Milano, Bergamo, Lake Como, Lombardia Region, Italy
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Giro di Lombardia race in Italy [officially Il Lombardia, also known as The Race of The Falling Leaves] is the final of the five - one day cycling monuments to be held in Europe each year.
Our 4 Day Il Lombardia tour visits some of Italy’s most celebrated landscapes, challenging and inspiring riders in equal measure. The Lombardia region in Italy, including Lake Como, Bergamo and Milan offers unique destinations with rich history, and fine Italian produce that will keep you fuelled on and off the bike.
You’ll witness the historic Il Lombardia professional race, with an optional extra VIP finish line viewing area on the Saturday and participate in the Gran Fondo Felice Gimondi on Sunday, it’s one of the most scenic and historic Granfondo events around.
Let us know if you’d like us to send a program/itinerary. It’ll give you a great indication of the look and feel of the tour – on and off the bike. Feel free to give us a call, or email we’re here to help. Contact Us Now
ADVANCED BOOKING DEPOSIT
Secure your position on the 4 Day Il Lombardia tour with a $750 AUD [Approx: USD $520, GBP £390, EUR €460] Advanced Booking Deposit, this reserves your place on the 4 Day Il Lombardia tour.
*Note, our Il Lombardia Tours are new each year, we maximise your experience with race viewing, sportifs, great rides and cultural experiences*
*VIP finish line tickets are available as an optional extra on request
2027 INDICATIVE TOUR PRICING
* See below for indicative tour pricing based on the 2026 Il Lombardia program. The final pricing will be confirmed with guests as soon as the race organisation provides all of the official details for the 2026 event.
* Our twin share prices are per person based on two people ie couples, partners, friends sharing one room. If you are travelling alone, you’ll have a room to yourself by paying the additional single room supplement.
$750.00 AUD
In stock
No hidden Credit Card fees.
2027 Il Lombardia Tour – (Tour of Lombardy) 4 Day Tour
“Race of the falling leaves” Giro di Lombardia Tour Highlights:
Welcome to our Il Lombardia 4 Day tour, our program is perfect for cyclists of all fitness and experience levels [whether you are an experienced rouleur, or you enjoy moderate cycling], cycling fans, non-cyclist, non-cycling partners, or people who’d like to do a bit of riding and race watching. We have a dedicated non-cycling guide and vehicle, you’ll have your own itinerary, meet up with partners and the cycling group at various points each day.
You’ll quickly feel at ease as you enjoy our inclusive, supportive team environment both on and off the bike. Our tour groups are a place where we all share the love and passion for cycling, for supporting each other, and cheering on the professional riders at the Tour of Lombardy one day classic.
For us, Italy is our European home, we’re based in sunny Tuscany, and love the Lombardia region on and off the bike, we’ve spent much of the last fifteen years running cycling tours at the Giro d’Italia, Il Lombardia and our Ultimate Italy Tours in the area around Lake Como, it feels a home away from home for us. We love everything about the Lombardy region, its cycling, history, its food, its passion and love for “la dolce vita” and some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe and it’s enthusiastic cycling fans the “tifosi”.
Our program offers a well rounded Tour of Lombardy – Il lombardia experience, we’ll have a taste of what it’s like for the professional riders at the Il Lombardia race, plus we ride the Il Lombardia Granfondo Felice Gimondi the day after the professional race to live it for ourselves. Plus, we’ll be there to witness the final section and finish of the race from the comforts of the optional extra VIP area. We stay in 4* comfort at our centrally located hotel, close to the shores of Lake Como, our hotel is well connected via local transport, plus the professional Team “Jumbo Visma” generally stay in our hotel for the duration of the weekend.
Our tour will conclude after our farewell team breakfast on the Monday morning after our Il Lombardia weekend, we include a complimentary airport transfer on this final day, with a transfer included to Milano Malpensa International airport, or to our well connected local train station, it’s on the main line to Milano, it’s perfect for onward train journeys.
*Note, each of our Giro di Lombardia itineraries is new – unique to each year of the Il Lombardia event. We adjust to the racecourse route and the direction the course loops around the Lombardia region, as the course varies for each edition of the race. We adjust our itineraries each year to maximise your Il Lombardia experience, to include wonderful rides, transfer less and include the best strategic race viewing points.
