2026 Bormio and Dolomites, September 6 to September 13

Dates: 06/09/2026 - 13/09/2026
Tour length: 8 Days, 7 Nights
Start / End: Milano Malpensa Airport
Terrain: Moutain passes, steep climbs, stunning scenery
Price Per Guest:
$ 6,100

$ 850 Single Occupancy Supplemental Fee

10% Discount for returning guests

Road Bike and E-Road Bike Rental- $ 350
Non-Cycling Guest: $ 5,100
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This tour will take us on Italy’s most epic climbs located in the alps around Bormio and the Dolomites . The first 3 days we will be at the Hotel Funivia in Bormio. The next 4 days we will be at the Hotel Melodia del Bosco in the heart of the Dolomites. Our relationship with both hotels is over 10 years and feel like part of the family. You can be sure of a warm welcome from Elisa and Daniele (Stelvioman) at Funivia and the Irsara family at Melodia del Bosco. You will experience some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world that will certainly leave an indelible memory in your minds, hearts and souls. In addition to fantastic cycling we will enjoy delicious meals and wines of the region at our dinners.

Marco Saligari, Daniele Righi and Willie Joffroy will be your guides. Their knowledge of the roads and their charm will make your cycling experience a very memorable one.

Ou guests will enjoy beautiful accommodations, local cuisine and wine a well as the personalized service that Willie’s World Cycling has become so well known for.

Food & Wine

The cuisine of Valtellina home of Bormio and Alta Badia home of Melodia del Bosco have their own characteristics unique to each region.

In Valtellina dishes we will enjoy are, Crespelle al Bitto are rustic buckwheat pancakes filled with melted Bitto cheese, one of the most known cheeses of the region. The filling is sometimes additionally enriched bresaola, mushrooms, or pancetta. Bresaola, an air-dried thinly sliced beef is prepared throughout Valtellina an anti-pasto or as a meal. It can be enjoyed a with porcini mushsrooms or simply on a bed fresh rucola. Pizzoccheri is a traditional pasta dish that combines buckwheat pizzoccheri pasta with potatoes and cabbage, which is seasonally replaced by swiss chard or green beans. Salmì di cervo is a traditional dish made with a combination of venison, red wine, pancetta, carrots, onions, garlic, celery, butter, olive oil, and herbs. Coppetta or cupeta is a traditional dessert from Valtellina. It is a type of nougat made with a mixture of honey, and nuts that is tucked between two wafer sheets. The nougat is made with a mix of chopped walnuts, crushed cookies, and honey.

The cuisine of Alta Badia in times gone by there only a few local products and creativity was necessary to prepare delicious and nourishing meals despite of the limited choice.

Dishes according to ancient recipes or traditional Ladin delicacies are offered nowadays in the many restaurants of the valley. The specialities of the Alta Badia include for example the barley soup made of barley, smoked speck (ham), smoked meat, carrots, leeks, potatoes and celery. Also dumplings and dishes of wild game play an important role in the local cuisine.

Turtres (cottage cheese, spinach or cabbage filled pasties) or Cajinci (stuffed pasta pockets similar to ravioli, filled with cottage cheese and spinach).

turtres” (cottage cheese, spinach or cabbage filled pasties) or “cajinci” (stuffed pasta pockets similar to ravioli, filled with cottage cheese and spinach). For dessert something sweet such as the traditional apple strudel or the “Kiachln” (a fried pastry) completes a meal of true Ladin dishes.

Wines from Valtellina are for the vast majority composed of nebbiolo, more commonly called Chiavennasca in the region. The wines are Rosso di Valtellina, Valtellina Superiore and Sforzato di Valtellina. The Lugana white wine is made from Trebbiano di Lugana grapes. It has a particularly delicate, fresh and balanced flavor with an acidity that is reminiscent of that of young wines with fruit and forest scents.

Wines of Alto Adige are highly regarded, particularly the white wines. The grapes are pampered by Mediterranean sun and shaped by the Alpine landscape. The white varietals include Pino Grigio, Pino Bianco, Gewurtztraminer, Chardonnay, Muller Thurgau and Sauvignon Bland to name a few. The red varietals include Lagrein, Pinot Noir, Carbernet and Merlot.

Guides

Marco Saligari

Marco started racing at the age of twelve, competing in the youth categories, obtaining good results and several victories and participating in the World Championship in Colorado Springs in 1986.

He turned professional at age 22 in 1987, and after 12 years he ended his career in 1998.

He participated in 10 Giro D’Italia, 4 Tour de France and in all the most important international classics races.

He won 3 stages of the Giro D’Italia, Sondrio 1992, Caserta 1993 and Valle Varaita 1994. Marco won the Tour di Suisse 1993 .

