Cycling tours of Italy? Trek Travel?

[Ritamarie]

In September 1990 my husband and I did a two week European tour for our honeymoon, but we did it on our own. We went with 2 bikes, some Michelin maps and no itinerary except a flight into Paris on day 1 and a flight out of Munich Germany on day 14. My husband is one of those independent sorts that can get you out of any jam and is a good mechanic with a good sense of direction so I will follow him just about anywhere!

We flew into the Paris airport with our bikes in boxes. You could check them free back then as a piece of luggage. We put our bikes together in the airport and off we went. We nearly got killed in the Paris traffic :-) but quickly found our way to more rural roads. We spent a few days in southern France then hopped on a train to get over the Alps into Italy and spent the majority of our time in northern Italy then eventually (using trains) ended up with a little time in Switzerland and Germany before heading home.

Both my husband and I know a little bit of high school French but no Italian whatsoever, but that was part of the fun. We used our little English-Italian book a lot! Everyone in Germany spoke English so that was a bit of a disappointment, but the beer there made up for it!

We spent less than $100 a day for the two of us on rooming, food and other expenses and that met our newlywed budget. It was the best trip of my life!

[Biciclista]

sadly some things have changed since 1990 when Rita took her trip. It has become outrageously expensive to ship bikes in airplanes. And good luck spending less than $100 a day for the two of you unless you're willing to travel in the south.
Time of year is VERY important in Italian travel. you say "the summer" but if you can avoid August in Italy, you will be doing yourself a great favor. Everyone in Italy goes on vacation in August and the popular vacation spots are inundated with tourists from all over Europe. Road travel is nightmarish because everyone in Italy is trying to leave home and go on their own vacation.
Good luck. i'll be there in late september myself.

[tulip]

...We went with 2 bikes, some Michelin maps and no itinerary ...

Ritamarie, I did that two years ago (in France only) and it was absolutely wonderful. Michelin maps are the best. (So are Bike Fridays because they don't require the extra airline fees).

[Ritamarie]

sadly some things have changed since 1990 when Rita took her trip.

Yes, of course it has. But I am sure you can do a self guided tour for a fraction of a packaged tour, especially if you stay out of any tourist areas like we did. The towns are so close together, and we never got to a town for the night where we weren't able to rent a cheap room. Admittedly, a few were dives, but we never had to sleep under a bridge!

Ritamarie, I did that two years ago (in France only) and it was absolutely wonderful. Michelin maps are the best. (So are Bike Fridays because they don't require the extra airline fees).

My husband just about has his "suitcase bike" finished. I'm thinking about a Surly Travelers Check myself (is that not just the coolest name?!?)

[Biciclista]

Yes, of course it has. But I am sure you can do a self guided tour for a fraction of a packaged tour, especially if you stay out of any tourist areas like we did. The towns are so close together, and we never got to a town for the night where we weren't able to rent a cheap room. Admittedly, a few were dives, but we never had to sleep under a bridge!

yes, exactly. Stay out of the touristy areas. Unfortunately the less touristy a place is, the less english comprehension you are going to find. The good news is Italians still love us and unlike some other places, they will enthusiastically
help you learn their language.

[michelem]

. . . are the best. (So are Bike Fridays because they don't require the extra airline fees).

Here's some more info on airline travel w/bikes (from RoadBikeRider.com 2/25/10 newsletter):

United We Grumble

Now that some airlines are making passengers pay for using a pillow or blanket, maybe it's not surprising that the fee for flying with a bike has risen too.

A protest page on Facebook is taking United Airlines to task for charging $175(one way) to check a bike as luggage on a U.S. domestic flight.

That sky-high fee has been in effect for more than a year. United's regulations require the bike to "be contained in a durable, protective case, bag or box" and the whole shebang can't weigh more than 50 lbs. (23 kg).

Protests or boycotts notwithstanding, in these hard times for airlines it's unlikely United is going to lower the fee. It's not just picking on cyclists, either.

