LAKE MAGGIORE BY BIKE A 9 day cycle tour

Ecologico Tours Via Cesare Agostini 30 06034 Foligno Tel. 0742 950024 E-mail: [email protected] www: www.ecologicotours.it www.meravigliosaumbria...
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Ecologico Tours Via Cesare Agostini 30 06034 Foligno Tel. 0742 950024 E-mail: [email protected] www: www.ecologicotours.it www.meravigliosaumbria.com P.I. 02417390545

LAKE MAGGIORE BY BIKE A 9 day cycle tour

Lakes, islands, rivers, natural parks, wildlife sanctuaries, botanical gardens, places of worship, historic settlements, wine and food tasting, adventure parks....... a pleasant and green holiday to explore the land of the pre-alpine lakes. The healthy and pleasant sound of your bike (mountain or hybrid bike) will be the soundtrack of this active cycling holiday. Suitable for everybody with some training level: cyclists, families with bigger children and group of friends. You will be surrounded by small picturesque villages and many lakes. This is a tour for mountain bike and for city bikes. This cycle tour " Il Lake Maggiore by bicycle" starts in Ispra and continues to reach Angera and its fortress Rocca Borromea, one of the best conserved castles in the Lombardy area. Cycling along cycle tracks skirting the shores of the lakes Maggiore, Comabbio, Varese and Monate, you cross faunal oases, national parks and luxurious woodland to arrive at small and suggestive villages like Arona, with the colossal statue of San Carlo Borromeo (nicknamed Sancarlone). You will make a relaxed tour by boat on the calm and crystal-clear waters of Lake Maggiore during which you have the opportunity to visit the famous Borromee islands (isola Bella, isola Madre and isola dei Pescatori) or you can visit Stresa and admire its magnificent monumental buildings and go for a stroll along the lake. Cycling along quiet country roads you will reach the hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, an impressive monastery built on a rock jutted out over the lake. You will pass a splendid noble villa and more characteristic villages till you reach Verbania with the beautiful botanic gardens of Villa Taranto. The last cycle day you will return to Ispra.

Highlights:  The beautiful lakes: lake Maggiore, Comabio, Varese e Monate  3 islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori  3 natural parks  a wildlife sanctuary  a botanical garden  Sacred Mountain  Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso  The fortress Rocca di Angera  lake cruise  2 gastronomic menus  grappa tasting Level 2/3: Moderate / difficult. This is a tour with some short climbs that are, at times, demanding (the terrain of the region is like this !). The tour presents no particular technical difficulties and, for about 90 % you will cycle on well-surfaced roads. It is therefore suitable for anyone who have an average level of sporting ability and a good fitness level Total km 258 km (average 43 km per day); total climbing 2990 m of climbing; 8% dirt roads. Period: Self guided Saturday from April to October (on request other departure dates are possible) Group tour: 27/04/2013 – 15/06/2013 – 10/08/2013 – 12/10/2013 (on request with min. 6 persons other dates are possible Participants: self guided min 2 pax Group tour min 6- max 16 persons

DAILY PROGRAMME Day 1 Individual arrival in Ispra Arrival in Ispra and settling in to the beautiful 18th century villa (a former seminary school). Free time to discover the surroundings. In the evening pre-tour briefing. Day 2 Ring tour in the surroundings of Ispra: Angera & surroundings A short cycle tour in beautiful nature. You will have splendid views over Lake Maggiore. You will enjoy the green forests and the wildlife sanctuary that you are crossing. This is a tour in which you feel one with nature. But it is not only nature that will be offered. You can visit the transport museum, the Rocca di Angera.... and lots more. There will be a lot of opportunities to make great pictures and you could make a lunch stop to taste some good local food in a fine farmhouse B&B with restaurant farmhouse that you'll find along the way. Distance: 26 km; total ascent-descent: 268 m; 35% dirt roads

Day 3 Ring Tour in the surroundings A day dedicated to the spectacular lakes views over the lakes whilst cycling along visit also a barrel room of a local grappa

of Ispra: The lakes and their cycle paths of Comabbio, Varese and Monate. You will have stunning cycle paths. Nice to visit are the ice-houses and you could distillation. Today you will pass some typical local villages.

