Wild peaks, sea landscapes, cities and traditions: follow the Giro d'Italia 2023 on a tour through the wonderful scenery of our Country.
Everything is ready for the Giro d'Italia 2023, edition number 106 of the Tour of Italy. From 6 to 28 May, the racers are preparing to cross Italy once again: they’ll start from the Costa dei Trabocchi, on the coastline of Abruzzo, to conclude their route, after 21 exciting stages, with a walkway in the magical setting of Rome.
Why is the Giro such a special event for millions of people? For the sport competition, of course; for the passion for cycling, for the riders who will honor the race; and also thanks to its more than centenary history. But above all, because it represents a real cultural phenomenon that guides us to discover the wonders of our Country. Even the hidden ones, which sometimes are unknown to the Italians themselves.
Giro d’Italia 2023, a tour to discover the heart of our Country
Pink bike in a village - picture by tonixjesse via Pixabay
The Giro is a wonderful and surprising journey of three weeks, and we are going to travel virtually in search of the most beautiful places of the 2023 edition.
While the route of the race develops with continuous twists from South to North, from East to West and vice versa, we’ll follow a linear geographical path from North to South.
We’ll start from the peaks of the Dolomites and from the cities of the North. Then we’ll reach the varied landscapes of Tuscany and the panoramas of the coast of Abruzzo. After a stop in the historic center of Rome, we will finally finish with the folklore and spectacular scenery of Southern Italy, from Naples to the Lucan Apennines.
The Giro in the North: the historic mountains
Those in the mountains of Northern Italy are the decisive stages for racers, and they are unforgettable even for the viewers. Why? Because you can see the most wonderful alpine passes, you can explore the peaks of the Dolomites, you can discover outstanding and spectacular views.
This new edition of the Giro also touches the beautiful cities of Bergamo and Turin, and after crossing the border into Switzerland it reaches also the Slovenian border in the picturesque town of Tarvisio.
The beautiful Dolomites, the jewel of the Giro d’Italia 2023
Located between Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino Alto Adige, the Dolomites are among the most beautiful mountains in the world and UNESCO heritage since 2009.
Rich in wonderful and uncontaminated natural places, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks of Lavaredo) are one of the main symbols of the Dolomites. Here there will be a stage arrival in this year’s edition of the Giro: the racers will reach the 2300 meters of Rifugio Auronzo, a meeting place for tourists during the crowded summer months.
There is also a restaurant where you can try the typical recipes of traditional mountain cuisine (such as the tasty Gnocchi all’Auronzana), but above all you can find so many paths that start from the refuge offering endless trekking opportunities and the chance to admire the extraordinary beauty of the landscapes.
Before climbing the Tre Cime, the race also passes by Cortina d'Ampezzo, a famous resort that is a perfect base for tourists who like to travel discovering the Dolomites. Excursions in the Natural Parks, among idyllic lakes and lonely peaks; mountain bike itineraries; or, simply, a visit to the city’s museums, such as the Mario Rimoldi Museum of Modern Art or the Regole d'Ampezzo Ethnographic Museum (open from June 2023) are just some of the many activities that Cortina offers its visitors.
From Bergamo to Turin, the Giro passes through northern cities
Bergamo, Città Alta - picture by jk-bb via Pixabay
Among the locations of a stage arrival of the Giro d'Italia 2023, there are also Bergamo and Rivoli, on the outskirts of Turin.
Bergamo is a special city, divided between the lower, modern part and the medieval area of the Città Alta (Upper Town), rich in monuments, churches and historic buildings, without forgetting the spectacular Venetian walls of the 16th century. The city is the gateway to the Orobic Alps, an area characterized by beautiful mountain valleys, idyllic views and centuries-old traditions to be discovered (also particularly with regard to the culinary specialties).
Rivoli is a smaller town, but with a history that dates back to Roman times, although the most famous monument, the Castle, dates from the 12th/13th century. Rivoli is also located within the metropolitan area of Turin, one of the most eclectic metropolises in Italy. The architecture of Palazzo Madama, the Reggia di Venaria Reale, the Mole Antonelliana, the Royal Palace, the Egyptian Museum and the Automobile Museum: these and many more are the attractions that make Turin a must for art and culture lovers.
Discover 10 unmissable things to do in Turin in 2023 ❯A Giro between two seas and the walkway in Rome
Sunset in Versilia - picture by Simone_Giannini via Pixabay
On the coastline of Abruzzo, the wonderful Costa dei Trabocchi will frame the great start of the Giro d'Italia 2023. And Abruzzo will also play an important role in the sporting events of the race, since it will also host the arrival of the 7th stage, a climb to over 2000 meters of Campo Imperatore, on the Gran Sasso d'Italia.
From here, the Giro will move to Cesena, it will cross the region of Emilia Romagna finally arriving on the Tyrrhenian side, precisely in Viareggio and Camaiore, Tuscany, in the heart of the beautiful Versilia.
