October 9, 2009
Volume 2 | Issue 20
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EXCLUSIVE: Vietnam Cycling for Families this Winter
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Exclusively for 2009, Ciclismo Classico will be running a very special family departure of our popular Vietnam trip.
Take your kids on a vacation this winter they'll never forget. It's guaranteed to be full of exciting activities everyone can enjoy!
December 28, 2009 - January 7, 2010
Adults: $4,295
8-16 years less 15%
4-7 years less 25%
up to 3 year $750
Click here for more information, or request a detailed itinerary.
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Save 15% off a Customized Training Program from Fit for Trips
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Sign up for your 2010 trip by November 25 and you'll save 15% on a
customized training program from Fit for Trips. Developed for Ciclismo
by fitness experts, these training programs will help you get ready for
the best bike tour you'll ever take! Click here for details.
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Featured Trips
 Each year, we introduce a handful of new, unique, and finely-crafted
itineraries while celebrating the tours that have become favorites
among our clients, guides, and staff. Here's a snapshot of some of
these tours to whet your appetite for what 2010 has in store. Please
visit our website or speak with one of our tour
consultants to find out more.
Ciclismo Favorites
Piedmont: Land of Barolo & Truffles
has been running with rave reviews since 1992. This is a tour that
truly has it all: abundant vineyards for the oenophile (wine lover),
distinctive Piemontese cuisine for the gourmand, ancient castles and
villages for the history and architecture buff, and - of course -
endless rolling hills for the dedicated cyclist. During this
breathtaking 8-day tour, you'll visit vineyards, hunt for truffles,
sleep in centuries-old farmhouses, cycle through lush valleys, and rub
elbows with the open and friendly locals. As one recent guest put it,
"Our bicycles enabled us to watch people at work, smell the spring
flowers, stop for photo-ops, eat massive amounts of incredible food and
drink fabulous wines." Veteran Ciclismo guide Enrico Pizzorni would agree - he's a Piemontese and he takes no greater
pleasure than showing off his native land with the tour he helped to
perfect.
Piedmont: Land of Barolo & Truffles - Request a Detailed Itinerary
Bike Across Italy
has been our most popular tour since its inception in 1990. And with
good reason: This 11-day tour extends from coast to coast, taking in
four of Italy's most spectacular regions, and allowing guests to
experience Italy in a way most visitors could never imagine. You'll
start at the Adriatic Sea, pedaling westward. In Urbino, you'll be
inspired by the panoramic views that that renaissance painter Raphael
grew up with. In Gubbio, you'll visit one of the largest grottoes in
Europe. You'll explore St Francis's sublimely wonderful Assisi. Your
breath will literally be taken away by the spectacular vistas (and the
climb!) as you cycle up to medieval Todi. And finally, you'll enter
Saturnia, Italy's oldest city, before a final dip in the Mediterranean.
It's no wonder that all this creates a lasting impression for anyone
who experiences this tour: "Bike Across Italy was the best. Italian
culture, history, and daily life came to life in a way I will never
forget. The biking, food, and music linger far beyond the last day."
Bike Across Italy - Request a Detailed Itinerary
New and Exciting Tours
Norway: Lovely Lofoten
is the result of Ciclismo founder Lauren Hefferon's Norwegian cycling
trip with her family in 2009. Not long after hitting the road this
summer, Lauren knew she was on to something special: "This incredible
place is simply one of the most gorgeous places I've ever been!" The
Lofoten islands have all the ingredients for a absolutely
perfect, once-in-lifetime cycling vacation: Quiet, rolling roads along
Fjords
and the crystal clear sea, intriguing villages and museums, stunning
360 degree
views, seabird serenades, accommodations in renovated fisherman's
cabins, and deliciously healthy seafood feasts. And since the islands
are above the Arctic Circle, you'll enjoy
long days, evening walks and even midnight rides or kayaking under the
glorious
light that changes, glows, and shines all day and night. An outdoor
lover's paradise, Lofoten is known for excellent
fishing and nature attractions, and small villages off the beaten
track. During summer, the sun never sets over white
beaches with clear green water and sea teaming with fish. There are
towering mountains with pointed peaks which reflect the red glow of the
midnight sun.
