ITALY CIOCIARIA GOURMET CYCLE TOUR

DAY 1 (Sun) Rome – Veroli:minibus to Night 1 accommodation

Meet your host in Rome for 11am dept. to Veroli. 90 minute journey to Veroli and check into your accommodation: once a 1,000 old Benedictine monastery perched on the side of a cliff-face overlooking the Veroli valley below. Now it is a comfortable 3-star equivalent property with en-suites all rooms. Lunch in the garden terrace overlooking the Valley and an afternoon walk through the hilltop village with your host. A welcome dinner at a local trattoria featuring Ciociarian cuisine with local produce concludes the day.

DAY 2 (Mon). Veroli - Abbey of Casa Mari – Veroli   Cycle 25kms

After a wholesome breakfast, cycle 25 kms return through picturesque countryside to 13th Century Cistercian Abbey of Casa Mari. Stroll through the ancient Abbey grounds, Roman ruins, Roman Aqueduct and visit to Apothecary. Back in Veroli view original Roman Forum and Mithraeum (Temple of Mithras). In the evening dine at a another popular local terraria with local wine.   

DAY 3 (Tues) Veroli – Trisulti – Monte Ernici Forest – Veroli (options 43 km cycle or 5km walk)

Today visit a magnificent 13th Century Cistercian monastery perched on the peak of the Ernici Mountains. Options to cylce and exhilarating 43 kms mountain circuit or walk in an ancient Ciociarian forest connected to the pre-historic Ernici tribe of the Samnite civilisation, a gentle and immersive walk under the canopy of the forest along a bubbling stream and waterfall. Evening dinner is in a special private dining room arranged by your host.  

Day 4 (Wed) Veroli - Isola del Liri – Atina   Cycle 30 kms*

Minibus transfer to Atina in the Comino Valley (1 hr drive time) via Isola del Liri (a gorgeous medieval village with a waterfall at its heart). Check into your ‘superior residence’ for the next four nights, superbly located on the central square of this most historic and picturesque hilltop town. Atina was a town of the Samnites, later conquered by the Romans and its history will unfold over the four days of your stay. Afternoon cycle (27 kms) to a nearby village: the village specialty is nougat! Dinner at a local trattoria specializing produce from the Comino Valley. 

Day 5 (Thu) Atina – Picinisco – Atina  Cycle 30 kms

After breakfast cycle through scenic farmland to another nearby hilltop village; the charming village of Picinisco. It is wrapped in the arms of a 1,000 year old castle and its fortress walls. Enjoy a winery lunch in a 19th C Villa hosted by the owner who is also one of the Valley’s most respected cheese makers. Return Atina with time to explore and relax pre dinner at another local trattoria.  *option of longer route              

Day 6 (Fri ) Atina – Lake Posta Fibreno – Atina   Cycle 55 kms*

Cycle again through scenic countryside and small villages. The destination is the Lake of Posta Fibreno. It 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. After a café lunch return via a different route to Atina. Dinner at another local trattoria.

Day 7 (Sat) Atina – various cycle options   Cycle 25 – 85 kms

A choice of loop rides with the longest taking in the spectacular Melfa Gorge. It then  crosses the rear of the Gustav Line where the bloody battles that pitted the German troops against the Allied armies took place in the spring of 1944. Explore the archaeological area of Cassino (Roman Theatre and the Amphitheatre) and the home of Abbey of Montecassino. A special farewell dinner in the historic cellars of the ‘superior residence’ concludes this very bespoke gourmet cycling holiday.  *Specified Atina cycle routes often vary due to weather, group capability etc.  

Day 8 (Sun ) Atina - Rome

Post breakfast minibus transfer of 1.5 hrs back to Rome, arriving approx. 10.30am