BESPOKE CIOCIARIA GOURMET CYCLE TOURS
2025 & 2026
We have 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. Just one hour south of Rome - with no tourists or traffic!
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.
A 7-night/8-day gourmet cycling experience through the ‘undiscovered’ region of Ciociaria in central Italy - just an hour south of Rome, it’s a whole world away.
All-inclusive package for AUD$5,897* per person based on double bedroom with ensuite. Single Supplement AUD$960*.
Reservations and bookings are direct with Colin Bransgrove of Bespoke Cycle Tours.
* 2025 Package Cost. Note there will be a 10% price increase for all 2026 tours
FEATURES:
Unique boutique accommodation in a 1,000 year old Benedictine monastery and a 16th Century palazzo in the hilltop and picturesque villages of Veroli & Atina.
Scenic and light traffic cycling routes through the Apennine Mountains and valleys of Ciociaria, featuring three full-day and two half-day cycles.
Package includes pick up from Rome at a designated hotel and return.
Maximum 12 guests per tour.
Tour dates for SEPTEMBER 2025:
Sunday 7 to Sunday 14 September
Sunday 14 to Sunday 21 September
tour dates for MAY & SEPTEMBER 2026:
Sunday 17 to Sunday 24 May
Sunday 24 to Sunday 31 May
Sunday 6 to Sunday 13 September
Sunday 13 to Sunday 20 September
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS:
o Unique boutique accommodation in a 1,000 year old monastery and a 16th century palazzo. Double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.
o Hilltop villages of Veroli & Atina, both with breathtaking scenery and layers of ancient history.
o Cycling tour host Colin Bransgrove, Bespoke Cycle Tours
o Cultural & Gourmet experiences designed and hosted by Paolo & Kelly Picarazzi of Antica Australis & Antica Travel Co.
o Welcome Dinner @ local trattoria specialising in Ciociarian cuisine, house wine inclusive.
o Half day forest hike option.
o Guided tours of both Veroli & Atina for you to ‘feel at home’ plus archaeological site & museum visits.
o Fun cooking class to learn how to make traditional Ciociarian fried doughnuts and a cheesemaking class with a shepherd.
o One free evening to experience local trattorias & wine bars at own pace.
o Private Dining Experience in a Palazzo for Farewell Evening.
ITINERARY INCLUSIONS:
o Return transfers from Rome. All transfers within itinerary.
o All breakfast, lunches and dinners provided (excl. one free night)
o E-bikes & touring bikes hire.
o All museum entries.
o We have also included tips for our transfer drivers & dining experiences as part of your package.
EXCLUSIONS:
All flights, Rome accommodation, laundry, selected bottles of wine and personal discretionary spending are the responsibility of individual guests.
FULL ITINERARY DETAILS OUTLINED BELOW.
REVIEWS
ITINERARY OVERVIEW*
DAY ONE - SUNDAY
Pick up from designated hotel in Rome at 11am and transfer to Veroli in the Ciociaria region [1.5 hours]. Light lunch on the garden terrace of Monastero di Sant Erasmo where we will be staying, followed by an accompanied walk through the medieval village of Veroli (once also an important and Samnite and Roman town). Welcome Dinner at a local trattoria specialising in Ciociarian cuisine, with local house wine inclusive.
DAY TWO - MONDAY
Bike familirisation prior to a half-day cycle to the nearby Abbey of Casa Mari with sandwich lunch provided. Followed by a Crespelle Cooking Class, learning to make traditional Ciociarian fried doughnuts. Cycle back to Veroli for a casual Monday night dinner of pizza on the garden terrace of the monastery, with local house wine inclusive.
DAY THREE - TUESDAY
Visit to a magnificent 13th Century Cistercian monastery perched on the peak of the Ernici Mountains. High tempo cyclists will be cycling a specially designed 3-hour route there, everyone else will arrive by transport and go for a guided walk through the Monte Ernici beech forest with a picnic lunch in the forest. Return to Veroli for a guided archeological walk around the multi-layered historic town - marvel at Risorgimento, Medieval, ancient Roman and Samnite civilisation architecture. Includes a visit to the original Roman Forum underneath the main piazza. We finish the evening with a fine-dining experience.
DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY
Transfer from Veroli to hilltop village of Atina and check into an accommodation at an extraordinary 16th century Palazzo. Welcome lunch on the scenic terrace of the palace followed by a Half-Day Cycle from Atina to Alvito. Essentially a lovely cycle through evocative countryside for coffee and cakes. Includes a visit to Town Hall & Museum of Alvito, located within the 16th/17th Century Palazzo Gallio & the Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace of the Gallio family). Hosted dinner at a local trattoria in Atina.
DAY FIVE - THURSDAY
Full day cycle from Atina to the hilltop village of Picinisco and a Comino Valley experience making ricotta cheese with a local shepherd. Lunch on the outdoor terrace of a 19th century farmhouse. On the return to Atina, a hosted dinner at a local trattoria with local house wine inclusive.
DAY SIX - FRIDAY
Full-day cycle from Atina to the beautiful lake of Posta Fibreno for lunch, stopping at the village of Casalvieri along the way for coffee. A free evening to make your own arrangements for dinner - choose from a range of local trattorias and small bars with garden terraces. We will help you decide on your preference and navigate menus and ordering.
DAY SEVEN - SATURDAY
Full day cycle from Atina - you will cycle through the scenic countryside of the Atina Valley to the nearby village of Casalattico on the Melfa river and visit an antique Flour Mill on the river, which has become a private museum of vintage agricultural equipment. Then cycle to a nearby village in Colle Buono for a coffee and cakes stop. On the way back to Atina you will make a wine-tasting and lunch detour in the valley at a local winery and cellar door. Farewell dinner in the private dining room of the Palazzo.
DAY EIGHT - SUNDAY
Breakfast @ the Palazzo and transfer to Rome. Depart 8.30am and arrival in Rome approx. 10.30am.
*ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
Please note that Ciociaria is a developing tourism region and not everything always follows the exact flow of the itinerary. Trust that we will cover all the itinerary highlights, expect the unexpected and embrace a little spontaneity as we go along!
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:
Vegetarian preferences can be catered for. Little to no seafood is provided as the region is in the mountains. Please note this is a remote region and we will be unable to cater for any additional dietary requests such as gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan. Please advise of any allergies in advance.
