Let the journey (and the climbs) begin! We’ll start along a former railway line to Castovillari, then begin climbing, passing through some historic Arbëreshë communities: we’re still in the Pollino National Park. In Acquaformosa, we’ll visit the splendid Byzantine Catholic church, covered in mosaics. After a series of adrenaline-fueled hairpin bends overlooking the Esaro Valley, we’ll arrive at a winery for a tasting before dinner. Overnight stay and breakfast at the same property.

One of the most challenging days of the journey in terms of elevation gain, but don’t worry, there will be plenty of breaks: in Bisignano for lunch and in Acri for a quick tour of the city, where we also find Pistoletto’s Terzo Paradiso installation. We then arrive in the Sila National Park for dinner, overnight stay and breakfast at a Agriturismo.

We’re in the Sila National Park, riding through dense forests of larch pines and lakes. We’ll stop at the Cupone Visitor Center to learn more about the National Park, and at the Giants of Sila, a 3km detour that’s a must. Finally, we’ll reach Lorica, where we’ll sleep in a big apartment and dine at a restaurant overlooking the magnificent Lake Arvo. Today, we’ll reach the highest point of our journey, 1,565 meters above sea level on the slopes of Monte Altare.

The day begins downhill, but it won’t last long, as we’ll start climbing again. After Girifalco, where we’ll stop to admire the town center and the Devil’s Fountain, the Serre Park begins. We’ll stop for lunch on Monte Covello before heading to Serra San Bruno, home to the magnificent Certosa di Santo Stefano, which we’ll visit the following morning. Dinner, overnight stay, and breakfast in hotel.

After visiting the Certosa, we’ll set off uphill through the magnificent beech forests of the Serre Park. We’ll stop in Mongiana, the town of the Royal Bourbon Railways, and at the Limina Pass, the gateway to the Aspromonte Park. Dinner, overnight stay, and breakfast at a basic mountain refuge.

We ride through Aspromonte National Park, passing through magnificent pine forests and clearings lined with giant ferns, encountering gigantic boulders. Lunch break at the Biancospino Refuge before arriving in Gambarie (1,324 m), the renowned Aspromonte ski resort overlooking Reggio Calabria. Dinner, overnight and breakfast in a hotel with swimming pool.

A gentle climb before plunging toward the sea with Sicily on the horizon. We stop in Scilla for a well-deserved swim! We end our journey at the Arena dello Stretto, with Mount Etna in the background, after riding the most beautiful kilometer in Italy. Free afternoon to explore the city, visit the Archaeological Museum to admire the famous statues of Bronzi of Riace and/or take another dip in the sea. Overnight stay and breakfast in hotel. Dinner at restaurant.