• Road bike

Italy, the best by bike

Vacanzattiva Network show you the 10 best Italian cities suitable for two-wheels. From Turin to Catania, from north to south, discovering the beauties of a Country who loves bicycle

Italy, the best by bike
ON A BIKE AMONG THE ITALIAN'S CITY BEAUTIES

Catania on a bike, a dive in the Sicilian Baroque

The baroque of Catania - in the historic center - has been declared UNESCO "World Heritage", therefore the starting point for any bike ride must be Piazza del Duomo, with the majestic St Agata Cathedral. From here start the main streets of the city, easy for every type of cyclist, as via Etnea  - Catania’s backbone -  populated by typical Sicilian shops. A few meters from via Etnea there is University square, the most scenic of the town, with the 7th century University palace as protagonist. To completely immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Catania is good ride to Piazza Stesicoro where the historical city market comes to life (here you have to do some slalom between residents and tourists), to arrive in Corso Italy surrounded by beautiful unique architectures already projected towards the seafront of Ognina. From here, always riding, you can reach the old city port - colored by lava and black sand - where the sea view rewards the ride. 

 

Cagliari, two wheels in the ancient city

In the last three years, the cycle paths network has improved and the mileage to be done on two wheels has increased. Thanks to this fact too Cagliari lends itself to pleasant cycling itineraries in the heart of the city. It takes three hours to ride and discover the beauty of the ancient Phoenician port, diving in the dense network of streets of the Sardinian capital. Cycling around in the Marina district is definitely an unforgettable experience that will lead you to discover the most characteristic monuments of Cagliari: the Catalan-Gothic style Church of St. Eulalia in; St Agostino, a rare case of Renaissance architecture in Sardinia, the Old Market. Always in town for those who want to deal with a moderate climb, you can arrive to the Bonaria hill at the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria, Baroque style.

 

Pesaro and the bikes ‘subway

This town in Marche has created a special subway but in the surface, where the rails are cycling routes and the coaches are the bicycles. As in all the subways of the world there are several lines, each with a different color (yellow, red, green, orange) that connect the different areas of the city. Thanks to this idea riding in Pesaro has become more intuitive and simple. The green line, for example, connects the district of Baia Flaminia to the hamlet of Borgo Santa Maria, traveling along the river Foglia. The old town lends itself to easy paths among the beauties of Pesaro as the Doge's Palace, symbol of the city, and the church of Madonna delle Grazie, dating back to 1200.

You have to stop at a food stand to enjoy the typical piadina from Pesaro, the 'crescia', a recipe that comes from the Byzantine bread used by the army.

 

Perugia, the Middle Ages with bike sharing

Arrival at the station, MiniMetro up to the center and bike sharing point in Italy square. Discover Perugia by bike is really easy, even for those coming from out of town. The city center is a jewel studded with local, full of monuments and outdoor seating. The recommended tour to visit the 'capital of chocolate' starts from Piazza Italy and, once got on the bike, you are immersed in the elegant Corso Vannucci where you can stop in one of the many bistros or in the famous chocolate labs. Continuing to ride you cross the historic Teatro Pavone then you arrive in IV Novembre square with its Maggiore fountain.

The fountain is one of the main symbols of the Umbrian capital, built in Gothic style in 1200. Riding around the square you can admire the Palazzo dei Priori, now the City Hall. A few hundred meters, passing through an arc, you can continue the journey on the ancient Roman aqueduct: a charming street suspended between the houses, slightly downhill.

 

Trani, two wheels on the sea

The small town of Puglia has in a small space millennia of history and ride around it by bike is a pleasure for the eyes and for the spirit. The best time to experience the colors of Trani is the evening when the sunset and the street lights reflect on the typical marble limestone constructions (called Stone of Trani). In no time you can reach all the symbols of the city, from the Cathedral listed as an "Italian Wonder", which on one side is projected towards the sea and the other on the square where it is easy to find concerts and theater shows. From here you will reach Castello Svevo, always by the sea, an imposing fort that dates back to 1200. Going back through roads and the port you get to Villa comunale, the main public park, where you can sit under the palm trees and enjoy a spectacular view: the harbor bay and the whole city that reflects the colors of the marble on the sea.

