Cycling Tour in Liguria

Also called the Italian Riviera, Liguria is divided into two parts with its center point at Genova.The eastern half, extending to the Tuscan border, is the Riviera di Levante or coast of the rising sun. The western half, extending to the French border is called the Riviera di Ponente or coast of the setting sun, which is the area that we’ll visit on our bicycles. Benvenuti (Welcome) to Liguria!

See here for more info on Liguria region.

Dates & Pricing

Minimum of 6 participants, maximum of 16, with a maximum guide-to-guest ratio of 1 to 8

DATES (7 days)

October 9-15, 2023

For more info and availability please contact us.

TOUR PRICE

Per person in double occupancy: from $4,090

Single Supplement: $690

For travel in 2021 and beyond, your tour is carbon neutral! In addition, we donate more than 1% of your trip price to food-literacy and environmental non-profits that share our values. (Details here)

Tour Highlights

Exposure to local culture and history with native, bilingual, experienced Tour Leaders
Tastings of regional Slow Food Presidia and visits to local wine, cookies, focaccia and olive oil makers
Experience the authentic Mediterranean Diet through local traditional cuisine featuring fresh and seasonal ingredients and learn more about local recipes
Enjoy some of the best whites of the regions such as Pigato and Vermentino and the red wines of Ormeasco and Rossese
Elegant and traditional accommodation in hand-selected 3- and 4-star hotels
Strolls through must-see classic Western Ligurian towns such as Alassio, Laigueglia, Imperia and Sanremo, and the small villages of Cervo, Bussana Vecchia, Parasio and Dolcedo
Exhilarating rides and opportunities to improve your cycling skills with your Tour Leaders
Traditional, local recipes to bring home with you!

Cycling Level 3 – Antipasto, Primo and Secondo (Entrée)

What's Included

6 nights of accommodation in 3- and mostly 4-star hotels
6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners
Explore the towns of Alassio, Laigueglia, Sanremo, and the small villages of Cervo, Bussana Vecchia, Parasio and Dolcedo
1 visit and tasting to an olive oil maker and 1 visit and tasting to a wine maker
1 visit and tasting to cookies and focaccia makers
1 pesto sauce cooking demonstration
1 visit to an olive oil museum
Bike rental (see more info here) and Garmin Touring Edge unit (if you have one, bring yours and we’ll upload the routes onto your unit)
Comfortable transportation and assistance by 9-seat van for all travel on tour as cited in the itinerary
Refreshments, snacks, fruits and other local delicacies during our rides
Two bilingual, professional Tour Leaders (one Ligurian native!)
One group transfer from Genova airport at the beginning and one to Nice-Côte d’Azur airport at the end of tour
Local taxes and gratuities for luggage porters and restaurant servers during tour

What's Not Included

3 lunches and 2 dinners on your own
Alcoholic beverages at group meals (including wine, beer and spirits)
Round-trip airfare and expenses to/from the tour
E-bike, upon request and availability, with $150-250 surcharge depending on the type (see more info here)
Trip cancellation, baggage loss or travel delay insurance (this optional coverage is highly recommended. See more info here)
Gratuities for your Tour Leaders
Personal expenses, such as, but not limited to, phone calls, laundry, emails, snacks, gifts

Itinerary

Optional Pre-Tour Night in Genova
Day 1 – Genova to Alassio

Cycling Route Info on Day 1: Main Route: 17mi/1150ft of elevation gain

Fly into Genova airport and meet your guides at the arrivals area at 10:30am for a 1.5-hr private group transfer to your hotel in Alassio. If you prefer to arrive one day early meet the guides at hotel in Genova (ask us for more information).

Check in and relax before meeting your guide for a light lunch and introduction to the tour. Later, we enjoy a warm up ride inland and start our exploration of the Western Liguria.

Much-sought-after in summer for its gorgeous long beach, sun-kissed cobblestones and café-filled promenades, fabled Alassio is probably best known for its baci di Alassio. Called “kisses” (baci), these tasty round sandwich cookies with a chocolate middle are a far cry from Hershey’s. You’ll be hard-pressed to have just one.
Day 2 – Around Alassio to Testico and Villanova

Cycling Route Info on Day 2: Main Route 37mi/2880ft | Extra loop adds: 14mi/1300ft

Warm up by the sea on a coastal road and stop in Laigueglia for a great photo op before we tackle the first climb inland. This lovely sea town has been named one of “the most beautiful villages in Italy” (i borghi più belli d’Italia, a designation established in 2001 with the aim of preserving and maintaining villages of quality heritage) that we’ll have more time to explore tomorrow night before your dinner on own.

