Tour de France 2024 Grand Départ - Plus
Experience the Tour de France up close and on your bike in a trip which will turn on mind and body alike. ALLEZ, ALLEZ!
Overview
DURATION
STARTING PRICE
Who hasn’t heard of the great Tuscan city of Florence? It is certainly known worldwide, but now there will be one more reason for this fame: Florence will host the legendary Tour de France Grand Départ in 2024, the first time in history the Tour has ever started in Italy.
In addition to taking in the Tour, this trip will explore the lesser-known corners of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, a paradise for the passionate cyclist. You will learn about its ancient history and wonderful nature and will have the opportunity to ride on the same roads that brought Marco Pantani to be the legendary cycling hero we remember him to be.
Included in this trip
- Pick-up and transfer from the airport to the pick-up hotel (also if arriving in advance of trip start)
- 5 nights accommodation in select boutique hotels including breakfast
- Support with set-up of rental bike, or assembly/disassembly of own bike
- Orientation meeting on day 1
- All on-trip luggage transfers
- Daily multiple route options for rides leading up to the event
- Daily on-trip van support
- All on-trip transfers
- Exclusive access to the CyclingHero Companion App with local insights
- Access to Hammerhead Karoo-2 bike computer with pre-installed CyclingHero route options
- Bike box storage for the entire duration of the trip
* Click Book Now to view specific dates and prices
Day-to-Day Schedule
From Florence, there are two options to reach the Lands of Romagna.
The first crosses the Casentino Forests National Park and climbs up to the Tre Faggi Pass which marks the regional border between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. Passing through the Premilcuore Waterfalls, the road continues up to Castrocaro Terme, famous for its natural Spas, before reaching Faenza.
The second option passes through the ancient and beautiful Borgo San Lorenzo which dates back to the Etruscan civilization before heading to the Colla di Casaglia Pass. Along the way it crosses the so-called Gothic Line Territories, the last defensive bastion of the Third Reich during WWII. Trenches and fortifications remain as testimonials to this dark side of human history.
After crossing the medieval town of Brisighella the route ends in the beautiful Faenza, a city dating back to the Roman era and particularly developed between the Renaissance and the Baroque age. Faenza is also known as the city of the Majolica Ceramics, and where the word Faience originates.
Today there are three loop rides around Faenza. They all include the Senio Valley, a unique geological Natural Park which lays claim to the longest chalk mountain relief in Italy which has made the region a UNESCO World Heritage.
After the route crosses Brisighella, a very well-preserved medieval town spectacularly built atop three hills, the long and medium continue on to Marradi and pass the sturdy walls of Riolo Terme, a roman town known for its thermal waters, before heading back to Faenza.
Leaving Faenza along the Roman Via Emilia for Bologna, a short detour takes in the medieval Village of Dozza considered one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy".
Passing Castel San Pietro Terme the route starts climbing up along the spectacular Calanchi ridges, a geomorphological phenomenon similar to the American Badlands. After a quick descent into Val di Zena, the route climbs up again to the Contrafforte Pliocenico, the largest Natural Park in the region and ends in Sasso Marconi, a quiet village a few km away from Bologna that is also the birthplace of Guglielmo Marconi, 1909 Nobel Prize winner for Physics, creator of the first Telegraph and the father of Wireless Communications.
From Sasso Marconi, the route of this day follows the Reno Valley up to Riola di Vergato, where we can admire the sumptuous and eclectic Rocchetta Mattei castle, an architectural oddity built in the mid-19th century. After climbing through the towns of Camugnano and Vigo and admiring the stellar views to be had from the top, a small detour leads to La Scola, a wonderful 14th-century village known for its 700-year-old Cypress trees.
The route descends through Grizzana Morandi and the Val di Setta before returning to Sasso Marconi.
From Sasso Marconi, the route to the Grand Tour first climbs up to Badolo, a haven for free climbers from Bologna. Continuing the exploration of the beautiful hills South of Bologna the road descends to Rastignano and climbs up to Montecalvo where you can stop and wait for the champions starting their journey towards the conquest of the Yellow Jersey.
Heading back to Sasso Marconi via the picturesque Vizzano Bridge the route includes a climb up the Bologna hills through Sabbiuno, where 100 partisans and civilians were executed by the Germans in WWII (also known as the Sabbiuno Massacre).
After a last amazing breakfast, is time to say arrivederci to the beautiful lands of the champions and find out who will get the yellow jersey in France. Aurevoir!
* Click Book Now to view specific dates and prices
Why CyclingHero
Life is busy. Your vacation should fit your schedule and preferences. As your locally-based cycling concierge, we will customise an unforgettable trip for you in spectacular Northern Italy, where we live and ride every day.
A good night’s sleep and a proper breakfast are fundamental to an enjoyable day of riding. But a great place to stay is also about connecting with where you are, and having an authentic experience.
Let Us Help You Create the Perfect Cycling Adventure
Tell us about your dream tour, and we'll be in touch with our customised recommendations just for you.