This is a truly unique European cycling vacation: the French and Italian Riviera, the Cinque Terre hilltop villages, the Ligurian interior countryside, the Tower of Pisa. Even better—it’s a route that largely remains off the radar of bicycle tours. Coursing thread-like mountain roads above the Mediterranean, and venturing into remote and tranquil Liguria, you’ll experience some of the finest coastline cycling, scenery and cuisine Europe can offer.

The “lakes region” of northern Italy and the Dolomites are well known to seasoned travelers around the world, and for good reason; they are scenically spectacular—and yet often overlooked. Lombardy is tucked between Switzerland, Alto-Adige, Veneto and Piemonte. Among the wealth of more well-known Italian regions, the lakes and passes of Lombardy remain the insider’s special  treasure…and VéloSki can take you there!  Between the famous Lago Maggiore, Lago di Como, Lago Varese and Lago Lugano, and beneath the towering Brenta Dolomites this special region of unheralded lakes and alpine passes is where in-the-know locals go to escape the hurried pace of their home cities.  Lombardy encompasses a diverse culture of industry, wineries and tourism situated within the valleys formed by the Southern Limestone Alps: the Dolomites, Garda Mountains, Adamello Alps, the Brenta Group and the Gavia Group.  On this brand-new VéloSki bicycle tour you will traverse the Provinces of Bergamo, Brescia and Sondrio and explore the wine valleys of Valtellina and Valcamonica.

The Dolomiti (Dolomites) take their name from the scientist who first recognized the rock formations as different and distinct from all other formations in Western Europe. Indeed, the Dolomiti are primarily formations resulting from the uplift of ancient coral beds of the nearby Mediterranean Sea. The near vertical walls create stunning vistas and lens-filling landscapes that are unparalleled. The high pastures provide a beautiful green tapestry of contrasting color where herds graze and flocks migrate to higher ground during the hot summer months. The herder and hiker huts provide refuge from sudden storms and a welcome respite for hungry travelers traversing historic trade routes linking remote valleys and villages.

Cypress-lined serpentine descents. Warm days and cool evenings. Wonderful cuisine, wine and roads. Lingering over vineyard lunches and relaxing with friends with wine after a full day taking in the sights, sounds and smells. Memories waiting to be made….Tuscany elicits these unforgettable visions, and yet it’s more than a movie set…it’s all real. And ready for you to ride. Rolling terrain bursting with vineyards, wheat fields, olive orchards—all dotted with Etruscan villas and picturesque villages perched like sentinels atop the highest hills (just asking to be explored). It’s so remarkable when you realize you are here, you’ll pinch yourself! This signature VeloSki tour is entirely designed with a new and different approach to a decidely—and deservedly—popular place.