Meet your hosts for our 2027 4 Day Il Lombardia Tour
Welcome pack compliments of Ride International Tours
Welcome and farewell dinner and drink (approx 60% additional evening meals as per detailed itinerary)
Experienced guides for cycling and non-cyclists groups
Pro mechanical support on tour
Support vehicle each day to carry daypacks, spare parts, hydration and ride snacks
Separate Spectator Daily Itinerary for Non-cyclists
Electronic Itinerary, including daily ride maps
Free download of our GPS Ride Routes. Assistance with loading and navigation settings for GPS devices
All Tour Transfers, Including Complimentary tour start and finish – pickup and drop-off transfer
Daily Bike Spa including, Mechanical check and tune by a Pro Mechanic
Where available cycling kit laundry service
Guaranteed entry to the Granfondo Il Lombardia
Giro di Lombardia live race viewing, including race start, strategic midpoint and finish
Our Premium Quality Rider Pack includes: Custom Jersey and RIT Custom T-Shirt *Your custom cycling kit orders are placed with our supplier at least 150 days before the tour departure date. Bookings made after this period may receive generic merchandise, subject to availability.
Our Premium Quality Spectator Pack includes: Custom Ride International Tours T-Shirt *Our custom tour merchandise orders are placed with our supplier at least 60 days before the tour departure date. Bookings made after this period may receive generic merchandise, subject to availability.
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
Flights
Travel Insurance
Meals and drinks not specified in the Itinerary
Drinks, other than those specified
Bike Hire – See our Bike Hire Page
Bicycle Parts and Mechanical Fees for additional repairs
Tour Optional Extra’s
Ride International Pro Cycling Knicks [shorts]
Ride International Pro Long Sleeve Jersey [Fleece Lined]
Scicon Custom Ride International Wet/ Rain Bag
Scicon Custom Ride International Backpack
VIP Finish Line Tickets [where available]
Pat and Grace worked tirelessly to make sure everyone’s needs and expectations were met
S. Charlton (2015)Queensland, Australia
A big thanks to you for making my trip, as a non-rider, very memorable
L. Green (2010) New Zealand
Grace and Pat go above and beyond to make sure you have a good time
Steph W. (2015, 2014 & 2013)NSW, Australia
Nothing was too much trouble, their demeanour was always cheery
Andrew S. (2014)Melbourne, Australia
Knowledgeable, multilingual, always helpful, a great team
Tommy. E (2016, 2014, 2013, 2012)USA
Grace is the most organised of guides, no request is too unusual or difficult
A. Saunders (2017)Victoria, Australia
You took care of my wife wonderfully… I am grateful and appreciative
David S. (2016)Canada
Thanks very much for a highly enjoyable and excellently run tour
Daren A. (2012)QLD, Australia
Grace and Pat are remarkable. Thank you so much!
Claudia H. (2104)Canada
Grace… you are warm, inclusive and infectious in your enthusiasm
John H. (2014)Australia
Pat and his team did an absolutely brilliant job
L. Hocking (2015)Victoria, Australia
Big thanks to Grace & Patrick… we had a Brilliant time
Andrew E (2016)Australia
The trip ran like clock work… all we had to worry about was enjoying ourselves
Ben K. (2013)NSW, Australia
Grace… you are still as efficient and organised as always
Richard B. (2016, 2012)Western Australia
Pat’s leadership gave everyone what they needed
Peter F. (2010)New Zealand
Tour Highlights
VIP Il lombardia race and gran fondo, Lake Como
Lombardia region, including the Cycling Chapel “Madonna del Ghisallo”, Wall of Surmano, Lake Como, Bellagio and Bergamo
2027 Il Lombardia Tour – Sample itinerary below. Dates TBC
DAY 0
DAY 0 – Thursday, Early October, 2027
SUGGESTED ARRIVAL DAY
Today is our suggested arrival day to Milan Region, Northern Italy.
We always recommend arriving to our tour start team hotel, or the country in which your tour starts at least the day prior to your tour start.
In our years of experience, we have observed that guests who arrive on Day 0 are better able to respond to potential travel disruptions like flight delays, missed connections and lost luggage. In general, they are better rested, less stressed, less likely to get sick while on tour, much happier and ready for their adventure than those who arrive on Day 1. Should you like an additional night at our Team Hotel contact us, we can add you to our group booking for our Team Hotel. (non-inclusion).