After finishing his career as a cyclist he became Sports Director of the Belgian LANDBOUWKREDIET team where he managed Jaroslav Popovyc. At the same time he began his career as a television commentator.

He worked for Swiss television at Eurosport. In recent years he worked for the Italian network, RAI. While at RAI he commentated on the motorbike at several Giro D’Italia and many of the classic Italian races. He also commentated in studio at the most prestigious races in the world.

In the cycling world he is known by his nickname COMMISSARIO for his curiosity as a rider and commentator.

Marco has had a leadership position with Willie’s World Cycling since 2014. Over the years he has become a friend of many of our guests because of his pleasant personality and commitment to personal service. He is married to Marialuisa (Lella) and they have two children, Martina and Giacomo.

Daniele Righi

Cycling Guide

Daniele started bicycle racing at 8 years old and turned professional at age 24. He competed in the Junior category for various teams and secured several victories. His professional cycling career started with Alexia and after 3 years he participated in his first Giro d’Italia where his teammate Paolo Savoldelli won the tour. For the next 10 years, he rode with Lampre and was part of the team that participated in Michele Scarponi’s victory of the 2011 Giro d’Italia.

He has always played a support role for Lampre and participated in five Giro d’Italia, five Tour de France, four La Vuelta a Espana, Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold, Coppi e Bartali, and the Tour of Poland. In the 2004 Giro d’Italia, he won the Piaggio Trophy for the most miles cycled by any participant that year. Literally, he has cycled almost all over the world in most of the races of the World Tour. In 2013, he retired from Lampre as a rider and subsequently was a Director Sportive with with UAE Team Emirates.

Daniele is married to Francesca and they have two children, Chiara and Alessandro.

Giacomo Saligari

Giacomo is Marco Saligari’s son and has a great passion for cycling since he was a little boy.

He raced with V.C. Mendrisio Immoprogramm U23-Elite and is currently working at Joule Bike Shop near his home.

Giacomo has been guiding with us since 2022. Our guests absolutely love Giacomo for his sincere interest in others as well as challenging our guests on the bike.

He is very excited to be part of the Willie’s World Cycling team and we are very happy to have Giacomo as part of the team.

Roberto Batoni

Roberto Batoni is our driver and mechanic in the support van.

He owns a small bicycle shop in Poggibonsi, Toscana.

Roberto always has a smile on his face and makes sure our guests are happy, hydrated and fed.

Willie Joffroy

Founder & President

I combine nearly 30 years of experience in international logistics planning with a quarter-century of cycling experience in Italy. My expertise allows Willie’s World Cycling to offer some of the finest cycling tour experiences in Italy. From the choice of simple elegance and intimacy in accommodations, to the delectable regional cuisine of carefully chosen local chefs, (we) my wife Margarita and I impart international style and pay careful attention to detail.

I accompany every Willie’s World Cycling tour, sharing the extensive knowledge I have gleaned from 25 years of cycling in Italy. This storehouse of information includes: Italy’s premier cycling regions, scenic wine-growing regions and small wineries, unique and private accommodations, and fine regional cuisine.

Prior to establishing Willie’s World Cycling, I spent 29 years in cross-border logistics services along the U.S.-Mexico border. Throughout my business career, I have focused on providing my clients with the very best in professional and personalized service. I have instilled this commitment to the client into the values of Willie’s World Cycling.

I have been an avid cyclist for more than 35 years and regularly start my day cycling up and down Mount Lemmon, a 6,800-foot climb from my home in Tucson, Arizona. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, I have a great passion for the cycling, food, and wine unique to Italy, and take great pleasure in sharing that passion. I am a believer in the health benefits that flow from regular exercise such as cycling, fresh and wholesome local food, and fine wine. A consummate host, I make certain that each of my cycling tours inspires treasured memories.

Accommodations

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Itinerary

Day 1:
Sunday, September 6
Pick up group at Sheraton Malpensa at 9:00am and travel to Bormio, approximately 3.5 hours.
Check into Hotel Funivia, have a light lunch, make final adjustments to bikes and go for a short ride.

Bormio to Torri Di Fraele Cancano- Short, but steep climb. Total distance 29.3km, 729m elevation gain, average gradient 5%, maximum gradient 10%. Dinner at hotel.
Day 2:
Monday, September 7
After breakfast depart at 8:30 Hotel Funivia, Passo dello Stelvio, Umbraill Pass, Prato, Passo dello Stelvio Bormio Hotel Funivia. Total distance 100.5km, 3,305m elevation gain, average gradient 7.6%, maximum gradient 14%. Lunch on the road and dinner at a restaurant.

