Main Information
RIDE FROM AOSTA TO ROME.
We’re excited to begin a new collaboration with Tour de Cure through our newest European cycling experience, following part of the Via Francigena—one of Europe’s oldest pilgrimage routes.
The route: The Via Francigena traces the journey taken in 990 by Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, from Canterbury to Rome. On this tour, we ride the Italian section, starting at the Colle del Gran San Bernardo in the high Alps and finishing in Vatican City, Rome.
What you’ll experience (9 riding days)
- Valle d’Aosta, including Aosta and the surrounding alpine scenery.
- Piedmont’s Via Francigena towns: Ivrea, Santhià and Vercelli.
- Pavia (Lombardy), a standout stage finish.
- The Tuscan coast at Forte dei Marmi, then an overnight stay in San Gimignano.
- Chianti wine country and the medieval city of Siena.
- Viterbo (Lazio), before rolling into Rome, the Eternal City.
More than just a cycling tour, this is a chance to be part of something bigger. Every kilometre ridden helps support Tour de Cure’s mission to fund cancer research, support programs and prevention initiatives that save lives and create impact across Australia.
The tour is open to both Tour de Cure supporters and SFIDA Cycling clients, with all proceeds donated to Tour de Cure. Riders are encouraged to fundraise and help drive meaningful change for those impacted by cancer.
For more information:
Fundraising Page: https://sfida-cycling-tour-2026.raiselysite.com.
| Destination | Italy |
| Dates 2027 |
29 May to 7 June 2027 |
| Hotels | 3-4 Stars |
| Meals | All meals included |
| Arrival | Milan Malpensa (MXP) |
| Departure | Rome Fiumicino (FCO) |
| Non-Rider | 20% Discount |
| Rental Bike | Available |
| Rental E-Bike | Available |
| Price | $8,250.00 |
Riding Details:
DISTANCE
1,050 km
Daily average: 116 km
CLIMBING
13,675 m
Daily average: 1,520 m
MORE INFORMATION
Pricing
- Twin room: $8,250.00 pp
- Single supplement: $1,300.00
- Rental bike: $1,250.00
- Rental e-bike: $1,350.00
Own bike fee: $300.00. Due to repeated issues with client-owned bikes arriving in poor condition, our mechanics and staff have been spending significant time on repairs. Starting this year, an additional bike fee applies to cover this support.
Payment terms
$1,500.00 is due when you make the booking. The remaining balance is due 120 days before the trip starts.
Included
- 9 nights’ accommodation (3–4-star)
- All cultural visits
- 2 SFIDA-TDC cycling jerseys.
Meals included
- 9 breakfasts.
- 9 lunches.
- 9 dinners.
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Hotel extras (mini-bar, spa)
- Tips for staff
Support
- Experienced trip manager and support team.
- Staff-to-client ratio: 1:4
- Passenger vans fully equipped to support you during rides
- On-ride nutrition and supplies: gels, energy bars, powder mix, water, fruit, riding food, tools, pumps and spare parts.
- Professional first aid kit
Cancellation policy
In response to changes in international travel after the COVID-19 pandemic—and in line with most hotels’ terms and conditions—our cancellation policy is as follows:
- 120+ days before the trip starts: Return of your deposit, minus any non-reimbursable expenses.
- 90+ days before the trip starts: Partial refund of the trip amount, less the $800.00 cancellation fee, plus any non-recoverable hotel charges and other costs already incurred in trip preparation.
- Less than 60 days before the trip starts: No refund. We will, however, try to credit as much as possible toward a future trip, depending on what we can recover from hotels and other suppliers.
Travel insurance
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as soon as you pay the deposit and book your international flights. Please ensure your policy covers:
- International flights
- Refund of amounts paid if you need to cancel for any reason
- Damage to your rental bike (see our terms and conditions)
Reserving your spot
To confirm your place, the full deposit must be paid. Hotels are now stricter about holding rooms for groups, so we cannot hold or confirm spots until deposit payments are received
Itinerary
Meet the SFIDA Cycling team at Milano Malpensa Airport before transferring to Aosta, the beautiful alpine town where the tour begins.
Check-in and briefing: After hotel check-in, we’ll enjoy lunch together and run through a short trip presentation.
Warm-up ride: Once bikes are set up, we’ll head out for an introductory ride through the Aosta Valley.
Ride details: Day 1 ride
36 km / 1,180 m.
Climb: Lin Noir.
Hotel: Hotel Duca d'Aosta.
The Italian section of the Via Francigena begins at the summit of the Colle del Gran San Bernardo, around 35 km from Aosta.
This HC-rated climb provides an unforgettable early challenge and a fitting start to the journey.
Today’s ride:
- Climb to the top of the Colle del Gran San Bernardo.
- Descend back toward Aosta.
- Continue on to Ivrea.
Highlights:
- Fenis Castle.
- Bard Fortress.
- Ivrea (UNESCO World Heritage-listed).