Combine
these natural elements with the picturesque villages and ideal cycling
routes and you have the makings of a future Ciclismo classic!
Norway: Lovely Lofoten - Request a Detailed Itinerary
Greece to Italy
takes its rightful place among Ciclismo's grand journeys this year.
This tour of two ancient civilizations has been an ambition of Lauren's
for years - and in 2010 we're making her dream a reality. And the
itinerary we've developed is truly a dream come true for any cyclist or
fan of the Classics. This 14-day, expert-level tour starts with seven
days in Greece, with highlights including a spin around ancient
Corinth, a visit to the home of King Agamemnon in Mycenae, climbing
mountain passes around Stemnitsa, and a guided tour of the home of the
Olympic Games. After a relaxing overnight ferry to Bari, the Italian
portion of the tour begins! The remainder of this epic tour covers the
toe and heel of the Italian boot - otherwise known as Puglia,
Basilicata, and Calabria. These six days include unforgettable riding
over a variety of breathtaking terrain, including valleys, mountains
with spectacular views, dense forests, orchards and olive groves, and
the Mediterranean coast. This tour provides a unique opportunity to
experience ancient and modern Greece and Italy in a single trip! And
it's only available from Ciclismo Classico.
Greece to Italy - Request a Detailed Itinerary |
New - Tour Dates for Solo Travelers
 Listening to our customers has always been a big part of how we work at
Ciclismo. Lots of our best ideas come right from you! For instance, our
More Miles for Less trips were developed last year based
on one customer suggestion, and we've had consistently stellar feedback
on them. Another idea that we've heard from both guests and prospective
travelers is having trips for those traveling on their own.
While
the our groups tend to be made up of the most likable and interesting
folk you're ever likely to meet, some singles or solo travelers prefer
not to travel with lots of couples. That's why we've introduced this
set of departures, and we're only opening them up to people traveling
on their own or with a friend.
We've singled out seven
departures on five of our most popular tours for solo travelers. So if
you're on your own or with a friend, you can choose from solo dates on
La Bella Puglia (1 date), Assaggio Toscana (3 dates), Giro della Toscana (1 date), La Bella Sicily Ovest (1 date), and Bike Across Italy (1 dates).
These
departures will be identical to our usual tours in every other way,
including all the fun, challenge, excitement, and magic that our guests
experience on every tour. |
Another Facebook Milestone: Over 1000 Fans and Counting
 OMG!
In just a few short weeks, the Ciclismo Classico fan page on Facebook
has exploded! Since the beginning of September, we've rocketed up from
fewer than 300 fans to over 1100. We love Facebook! As our guests have
been returning from fall trips, it's been the place to share stories,
insights, and ideas, plus photos, videos and links to related stuff.
Our guests have been connecting with their fellow travelers, trip
leaders, and Arlington staff with increasing frequency. Lots of our
fans have never even been on a trip with us - they just love cycling,
food, and travel - and our fan page reflects all those same passions.
Here are some recent highlights from our fan page:
- 10-time Ciclismo alum Frank Brooks
posted about his Dordogne trip, including a gorgeous photo album
- Star tour leader Cristiano Bonino posted a great story about
riding L'Eroica, a retro ride in the Chianti region,
complete with classic bikes, wool jerseys, leather shoes (and
helmets!), all on a white gravel road
- It's
truffle season in Italy! We posted a link to www.lifeinitaly.com about
truffles on Sept 23 that generated lots of comments & discussion,
and even prompted 10-time alum Jim Hoffman to post a wonderful link
about his Lagotto Romagnolo - Italy's truffle dog breed!
- We posted a video of the one-and-only Paolo Nicolosi serenading his group with his own rendition of Volare, which has now been viewed innumerable times and brought back
memories for several Ciclismo alumni, according to their comments
We've got our sights set high: Our goal is to have over 2000 fans
by December 31st. And if we make it, we'll give away a More Miles for Less trip to one of our fans! We'll do the drawing during
the first week of January. Help us get there and you could win! Please
sign up to be a fan here: facebook.ciclismoclassico.com. If you like
what you see on our page, why not invite some of your friends to become
fans too?
Have a look, and become a fan! |
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