LAZIO

Lazio is one of the main Italian regions specializing in cycle-tourism. It is also an area which offers cyclists huge variety in terms of scenery: a changing coastline with rocky stretches, ideal for exciting rides; long beaches and craggy cliffs; shining lakes, many of them volcanic in origin, such as Bolsena, Bracciano, Vico, Albano and Nemi; national parks and nature reserves.

This is a region with a complex and fascinating history, and evidence of this amazing past can be found in its cities of art: principally, of course, in Rome, the world’s great capital.

However, Lazio also offers the visitor a succession of small towns and villages rich in local culture and tradition, as well as archaeological sites and artistic wonders. Another great attraction is the region’s food and drink, with its variety of distinctive flavours to suit every taste.

With its very mild climate, extraordinary bio-diversity and variety of landscape, plus the provision of some excellent bike hotels, Lazio is certainly a cycling destination with plenty of potential to explore.

For those cyclists who want to enjoy cycle trips in beautiful natural surroundings, Lazio offers the choice of two historic national parks: the “Parco del Circeo”, in the province of Latina, and a portion of the Abruzzo national Park.

The  Circeo Park (tel.+39. 0773/511385) lies about  100 km south of Rome and is one of the most beautiful promontories on the Tyrrhenian coast, covered with forests of oak and surrounded by wetlands of international importance. For cyclists and sporting enthusiasts, the park offers both cycle paths and footpaths through the forest, clearly marked with signposts.
There is also an educational trail from the visitors centre, and a nature trail through the botanic gardens at Villa Fogliano.

The Abruzzo National Park (tel. +39.0863/91131), the largest nature reserve in central Italy, provides some interesting cycling itineraries through natural scenery which remains unspoilt even at lower levels. One can visit throughout the year, to enjoy discovering the local fauna and flora.

Cyclists who come with their families can enjoy trekking or Nordic Walking, and can also take part in excursions accompanied by nature guides, or follow the special trails for children. Teaching workshops are also organized for young visitors, where they can learn how cheese and bread are made.   

During spring and summer, excursions and trips inside the park can either be made on foot, on horseback or by bike.
 You might like to spend a cycling holiday in a bike hotel near a thermal centre. Fiuggi (FR), in the centre of Ciociaria, is the ideal location if you wish to regenerate yourself and get back into shape.   

The area has become an important international resort, thanks largely to a climate which neither too cold in winter nor too hot in summer (an average of +5° in January and +22° in August).

Fiuggi can be reached by following the A1 Milan-Naples motorway and getting off at the Anagni-Fiuggi exit.

Fiuggi is amongst the most important spa centres in Europe and, after Rome, ranks as Lazio’s main tourist attraction.
The Fiuggi Spa Baths are situated in the midst of woods of chestnut trees, oaks and pines and offer the perfect setting for a holiday of wellbeing and relaxation.

A holiday at Fiuggi also provides the opportunity to visit its fascinating historic centre, with its many alleyways and narrow streets. The most famous of these is Vicolo Baciadonne, a street so narrow that if two people enter it from opposite directions they are obliged to kiss as they pass.

Amongst the town’s famous monuments are the Collegiate Church of San Pietro, the Palazzo Falconi, and the water-well known as the Pozzo delle Vergini, where young girls used to be thrown during the “jus primae noctis” (right of the first night).
Just outside the town can be found the Lake of Canterno, an oasis of natural beauty which is perfect for a quiet walk with the family.   
There are plenty of attractions for children, such as the Castello di Lunghezza theme park, the Fantastico Mondo del Fantastico, only half an hour by car from Fiuggi Spa Centre; or else the PARK CLUB FROSINONE aquatic park, which is just 20 minutes’ drive away.

Nearly all the area around Fiuggi consists of woods and green open spaces. You can appreciate this beautiful environment by going on a relaxing bike ride, either with friends or with your family, along Italy’s longest cycle path, which covers 35 km from Fiuggi to Paliano.  

