Inspired by European road racing, a'qto reflects the intensity and passion that is European cycling.
Italian Cycling Tours that immerse you in the magic of Tuscany, Piemonte, Puglia, Dolomites, Alps, Giro d’Italia and L’Eroica
a'qto (pronounced 'a-cue-tow') means intense or acute in Italian.
Always aiming to stay at the forefront of design, we bring together art, fashion and the sport of cycling to a range of stylish, easy wearing clothing and accessories that are accessible to cyclists across the globe.
Over the past decade, A’qto has evolved beyond the brand’s initial focus on designing and producing quality Italian cycling and leisure apparel, into a boutique tour operator run by founders Damian Hancock and Nancy De Losa.
Puglia Cycling Tour
Tour Operator: A'qto Cycling
Italy
9 days (Bike: 8 days)
634 km (~79km per day)
Moderate
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 5995
Overview
Tour Operator A'qto Cycling
A land of discovery, adventure and wild beauty
Puglia is a land of discovery and adventure; it’s the perfect place to explore on a bike.
With its quiet roads lined with rock walls and majestic olive groves, to its coastal roads set along dramatic cliffs with white sand beaches and turquoise waters, this still largely undiscovered region of Italy rewards you at every turn and along every open plain. Its wild beauty and landscapes dotted with fairytale trulli and the twisted trunks of ancient olive trees standing still in time, captivate your spirit and your heart.
Still very much by Italians for Italians, this land between two seas, the Ionian and Adriatic, provides much more than a cycling trip. It’s a place to visit sooner rather than later as the word is definitely out, and our journey through its back roads will only leave you wanting more.
Expect long, warm summer days, spectacular and diverse scenery across the hills of the Valle d’Itria through to the open plains of the Salento, afternoons to relax and soak up the sun with swims in the turquoise seas and explorations of the historically significant and beautiful towns in which we stay.
Our journey through its authentic food and wine culture and diverse blend of unique accommodation styles including masserie, trulli and noble residences will see your Puglia discovery take you behind the postcard scenes.
Enjoy the slow pace of life and the so very southern Italian culture, the history and of course, the wonderful home grown food and wine on our Puglia cycling tour.
Get ready for a trip of true discovery – both on and off the bike.
Bright Alpine Cycling & Gourmet Escape
Tour Operator: A'qto Cycling
Australia
4 days (Bike: 4 days)
288 km (~72km per day)
Moderate/Advanced
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 1995
Overview
Tour Operator A'qto Cycling
An Italian experience in the Australian Alpine landscape
Turn up the challenge, breathe in the fresh Alpine air and engulf your tastebuds with us as we take in the best locally grown Italian produce Bright and the surrounding area has to offer on this 4 day boutique guided tour.
Sensational mountain climbs, picturesque valleys and stunning vistas await as we take on Happy Valley, Mount Buffalo, Tawonga Gap and more, while savouring beautiful Italian style, regional food all weekend. We’ll cook together, enjoy being treated by our own in-house chef and relax into a long lunch in true Italian style at the region’s most revered winery – where local chefs and winemakers will host us to a truly exclusive experience.
Nestled at the foot of Mt Buffalo National Park, our luxury Private Estate accommodation will provide the perfect comfort and Tuscan inspired setting for us to relax, share conversation and be inspired by the mountain views and expansive saltwater pool, which is sure to invigorate the senses post ride.
Join us with your riding or non riding partner for what will be an Italian inspired, Australian riding and gourmet experience to remember.
Giro d'Italia Cycling Tour
Tour Operator: A'qto Cycling
Italy
9 days (Bike: 8 days)
594 km (~74km per day)
Moderate/Advanced
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 5995
Overview
Tour Operator A'qto Cycling
Experience the most beautiful grand tour
The Alps, the Dolomites, the Apennines; they all define the Giro d’Italia and there can be nothing more rewarding than taking on the same challenge yourself, conquering the iconic climbs of Italy.
Expect amazing days on the bike with jaw dropping mountainous landscapes, thrilling free flowing descents and climbs where you’ll need every bit of your will to keep the pedals turning. Our Giro cycling tour ensures that your experience of the Giro traverses the same mountains and valleys as the pro’s and has you up close with the race at stage starts, finishes and over mountain passes, while also experiencing some time away from the race. It’s the perfect balance.
