Antica Travel Co. partners with Bespoke Cycle Tours
The travel brand of Antica Australis - Antica Travel Co. - has partnered with Australian cycle tour operator, Bespoke Cycle Tours to co-create and co-host signature gourmet cycling itineraries through the ‘hidden’ region of Ciociaria [cho-sha-ria] in central Italy.
The first of these tours will be presented in September 2025, with two separate groups of Australian cyclists joining us in Ciociaria.
The cycling groups will be staying in a 1,000 Monastery in the hilltop town of Veroli before transferring to a 16th century Palazzo in the village of Atina, surrounded by the Apennine Mountains. The itineraries focus on three full-day and two half-day cycles, forest bathing and an array of local Ciociarian cuisine dining and fine-dining experiences.
Itinerary highlights include: cycling from Veroli to the 13th century Cistercian Abbey of Casamari - originally founded as a monastery in the 9th Century by Benedictine monks and built on the remains of the ancient Roman town of Cereatae, the birthplace of the famous Roman general Gaius Marius. Followed by a Crespelle Cooking Class, with guests learning to make traditional Ciociarian fried doughnuts. A visit to a magnificent 13th century Cistercian monastery perched on the peak of the Ernici Mountains with a guided hike through an ancient Ciociarian forest.
Another half-day cycle from Atina to Alvito is essentially a lovely cycle through evocative countryside for coffee and cakes. Another full day cycle focuses on an immersive experience of the Comino Valley, with a ricotta cheese-making class with a local shepherd and lunch on the outdoor terrace of a 19th century farmhouse. The beautiful lake of Posta Fibreno is the destination for an additional full-day cycle. This was a favourite spot of the Roman Senator and Orator, Cicero in ancient Roman times. Cicero was born in the Ciociaria region and owned a villa and farmland nearby.
On the final full-day cycle our guests explore more of the scenic Ciociarian countryside surrounding Atina and villages nestled within the valley, stopping for cakes and coffee before arriving at an historic winery and cellar door for a wine-tasting and lunch. The tour is capped off with a farewell dinner in the private dining room of the Palazzo in which we are staying.
For more details of the Bespoke Ciociaria Gourmet Cycle Tours being hosted by Antica Travel Co. in 2025 & 2026, take a look through the link below. From 2026 we will be offering cycling tour experiences in May as well as September.
BESPOKE CIOCIARIA GOURMET CYCLE TOURS - PACKAGE COSTS & ITINERARY 2025 & 2026