The desire for outdoor activities flourishes again with the arrival of the summer. For cycling enthusiasts, it is the ideal time to visit new destinations while also taking a few days off, perhaps taking advantage of the various long weekends that 2024 offers, between Easter, April 25th and May 1st.
Source: press release
Interesting proposals come from Luxury Bike Hotels, the collection that includes 50 high-end accommodation facilities in the key places of cycle tourism in Italy, which stand out for their ability to offer excellent and tailor-made services for those who love exploring the territories by bicycle.
Among these there are four, recently affiliated to the collection, which offer ideal routes for cycling in the surrounding areas, for example on mountain bikes, including some off-road sections. You can follow the paths among the lava of Etna in Sicily, walk the luxuriant Umbrian valleys, cross the Venetian hills of Prosecco, a UNESCO heritage site or Alpine forests of South Tyrol.
Furthermore, mountain biking is not just for experts or super enthusiasts but is within everyone's reach thanks to the new e-MTBs which, with assisted pedaling, allow an increasingly wider audience to tackle hilly routes, climbs and more difficult routes. long or demanding.
SICILY, Monks of the Black Lands – By MTB on the lava of Etna
The eco wine resort Monks of the Black Lands, created from an 700th century noble villa within a 25-hectare estate on the slopes of Etna, in the Zafferana Etnea area, is a perfect starting point for exploring the same property and the unique area of the volcano by bicycle, a territory that offers more than one hundred routes of different types, suitable for racing bikes and mountain bikes, including electric ones.
For MTB lovers, the is particularly recommended Tour of Etna, starting from the Zafferana Etnea bike point: you cycle towards the foothills made up of the suggestive centers of Trecastagni, Pedara, Nicolosi and Belpasso. Going around the volcano clockwise, you head north past Santa Maria di Licodia, Biancavilla and Adrano, to immerse yourself in the most spectacular part of the tour, starting from the Bronte lava, on which the pistachio plants take root, while your gaze goes from the top of the volcano to the center of Sicily. You reach the medieval town of Randazzo, close to three natural parks - Etna, Nebrodi and Alcantara - and, skirting the northern side of the volcano, you arrive at Linguaglossa from where, in the midst of multiple lush vineyards, we return with a circular route to Zafferana Etnea.
The Luxury Bike Hotel Monks of the Black Lands it is a resort built according to the principles of bio-architecture and sustainability. Guests are welcomed in suites and villas located in different areas of the estate, all with private gardens/patios, the result of a careful restoration of ancient rural buildings. Among the services guaranteed to cyclists and cycle tourists - who can bring their bike to their room - the bike room with e-bike charging points and tools for ordinary bike maintenance, laundry for technical clothing, afternoon snack when returning from excursions, bike rental. The products of the estate become 0 km ingredients for a rich and genuine breakfast and for the kitchen Nerello Inn, which offers a menu that respects seasonality. Overlooking the sea, the poolside Pool Restaurant & Bar offers a simple and fresh menu for a light lunch in the garden, while the Convivium Bar is a privileged meeting place in the evening hours at the foot of the volcano in the main body of the estate. Not to be missed during a stay are the numerous author experiences: tasting of our own organic wines in the cellar or vineyard; cooking class to discover the secrets of pasta made with ancient Sicilian wheat; cocktail masterclass with herb picking under the guidance of expert mixologists and preparation of cocktails with a "monk" touch. And, again, the botanical walk among the vineyards, the ancient orchards and the vegetable garden; collecting eggs in the estate's henhouse; horseback riding; open-air wellness massage, helicopter ride over Etna departing from the heliport located on the estate, yoga lessons at sunset.