Today is a great opportunity to arrive in Milan Region, Italy, and settle in to prepare for your Il Lombardia Tour ahead.
Pre Tour arrival day is open to be as relaxed or busy as you prefer. Our staff will be arriving at varying times throughout the day, there are no official activities today.
We’ll all be connected via a WhatsApp chat group, we create the group chat just prior to your tour start so that we can all communicate.
The main focus of today is about arriving to the Milan area, and settling at our hotel. Check in is generally 2pm, yet if you’re arriving early check in with reception to see if your room is available early – if your room isn’t available our friendly reception staff will be happy to store your bags securely while you explore the local area.
Bike Assembly & Logistics
Late in the day we’ll be available to assist with bike assembly and/or introduce you to your hire bike. Once your bike/hire bike is assembled – set up, we suggest taking a gentle pedal around the vicinity of the hotel to ensure everything is working correctly for tomorrow’s ride.
Accommodation:
Milan Area, Italy
DAY 1
DAY 1 – Friday, Early October, 2027
Welcome To Lombardy – Official Arrival Day – Lake Como Ride
Ride Distance: 30km – 40km – 72km
Climbing: 61om – 1160m – 1475m Meals: [Breakfast for pre-tour Day 0 guests] Welcome Dinner and Drink
Timeline #1: For guests who are already at our Team Hotel (Day 0 – Pre Tour Arrivals)
7:00am – 9:00am: Welcome group breakfast at our team hotel. Meet the team and other guests in the group.
8:00am – 9:00am: Bike Building, and or Meet Your Hire Bike (if you haven’t already done this the evening prior)
9:00am Non-Cycling: Free Program to explore our immediate area, enjoy morning tea prior to our ride, or non-cycling activities.
9:45am: Meet in the hotel lobby: Official welcome.
10:15pm: Long Ride starts from hotel
10:30am: Non-cycling and shorter ride options transfer to Como
11:20am: Ride options 2 and 3 depart from Como
4:00pm: Return transfer to our hotel
7:30pm: Meet in the hotel lobby / restaurant 3 Course Welcome Dinner and Drink
Timeline #2: For guests arriving today – Thursday, 1st April
7:30am: Pickup Milan Malpensa Airport, Italy
9:00am: Alternatively, we’ll meet you at our local train station, Milan area, Italy
9:00am – 9.45am: Bike Building, and or Meet Your Hire Bike, take some morning tea prior to our ride
9:45am: Meet in the hotel lobby: Official welcome.
10:15pm: Long Ride starts from hotel
10:30am: Non-cycling and shorter ride options transfer to Como
11:20am: Ride options 2 and 3 depart from Como
4:00pm: Return transfer to our hotel
7:30pm: Meet in the hotel lobby / restaurant 3 Course Welcome Dinner and Drink
Pick up – Arrival Information Morning Pickup, Collection/Transfer options:
7.30am: Milano Malpensa, Italy
Arrival Halls Meet Point: Outside Arrivals Hall in Bus Parking Area
Vehicle transfer to our Team Hotel approx. 30mins (traffic dependent)
8:00am: Meet at our Local Train Station (10min walk to our hotel)
*NB. If you’re travelling with a bike (or a bike in a bike bag) ensure you book your bike on the train too.
More about our day – Welcome to Lombardy, Northern Italy – Explore Lake Como
An actioned packed first day, it’s our Official Arrival Day, we will explore the beautiful Lake Como area, and climb the famous Madonna del Ghisallo.
Non-cycling options
Plenty of options available today, this morning is a great chance to familiarise yourself with our immediate surroundings to our hotel. There’s plenty to see and do in the elegant centre of where our hotel is located, including visit local markets, galleries, historic frescos in our local church, museums, points of personal interest. Or, If you’d like some suggestions for more active, walks, runs etc we can make some suggested routes, and places of interest around our hotel.
Alternatively ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations for the area.
After breakfast join the group in our vehicle/s to explore the Lombardy region, follow part of today’s ride route through the picturesque area along the shores of Lake Como, it’s stunning, we’ll pause for morning tea on the lake.
We meet up with the riders in our group at the top of the Madonna del Ghisallo climb, here we visit the historic chapel and cycling museum. After we have explored the historic chapel and musuem we will make our transfer back to our hotel in our vehicles.
