Imagine cycling in five nations on one trip! Our odyssey begins in the historic port city of Genoa, Italy, and crosses through Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, and culminates in the famous town of Spa, Belgium. Along the way you'll relive the march of Napoleon and the battles of World Wars I and II while enjoying the true gems of the area: Piedmont and Aosta in Italy, Lake Geneva, the Swiss regional park of Juras, the Alsace region and the Ardennes forests, Luxembourg and finally, Spa. Of course, the gourmet treats and treasures including fresh gelato and native grapes will help fuel you on this epic cycling discovery.
Day 1: Genoa
We enjoy a quick warm-up ride inland and the view of the beautiful Ligurian coast from the charming village of Noli. Today’s ride features also the Mediterranean landscape with olive trees and the
medieval town of Finalborgo.
Day 2: Acqui Terme
Today we pedal northwest away from city life to Acqui. According to legend, it was founded by Greek colonies. Acqui has been well known for its hot waters since Roman times. Enjoy the thermal facilities of our hotel and to uncover the secrets of local gastronomy.
Day 3: Ivrea
Roll through abundant vineyards along quiet roads today, arriving in Ivrea, which boasts a Roman amphitheater and a fourth-century cathedral, believed to be built over a pagan temple.
Day 4: Aosta
Easy or challenging? It’s your choice on today’s ride to the Roman capital of the Alps.
Day 5: To Lake Geneva through the Alps
Follow the shadow of Napoleon on today’s ride through beautiful landscapes in the Alps with splendid views of surrounding peaks such as Grand Combin (12,943 ft). We cross the Gran San Bernardo alpine pass -- covered in snow at least nine months of the year. It was here that Saint Bernard trained his famous dogs to assists winter pilgrims on their way to Rome from lower Gaul. We’ll say a short “ciao” to Italy as we enter the stunning Swiss Alps and stay on the Lac Geneva.
Day 6:Lake Geneva
Get out of the saddle, get ready to enjoy the Lake of Geneva and its marvelous surroundings. The beauty of the shores of the lake and of the sites of many of the places near its banks has long been celebrated: this is the perfect location for a relaxing and well-deserved rest day!
Day 7: Swiss Juras
Today we cross the regional Parks of Jura, famous for forested hills, gorges, bucolic landscape and quiet atmosphere. This is one of the Cantons which lies in the northwest of Switzerland. It consists of parts of the Jura mountains in the south and the Jura plateau in the north. The Jura plateau is hilly and almost entirely limestone and it is interesting to know that the term "Jurassic" is derived from the Jura Alps, strata of which date to that era.
Day 8: Alsace (Colmar)
Alsace is located on France's eastern border and on the west bank of the upper Rhine adjacent to Germany and Switzerland. Alsace is politically one of the most important regions in the European Union and has been for centuries contended by the adjacent countries. Today we ride along the upper Doubs Valley to Colmar, gateway of the Alsace region famous for wines and its WWI historical sites.
Day 9: Loop to the Natural Park of Ballons des Vosges
Today we enjoy a lungful of clean fresh air in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature
Park. This is one of the largest nature parks in France, and is home to an extraordinary mix of fauna, flora and landscapes. You can ride by pastures where you will discover aromatic plants and flowers which only grow at this altitude. The combination of geological features and climatic differences have together created a surprising natural environment here. Occasionally, the snowy peaks can even be admired through the summertime.
Day 10: Colmar to Luxembourg
Today’s ride goes through the immense area of forest and countryside of the Natural
Park of Lorraine that will give us a chance to discover a natural environment of high biological interest dotted with museums, castles, forts and abbeys. On our way to Luxembourg we pass by the quaint town of Metz, located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers. This is an historical Garrison town, and also the economic heart of the Lorraine region, being specialized in information technology and automotive industries.
Day 11: Luxembourg to Spa through the Ardennes
On our final ride we ride through the Ardennes, where peaceful valleys and hidden country villages belie the fierce fighting that took place here
during both world wars. The geography, with its chalky soil and undulating plain, is also well adapted to winegrowing. This area is also famous for one
of the nicest towns in Luxemburg, Esch-sur-Sûre and also for hosting the oldest pro race in the world, the Liege-Bastogne-Liege (often called La
Doyenne "the oldest").
Our final destination of the tour is Spa, famous for its hot springs. This town has been frequented as a watering-place since as early as the 14th
century. Though other sources of healing hot mineral springs have become famous throughout the world, it is the town of Spa which has become eponymous
with any place having a natural water source that is believed to possess special health-giving properties, as a spa.
Day 12: Au Revoir!
Stay on and explore this magical town or other parts of Belgium. Take a 2.5hrs train at your leisure to Brussels where you can catch a plane or train to your next destination, or a 1-hr train to visit Liege. We will be happy to assist you with your travel plans!