For more information: Luxury Bike Hotel Monaci delle Terre Nere
UMBRIA, Torre del Nera – MTB in the lush green heart of Italy
In the charming medieval village of Scheggino (PG), the Luxury Bike Hotel Torre del Nera Albergo Diffuso and SPA it is an exclusive accommodation facility with 12 rooms in the main building and 16 historic homes scattered in the cobbled alleys of a small village that seems to have come out of a fairy tale. It is the only widespread hotel in the Luxury Bike Hotels collection: it is located 15 minutes from Spoleto, 40 from Norcia and Assisi, 50 from Perugia.
For two-wheel enthusiasts, the structure organizes cycling excursions (mountain bike and e-bike) to discover the most beautiful green corners of the region such as the itineraries along the old Romanesque route through the lush woods of Valnerina, dotted with hermitages and medieval castles , running along the river along the celebrated Nera GreenWay, up to the sparkling Marmore Waterfall, the highest in Europe.
The itinerary towards the is also particularly recommended for its enchanting views Forca di Cerro pass which, starting from Scheggino, follows a stretch of the old Roman road until reaching Castel San Felice, where you come across a beautiful 11th century abbey. From here you begin to climb towards the pass along the old state road that connected Valnerina to Spoleto. Once you get to the top, you can enjoy the view of the Umbrian Valley. From the pass the return begins by descending to a very small village which leads to the SpoletoNorcia cycle route, a spectacular mountain route on what was the Old Railway, a work of admirable railway engineering active from 1926 to 1968, which in 2015, now converted into a cycle/pedestrian path, won the first edition of the Italian Green Road Award, the " Oscar” of cycle tourism.
LBH ITINERARIES: Scheggino Forca di Cerro
Nestled within the ancient walls of the village, the Luxury Bike Hotel in Scheggino is ideal for wellness stays thanks to the services of the SPA Torre del Nera: 400 m28 of well-being with a sensory journey in the swimming pool with water at 32/XNUMX degrees, hydromassage, waterfalls, emotional shower, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, relaxation area with herbal tea, Halos salt room, massages and personalized treatments complete the SPA offer which also enjoys an exceptional panoramic view. The restaurant Knight's Inn satisfies the curiosities of all palates with dishes based on the flavors and typical products of the area, from truffles - of which Scheggino is the homeland recognized throughout the world - to oil, from meats and cured meats to legumes such as the precious Castelluccio lentils.
For more information: Luxury Bike Hotel Torre del Nera
VENETO, The Foscarini – By MTB among the Prosecco vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Born from the conservative recovery of a Venetian country villa from the 1600s, the Luxury Bike Hotel The Foscarini in Mogliano Veneto (TV) is a highly digital and eco-sustainable 4-star hotel, with special attention to design. Various cycling itineraries depart from Mogliano, such as the 130 km ring on the Prosecco DOCG hills which, after crossing Treviso, heads towards the mountainous area of Montello, Valdobbiadene renowned for the production of Prosecco Superiore and, finally, Montebelluna; is full of places of interest Piave cycle path which connects the Dolomites to the sea; easy and suitable for everyone are there Sile Greenway, a cycle-pedestrian path that goes from Treviso to Jesolo e The Radicchio Road, a route full of taste to cycle in the typical production area of Treviso radicchio from Treviso to Castelfranco Veneto,
with stops at points of cultural, historical, naturalistic interest and, obviously, with the possibility of tasting typical dishes; 40 km instead for the Venice Lagoon Cycle Ring, through beautiful views of the sea and vegetation.
The itinerary is recommended for MTB enthusiasts Asolo and Possagno Route, which starting from Treviso crosses the hills of Ostiglia, passing the Muson dei Sassi river. After Ostiglia, we continue to Asolo, a town renowned for its scenic beauty, churches and historic buildings. The route then continues to Possagno, a small village at the foot of Monte Grappa, where you can admire the Canova Temple, dedicated to the famous sculptor. The route is challenging but at the same time very rewarding, through the landscapes of the Venetian countryside and the pre-Alpine mountains. LBH ITINERARIES: Asolo and Possagno Route
Staying at the Luxury Bike Hotel The Foscarini of Mogliano Veneto means being halfway between Venice and Treviso, an ideal position to reach the other major destinations in the Region: the many cities of art, the Dolomites, the Prosecco hills, the Venetian villas, the Riviera.
