BELLUNO TO TIRANO, ITALY CLASSIC CLIMBS: THE DOLOMITES BIKE TOUR 5 NIGHTS

TODAY'S RIDE: Alleghe to Corvara Approximately 20 mi | 32 km and 3,700 ft | 1,128 m

Your S-E-T-T guides will meet you at the Belluno Train Station at 11:00 AM on the first day of your Dolomites cycling tour. From there, your guides will shuttle you to Alleghe, where, at the foot of these giant Italian mountains, your S-E-T-T Travel guides will discuss bike safety rules and specific tips for the Dolomites. After a leisurely lunch, they will familiarize you with your Domane for the week and ensure that you have a comfortable fit. The ride warms up in the valley to Caprile, then turns onto a beautiful 10-kilometer switchback road that joins up with the main corridor back to Arabba. From Arabba, you'll ascend the backside of Campolongo for four kilometers and then enjoy a glorious descent to your home for the next three nights, Hotel La Perla in Corvara. Enjoy a pre-dinner stroll through this mountain village as the sun casts its golden light on the beautiful peaks above. This evening, you’ll gather at the hotel and discuss the week ahead before you savor the diversity of flavors from the Italian cucina to fuel up for tomorrow’s adventures

TODAY'S RIDE: Corvara to Passo Giau to Falzarego and Valparola Loop Approximately 52 mi | 83 km and 8,190 ft | 2,497 m

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, prepare for one of the most scenic loops in road cycling! Wake up to a six-kilometer mellow ascent of Passo Campolongo, then descend into Arabba. From there, enjoy 20 kilometers of rollers to the base of Passo Giau. After a grueling 10-kilometer climb up the Pass averaging a 9% grade, celebrate the climb with a hearty lunch on the summit while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Dolomites peaks. After a long sweeping descent, hit the climb of Passo Falzarego. This Pass is steeped in cycling history, and people still speak of the incredible battle on this climb between Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali in the Giro d'Italia way back in 1946. At the Falzarego summit, push on for a little over a kilometer to reach the highest point at Passo Valparola, a stunning pass rising to 7,113 feet from dense woodland into a rocky landscape framed by giant mountains. Finally, return to Corvara and take some time to relax at the hotel, maybe with a spa session. Tonight you'll dine at a restaurant of your choice—perhaps a pizzeria or a trattoria will satisfy your cravings this evening?

TODAY'S RIDE: Sella Ronda Loop Approximately 32 mi | 51 km and 5,500 ft | 1,679 m

Today you'll experience one of the most memorable rides cycling the famed Sellaronda, a classic tour over the most celebrated four passes through a scenery that genuinely deserves the word "dramatic" as you circumnavigate the Sella Massif. The green pastures and beautiful fresh air will complement the vividness of the remarkable pale mountains. The four passes on the route are regular highlights in the Giro d'Italia; three exceed 6,800 feet. Whether it is skied or hiked, cycled on the road or trail, the Sellaronda is an achievement worth boasting about! These four iconic passes: Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, and Gardena, will reward you with incredible views of the jagged peak of the Sassolungo and breathtaking descents into the valleys below.

TODAY'S RIDE: Spondigna to Bormio via Passo Stelvio, Approximately 30 mi | 49 km and 6,180 ft | 1,886 m

A private morning shuttle will take you north toward the Austrian and Swiss borders. Along the way, you'll see a gradual change in landscape and tempo from the serenity of the quaint mountains to the hustle and bustle of the meeting point between the Venosta and Adige Valleys. Once deep into the Venosta Valley, Mount Stelvio awaits the opportunity to climb up its "classic" side. With over 14 miles and 48 switchbacks, you'll rise from 3,100 to 9,045 feet to conquer the highest road in the eastern Alps and one of the most beautiful passes imaginable, finishing with endless views into the mountains toward Switzerland from the summit. After a well-deserved lunch at the meeting, you'll descend to the town of Bormio, located in the Lombardy region of the Italian Alps. It's a famous ski resort that only recently opened as a fantastic cycling destination. This afternoon, relax in the hotel spa or maybe take a revitalizing dip in the town's extensive thermal baths to rest your mind, body, and soul in anticipation of tomorrow's epic double ascent of the infamous climbs of Mortirolo and Gavia. This evening, meet your group and enjoy a hearty traditional dinner at the hotel before a restful and well-deserved sleep.

TODAY'S RIDE: Bormio to Passo Mortirolo & Passo Gavia Loop Approximately 70 mi | 112 km and 10,700 ft | 3,273 m

Today is your chance to climb the mighty Mortirolo and Gavia, undoubtedly some of the most challenging climb in the world of cycling. After a long week of cycling, it's a serious challenge that will make reaching the top that much sweeter. The route will first take you south, and as you lose elevation, you'll have a chance to spin out your legs. Arriving at the base of Mortirolo's classic side will inspire you to push yourself one more time. The narrow, winding road is incredibly steep in parts with an average grade of 10.5% - mercifully, the climb is only seven and a half miles. Much of the road weaves through the forest with glimpses of the views below. Your guides will be close by to cheer you on and refill your water as you need it. However, one last climb remains for this trip—Gavia. It's a long steady climb, and despite the pain, its gradients put you through, its rugged landscape with the white lake at the summit will soothe your soul forever. We'll celebrate your successful ascent with a warm beverage at the welcoming Rifugio Bonetta. You'll descend back to Bormio and wrap up this epic day - and trip - with a cocktail at the hotel and a farewell dinner in town. Cin Cin!

TODAY'S RIDE: Bormio to Torri di Fraele Return Approximately 18 mi | 28 km and 2,900 ft | 892 m

After filling up on a bountiful mountain breakfast, you can take your pick from various activities. Enjoy an early morning climb up to the Torri di Fraele, where every switchback rewards you with better and better views of Bormio and the stunning scenery of the surrounding Italian Alps. Enjoy impressive views from the ruins of an ancient abandoned warning tower at the summit before returning to the hotel. Alternatively, opt out of the ride for a leisurely morning at the hotel, with a slow breakfast, and maybe head into Bormio to shop. After your perfect morning, you will bid your guides farewell at 11:30 AM at the Hotel Baita Dei Pini. You will then shuttle 45 minutes to the Tirano train station and arrive at approximately 12:15 PM. Trains run from here to Milan every two hours, where there are easy connections to all major Italian cities.