If you’re new to cycling and bicycle travel but you’d like to do a trip through Italy, you could book your trip with one of the numerous bicycle/ adventure travel companies. Keep in mind, these companies probably have trips to other parts of Europe. They might not have the staff to explore other regions in Italy “off the beaten path,” places not overrun by tourists.
If you want to explore Puglia, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, etc., then who better to work with to book your trip than a company that focuses specifically on Italy, specifically a company run and operated by Italians. If these are your areas of interest, then Tourissimo can help you get there.
Who is Tourissimo? What Makes it Unique?
The company is owned and operated by Beppe Salerno and Heather Dowd. Both Beppe and Heather met due to their connection to Ciclismo Classico, one of the first bicycle travel companies to offer cycling trips in Italy. Plus, Beppe is from the Turin region of Italy and Heather has family roots in the country.
Tourissimo focuses on the least-known regions of Italy for its bicycle tours. With their company, Beppe and Heather specialize in using local Italians to support the areas of the country they visit. The comapny likes to offer small group tours that move at a slower pace and focus on quality experiences in smaller areas versus covering large swathes of the country, minus the race-like environment of most trips with other bicycle travel companies.
Tourissimo’s primary mission is to “design and run” the best cycling tours in Italy. They are determined to offer the most authentic tours. Beppe and Heather, however, aren’t just driven by authenticity. They want the tours they do to benefit local Italian communities. That’s why Tourissimo takes guests to towns in Italy most tourists don’t even know about.
Destinations Tourissimo Visits and Hosts Trips
Tourissimo breaks its clientele into four groups: private groups, cycling clubs, travel advisors, and tour operators. That allows it to travel to the smaller regions of Italy and give its guests personal attention.
The company offers eight types of tours. They are built around the various areas/ regions of Italy and cater to the skill levels of cyclists from the beginner to the hardcore roadie. They are as follows:
Magnifica Tour. The company states this tour is for small groups (12 people total) and offers immersive insider access to Italian Culture, traditions, and communities.
Chef Bike Tour. This unique tour focuses on the wine and food of the different regions of Italy combined with cycling.
Ambitious Bike Tour. If you are the hardcore roadie type who wants to ride the roads and routes the pros cover in Giro d’Italia and other classic Italian races, then this tour is for you. If you crave more miles, more climbing, bragging rights, expert local guides, amazing food and wine, and insider access, choose this tour.
Tour de France (Italy). 2024 marks the first time the Tour de France used Italy as a starting point for the race. In fact, the race organizers included the beginning three stages. Tourissimo was there for all three stages.
Bici Basics. This tour is specifically for inexperienced cyclists and for those who are new to the sport of cycling. It is a bike tour basic bicycle maintenance and pointers but features a welcoming environment.
- Non-judgemental
- Learn by doing or riding
- Expert guides who are also certified cycling coaches
- Skill-based program
- Learn bike fit and safety
- Bike Fashion (the reason cyclists wear colorful kits)
- Learn about components
- How to shift, climb, and descend
- Rules of the road
- How to ride in a group
What’s Included in a Tourissimo Cycling Tour
What’s included on a tour with Tourissimo is specific to the tour itself. But if you want to use the Magnifica Tour, as an example, the company states the following is included.
- Accommodations in locally owned properties.
- Transportation from and to the airport.
- Most meals will feature local cuisine and wine.
- Activities unique to the region visited.
- Immersion in local culture.
Costs and Inclusions for a Sample Trip with Tourissimo: Tuscany
There are seven trips listed under the Magnifica Tour option. One of those trips is to Tuscany. It is $4,995 for 7 days and 6 nights and includes the following:
- Two pro tour guides.
- All accommodations.
- All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
- All snacks, coffee, cappuccino, gelato, and wine/ beer with meals.
- Thermal Spa.
- Wine Tastings.
- Support during the tour and luggage transfers.
- Bianchi Bike rental.
- Shuttle at the beginning and at the end of the tour.
- GPS navigation/ Maps.
Last Thoughts
Tourissimo is a great choice if you want to explore those areas of Italy that aren’t Venice, Florence, and Rome. Not only will you get to travel to these areas by bike and have challenging rides, but you will get that full cultural immersion and the time to do it. These are low pressure rides, perfect, as mentioned earlier, for new cyclists.
While most bicycle travel companies may only touch on different areas of Italy without much explanation, this is Tourissimo’s specialty.