Other highlights today feature the village of Villanova D’Albenga, a storybook village typified by its stone clock tower. The area is famous for artichokes in winter and the Slow Food Presidio of purple asparagus in the spring. After your ride enjoy more time in the elegant Alassio exploring the alleys through town locally called “budello” or take a breezy walk by the sea before our dinner together in a local restaurant.
Day 3 – Around Alassio to Arroscia Valley

Cycling Route Info on Day 3: Main Route 36mi/2500ft | Extra loop adds: 9mi/1200ft

We leave the coast again heading inland and stop at Cooperativa Olivicola Arnasco, an association founded in 1984 to rescue the local olive oil industry and slow the migration of farmers out of the area. The museum here displays traditional tools once used for cultivation, harvesting and milling. We’ll also learn about the local dry-stack stone walls to make hills available for agriculture.

Today we enjoy a picnic lunch followed by a visit to a multi-generational family owned biodynamic vineyard and winery in Bastia d’Albenga. We meet the family and hear their stories on wine and local production of aromatic herbs over a delicious tasting. Return to the hotel for relaxation or for a walk in town or on the beach. As the sun sets join us for a tasting and visit at a producer of focaccia (an oven-baked flat bread, usually thicker than pizza)
Day 4 – Alassio to Imperia Area

Cycling Route Info on Day 4: Main Route 30mi/1950ft | Extra loop adds: 10mi/1000ft

After three nights in Alassio, we head west along the sea to reach the area of Imperia, notable for its Porto Maurizio, originally a Roman settlement. Now another example of quintessential Ligurian coastal life, Imperia came into existence when Mussolini “made” it in 1923, combining Porto Maurizio, nearby Oneglia, and some inland villages.

Another highlight today includes a mid-morning stop in the picture-perfect town of Cervo. Perched above Diano Marina its sun-splashed, multi-terraced main piazza is unforgettable and like Laigueglia this village has been named one of “the most beautiful villages in Italy.” Enjoy a coffee and quick stroll here before going back towards the sea for an optional scond stop at a popular local bike shop.

Lunch today will be after a visit to the Museum of Olive Oil in Imperia. This fascinating museum sponsored by the Carli Family and its brand gives the full picture and history of olive cultivation and oil-making in the region.
Continue riding to reach the hotel by the sea. Before dinner, we enjoy a pesto-making demonstration, pesto being a signature staple of Ligurian cuisine. This area is also famous for the Slow Food Presidio of Fagioli di Badalucco, Conio e Pigna (white beans), which we will surely taste on at least one menu
Day 5 – Around Imperia

Cycling Route Info on Day 5: Main Route 30mi/3050ft | Extra loop adds: 5mi/750ft

Back on our bikes, we make a first stop in Dolcedo, another storybook village with a stream running through it, flanked by rows of colorful houses. After a coffee, we make a loop ride from here.

Today we enjoy another picnic lunch after a visit to the local olive oil mill. Dolcedo first appeared in the early Middle Ages, populated by migrants from the coast. By the twelfth century, olives were the mainstay of the area.

Later in the afternoon join us for a quick transfer to Parasio, home to the old town of Porto Maurizio where we can explore its maze of narrow streets and alleys, and vast views over the sea. Tonight dinner is on your own. Please ask us for suggestions!
Day 6 – Imperia to Sanremo

Cycling Route Info on Day 6: Main Route 29mi/2800ft | Extra loop to adds: 12mi/770ft

First stop today is the town of Cipressa and then Poggio, a great opportunity to pedal on some of the famous last climbs of Milano-Sanremo race. Particularly noteworthy is the Capo Nero tunnel featuring a museum to the road race depicted along the tunnel ceiling on a smooth brand-new bike path.

Check in at your hotel in Sanremo and start the exploration of this charming town or add an extra loop to Bussana Vecchia. After an earthquake in 1887 this village was abandoned and then slowly repopulated since the middle of the past century when a community of artists chose this quiet place as their preferred spot for their creations.

Sanremo is known around the world for its international music festival and song-writing contest. Sometimes called the City of Flowers, it is a jewel in the Ponente crown that we’ll visit and enjoy on our last dinner to celebrate our journey in Liguria.
Day 7 – Nice-Côte d'Azur airport

To request the itinerary as a PDF or to ask us any questions please contact us today!