Join us for a 9 day adventure on our Giro d’Italia Cycling Tour that will see you tackle many of the famous climbs of Italy by day, while relaxing into a wonderful food, wine and cultural journey that we’ll take you on each night.
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Our Giro cycling tour route for 2020 will be confirmed following the Giro’s official route announcement in late October / November 2019.
Tuscany Cycling Tour
Tour Operator: A'qto Cycling
Italy
9 days (Bike: 8 days)
566 km (~71km per day)
Moderate/Advanced
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 5995
Overview
Tour Operator A'qto Cycling
A land of elegance, beauty and dreams
Tuscany a land of beauty, elegance and dreams. Where the colours of the landscape and the flavours of the traditional cuisine change with the seasons, and the slow rhythm of life is felt with each encounter, ride and meal.
To the cyclist who ventures into this world, it is heaven. Urged by a sense of adventure and the discovery of magnificent views at every turn, you can expect long, warm days on the bike surrounded by incredible panoramic views of rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards and medieval hilltop towns, all while embracing the winding roads, challenging climbs and exhilarating descents.
Rediscover your taste for adventure on our Tuscany cycling tour as you pedal along quiet country roads and cobblestoned streets, enjoying the history, culture and of course the cuisine of this spectacular region.
Tuscany is where our journey began and a place we invite you to share with us as we create a truly authentic experience of our favourite areas to ride and eat in this ancient land, where the art of living is represented through tradition, generosity and talent.
Come ride, eat and drink like a Tuscan. You’re in for an unforgettable adventure.
Piemonte Cycling Tour & La Fausto Coppi Gran Fondo
Tour Operator: A'qto Cycling
Italy
9 days (Bike: 8 days)
555 km (~69km per day)
Moderate/Advanced
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 5995
Overview
Tour Operator A'qto Cycling
A cyclist's playground in an epicurean paradise
With its 30+ year history, La Fausto Coppi Gran Fondo honours Italy’s greatest cyclist, having earned the title Champion of Champions. With his palmares taking in multiple wins at the Giro d’Italia & the Tour de France, the Giro di Lombardia and Milan–San Remo, as well as a win at Paris–Roubaix, La Fl√®che Wallonne and the World Championship in 1953, it is a privilege and honour to don the souvenir jersey and give a nod to Il Campionissimo at the Gran Fondo.
The Gran Fondo is the pinnacle of a week where we share with you a combination of sensational riding and world-class wine and food, in the as yet undiscovered cyclist’s paradise of Piemonte. Narrow winding roads through the World Heritage listed Le Langhe landscape creates an unforgettable Italian Adventure in this most beautiful and little known region of Italy.
Look forward to long summer days surrounded by incredible panoramic views of snow capped Alps in the distance and a patchwork of geometric coloured shapes covering the undulating terroir in the foreground, with medieval hilltop towns and ancient castles perched atop their peaks on our Gran Fondo cycling tour.
Get off the beaten path and rediscover your taste for adventure. Enjoy the unexpected, the journey, the history, the culture and of course the world class wines and cuisine.
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Dolomites & Prosecco Rd Cycling Tour
Tour Operator: A'qto Cycling
Italy
8 days (Bike: 7 days)
530 km (~76km per day)
Advanced
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 5495
Overview
Tour Operator A'qto Cycling
Inspirational landscapes to challenge the body and mind
Test yourself in the heart of the Dolomites where the majestic rugged peaks of spectacular shape and colour provide the perfect backdrop for the challenging ascents and superb descents of climbs made famous by the Giro d’Italia, and which we’ll conquer over five days.
Taking on the legendary passes of the Sella, Pordoi, Campolongo, Gardena, Santa Lucia, Giau, Falzarego and Valparola, and soaking in the incredible scenery and views In every direction you ride, will prepare your legs well for the ‘Queen’ and highest peak, the Marmolada.