Optional route: Bormio to Passo dello Stelvio and back. 43.1km and 1,521m elevation gain. Lunch in Bormio and dinner at a restaurant
Day 3:
Tuesday, September 8

Bormio-Santa Caterina-Passo Gavia-Bormio.. Total distance 50 Km, 1,400m elevation gain, average gradient 5.5%, maximum gradient 15%. Lunch at Rifugio Bonetta . Dinner will be at Hotel Funivia Mountain Cabin.
Day 4:
Wednesday, September 9
Transfer/rest day to Hotel Melodia del Bosco in Badia, Dolomites. Optional short hike on Monte Santa Croce. Lunch on the road. Dinner at Hotel Melodia del Bosco.

Day 5:
Thursday, September 10
Melodia del Bosco, Passo Campolongo, Arabba, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella and Val Gardena. Total distance 67km, 2,104m elevation gain, average gradient 6% , maximum gradient 12% . Lunch on the road. Dinner at a restaurant
Day 6:
Friday, September 11
Melodia del Bosco, Val Parola Espresso ride, 33km, 800m elevation gain, average gradient 5.3%, máximum gradient 13%. Lunch at a rifugio. Dinner at Melodia del Bosco
Day 7:
Saturday, September 12
Melodia del Bosco, Passo Campolongo, Passo Giau, Val Parola, San Cassiano, Melodia del Bosco
Total distance 91km, 2,873m elevation gain, average gradient 7%, maximum gradient 14%. Lunch on the road. Dinner at Hotel Melodia del Bosco
Day 8:
Sunday, September 13
Transfer to Sheraton Malpensa. **Please book return flight after September 13. If you need special arrangements please advise us in advance.

Pricing

- Included:
  4 to 5 cycling guides and van support
  Lodging 7 nights
  All breakfasts
  All lunches
  All dinners
  Wine pairings with dinners
  Wine tastings as part of the tour
  
  Cycling kit (jersey and shorts)
  Energy bars and water on bike rides
  Cycling guide, driver, and mechanic services
  Tips for cycling guides
  
  Not included:
  Gravel Bike Rentals- contact Willie for pricing
  Airfare
  Non-tour hotels
  Any rental car or train service you may use outside of tour activities.
  Any purchases of a personal nature including bar and hotel mini-bar.
  
  Cooking Class for non-cyclists or cyclists if requested at least 6 weeks before the tour.
  Any incidental expenses associated with non-cycling activities, such as cost of guide, museum entry fees, spa services, archaeological site entry fees, etc.
  Laundry service at hotel
  Post ride massage if available
  
  Please see instructions below for payment by check. Please contact us for Wire Transfer instructions & ZELLE account notification . We do not accept payment by PayPal.
  Credit card payments will have an additional 3% fee for USA transactions and a 4.5% fee for international transactions.
  
  Payment Instructions:
  
  Willie’s World Cycling prefers payment by check payable to:
  
  Willie’s World Cycling LLC
  
  4231 E. Pontatoc Canyon Dr.
  
  Tucson, Arizona 85718
  
  A *non-refundable deposit is required in the amount of $1,000 with the balance to be paid in full 60 days before the start date of the tour unless otherwise noted. Tour prices are based on double occupancy per cyclist or non-cyclist. A single occupancy supplement may apply to those traveling alone and requesting their own room. Please make checks payable to Willie’s World Cycling or pay via wire transfer. If your party includes a non-cyclist, please notify us when you register and submit your deposit so we can begin planning stimulating and rewarding activities while cyclists are on the road.
  
  Our prices are in U.S. Dollars and are based on exchange rates in effect at the time of publication. While we make every effort to avoid adding surcharges, Willie’s World Cycling reserves the right to do so should the U.S. Dollar lose substantial value against the Euro.
  
  After your deposit is received, you will be sent more information regarding the sizing for your bicycle, liability waiver, and general information that will be helpful for your visit to Italy.
  
  We recommend obtaining travel or trip cancellation insurance. Please speak to your travel agent for further assistance.
  
  Willie’s World Cycling reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason. We will refund any payment received by Willie’s World Cycling which will constitute full settlement.
  
  Although we make every effort to contract the very best in outside services, we do not guarantee services provided by third parties.
  
  Preparation:
  Please make sure you have a valid passport.
  
  We count on our clients to ensure they are healthy and adequately fit for this tour. This tour is rated Activity Level C Challenging.
  
  *Cancellation Policy:
  Deposits are non-refundable if a guest cancels. If the guest signs up for a tour during the year of the cancelled tour or the following year then the deposit will be credited to the tour. After 1 full year the deposit is forfeited to Willie’s World Cycling. Final payments are not refundable. Exceptions to this policy will be considered in cases of illness or family emergency
  
  45 Days or less: Cancellation charge of 100% of the total cost of the tour

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