The benign climate and the variety of routes to suit every type of cyclist, make it possible to enjoy going on trips at any time of year.

Starting from Acuto Station, the circuit follows some metal roads but is mainly along rough tracks, since mountain biking is the best way to enjoy the natural scenery and wildlife of the area. The route takes you through chestnut woods, and the vineyards that produce the Cesanese wine, until finally reaching the delightful Sacco Valley.

When you are at Acuto, we suggest you visit the mediaeval castle which stands in the centre of the village, and also the Church of S. Maria di Acuto, the original home of a famous C13 wooden statue of the same name, now kept at the Palazzo Venezia museum in Rome.  

In addition to its natural beauty, the Province of Frosinone boasts a rich heritage of archaeological and artistic treasures.  The remains of the Alatri acropolis, together with the Cyclopean Walls, constitute one of many examples. There are also numerous monasteries and abbeys in this area. Amongst these we could cite the imposing Abbey of Montecassino.

These can be visited by following the many cycling routes such as the Gran giro dei monasteri (Grand tour of the monasteries), a fairly hard cycle route which extends over 68 km. The itinerary takes in many historic, artistic and religious points of interest which certainly justify the effort involved.   

Another delightful route is the Panoramica, one of the favourite itineraries of mountain bikers, both for the physical output and effort it requires and for the beauty of the surrounding scenery.                         

The Panoramica extends over 35 km and involves as maximum change in level of just 350 metres, passing though an unspoiled landscape of woods and hills, far from the noise and traffic of the city.   

The main feature of this route is due to the fact that when you reach a height of 800 metres the ascent suddenly ends, and remains on the same level for about 9 m.

For outdoor types who like to leave their bicycles behind from time to time and go on walking trips with friends or family, a holiday in Fiuggi offers many opportunities for a variety of fascinating nature walks. The website of the local tourist office in Frosinone (www.apt.frosinone.it/ ) provides a list of country walks for every season in the beautiful Ciociaria region, where you can enjoy discovering the local traditions and folklore.   

The many local shows and events, such as the INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVALS, help to conserve and propagate these traditions. These are popular events in traditional costume, where the participants wear the typical local shoes, known as “ciocie”: the name being derived from “Ciociaria”.

At Alatri, the International Children’s Folk Festival is staged every September a folklore festival especially for young people.

Another aspect of local tradition is the typical craftsmanship of the area. In many towns and villages throughout the province there is a tradition of making wicker and osier baskets and containers. Another local craft, mainly centred on Veroli, is wrought-ironwork, and also copper-work. The most special copper object, and symbol of the Ciociaria area, is the “concone”, a container which the women once used to collect water.

A very common craft, found especially in Anagni, city of the Popes, is the skill of hand-embroidering, used in the past to decorate sheets, table-cloths, towels and all the contents of the bridal chest.  

While enjoying a cycle trip, a walk through the countryside, a wellbeing treatment at the Fiuggi Spa Centre or a visit to some of the local places of interest, there is always time for a pause to sample the local food and wine.

Sports enthusiasts should take care to eat a balanced diet, but one can always bend the rules a little and make way for the pleasures of the Ciociara cuisine, a farmhouse style of cooking, which uses light, simple, wholesome ingredients.

One of the best-known dishes is the home-made egg pasta, served with a meat sauce or a simple dressing of tomatoes. Equally tasty are the local cannelloni recipes, and the famous Ciociaro “timballo” (pie) dedicated to “Boniface VIII”. The traditional Ciocaria soups, such as those made with sagne pasta and beans, pasta and potatoes, or pasta and chick-peas have a very distinctive flavour. The desserts are simple but delicious, like the baked specialities: the cake known as the “ciambellone”, the “pigna” (made with pine-nuts), “ciambelle” cakes with syrup or wine, “tozzetti” biscuits with hazelnuts and the famous almond biscuits known as the “amaretti di Guarcino”.