United charges the same $175 to check a surfboard, vaulting pole or set of antlers (no kidding).

If you're flying with your kayak or caged pooch or kitty, it's $250 -- each way.

If you don't like United's bike fee, you could fly Southwest. America's No. 1 airline charges $0 for a bike that weighs 50 lbs. or less and fits in a hard case no larger than 62 in. (length + width + height).

Says the Southwest website, "A $50 each-way charge applies to bicycles that don't meet the above criteria. Bicycles packaged in a cardboard box or soft-sided case will be transported as a conditionally accepted item."

Southwest specifically mentions Bike Friday and Co-Motion Co-Pilot travel bikes as qualifying for the $0 fee when checked as one of 2 free pieces of baggage. Other airlines might waive charges for them too.

Tip: When checking in, if you're asked what's in your hefty travel-bike suitcase, say "exercise equipment" rather than "a bicycle." You're not lying and maybe it'll save you a hassle as well as significant coin.

Tip 2: How to Travel with Your Bicycle, an eBook by world traveler Alan Bragman, has loads of information about packing bikes and how to transport them on planes, trains or automobiles.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/431.htm#DISPATCH

[AnnieBikes]

My DH and I celebrated our 32nd anniversary with Experience Plus

www.experienceplus.com/

They are also a bit pricey but they are fantastic. We could not have been more happy with the bikes (we did not take our own...no rental fees, you have a choice of road, hybrid or comfort bikes) We took our own pedals, but you do not have to unless you use clipless. My husband took his own seat. The mileage was just right for me as a newbie at the time. We had wine tasting and a tour of an olive oil pressing place, with tasting. Most meals were included and all breakfasts. There were mileage options each day and no cue sheets! They chalk the road with arrows in the morning and you follow them! They even used arrows to point to sites to see, museums, and occasional picnics they provided! What fun!! We had lived in Italy for 2.5 years while he was in the service 25 years ago(in Tuscany) so wanted to ride somewhere different. We went to Puglia, the "heel" of the boot. However, I would hesitate to go there in the summer as it would be very hot. We went in early May. As noted in another post, I also STRONGLY agree that going in August is a BIG mistake. The hotels are crowded, expensive, and unavailable. If you could possibly go in September, then you will be much more able to find places to stay if you are not on a tour.

Have an awesome time and congrats on your upcoming wedding.

[Mr. SR500]

Here is the write up I did on our Italy trip with Trek Travel:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ong-56k-Beware

[mthomsen]

Here is the write up I did on our Italy trip with Trek Travel:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ong-56k-Beware

Thanks for the feedback both here and on bikeforums Mr. SR500. I work for Trek Travel as a guide and this is always great to see.

[bluebug32]

Here is the write up I did on our Italy trip with Trek Travel:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ong-56k-Beware

Great write-up. Very cool, and I think this is exactly what we're looking for. I'm wondering if you know how early they encourage you to book to ensure a spot? Also, I saw that you saved 10% by booking through Trek? How does that work?

[Mr. SR500]

Great write-up. Very cool, and I think this is exactly what we're looking for. I'm wondering if you know how early they encourage you to book to ensure a spot? Also, I saw that you saved 10% by booking through Trek? How does that work?

I think we booked in the Late Winter/Spring for a Fall trip. Trek Travel has socials at larger dealers etc, to invite people to check out the tour. Our trip was hosted by our dealers and basically everyone was from around the same region. Because they made many of the arrangements, I guess the discount came from that. I'm not sure if you are booking online or via a Trek dealer, but I would just ask - can't hurt.

P.S. Let them know it's your honeymoon. Since we were celebrating our 10 year anniversary our guides gave us a large bottle of champagne on ice one afternoon. Ice is fairly rare in Italy, and my wife was so excited she opened a Coke and used the ice with it. We then went to share the champagne with the other members of the tour, us being typical Americans looked for some cheap/disposable glasses, but the manager of the inn insisted we use proper glasses. Made for great afternoon.