Distance: 51 km; total ascent-descent: 450m; 0 % dirt roads

Day 4 Ring Tour in the surroundings of Ispra: The parks and Arona Today the route is more long, but you can reduce the km till 50 by making a short cut. If you’re doing the group tour you can wait for the others eating a delicious ice cream or a refreshing cool drink along the river bank. You cycle along cycle paths, crossing two natural parks. You can admire the fortress Rocca di Angera of Arona, go shopping at the weekly market in this beautiful Piedmont’s town. Distance: 66km; total ascent-descent:690m; 15 % dirt roads Day 5 Day of rest Cruise on Lake Maggiore. Today it’s time to enjoy some relaxation by taking a boat across the calm waters of Lake Maggiore. If you are interested, you can visit (guided or not) the famous Borromeo islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori) or visit Stresa with its magnificent monumental buildings and beautiful promenade along the lake. You can make a stop for a delicious lunch in one of the traditional lake restaurants on Isola dei Pescatori. Day 6 Hermitage, noble villas and forests Back in the saddle you are riding along quiet country roads towards the hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, which is perched on a rocky cliff overlooking Lago Maggiore. This hermitage is certainly worthwhile to visit. The construction of the monastery dates back from the 14th century, although the more recent frescoes are from the 19th century. It consists of three buildings: the southern convent, the convent and the main church. Leaving the hermitage you cycle to nearby valley where you could make a stop to visit a splendid noble villa and it's adjoining park. Today you pass some picturesque local villages. Crossing the lake (by boat) you will reach Verbania. Distance: 44 km; total ascent-descent: 540m; 0 % dirt roads Day 7 Lakes, marble quarries and Piedmontese specialities Today the climbing will be some more then the other days: a climb of 3 km (average gradient of 8%) is awaiting you, but your efforts will be well rewarded. You will follow the higher shores of the Lake Maggiore and Lake Mergazzo (passing through old stone-built villages). You can make a stop and visit the fascinating marble quarries from which the stones for the Duomo in Milan were extracted. Before returning to Verbania, you can have lunch in an ancient trattoria where chef Davide will guide your senses through a discovery of Piedmont's culinary delights. Distance: 36 km; total ascent-descent:470m; 0 % dirt roads

An alternatively (for those who might find day 7 itinerary too difficult): Lakes and adventure / amusement park. (31 km, 250 m of climbing, unsurfaced road 0%, cyclability 100%). This alternative is suitable for families with children. Riding along the shores of Lakes Maggiore and Mergozzo, you reach a great adventure park where the kids can go wild on the aerial assault course and water slides. The grown ups can, instead, spend the day relaxing by the pool. NB: this itinerary is only available during the months of May, June, July and August. Distance: 31 km; total ascent-descent: 250m; 0 % dirt roads

Day 8 Gardens, Sacred Mountains and lakeside marinas You are in the land of lakes, parks, gardens, rivers and the unforgettable "Sacred Mountains". It will be possible to visit the most suggestive ‘mountain’, and a magnificent botanic garden nearby. Finally, in an environmentally-friendly manner and with zero emissions, you ride by a series of attractive marinas that you find along the way. Distance: 35 km; total ascent-descent: 570m; 0 % dirt roads Day 9 Departure Price of the tour: Price per person in double/twin room: € 910,00 Formula Guided per person in double room: € 1.140,00 The individual tour package includes • Welcome briefing • 8 overnight stays with breakfast in 3 star hotels / holiday homes etc. as required • luggage transportation • Return transfer from the hotel to the ferry port (Day 5) • Return ferry ticket from Angera to the Borromeo Islands • Lunch on Isola dei Pescatori (lake menu) • Return ferry ticket Laveno - Intra (Days 6 and 8) • Lunch in a traditional trattoria (Piedmontese tasting menu - Day 7) • Road-book and additional information • Ability to download the GPS tracks of the tour • Private car park at first hotel • Private and locked area at the place of departure/arrival where you can leave your bike bag etc. • Telephone assistance during the whole of the tour The group tour package includes • Welcome briefing • 8 overnight stays with breakfast in 3 star hotels / holiday homes etc. as required • tour guide during the cycling stages • luggage transportation • visit local grappa producer and tasting • Return transfer from the hotel to the ferry port (Day 5)

• Return ferry ticket from Angera to the Borromeo Islands • Lunch on Isola dei Pescatori (lake menu) • Return ferry ticket Laveno - Intra (Days 6 and 8) • Lunch in a traditional trattoria (Piedmontese tasting menu - Day 7) • Road-book and additional information • Ability to download the GPS track of the tour • Private parking at the place of departure/arrival of the tour where you can leave your car for the duration of the holiday • Private and locked area at the place of departure/arrival where you can leave your bike bag etc. • Telephone assistance during the whole of the tour Extra Services not included in the price: • Journey to and from Ispra • Drinks and other extras in general • Lunches/dinners where not mentioned above • Transport of bike-bags during the tour • Entrance fees not indicated above • local tourist taxes • Everything not mentioned above in “The price includes”

AVAILABLE SERVICES WITH PRICES ON REQUEST • Airport pick-up (Milan Malpensa) • Airport drop-off (Milan Malpensa) • Bike hire • GPS hire • Minibus (with bike racks and mini workshop) following during the cycling stages of the tour • Overnights in single or triple rooms (where possible) • Additional overnight stays • Additional excursions or activities