Italy - Lake Garda Bike Hotel. ****

After spending some time in England we flew into Verona, Italy and were collected by a hotel van from the airport. We had booked directly with the hotel and had opted for a 3 night Dolce Vita Bike Package which consisted of accommodation in an Enjoy Room (4 star), the provision of Pinarello road bikes for three days, the services of our own guide and the provision of full ALE riding kit for both of us. Also included were all meals, a bike clothes washing service (whereby each evening you handed in your days' riding clothes and each morning after 7am your clothes were returned washed and dried - a fabulous service). Our guide got us set up on our bikes and arranged fitting of pedals and seats that we had brought with us from our own road bikes. Each of the three days we would sit down with our guide and talk through ride options for the day and then we would set out for an 80-90km ride. The rides were tough but brilliant and every day we would arrive back at the hotel in time for their rider's buffet lunch from 3-5pm. Naturally we then had late dinners. Great food, great accommodation and most importantly really great staff made for a fantastic riding experience.