ON A BIKE AMONG THE ITALIAN'S CITY BEAUTIES
HISTORY, NATURE, CULTURE.. JUST CYCLING

Turin, ancient cycling capital

A network of nearly 200 kilometers of bicycle paths makes Turin an ideal city for cyclists. The center is suitable for two wheels and to discover the Savoy city is good to start from the beating heart: Piazza Castello. Elegant and majestic, surrounded by arcades, it immediately affects the architecture lover cyclists with the Royal Palace facades and the Palace of Government. Travel along the Roman Quadrilateral by bike allows you to focus - in a short time - much of the history of Turin passing through the majestic Palazzo Carignano, Teatro Regio and Mole Antonelliana. There are also many cyclists-pilgrims who come in town to kneel before the Holy Shroud.

After a nice ride a good reward are the typical 'bignole', pastries stuffed with cream and covered with icing. A recipe that dates back to the 18th century.

 

Reggio Emilia, Tricolore and Marastoni’s city

The Emilian city was crowned as 'the queen of cycling' with its 40 meters of tracks every 100 inhabitants. The best Italian fact. To this should be added several neighborhoods become "Area 30", where cars cannot exceed 30 kilometers per hour, increasing the safety of cyclists. Beyond the numbers Reggio Emilia, with its squares and green belts, is a perfect city for two wheels mobility and get deliberately lost trough the historical center is a pleasant experience. Via Emilia is the heart of the city, from here start the streets that lead in Piazza Prampolini, with the Cathedral and the City Hall where in 1797 was adopted the Tricolore as the flag of the Cispadana Republic. Another square to be visited is San Prospero, where you can park your bike and go in the typical local to eat 'gnocco' or 'erbazzone'. And the bicycles’ fans will retrace the places of the legendary craftsman Licinio Marastoni ...

 

Ferrara, the home of cyclists

It has always been considered the perfect city for bicycles. Not too big, flat and with good relations between cyclists, pedestrians and cars. A recent census counted about 100 thousand bikes for each 130 thousand inhabitants, a record for sustainable mobility. There is no Ferrara citizen without a bike and the city seems invaded by two-wheeled vehicles. Do not miss the majestic Estense Castle and a ride in Piazza delle Erbe with the Cathedral of St. George. If you use a bike with good suspensions is worth crossing the suggestive Via delle Volte, a two kilometers long cobbled street, which brings you back to a medieval Ferrara.

 

Bolzano, ecological example

According to the latest Legambiente report 30% of Bolzano citizens ride a bike every day. A fact in line with the northern European cities that makes the Trentino city a virtuous Italian example. Bolzano is organized through a network of 8 cycling paths that easily connect every part of the city, furthermore the city center is restricted to traffic, making it a perfect habitat for cyclists. There is more: the Administration has established public rental bikes and a mobile workshop for free repairs of private bicycles, it has started two wheels road safety education in schools, promoted various events - BimbinBici, Bolzano by bike, Bicicaffé -  and cycling courses for adults, awareness campaigns, initiatives such as by bike to Work or by bike to school, and much more. An example for the whole Italy.

 

Pisa, green tourism

More and more tourists, and they are many in Pisa, decide to visit the beauties of the city by bike. The benefits are many: it's cheap, it's fun, it's functional. In recent years, the Square of Miracles is increasingly full of bikes and it is from here, Unesco World Heritage Site, where can start the tour of Pisa. After admiring the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Campo Santo you can ride on the banks of the river Arno, where you can observe the most beautiful Pisa style buildings, some of which belonged to the Medici family. The road leads to Piazza dei Cavalieri - where there is the Palace of the Caravan now seat of the Normale Superiore School - and then to the gothic church of Santa Maria della Spina. Always riding is possible to reach Ponte di Mezzo bridge that offers a wonderful view over the Arno

HISTORY, NATURE, CULTURE.. JUST CYCLING
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