SLOW WINE...A UNIQUE BIKE TOUR IN FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA
SLOW WINE….a fascinating bike tour dedicated to all those who wish to live a sensorial experience without haste, in harmony with nature through the wine country par excellence, savoring landscapes and flavors. The routes are of an easy/medium degree of difficulty, easily accessible to all even by city bike.
A discovery tour of the Italian region Friuli Venezia Giulia, from the hills where they produce the famous “Prosciutto di San Daniele”, to the relaxing plain, before arriving to the wonderful sea of Trieste.
Together with an expert cycling guide who will reveal to you the hidden and beautiful places in Friuli Venezia Giulia, we will live a unique experience, cycling along the various DOC – wine regions with a designation of origin-. We will taste the famous red and white wines of this beautiful region, such as Merlot, Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Terrano, and many others.
We will also visit the Collio area and Cormons, our “wine capital”. And after a kaleidoscope of landscapes characterized by typical villages and vineyards, and by the unique flavors of our wines and our cuisine, you will get the feeling of having experienced an unforgettable dream of pleasure for the eyes and the palate.
And last but not least, a day off before returning for a wonderful trip to Venice by train!
Friuli Venezia Giulia is easily accessible landing at the international Venice airport or at the airport of Trieste-Ronchi dei Legionari.
Day 1: arrival of the participants, pick-up at the airport, transfer by bus to the hotel. Meeting with your cycling guide!
Day 2: D.O.C. wine area Grave del Friuli about 42 Km. distance- about 100 m. climb
We start the tour! Through plains and medieval villages in the wine region along the Tagliamento river, finally arriving in Spilimbergo – the so called city of mosaics. A trip between past and present, along the “Ancient road of the Knights Templar”, where once the pilgrims traveled to reach the Holy Land. Along the way there will be a break for wine tasting at a famous winery.
Day 3: D.O.C. wine area Colli Orientali del Friuli about 54 Km. distance- about 250 m. climb
Today we are going to discover the territories where Celts, the Romans and the Langobards lived, at the edge of the high plain of Friuli, arriving in San Daniele del Friuli, with its charming old town, known worldwide for its gastronomic specialty: the Prosciutto. Now the paths winds its way along the road of “Ham and Castles” at the foot of the natural amphitheater of the Carnian Alps, cycling through wooded areas, green pastures and sweeping vista of the Julian Alps to reach the Park of Vine and Wine. In this D.O.C. area the Picolit is produced, the wine of princes and popes, considered a gem of the Italian wine making. Along the way there is a stop at a tavern to taste the typical Ramandolo wine, sweet and slightly aromatic.
Day 4: D.O.C. wine area Collio Friulano about 53 Km. distance- about 250 m. climb
Tour along the vineyards that make up the pride of this strip of land marked by a succession of planted sunny terraces that give rise to important D.O.C. white and red wines, such as Chardonnay, Malvasia Istriana, Riesling Italico, Pinot Nero. We will visit the medieval Cividale, founded by the Romans in 56 B.C. with the name of Forum Julii, capital of the first Langobard duchy, and recently counted as a “World Heritage of UNESCO”. The route runs through the lands of Schioppettino – a native wine-, and follows the “Wine Road” to Slovenia, in the picturesque region of Brda, which comes as an enormous vineyard.
Day 5: area of Slovenian Collio (= Brda) about 52 Km. distance- about 400 m. climb
The Collio Friulano has a Slovenian “brother”: BRDA. The two territories are in essence a unique and uniform area. So today we will first cycle through the Slovenian Collio, which will enchant you with its extraordinary beauty, and then move back to the Friuli region, through the town of Cormons, which the New York Times recently devoted a three page article. Cormons is also known as the “wine capital”, so we will stop there to taste good wines at the main wine bar in town. The today route will end in a small town characterized by aristocratic charm and noble buildings in the pedestrian area.
Day 6: D.O.C. wine area Carso-the Terrano road about 60 Km. distance- about 600 m. climb
Involving path that goes through the plateau of the Karst. These are areas with different vegetation, with countless views of the plains of Friuli and Slovenia. A series of small plots characterized by the color of the red earth, by sinkholes, dry stone walls, and rows of vines, that give rise to the typical wine of these places, the Terrano wine. We will taste the fullness and strength of this wine. Among small rural villages on the rocky path we will reach the Adriatic Sea, which offers terrific views of the Gulf of Trieste and of the Miramare Castle. The tour ends in the charming Piazza Unità d’ Italia in Trieste, the Europe largest square by the sea, surrounded by buildings in Art Nouveau style, characterized by the famous historical cafes. Here the history, the culture, food and wine blend in a unique mix. To be savored slowly, as all our tour!
Day 7: VENICE
You can not leave Italy without having visited Venice, especially if this city is located a few kilometers from Friuli Venezia Giulia. We dedicate this day to a memorable trip in the lagoon city. From Trieste, Venice is easily reached by train for a day trip. Those who wish may stay in Trieste and still enjoy it for a whole day.
Day 8: Departure of the participants. Check-out in the hotel and transfer by bus to the airport.
See you soon again in Friuli Venezia Giulia!!!
Price per person Euro 1,290.00
The package includes:
- accommodation 7 nights in double room with half board excluding drinks in hotels and farmhouses in Friuli Venezia Giulia
- wine tastings with light snacks in No. 5 wine estates
- visit to a ham factory and lunch of Prosciutto di San Daniele
- transfer by bus to/from the airport of Venice or Trieste-Ronchi dei Legionari
- luggage transport from one lodging to the next
- bicycle rental
- day trip to Venice by train
- guidance and assistance during every cycle tour by an expert bike guide
- medical and baggage insurance
The fee does not include: drinks at meals -unless specified otherwise-, liqueurs, all kinds of extras and anything not specified in the schedule.
Single room supplement: Euro 175.00
SPECIFICATIONS:
Degree of difficulty: medium/easy, itinerant tour
Development of the tour: approx. 250 Km.
Total climb: 1,600 m
Soil: bike paths, paved roads with little vehicular traffic, dirt roads with good bottom.
Bicycle: city bike
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
No. of participants: min. 8 people
Date of the tour: 10th to 17th of June 2012
With a minimum of 8 participants –ask also friends and family!- you can choose the date of the tour!
For more information and registration please write to info@nicetime-tours.com
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