Episode #323: Active Italy - Walking and Cycling Trip Ideas for Curious Travelers

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Swap passive sightseeing for movement, immersion, and hands-on experiences – this is Italy through active travel, where you can cycle through scenic landscapes, hike historic trails, taste regional specialties, and connect more deeply with the places you visit.

Contents

Summary

In this episode, we welcome Monica Malpezzi Price from BikesPlus Tours, whose family pioneered bike tours in Italy decades ago to discover Italy through active travel – from cycling scenic routes to hiking through rolling hills and hidden villages. Learn how self-guided and immersive experiences across regions like the Dolomites, Puglia, and Emilia Romagna offer a deeper connection to the landscape, local food, and community traditions.

What you'll learn in this episode

Active travel in Italy offers a deeper, more immersive alternative to traditional sightseeing, turning travelers into participants through cycling, walking, and hands-on experiences that connect them with local life and landscapes
Italy’s diverse regions – from the Dolomites and Sardinia to Puglia, Tuscany, and Emilia Romagna – provide ideal terrain for active adventures, combining natural beauty with rich food and cultural traditions
A growing network of walking routes, including the Via Francigena and lesser-known trails, is opening up new ways to explore while supporting rural communities and offering quieter alternatives to crowded destinations
Monica's company offers cycling in Italy that ranges from guided to self-guided experiences, with accessible routes, increasing use of e-bikes, and practical considerations that make it suitable for different fitness levels and even family travel
Food and culture are woven into every active journey, with opportunities to experience local specialties, visit producers, and take part in festivals and sagre that reflect the rhythms of Italian life

Timeline Overview

05:10 Running an active and experience-based travel agency and the evolution of active travel experiences in Italy, rooted in deep local knowledge and long-standing expertise
10:43 How immersive travel – through cycling and walking – creates deeper connections with Italy’s landscapes, culture, and communities
15:48 The variety of walking tours and historic routes across Italy, including the revival of lesser-known trails in regions like the Apennines
24:29 The differences between guided and self-guided tours, plus the rise of cycling itineraries and the accessibility of e-bikes for a wider range of travelers
35:36 Practical tips for preparing for a bike tour, including safety considerations, route navigation, and riding on Italy’s narrow countryside roads

About our guest – Monica Malpezzi Price from BikesPlus and ExperiencePlus Tours

Monica Malpezzi Price led her first bike tour across Italy for her parents’ company at the age of 15. Spending her life between the United States and Italy, with an American father and an Italian mother, Monica experienced short stays in France, Ghana and India, and has been involved in the world of active tourism all her life.

Today, she lives with her husband and their two children in Emilia Romagna, where Monica runs BikesPlus, an incoming travel operator specializing in active holidays and trips for small groups. Monica’s sister, Maria Elena, lives in Colorado (USA), home of the family business ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours.

With a degree in Cultural Anthropology and a Master’s degree from American University (Washington, DC) in Development Management, she firmly believes that active, sustainable and responsible tourism increases the link between people and this world we live in together. Since 2020, she has served as co-founder and President of ActiveItaly, a Sustainable Travel Business Network formed by more than 30 Italian Tour Operators / Travel Agencies, all specialists in active and sustainable tourism.