About Ivrea: Ivrea’s industrial heritage is closely tied to Camillo Olivetti, who founded his company here in 1908. The city later became a reference point for modern industrial architecture and manufacturing. Today, it is also a wonderful place to explore and enjoy classic Piedmontese cuisine.
Ride details: Day 2 ride
146 km / 2,850 m.
Climb: Gran San Bernardo.
Hotel: 3T Boutique Hotel Ivrea.
Today we ride from Ivrea to Pavia, travelling deeper along the Via Francigena.
Route and key stops:
- Santhià — timed for our first coffee stop of the day.
- Castle of Vettignè — an impressive 15th-century building.
- Vercelli — strategically located between Torino and Milano; one of Italy’s oldest cities, with an historic hospital founded to welcome pilgrims on the Via Francigena.
- Pavia (Lombardy) — our stage finish and a beautiful city to celebrate the end of Day 3.
Ride details: Day 3 ride
145 km / 800 m.
Hotel: Hotel Moderno.
This is our flattest ride of the trip—a great chance to settle into a smooth rhythm.
Route snapshot:
- Ride from Lombardy’s industrial heartland into Emilia-Romagna, one of Italy’s key agrifood regions.
- Cross the Po River—the longest river in Italy.
Highlights:
- Abbazia di Chiaravalle della Colomba — an impressive Cistercian abbey founded in the 11th century.
- Fidenza — visit the cathedral after the ride, then enjoy a relaxed walk through town.
Ride details: Day 4 ride
112 km / 510 m.
Hotel: Park Hotel Fidenza.
Today’s stage is a spectacular crossing from Emilia-Romagna to the Mediterranean coast.
Today’s ride:
- Start in Fidenza (Emilia-Romagna) and head toward the Apuan Alps.
- Cross the mountains via Passo della Cisa.
- From the summit, enjoy a fast, scenic descent to the Mediterranean coast.
Highlights:
- Castello del Piagnaro (Pontremoli)
- Brunella Fortress (Aulla)
- Roman ruins of Luni
- Finish in Forte dei Marmi—one of Italy’s best-known seaside resorts, with time to admire the historic villas around town
Ride details: Day 5 ride
150 km / 2,035 m.
Climbs: Monte Marino and Passo della Cisa.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Forte dei Marmi.
A beautiful transition day as we leave the Mediterranean coast behind and ride into the Tuscan hills.
Route snapshot:
- Climb gently up to Montemagno, then continue to Lucca.
- Enjoy time in Lucca for a short walk and coffee in its beautifully preserved medieval centre.
- Ride on to San Miniato, a hilltop town rich in historic buildings and one of the key stops on the Via Francigena.
- Finish in San Gimignano, a UNESCO-listed town in an idyllic setting in the heart of Tuscany.
Highlights:
- Lucca — one of Italy’s most fascinating towns, with a stunning medieval centre.
- San Miniato — a historic hilltop stop on the Via Francigena.
- San Gimignano — time to explore its unique atmosphere after the ride.
Ride details: Ride Day 6
126 km / 1,575 m.
Hotel: Relais Santa Chiara.
A stunning stage from San Gimignano to Siena—made even better with an SFIDA-style detour through the heart of the Chianti wine region.
Route and key stops:
- Monteriggioni — a spectacular, walled medieval town and our first key stop of the day.
- Castellina in Chianti and Radda in Chianti — two of the most important towns in Chianti, set among classic Tuscan landscapes.
- Lunch in Radda in Chianti, then ride on to Siena.
Afternoon in Siena:
Arrive in Siena, a UNESCO-listed medieval city, with time to explore its historic centre this afternoon.
Ride details: Ride day 7
86 km / 1,420 m.
Hotel: Hotel Duomo.
Day 8 is packed with scenery and history as we ride from Siena to Viterbo.
Route and key stops:
- Roll through the Val d’Orcia, one of Tuscany’s classic landscapes.
- Stop in San Quirico d’Orcia for a break in this beautiful town.
- Continue to the hilltop town of Radicofani and its impressive fortress.
- Soon after Radicofani, cross from Tuscany into the Lazio region.
In Viterbo:
Viterbo offers plenty to explore and is also known as a thermal town—perfect for unwinding, especially with a great spa at our hotel.
Ride details: Ride day 8
162 km / 2,070 m.
Hotel: Hotel Niccolò V — Terme dei Papi.
Our final stage is a spectacular ride—finishing in the most iconic way possible.
Route snapshot:
- Ride out of Viterbo and pass the shores of Lake Vico.
- Continue through Sutri and on to Lake Bracciano.
- On Sunday, we aim to ride all the way into Vatican City.
Finish and transfer:
Our planned finish is Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City. After celebrating at the end of the ride, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Rome.
Ride details: Ride day 9
87 km / 1,230 m.
Hotel: A.Rome Lifestyle Hotel.
After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
- Estimated arrival time: around 10:30.
- Please plan your onward travel accordingly.
If you have any questions or need support with onward travel, please let us know.