Today’s Ride Options: Lake Como – Chapel Madonna Ghisallo Distances: 32km – 40km – 72km Climbing: 610m – 1160m – 1475m
After breakfast, guests who are already at our hotel, Day 0 Pre Tour guests, can choose to either transfer in our vehicles or join the day’s long ride starting directly from our Hotel to Lake Como.
*Guests who arrive this morning can choose from today’s short and medium ride options; we transfer from our hotel in our vehicle/s to Como and depart on the bike from Como on Lake Como.
As always, each day we have plenty of supported ride options to suit your needs and how you are feeling, each day we have a minimum of three supported, guided options. Today there are options to commence and finish at various points along today’s long ride route, talk with us to discuss your preferred option.
Ride options start at various locations to suit your needs, distance and amount of climbing you prefer including, riding from our Hotel, or starting from Como on Lake Como. Details and options below.
Today’s Climb: Ride Options 1 and 2: The climb up to the Chapel of the Madonna Ghisallo is one of the great climbs in Italy / Europe. The climb is considered part religious pilgrimage, combined with a healthy dose of satisfying hard work for a cyclist, and a decisive climb in the Giro di Lombardia race.
Madonna Ghisallo is considered a little climb, it’s 10km – 600m climbing, although it’s not a long or hard climb it has some steep ramps in the climb at various points, there are some solid sections, and some easy ones too.
The climb starts reasonably hard, so take it easy and spin into the climb to allow your body and aerobic system to warm up, the climb softens a little towards the top. Max Gradient 18%, Avg gradient 6.8%, it’s a climb with tight switchbacks, a few steep ramps, easier sections and beautiful views back down to the lake below.
While you are locating your climbing legs, and lungs today, it’s a good idea to pause regularly and ride slowly around the switchbacks to increase your recovery time in each switchback.
We’ll pause at the helipad on the ridge near the top of the climb to take in the vistas and snap some photos. Once at the top at the chapel, we spend some time looking at all the magnificent cycling artefacts and history in the small chapel.
Tonight’s Soiree:
Tonight, our chefs will prepare a special dinner of seasonal produce of the Lombardy region. Our evening group meals are 3 course set menu, these meals are organised well in advanced to allow the restaurant staff and kitchens to accommodate our group.
Accommodation:
Milan Area, Italy
DAY 2
DAY 2 – Saturday, Early October, 2027
Giro di Lombardia Race Day
The moment you’ve been waiting for: the Giro di Lombardia!
6:30am – 7:30am – Breakfast
7:30am – Depart from our hotel to the Giro di Lombardia race start in Bergamo
9:00am – Explore the start area of the Giro di Lombardia, including the official fanzone, team signing on area and team bus area
10:45am – See the race start live
11:00am – After race start, transfer to a strategic midpoint to watch the race live
2:00pm – See the Giro di Lombardia Live
2:30pm – Transfer to the race finish in Como
4:30pm – See the race finish live in Como, optional VIP finish line tickets are available to purchase
5:00pm – After the race finish, transfer back to our hotel for tonight’s dinner
Non-Cycling:
Today we experience the legendary Il Lombardia, one of cycling’s five Monuments, with a full day following the professionals from start to finish. After breakfast we transfer to Bergamo and explore the race start area, where we can soak up the atmosphere, see the teams preparing and watch the riders line up before witnessing the official race start live.
Once the race is underway, we transfer to a carefully selected strategic point along the route, giving us the opportunity to see the professionals in action again as they battle through the demanding Lombardy landscape. From here, we continue to Como, where we make our way to the finish area to experience the dramatic finale of Il Lombardia live, as the riders race towards the finish and the final celebrations of this iconic Monument.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Milan Area, Italy
DAY 3
DAY 3 – Sunday, Early October, 2027
Il Lombardia Granfondo
6:00am – 6:30am Breakfast
6:30am Transfer to Bergamo for the Il Lombardia Granfondo
7:30am Il Lombardia Granfondo start
5:30pm After event finish, Return transfer to our hotel
7:30pm Farewell Dinner at our hotel
Non-Cycling: Explore the immediate surrounds of the old town center in the morning, we then transfer to Bergamo for the start of the Il Lombardia Granfondo, cheering our riders as they leave. We then take the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Bergamo before our riders return to finish their Granfondo ride.