From the inspirational landscapes of the Dolomites, we’ll then venture into the soft rolling hills of Prosecco Rd with its seemingly endless vineyards and Summer scents and colours rewarding you at every turn, before culminating in the final challenge of Monte Grappa; the mountain that rises out of the Veneto plains, and with its beauty and magnitude, engulfing you on your journey to the top. It’s perfect way to end an incredible week of climbing, testing you both physically and mentally.
Expect challenging days on the bike surrounded by warm Summer mountain air and scenery that feasts the eyes and heart in equal measure, followed by a food, wine and cultural experience that takes in the best of the Veneto’s varied landscapes, produce and cuisine, and its magnificent wines.
Join us for the challenge of a lifetime.
L'Eroica & Tuscany Cycling Tour
Tour Operator: A'qto Cycling
Italy
8 days (Bike: 7 days)
505 km (~72km per day)
Moderate/Advanced
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 5495
Overview
Tour Operator A'qto Cycling
Enjoy the beauty and heritage of cycling
Vintage steel frame bikes with downtube shifters and toe-clips, woollen jerseys, leather shoes and white gravel roads, this will become your favourite ride of the year.
From unforgiving climbs that test both body and mind to the mystical feel of candle lit paths, traditional bowls of ribollita soup and Chianti wine at rest stops, L’Eroica is a ride like no other. It is a truly unique and special event celebrating the golden years of cycling and has become renowned worldwide for its festive spirit and captivating emotion.
Join us for a week on our L’Eroica cycling tour that combines all the best that L’Eroica, cycling and Tuscany has to offer. Expect amazing days on the bike with picturesque landscapes, long lunches and leisurely dinners where true artisans share with you their passion for the simplicity and seasonality of Tuscan cuisine.
Rediscover a taste for adventure with us at L’Eroica, Gaiole in Chianti, Italy and lose yourself in the beauty that is Tuscany.
Piemonte @ Harvest Cycling Tour
Tour Operator: A'qto Cycling
Italy
7 days (Bike: 6 days)
337 km (~56km per day)
Moderate
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 4995
Overview
Tour Operator A'qto Cycling
The Ultimate Cycling and Gourmet Paradise
Nestled between the Alps and the Mediterranean lies this secret slice of paradise. If you spend your days dreaming of quiet, undiscovered roads and continual rolling hills with a backdrop of awe inspiring mountains, and world class food and wine experiences, then this breathtaking adventure to Piemonte awaits you.
Join us for the cycling adventure of a lifetime and the most incredible celebration of food and wine, as we indulge the senses in Le Langhe UNESCO world heritage wine region, and home of Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera wines, at harvest time – and join in the annual harvest celebration of the prized white truffle of Alba from our home base in hilltop, medieval Neive – recognised as one of the most beautiful old towns in Italy.
We’ll discover the majestic beauty and charm of this region in all its Autumn splendour, and savour time honoured, gastronomic traditions in the home of Slow Food.
For cyclists who are food and wine lovers, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect week.
Daylesford Cycling & Gourmet Escape
Tour Operator: A'qto Cycling
Australia
4 days (Bike: 4 days)
280 km (~70km per day)
Moderate
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
AU$ 1595
Overview
Tour Operator A'qto Cycling
An Italian experience in the rolling hills and backroads of Victoria's spa country
Challenge your body, relax your mind and completely satisfy your tastebuds during this superb 4 day guided tour ‘off the beaten track’ to the pure, natural and spectacular wonderland that is the Daylesford & Hepburn Springs region.
We’ll escape into tall mountain ash forest, take on challenging climbs and enjoy the spectacular volcanic rolling hills as we adventure through the quiet, back country roads of Daylesford and surrounds, while enjoying amazing Italian style, regional food all weekend.
We’ll cook together, enjoy being treated by our own in-house chef and relax into a long lunch in true Italian style at one of the region’s most revered winery – where local chefs and winemakers will host us to a superb culinary experience.
Situated on Lake Daylesford, our superb villa style accommodation provides the perfect comfort and tranquil setting for us to relax, share conversation and be inspired by nature post ride.
Join us with your riding or non riding partner for what will be an Italian inspired, Australian riding and gourmet experience to remember.