Bed and Breakfast), a far more intimate way to experience a culture than hotels and restaurants. The locations of the agritourismos ranged from a village perched on a mountaintop like an eagle’s nest (Castrovalva) to a cozy little hamlet (La Canestra), to a farmhouse in the middle of wheat fields (Caprafico). Bill from California put on his list of highlights: "The agritourismo accommodations and especially the food – Outstanding!"
http://www.heartcycle.org/2001items/01memp1.jpg
By Charlotte Buck
The Abruzzo region of Italy isn’t the place that most tourists head for. Even bike touring companies are more likely to offer tours in Tuscany, Siena, Dolomites and the Italian Alps. But this tour had the prospects of riding in a remote part of Italy that is relatively undeveloped, with rural and pastoral countryside, little traffic, wild and wooly mountain environments, and remnants of an ancient world . This was what compelled the eight cyclists from Colorado, New York and California to sign on. And we got the exceptional Italian bike tour we wanted.
The 12½ days spent cycling through Abruzzo took us into every Mountain and National Park in the region; the scenery was untouched and gorgeous. We rode past hundreds of picturesque towns and villages perched on hillsides, down into gorges, up Giro d’Italia stages, among exquisite wildflower fields, and along the Adriatic Coast (yes, we took a dip). We rode past farms and vineyards, castles and churches, and into thick forests so dark you had to take your sunglasses off. We went to wine tastings, toured Roman and pre-Roman ruins, roamed a medieval village and hung around eating lunches in lovely piazzas.
While the riding was fantastic, (800+ miles and 70,000+ elevation gain), we all know that it’s the food and lodging that can make or break a cycling vacation. Both of these necessities were taken care of beautifully by a wonderful concept called "agritourismo" (closest translation: Bed and Breakfast), a far more intimate way to experience a culture than hotels and restaurants. The locations of the agritourismos ranged from a village perched on a mountaintop like an eagle’s nest (Castrovalva) to a cozy little hamlet (La Canestra), to a farmhouse in the middle of wheat fields (Caprafico). Bill from California put on his list of highlights: "The agritourismo accommodations and especially the food – Outstanding!"