Our Rides: 108km Climbing: 2400m
Today we take on one of the most scenic and unique Granfondo rides, the Il Lombardia. Leaving from Bergamo this Granfondo heads into the mountains that surround Bergamo. With over 2400m of climbing in this 108km route it will be a challenging but immensely rewarding day on the bike, taking in the beautiful views and Autumnal colours in the Lomabardy Region. After the ride has finished we will transfer back to our hotel in time for our Lomabardy inspired farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Milan Area, Italy
DAY 4
DAY 4 – Monday, Early October, 2027
TOUR FINISH
Timeline
7.30am – 10:00am: Farewell Group Breakfast.
This morning we have a relaxed farewell breakfast, it’s a great time to talk over a wonderful tour had, and chat about onward journey’s.
10:00am: Transfer to Milano Malpensa International Airport or Depart from our local train station. Our local station has train connections to all the major city centres, and is on the direct line to Milan should you like to depart later in the day.
10:00am: Transfer to local train station.
Where to fly from
Milano Malpensa International Airport
Advance Bookings:
We open up our Advance Reservations for trips early so you can book and plan well ahead. We guarantee your position by booking prior. If you’d like to organise and book your trip further out than the dates/years we have listed on our website, please contact us via email, phone, & or video call and we’ll arrange everything so you can place an advanced booking.
An advance booking, accompanied by a fully refundable $750 AUD (Australian Dollar) ensures priority booking status when the trip details are announced. Note, an advance booking is not considered final until payment is received.
Once specific trip itinerary details are finalized, we’ll contact everyone on the advance reservation list via email, we’ll include the itinerary and offer a priority booking position before opening up bookings to the wider community.
If a trip fills – as it often does in the advance bookings, we create a waiting list and then offer reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis (based on the date the advance reservation was made) once our advanced booking guest have finalised.
To cancel an advance booking submitted in writing/ via email within 10 days of the trip details being published. The (AUD) $750 advance reservation payment will be immediately refunded for any cancellation received within this 10-day period.
Travel Insurance:
As a Ride International Tour participant, it is compulsory to have your own travel insurance. We recommend activating your travel insurance as soon as you’ve placed your booking deposit to ensure you are covered from the outset. Please ensure that your policy includes coverage for:
Cancellation charges
Medical expenses in the event of an accident or illness.
Baggage
Cycling activities and associated risks
Cycling equipment
We encourage each participant on our tours to contact your travel agent, and or travel insurance provider directly. Your travel insurance experts are best equipped to provide clarification, recommendations for best providers and or further information on the cover that suits your specific needs.
Final Payments:
Please Note: Our Il Lombardia Tours, and various other tours operate in the “Peak European Travel Season” each year. Our Il Lombardia tours take place in the regions, towns and city’s in the vicinity of the Giro di Lombardia, hence it’s considered “Ultra Peak Season” by our suppliers.
Our suppliers engage their special conditions during “Ultra Peak Travel Season”, including non-refundable payments for bookings to secure the needs to operate our tours.
Our tours require payment conditions which include a 50% tour progress payment once we supply our tour “Itinerary in Brief”. We forward your first progress payment invoice/s via email, these tour progress payments made to Ride International to secure your position/s on the tour are non-refundable by our suppliers.
Travel Insurance is compulsory for guests on all our tours, should you need to cancel your tour once your tour progress payment/s have been made, contact us via email to notify us of your intention to cancel. We can provide you with written confirmation that your tour position/s have been cancelled, this confirmation of cancellation can then be forwarded by guests onto your travel insurance provider for their consideration.
The balance of your tour payment/s is due no later than 150 days prior to your tour departure date, we will forward via email your final payment invoice. You can choose to make full payment earlier if you prefer to finalise your trip payment early, contact us and we will arrange for an invoice to be sent.
What if I have to transfer, change or cancel my trip:
We understand you may not be able to go on your tour, you have the option to cancel, change or transfer due to personal or medical reasons if you’ve paid a tour advance booking deposit, and or it’s within 10 days of receiving your tour “Itinerary in Brief. Post the 10 day period after you have received your “Itinerary in Brief”, tour payments, progress payments are considered final, non-refundable. If you have a question give us a call or email.
Due to the high demand, limited hotel availability and the advance payments expected by our hotels, various suppliers, and restaurants we use, the following cancellation conditions apply to all of our trips.
