ITALY: EMILIA ROMAGNA
NEW
Exploring Emilia Romagna
Hotel-to-hotel upper b independent cycling
Wonderfully flat, off-the-beaten track cycling; coastal routes, peaceful country lanes, ancient towns, sleepy squares
Quality, family-run hotels, by the sea or with swimming pools; superb meals
Some of Europe’s rarest birds in the Po Delta Nature Reserve
Historic Ravenna: UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site with Byzantine mosaics; great art city of Bologna
Archivio Immagini Unione Costa
Archivio Immagini Unione Costa
Postcard-pretty Comacchio, known as the “Little Venice” of Italy
Best known as the gastronomic capital of Italy - parmesan cheese, balsamic
vinegar and Parma ham all come from here – Emilia Romagna also offers some of
the most gentle cycling in the country. With pancake-flat country lanes linking
huge swathes of vineyards and orchards, and offering ancient towns, formidable
villas and revered shrines, it’s a perfect choice for families or first-time cyclists.
New for summer 2011, this 8-night cycling holiday explores the eastern part of
the region, where the gold sand beaches of the Adriatic stand alongside
undiscovered art cities like historic Ravenna, once Seat of the Western Roman
Empire, and Ferrara, Italy’s “cycling capital”. You’ll also spend two nights in
gorgeous Comacchio, a lagoon town criss-crossed by a series of canals and
bridges rising out of 13 different islands and islets, and known affectionately as
“Little Venice”. The cycling routes take you through hidden hamlets, forgotten
farming villages and along the pretty riverbanks of the Po Delta, where colourful
fishermen’s huts dot the broad silent wetlands.
The hotels on this circuit range from a magnificent C18 palace in the heart of
Ravenna’s historic quarter to a wonderfully restored farmhouse surrounded by
vines, forests and truffle orchards. In Comacchio, you’ll stay in an elegant
boutique hotel and dine outdoors on a terraced boat romantically set in the
waters of the Maggiore Canal!
Comacchio
Runco
Budrio
Ravenna
EXPLORING EMILIA ROMAGNA | DAY BY DAY
Day 1
Arrive in Ravenna
We meet you at Bologna airport and take you (1 hour) to your luxurious hotel, perfectly positioned in the
heart of Ravenna’s historic quarter. You’ll spend two nights here.
Day 2
In Ravenna (Optional cycle: 22km/14mi or 32km/20mi)
Ravenna’s early Christian churches and superb Byzantine mosaics have collectively been designated a
UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, and showcase a wonderful blend of Greco-Roman tradition, Christian
iconography and Oriental-meets-Western styles. You could easily spend the day exploring its old streets,
fine shops and peaceful squares. But, if you do fancy venturing further afield, the beautiful beaches of the
Adriatic are just 5 miles away – we provide you with a choice of circular cycling routes so you can choose
depending on how energetic you feel!
Ravenna to Comacchio 43km/27mi
Leaving Ravenna this morning, you’ll pedal gently north through the protected landscapes and wetlands of
the immense Po Delta Nature Reserve, a haven for wildlife and an ornithologist’s paradise! Look out for
pink flamingos, herons and great crested grebes – don’t forget the binoculars! Your final stretch takes you
along flat country lanes to delightful Comacchio, also known as “Little Venice” for its network of canals
and pretty brick bridges. Enjoy an early evening aperitivo watching locals cycle past on old rickety bikes as
retired fishermen play cards in the piazza.
Day 4
At Comacchio (Optional cycle: 14km/9mi or 52km/33mi)
Spend the early part of day exploring the hidden maze of Comacchio, visiting perhaps the C9 abbey and
adjacent bell tower (dating to 1063). We then suggest taking the dedicated cycle path to Porto Garibaldi,
an atmospheric fishing port and original beach resort. If you get here in time for lunch, there are some
amazing seafood restaurants with stunning views. Alternatively, a longer ride north through the Valle
Bertuzzi Nature Reserve, takes you to the historic Benadictine monastery of Pomposa, where the
“Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Si-Do” scale of musical notes was invented!
Day 5
Comacchio to Runco 48km/30mi
Archivio Immagini Unione Costa
Day 3
Today’s route takes you alongside the clear waterways of the Comacchio lagoon, an area rich in fish and
rare bird species, before heading inland down poplar-lined country lanes, towards the bread basket of the
region: Ferrara. You’ll spend the next 2 nights as guests of Giovanni and Christina Tosti at their rural, vineengulfed farmhouse – crammed with paintings, antiques and period pieces, the familiar atmosphere is
reminiscent of a nobleman’s estate and exudes elevated country living!
Day 6
In Runco (Optional cycle: 54km/33mi)
The tiny hamlet of Runco lies in the rural countryside close to Ferrara. Take the train or enjoy a lovely
relaxed cycle through immaculately-tended vineyards and fruit orchards, passing aristocratic villas, rivers
and canals, to reach the splendid Renaissance city of Ferrara. Known as Italy’s “bicycle capital”, this
vibrant university city, boasts a wealth of intricately decorated palaces, hidden squares and alleyways, all
surrounded by well-preserved walls and gateways, and packed with mediaeval and renaissance art.
Day 7
Runco to Budrio 38km/24mi
Your final days’ cycling takes you south on a series of usually traffic-free country roads, through charming
farming hamlets to the ancient mediaeval town of Budrio. A pretty town with cobbled streets and
atmospheric piazzas, it is best known for the invention of the ocarina, a musical instrument similar to a
flute and made from terracotta. There are lots of little cafés if you fancy a spot of people-watching, or you
might prefer just to relax at the hotel’s pool – there’s also a sauna, jacuzzi and massage room if selfpampering is in order!
Day 8
At Budrio
Considered by Italians to be the gastronomic capital of the nation, the university capital of Bologna is just
25 minutes away by train. With one of the largest, and most perfectly preserved historic centres in Italy,
this great art city is also home to the oldest university in Europe – Headwater’s MD was a student here in
the 1980’s! There are over 40kms of ancient terracotta-coloured porticoes and marbled walkways to
discover, so you’ll soon work up an appetite for your final freshly prepared dinner, served outdoors in an
idyllic setting, framed by leafy gardens!
Day 9
Leave Budrio
After breakfast, we take you to Bologna airport to catch your flight home.
EXPLORING EMILIA ROMAGNA | WHERE YOU STAY
AAAA
Hotel Galletti Abbiosi
Ravenna
Locanda La Comacina
★★★
Days 1+2
Comacchio
Days 3+4
AAA
AAA
Agriturismo Le Occare
Santa Maria Maddalena
Runco
Budrio
Days 5+6
Days 7+8
For extra nights we recommend Ravenna, and city add-ons can be arranged in Bologna.
Further details at
www.headwater.com/C08EM
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