In Italy, they start to say buona sera from about 3pm, which depending on where you are, is about the time the locals resume work after taking their 2-3 hour lunch break or pausa.
On our Italy bike tours, 3pm is also the time that we aim to be back from our rides and non-riding activities, enabling us to enjoy the early ‘serata’, pre aperitivo and dinner.
3pm
Poolside. Probably one of the most sought after post-ride experiences, we often find guests enjoying some time out by the pool post-ride with a cold Peroni in hand….it’s also a great place to squeeze in a siesta! This is ‘you-time’ and the perfect chance to relax and refresh daily on your Italian cycling holiday.
5pm
Time out. Depending on where we are, guests can be found wandering out to explore the town we’re in. Guests often take this time to have their daily dose of gelato while enjoying the ambience of the late afternoon light to take photos, visit sites they’ve wanted to see, take in an exhibition or a stroll to a lookout.
It’s also a time that we arrange massages for guests who are interested in the rejuvenating qualities of a deep tissue massage and a soak, often in ancient roman baths with thermal spring waters. Whatever it is, it’s time out for you to explore and wander the beautiful places we stay to make this the Italian cycling holiday you’ve been dreaming of.
6.30pm
Aperitivo hour; It’s probably one of our favourite parts of the day. After some rest and time out, it’s great to come together over a spritz, beer or g&t and some delicious salumi, olives and taralli…just enough to take the edge off the post ride desire for food, but not too much as dinner is not far away.
Having time to reflect on the day’s ride and what the non-riding partners have been up to, sharing stories, enjoying the local hospitality of Riccardo or Andrea, our favourite barmen, and soaking up the atmosphere of the piazza or the local enoteca. It’s all in the spirit of an Italian cycling holiday, A’qto style.
8pm
Dinner. It’s often at our favourite local trattoria. In Italy, the trattoria is the traditional family-run, rustic neighbourhood restaurant known for home-style local dishes. If you ask us, it’s the perfect way to dine in Italy. Casual, local and friendly, we spend our time off tour in constant search for our favourite trattorie and osterie.
Anyone can google the top 10 places to dine and eat well, but not everyone goes the extra mile to seek out the smaller places, around the corner, up the street and where the family hospitality is second to none. You’ll often find mamma or nonna in the kitchen and the younger generation, front of house.
10.30pm
Sleep content in having had the perfect day. Retiring to our villas and beautifully appointed rooms, we reflect on a day that included a memorable ride, some rest, drinks and an amazing authentic dinner.
If you’d like to join us on one of our Italy Bike Tours in 2019, visit our Italian Cycling Tours page