Follow Monica here

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

Emilia Romagna – region in northern Italy renowned for its cuisine, medieval towns, Renaissance cities, and agricultural bounty
Forlì – town in Emilia Romagna, home of Monica’s mother, rich in history and local tradition
Faenza – city in Emilia Romagna where Monica lives, with one of Italy’s largest and most awe-inspiring town squares
Ferrara – Renaissance city in Emilia Romagna, known for its impressive architecture and historic center
Parma – famed art city in Emilia Romagna, celebrated for its cuisine and cultural offerings
Bologna – vibrant capital of Emilia Romagna, celebrated for medieval architecture, cuisine, and lively atmosphere
Rimini – coastal city in Emilia Romagna, popular beach destination with historical significance
Via Romeo Germanica – a historic pilgrimage route that begins in Germany (traditionally Stade) and travels south through Austria and Italy to Rome
Via Romea Strata – network of pilgrimage paths connecting Central and Eastern Europe, including routes from countries like Austria, Slovenia, Poland, and the Baltic regions (including Estonia), which then converge and continue through Italy to Rome
Sardinia – large Italian island in the Mediterranean, valued for its stunning coastlines, natural beauty, and unique traditions
Dolomites – dramatic mountain range in northern Italy, famous for outdoor adventures and breathtaking scenery
South Tyrol – region in northernmost Italy, beloved for alpine landscapes, cultural diversity, and outdoor activities
Merano – elegant town in South Tyrol, nestled in the Alps, celebrated for its spas, bike paths, and scenic beauty
Val Venosta (Vinschgau) – alpine valley in South Tyrol, rich in orchards and cycling routes
Bolzano – capital of South Tyrol, famous for its Tyrolean culture and proximity to the Dolomites
Verona – romantic city in Veneto, known for its Roman amphitheatre, historic center, and proximity to Lake Garda
Lake Garda – Italy’s largest lake, admired for its crystal waters, lakeside towns, and scenic biking routes
Piedmont (Piemonte) – northern Italian region bordered by France and Switzerland, famed for rolling hills, wines, and French-influenced cuisine
Alghero – lively coastal town in northwestern Sardinia, starting point for scenic biking routes along the island’s coast
Prosecco area – hillside region in Northeast Italy, world-famous for its sparkling wine and picturesque countryside
Friuli – region in northeast Italy, appreciated for its diverse landscapes and cultural blend
Puglia – southeastern Italian region, recognized for its flat terrain, picturesque villages, and cycling opportunities
Via Appia – one of ancient Rome’s most important roads, stretching from Rome to southern Italy and offering a remarkable journey through archaeological sites, countryside, and centuries of history
Florence – capital of Tuscany, celebrated for art, architecture, and as a key point in hiking and biking itineraries
Cinque Terre – stunning coastal area in Liguria, known for colorful seaside villages and famous hiking trails like Via Amore
Path of the Gods (Amalfi Coast) – renowned walking trail along the Amalfi Coast, celebrated for its views and popularity among hikers
Campania – southern Italian region, noted for its landscapes; location of the Via Silente (the Silent Way) walking route
Via Francigena – historic pilgrimage route from England to Rome, passing through multiple Italian regions
Via degli Dei – “Path of the Gods,” notable hiking route between Bologna and Florence through the Apennines
Pilgrimage Routes (Cammini) – a network of 70-100 official historic walking routes in Italy, often religious but increasingly enjoyed for cultural or recreational tourism. Find info here
Cammino di San Benedetto – another example of Italy’s shorter pilgrimage walks, highlighting spiritual and historic connections
Apennines – mountain chain forming the backbone of Italy, a destination for hiking and cycling adventures
Val d’Aosta – alpine region in northwestern Italy, entrance point to Italy for the Via Francigena pilgrimage route
Lambrusco area – hilly area in Emilia Romagna, famous for Lambrusco wine and scenic walking

Food / Drink

artichoke – featured in local sagre (festivals), often celebrated for its fresh flavor in seasonal dishes
truffles – prized, aromatic fungi celebrated in autumn festivals, used in gourmet dishes
porcini – sought-after wild mushrooms featured at fall festivals and in rustic cuisine
Lambrusco – sparkling red wine produced in Emilia Romagna, often enjoyed with the local cuisine
Parmegiano Reggiano – iconic aged cheese from Emilia Romagna, famed for its savory, nutty flavor
balsamic vinegar – traditional vinegar from Modena, aged for rich, complex taste, used in salads and as a condiment
apricots, plums, peaches – locally grown fruits from Emilia Romagna, known as the “fruit basket of Europe”
Prosecco – sparkling white wine from the northeast, featured on tours in the Friuli area

Words / Concepts

protagonist (in travel) – the idea that active travelers (walkers/cyclists) play an engaged, central role in their journey, directly interacting with the environment, as opposed to being passive spectators
sagre – traditional country food festivals in Italy, usually centered around a local product or seasonal ingredient, common especially in regions like Emilia Romagna
Active Italy – a sustainable travel business network composed of around 35 operators and travel agencies focused on both incoming (to Italy) and outgoing (from Italy) active/adventure travel
Soft Adventure – a style of travel that includes gentle physical activities such as cycling, walking, and paddling; less extreme than activities like mountaineering or canyoning
Ministry of Tourism (Italy) – the Italian government department that identified and promotes official pilgrimage routes for tourism
E-bike (Pedal Assist) – electric bikes with pedal-assisted motors, capped at 25 km/h in Europe, making cycling accessible for a wider range of travelers
FIAB – the Italian Association of Bicycling, which organizes bike trips and events for cycling enthusiasts in Italy
CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) – major mountaineering association in Italy running hiking courses and regular group outings, including programs for children
Tag-Along – a third wheel attachment for adult bikes allowing younger children to participate in cycling trips safely, before they have full traffic awareness

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Episode #323: Active Italy – Walking and Cycling Trip Ideas for Curious Travelers