Ciclismo Classico featured on cover of Continental In-Flight

Our client Ciclismo Classico was part of an amazing feature story by Jim Cornfield on Northern Italy's Lake District. The story made the cover of the March 2010 issue of Continental's in-flight magazine. Here is some of the text:Bicycling is practically a religion in this country. There's even a patron saint of cyclists — La Madonna del Ghisallo. Italy has produced numerous top professional racers and boasts thousands of miles of bike routes, through some of Europe's most luxuriant scenery.My connection to Italian cycling for this journey is Ciclismo Classico, a U.S.-based operator specializing in cycling tours of Italy (among other countries). My guide and companion is Ciclismo's European operations manager, Davide Marchegiano, a veteran cyclist and an articulate tour leader. Davide's staff of guides leads groups on cross-country rides of 6 to 15 days. Today, we'll do one loop of a popular Ciclismo tour along the Sarca River, which feeds into Lago di Garda. In crisp morning air, on the outskirts of Riva del Garda, we pedal toward the Alps, past fruit orchards, vine-covered stone walls, and small, tidy farms. Approaching the village of Arco, we pass a group of rock climbers shouldering their gear to one of the local vie ferrate, prebolted climbing routes. Arco is a world capital for the sport, no surprise given the dizzying limestone cliffs that soar above the town to the west. Perched atop one of these cliffs is Castello di Arco, whose crenellated battlements date back to the 10th century.Farther north, I'm surprised to find citrus trees around us even though snowy, 7,150-foot Monte Bondone is visible in the distance. Lago di Garda and the neighboring lakes are not far above sea level, resulting in microclimates that are more Mediterranean than alpine. Here in Arco, we even see palm trees planted along the road, and as we coast by one small farm, the aroma of freshly harvested olives fills the air. The olive groves of the Trentino lowlands are the northernmost in Italy. Our path narrows and we turn onto the cobbled surface of a Roman-era bridge, stopping in a village called Dro for an espresso at a paninoteca oddly named the Green Bar. Across the sunlit piazza is a Romanesque church with an incongruous Russian-style onion dome, one of many reminders that this alpine region of Italy is very much a part of northern Europe.Leaving Dro, we pedal fast along a manicured bike path to Pietramurata, arriving at the family-run winery of Gino Pedrotti, a favorite watering hole on Ciclismo Classico's tours. Pedrotti's specialty is vino santo Trentino, a rare and delicate wine that he makes from Trentino's indigenous Nosiola grape. His daughters fuss over guests, bringing us plates of local delicacies, pickled vegetables, marinated trout, locally grown prosciutto, pancetta, and a fine artisanal cheese, Spressa delle Giudicarie. The meal ends with a glass of vino santo and another reminder of the local northern influence — a slice of the best apple strudel I've tasted outside of Vienna.We reembark for Lago di Garda, spinning hard along the east bank of the Sarca, past pine forest and the ancient rock slides of the Marocche geologic preserve. Back in Riva, Davide locks our bicycles in the hotel basement. Although today's ride was only a segment of Ciclismo Classico's regular excursion, I can honestly call it one of the best cycling experiences I've ever had.