The recent renovation has perfectly harmonized the historic architecture of the villa with a modern style, creating a welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere that meets the needs of every traveler who loves beauty, with an eye on welcoming cyclists and cycle tourism enthusiasts . Equipped with all comforts, the 31 rooms and suites of different types are distributed in the 3 units that make up The Foscarini: Villa, Barchessa e Ca' Nova, the latter dedicated in particular to the bike world, with the possibility of bringing your own bicycle directly into your room. Both professional cyclists and bicycle lovers will find here everything they need to make a two-wheeled holiday perfect: monitored storage, e-bike charging stations, corner for washing bikes and small repairs, affiliated workshop, changing room with shower , self-service laundry for technical clothing, distributor with energy products. The services available to guests complete the equipped gym, breakfast with home made products, an app to independently access the hotel services, such as checking the room temperature and obtaining useful information for your stay.
For more information: Luxury Bike Hotel The Foscarini
SOUTH TYROL, My Arbor – By MTB among the alpine forests
Inaugurated in 2018, the Luxury Bike Hotels My Arbor is a family-run 5-star wellness "tree hotel", nestled in the peaceful Plose mountains at a thousand meters above sea level, in South Tyrol. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, it is an ideal place for all cyclists, whether they are passionate about e-bikes, road bikes or mountain bikes. From gentler routes to more challenging ones, the surrounding area offers a variety of tours perfect for all skill levels.
The route is particularly recommended for those who love MTB Plose – Erbe-Sciaves Pass, through breathtaking landscapes and exciting challenges. The first part of the route can be done with the Plose cable car, which allows you to avoid the initial difference in altitude, making the route more accessible even to the less experienced. From here the route continues across the Luson plateau, through the suggestive Passo delle Erbe, up to the Monte Muro refuge where you have to face a challenging climb. The overall route has a difference in altitude approaching 2.000 metres. Dirt roads, mule tracks and trails offer a wide variety of terrain, while some sections of trail track add a touch of adventure.
LBH ITINERARIES: Plose Passo Erbe Sciaves
Surrounded by forest, the luxurious Alpine resort My Arbor it seems to have grown naturally on trees: the building rests, in fact, on 66 stilts of tree trunks and the energy of nature emanates from the wood and plants, giving guests a sense of escape, peace and strength. Reserved for an only adults clientele, the structure welcomes guests with 38 and 50 m100 suites equipped with every comfort and furnished in harmony with the natural atmosphere in which they are immersed, up to the XNUMX mXNUMX 'tree top' suite. equipped with a terrace with hydromassage and private sauna. Flagship of the resort la SPA Arboris, a 2.500 mXNUMX oasis of tranquility
with in/out infinity pool, ten treatment rooms, five saunas, the cold water pool, the panoramic hydromassage, the various relaxation areas and the ten outdoor relaxation rooms. The spa treatments are based on local trees and plants that harness their beneficial effect on body, mind and soul. The culinary experience is a skilful fusion between South Tyrolean cuisine and traditional Italian and international dishes, with a range of flavors and fragrances that capture the five senses thanks also to a careful selection of 0 km suppliers.
The structure is totally bike-friendly and offers guests personalized bike rental, guide for accompanied bike tours, bike room, e-bike charging, possibility of bringing your own bike to the room, menu for sports enthusiasts and afternoon snacks upon return from excursions, sports massage, GPX tracks of cycling routes in the area. The program of activities and experiences offered is also rich and varied, including yoga and pilates courses, free tasting of herbal teas in the sauna, bathing in the woods, wine tasting, guided excursions in every season, skiing, cultural visits, shopping tours in Bressanone and even more. For more information: Luxury Bike Hotel My Arbor
