Trip Highlights

Experience a cycling journey like no other through the majestic landscapes of the Northern Italian lakes and the Southern Swiss Alps! Join us as we ride along Lago Maggiore, Lago Lugano, Lago d'Como and Lago d'Orta! After enjoying the Italian lakes we'll head into the Swiss Alps, including the Splugen Pass, Furka Pass, Oberalp and Nufenen Pass! Overnights include the lakeside villages of Stresa and Bellagio plus the Swiss hamlets of Ilanz & Andermatt. After a day of spirited riding, relax by the pool overlooking the blue alpine lakes before a devine dinner of fresh local fare. Every day will be yours to do just as you like, always at your own pace and always with Breaking Away at your side


Daily Itinerary


June 20th: Depart the USA for Italy.

June 21st: Welcome to Milan! Airport pickup and then you’ll check-in to our local deluxe hotel. After our mechanics help you build your bike you can either relax by the pool or go into downtown Milan for great sightseeing or shopping. Join us at our “Welcome Meeting & Group Dinner” later this evening and meet your fellow guests and indulge in a meal of fine Italian cuisine & wine.

June 22nd: A short van transfer takes us to the gateway of the romantic lakes region and the town of Arona. You’ll cycle along the magnificent blue Lago Maggiore. Enjoy lunch overlooking quaint Lago d'Orta in the fishing village of Orta San Giulio. Afterwards you'll ride the Alto Piano ridge with a final descent into the medieval village of Stresa. Enjoy a dip in the pool at our luxury 4-Star lakeside villa before a delicious group dinner enjoyed alfresco of local Lombardy specialties.

June 23rd: A ferry ride across Lago Maggiore takes us cycling past lakeside villages framed by alpine mountains in the distance. After a light lunch along Lake Lugano, we're off for a 2nd ferry ride across Lake Como to our deluxe 4-Star villa hotel in charming Bellagio! We’ll spend two nights in this beautiful ancient village.

June 24th: After a filling buffet breakfast you can choose between relaxing by the pool overlooking Lake Como below or challenging the famous climb to the faomous "Chapel of Cyclists"- the Madaonna d'Ghisalo. Explore the world of cycling history at the new cycling museum where bikes from Coppi to Pantani are on display. Indulge in a massage before exploring Bellagio's cobbled streets with plenty of shopping, outdoor cafes and ancient buildings.

June 25th:After a morning ferry ride across Lake Como, check to see that you've got your passport as we start our ride in the foothills of the Italian Alps before cycling over the awesome Splugen Pass into Switzerland! The twisty descent takes us over scenic rolling terrain overlooking the glorious Gorges of Versam. Our group dinner in the village of Ilanz will include mountain specialties from this scenic region.

June 26th: Todays ride has some of the most fantastic panoramic vistas you've ever experienced as we ride over the scenic Oberal Pass. We'll overnight in the mountain village of Andermatt in a luxury hotel set in the shadows of the Swiss Alps.

June 27th: Our final riding day has us cycling another majestic route that includes the famous Furka Pass and the Nufenen Pass. The views at the top are unreal - you'll feel like you are on top of the world! After lunch in Airolo, we'll van transfer back into Italy to our Milan airport hotel. Late afternoon airport or train station shuttles or you can stay an optional night and have one final farewell Italian dinner. Shuttle service tomorrow morning as well.