I traveled to Italy for the first time this spring. We flew into Bologna and stayed there the first night before heading to Riccione. It was a nice way to settle in after a long travel day. Our first authentic Italian meal and a little exploring made for a gentle introduction. We’d return to Bologna again on our last night.
Riccione and the Belvedere Bike Hotel
From Bologna, we made our way to Riccione, meeting others from our hometown cycling club for the bus ride to the Belvedere Bike Hotel. The hotel centers around cyclists. The staff was welcoming, the amenities were wonderful, and the whole atmosphere made it easy to get into the routine of riding every day. One especially nice touch was that the hotel washed our cycling kits each night, so everything was clean and ready for the next morning.
Each evening, we signed up for the ride we wanted to do the next day. Mornings started with a great breakfast before heading out with the hotel’s tour guides. They knew the roads well… the climbs, the views, the best café stops. The routes took us through rolling hills, small villages, and stretches of beautiful countryside. The scenery was a highlight on its own.
The food was another. Long meals, fresh ingredients, and dishes that tasted even better after hours on the bike. When we weren’t riding, the hotel offered activities and chances to explore the area, which added a nice balance to the week.
One of my favorite days started with a café stop in Coriano and a chance to meet the mayor. From there, we rode to a winery, where all the groups gathered for the afternoon. We relaxed, had lunch, and enjoyed the peaceful countryside.
Later in the week, the hotel hosted a party with a DJ and dance music, a fun way to end one of our evenings.
Seeing the Giro d’Italia
One of the standout moments was watching Stage 9 of the Giro d’Italia. The energy of the crowd, the anticipation, and seeing the riders take off made it a memorable experience. Watching it in person was thrilling, and riding back to the hotel afterward made it even more unforgettable.
The Tougher Parts
Not everything was smooth. I had mechanical issues on the first day, but thankfully the tour guide took care of them. The roads were rough in places, with bumps, cracks, and potholes. The terrain was hilly, and even some of the leisure rides had challenging climbs. Unlike riding in the States, we stayed at the edge of the road, and traffic passed with very little room to spare.
I also had two falls early in the week. Nothing serious, but they still shook me. Combined with a couple of sleepless nights, it made things mentally challenging at times.
Still, these moments didn’t take away from the trip, they just made it more real.
A Rest Day in San Marino
Mid‑week, we took a rest day and visited San Marino. A bus took us up into the microstate where we spent the day wandering the streets, taking in the views, eating, and shopping. It was a nice reset before getting back on the bike.
Ending Where We Started
After a full week of riding and exploring, we returned to Bologna via train for our final night. We walked around the city again, this time with a couple of our cycling friends and saw a few sights we hadn’t gotten to on the first day.
What stays with me is the mix of everything: the scenery, the food, the people, the rides, the challenges, and all the moments in between. Italy wasn’t perfect, but it was fun and memorable. It gave me the chance to see new places, reminded me of my resilience, and brought me home with new experiences.
