A challenging road cycling holiday to the Italian Alps and the mighty Dolomites. Huge castles, vineyards and dramatic mountain peaks mark the far north of Italy as a genuinely special riding destination. To the north are the High Alps of Austria, to the west the Swiss Alps and to the east the Italian Alps and Dolomites.

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It’s here that the Giro d’Italia showcases some of the most challenging and thrilling mountain riding in the world of professional cycling. These are some of Europe’s most dramatic mountains and they also make the perfect home for a classic mountain challenge. The tour takes in the most spectacular of these mountains and, of course, their legendary climbs.

Starting our week close to the tranquil shores of Lake Como we begin, relatively gently, by riding along the shores of the lake. Stepping things up a little we then scale the Ghisallo, visiting the famous hilltop cyclist’s shrine along the way. During the course of the next few days things get progressively tougher as we head deep into the mountains. An early highlight includes climbing the Mortirolo, a climb described by Lance Armstrong as “the toughest in the world” and the site of an impressive memorial statue to Italian hero Marco Pantani.

As we make our way to Bassano del Grappa during the course of the next few days we take in many more of the Dolomites’ classic climbs including the Gavia, Rolle and the legendary 48 hairpins of the Stelvio, which at 2758 meters is one of the highest alpine passes in Europe.