FAQ Bella Italia Bike Tours

How is your difficulty rating categorized?

Our bike tours are rated on a system of 1 (easy) to 5 (challenging). These ratings are based on the average daily distance of riding, elevation gain, altitude and the riding surfaces included in the itinerary. They are subjective and based on our expertise and experience of each of the local partners who developed and tested the routes. This rating system serves as a general guide to assist you with choosing an appropriate route based on your skill level, but please send an inquiry if you are looking for a second opinion from our team.

LEVEL 1 (easy)

Average Daily Distance: 12-18 mi (20-30 km)

Average Elevation Gain: less than 650 ft (200 m)

Riders with limited experience on a bike, however can control bike speed and direction on paved surfaces. May have little or no experience riding off-road terrain.

LEVEL 2 (easy - moderate)

Average Daily Distance*: 18-30 mi (30-50 km)
Average Elevation Gain: less than 650 ft (200 m)
*distance may be less if riding at a higher altitude

Riders can control bike speed and direction on paved surfaces, slightly uneven surfaces and city streets. You can ride up to 30 miles (50 km) per day without much difficulty.

LEVEL 3 (moderate)

Average Daily Distance:18-30 mi (30-50 km)
Average Elevation Gain: up to 1650 ft (500 m)

Riders have previous experience with multi-day trips, can control bike speed and direction on moderately steep hills, uneven surfaces and moderately busy city streets. You can ride up to 30 miles (50 km) per day with varying elevation gain.

LEVEL 4 (moderate - challenging)

Average Daily Distance: 30 – 50 mi (50 – 80 km)
Average Elevation Gain: up to 2950 ft (900 m)

Strong and confident riders that are comfortable on steep hills, off-road terrain, uneven surfaces and moderately busy city streets. You can ride up to 50 miles (80 km) per day with varying elevation gain.

LEVEL 5 (challenging)

Average Daily Distance: 50 – 60 mi (80-100 km)
Average Elevation Gain: up to 800 – 1000 m / 2625 – 3280 ft

Very fit and confident riders who can tackle all types of terrain including long hills climbing, fast downhills, different off-road terrain, uneven surfaces and busy city streets. You can ride at least 50 miles (80 km) or more per day covering varying elevation gain.

When’s the best season to book a bike trip in Italy?

The best season to book a bike trip in Italy varies depending on the region you plan to visit and your personal preferences for weather and scenery. However, the most recommended periods are during the spring (March to June) and fall (September to November). During these months, the weather is generally mild, with comfortable temperatures for biking and fewer tourists compared to the peak summer season. Spring offers the chance to witness the countryside in bloom, while fall provides cooler temperatures and the opportunity to see the harvest in many regions. It’s also worth considering that the summer months (July and August) can be quite hot, especially in the southern regions of Italy, making biking challenging during the peak afternoon hours. August is also peak travel season for Italians so prices are considerably higher especially in seaside destinations. Our collection also features tours that are available year round. We’ve indicated the best season to ride each tour in the introduction of each individual tour.

What are the accommodations like on these trips?

All accommodations are 3-4 stars in a mix of hotels, B&B, agriturismo (farmhouse), and small resorts. The suggested accommodations on each tour are all based on availability and in most regions the level of accommodations can be upgraded to a 4-5 star property upon request. Accommodations have been vetted by each of our local partners to ensure a comfortable stay and all properties allow for safe, secure bike storage onsite.

What kinds of roads are included in these trips?

The types of roads vary from one tour to another but the majority of the tour collection features routes on classic paved roads with use of secondary roads or a designated car-free bike path when possible. Rides that indicate use of a gravel or mountain bike will feature more riding on dirt and hard packed gravel roads. See information on our difficulty rating scale for more information on suggested experience level based on the various road conditions. For more detailed information on the roads for a specific tour, please contact us

Do your trips include technical support?

All tour packages include a bike fitting and briefing by a local representative prior to your trip to ensure your bike is suited for your multi-day journey. If you have trouble on the road, we provide a support number to call. Most support issues can be resolved over the phone, or we help you make your way to a local bike shop or get a bike shop mechanic out to you. If necessary, we can help arrange for transportation (at an extra cost to be paid by the customer). Overall, we keep our bikes in excellent working condition, so malfunctions are very rare.

Can we add a guide to the trip package?

All packages are for SELF-GUIDED tours, with the option to add on a cycle guide (for the entire trip or arrival/departure days only) and/or van support for groups.

Do you offer commission or net rates to travel agents or operators?

Yes! We gladly work with travel industry professionals. We invite you to join our community of B2B partners for access to trade-specific resources including net/commissionable rates, marketing materials (images and video), destination information, and educational webinars. These resources are designed to help supplement your destination and product knowledge to inspire Italian destinations with our collective of local operators and streamline your sales process.

Can I customize the trip?

Absolutely! The packages in the collection are all fully customizable. You can extend your stay in a specific destination, add additional activities, upgrade your accommodations or add-in more services like a guide or van support. Please select the tour you are interested in customizing, hit the “Request information” button and let us know what you’d like to modify. Our local partner will follow up with a revised estimate based on your requests.

How do luggage transfers work?

On days you move to a new accommodation, you will drop your luggage at the front desk by a pre-arranged time. A shuttle will arrive to pick up your bags and drop them to your next accommodations by early afternoon, prior to your arrival. Ta da! It’s magic!

Do you work with private groups?

Absolutely! Please contact us to request a custom quote for your group based on which tour(s) you are most interested in.

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