June 25 - July 4, 2008

Trip Price: US$2,750 (double occupancy*)

Cyclists all over the world know The Dolomites, the Italian portion of the Alps that features so prominently each year in the Giro d’Italia. You’ve seen the photos of the towering spires, the craggy cliffs, and the twisting mountain roads and wondered what it would be like to mount your steed and head through those mountain passes, your legs aching, your lungs burning, and a smile plastered on your sweaty face.

Here’s your chance to prove your mettle on some of cycling’s most famous climbs. A chance to tour some of the most romantic spots in Europe (perhaps the world), and come home with memories to last a lifetime.

Intended for strong cyclists, this van and guide supported trip lasts 10 days and 9 nights, including a two-night stay in Zell am See, Austria, a two-night stay in Corvarra in the heart of The Dolomites, and a two-night stay in Marostica near the famous Bassano del Grappa.

Here’s the itinerary for this trip-of-a-lifetime:

Wednesday, June 25

Arrival in Munich, Stay in Salzburg

You and your other riding companions will be met at Munich airport, the start of this FredCast Tour. We’ll travel together to Salzburg, Austria, home to Mozart and the von Trapp family. We’ll enjoy a welcome reception and get our bikes ready for this amazing adventure.

Thursday, June 26

Salzburg

We’ll do a little sightseeing in Salzburg, and take a short ride through the countryside to get our bikes, and our legs, ready for the week to come.

Friday, June 27
Salzburg to Zell am See

Finally on our way to Venice, we’ll ride to Zell am See, a beautiful lakeside resort in the heart of Austria. Unlike many Austrian towns, this is not a rustic village, but rather a lakeside town with a charming old center. While Zell am See sees its share of winter visitors, it seems more geared to summer activities like cycling.

Our first really hard day of the trip, today we’ll head out of Zell am See on our way to conquering the Grossglockner (‘big bell ringer’ in German), Austria’s highest peak at 3,798m. Thankfully, the highway we’ll travel (known as the Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße) reaches a summit of only 2,572m.

Along the way we’ll see glimpses of the Pasterze Glacier which measures 5 miles by 3 miles in size. We’ll rest our legs at a wonderful hotel in Lienz on our final night in Austria. The hotel is known for its fine home-brewed beer, which will no doubt taste great after our day up the Big Bell Ringer!

Lienz, Austria to Corvara, Italy

(2-night stay in Corvara)

On Sunday, we’ll say Auf Wiedersehen to Austria and say Buon Giorno as we head into Northern Italy.

We’re in the heart of The Dolomites now, offering everyone the opportunity to ride some of the famous climbs and routes of the Giro d’Italia.

Our base is the charming town of Corvara, the capital of Alta Badia, which is completely surrounded by the majestic peaks of The Dolomites. Nearby is the lovely town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, known for its high-end shopping and dining. If your legs are screaming for a break, this would be a great place to spend a day off the bike enjoying fine Italian foods, designer labels, and a bit of vino.

Corvara to Belluno

After several days in The Dolomites, it’s time to start heading downhill toward Venice.

Tonight we’ll stop in lovely Belluno, Italy. Belluno is a special city, with its own micro climate, protected by the mountains against the cold winds from the north. It was once a major hub on the trade route between the Republic of Venice and northern Europe. Belluno's fortified towers were strategically important to Venice, acting as a kind of early warning system for the always endangered Republic. Given its unique climate and the natural beauty of the Dolomites, the Venetians turned Belluno into their summer capital.

Today Belluno is a beautiful, quiet, clean, friendly small city with hidden romantic corners, good restaurants, an exciting "corso " a walkway where young people chat and meet each other in piazzas with outdoor coffee houses and beautiful pallazzi built in the Venetian style.

Belluno to Marostica

(2-night stay in Marostica)

Time for some flatter rides throughout Northern Italy.

We’ll start with a ride from Belluno to Marostica, an ancient walled city where, every even year since 1454, a live chess game (using humans as chess pieces) has been played. This tradition was started when two suitors sought to duel for the hand of a fair maiden, but the Lord of Marostica ordered them to play a chess game instead. Marostica will be our base for two nights.

Our second day in this area will include a ride in and around the nearby town of Bassano del Grappa, known for its cycling, beauty, ceramics and, of course, its namesake: the strong Italian liqueur known as Grappa. If you desire, we’ll visit a local ceramics factory and/or the Italian Cycling Center.

Finally, we’ll enjoy our farewell dinner here in Marostica, enjoying our new friends and the Grappa for which the region is named. Then its time to pack our bags (and our bikes) as we prepare for our onward journey.

Friday, July 4

Departure in Venice

Today is America’s Independence Day and your day to begin your independent journey around Venice and beyond, or to begin your journey home. We’ll drop you, your bike, your luggage and your companions at Venice’s Marco Polo airport for one last bittersweet Arrivederci. You’ll be leaving your traveling companions here, but taking memories and friendships that will last forever!

Additional Trip Details:

Trip begins at Munich airport and ends at Venice airport.

Hotel accommodations are mostly 4-star accommodations, with a few nights in superior 3-star hotels. All hotels are selected for their quality, good food, informal atmosphere, and friendly approach for bike riders. Several of our hotels will offer spa services, saunas and/or pools.

The trip includes breakfast each day, and dinner on six nights. Throughout the day we will provide you with snacks, beverages and fruit for nutrition and hydration on the bike.

The trip price is US$2,750 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement $400.

Trip Price Includes:

1. •Transfer from Munich Airport to the first hotel.
   

2. •Transfer from last hotel to Venice Airport.
   

3. •Bicycle transportation to-and-from airports, including bike box storage during the trip.
   

4. •50-70 mile bike rides each day
   

5. •Knowledgeable guide will ride with the group each day.
   

6. •Support van for luggage and driver/technician. This van will also carry water, fruit, snacks, etc.
   

7. •9 overnight stays.
   

8. •9 breakfasts
   

9. •6 dinners.
   

10. •Several lunches, most likely on 4 occasions, picnic style with large variety of local products.
    

11. •Daily ride briefings, maps and route sheets.
    

12. •All taxes and tips.
    

13. •Maximum group size will be 20 cyclists.
    

Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today by sending an email to FredCast Tours.