And let’s not forget to mention the last stage, which includes a celebratory walkway in the heart of the magical city of Rome.
Viareggio, Camaiore and the Tuscan Coast
Along the Tyrrhenian coast, the Giro stops in Versilia, in the colorful Viareggio, where every year the famous and picturesque Carnival takes place (button on the Viareggio carnival), and in Camaiore.
Here, in addition to the beaches and the waterfront promenade of Lido di Camaiore, we have the opportunity to travel in the beautiful Tuscan hinterland to discover historic villages, caves, waterfalls and other exciting natural shows, such as those inside the Corchia Park.
Discover more on the amazing Carnival of Viareggio❯The Giro in Abruzzo, from the Costa dei Trabocchi to the peak of Gran Sasso
A "trabocco" on the coast of Abruzzo - picture by Chikilino via Pixabay
The poet Gabriele D'Annunzio compared them to colossal spiders, but “trabocchi” are nothing more than fishing machines placed on stilts of ancient and mysterious origins. These instruments characterize the Adriatic coast of Abruzzo, in the area between the cities of Ortona and Vasto.
On these trabocchi, today, we can find characteristic restaurants that offer local specialties, such as the typical fish soup “alla vastese”, that we can taste while admiring the beaches and the majestic and evocative views that distinguish the coast of Abruzzo.
What if we move from the sea to the mountain? We can travel to the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park to find ourselves in the beauty of unspoiled nature, in an area rich of castles and historic and artistic villages.
The Roman walkway of the Giro 2023
The Colosseum in Rome - picture by pascalmwiemers via Pixabay
The last stage of the Giro d'Italia 2023 will take place in Rome. Sportily everything will be already decided, so both racers and the public can focus on the historical wonders of the capital.
In particular, the route includes a circuit articulated right in the heart of the city, in an area where we can find the Ponte Regina Margherita, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Baths of Caracalla and, of course, the Colosseum and Via dei Fori Imperiali.
Watching the race you can also admire the Circus Maximus, Lungotevere, Villa Borghese and more: it is impossible to draw up the entire list of extraordinary cultural attractions that have characterized the magical Eternal City for over 2700 years.
The Giro to the South: from the folklore of Naples to the Lucanian Apennins
Gulf of Naples - picture by Jorjoson via Pixabay
If Northern Italy is where the winner of the Giro is decided, thanks to the hard alpine climbs, the South is where the passion for the Corsa Rosa probably reaches its peak.
In this edition the riders will cross a short stretch of Molise and Puglia, will stop in Melfi and Venosa in Basilicata and, passing through the Lucanian Apennines and Lake Laceno, will plunge into the warmth of the crowd and colors of Naples and the Amalfi coast.
Naples and the Amalfi coast
It is so trivial yet so true to say that the beauty of Naples is represented by its people. History, art, culture and attractions are countless, no doubt.
But to transform them to create a unique city are above all the folklore and the atmosphere that we breathe between the streets of the old town, from Spaccanapoli to Via dei Tribunali, passing through Via S. Gregorio Armeno; are the colors and scents that lead us to Piazza del Plebiscito and then down, along Via Chiaia and up to the Caracciolo waterfront; are the breathtaking sceneries on the gulf that make us open wide our eyes full of wonder when we look out at the landscape from the terrace of the cannons of Castel dell'Ovo.
Naples is a unique and extraordinary microcosm, a city that makes us fall in love at first glance, but that knows also how to amaze us differently every time we return to visit it. (button on Naples)
The Amalfi coast is not to be outdone, with its picturesque and special villages: from the vineyards and citrus groves that surround Cetara to the Amalfi Cathedral; from the wonderful and boundless views of the Terrazza dell’Infinito in Ravello to the colors and architecture of Positano.
The Amalfi Coast combines nature, art and history. And, of course, culture. Especially intended as culinary culture. Among the many dishes and typical products we absolutely have to try, we can mention the squid of Praiano, the Spaghetti with anchovies of Cetara, and of course the lemons of Amalfi, from which derive the fantastic local Limoncello and the famous Delizia al limone.
Discover more on the vibrant city of Naples❯From the Lucanian Apennines to Lake Laceno: the extreme south of the Giro d’Italia 2023
The southern tip of the Giro d'Italia 2023 is the stage that starts from Venosa, in Basilicata, and ends in Campania at Lake Laceno, in the heart of Irpinia.
The route crosses the streets of the Lucan Apennines, through lush forests and wild mountains. Just a few kilometers away from the stage route there’s Mount Volture, where we can find the village of Monticchio. Close to Monticchio there are the homonymous lakes of volcanic origin, which are surrounded by a greenery and magnificent natural landscape.
Finally, once arrived at Lake Laceno we found ourselves immersed in a truly eclectic location: here we can ski in winter, while in summer we can have fun with the many hiking trails to explore, for example, the beautiful caves (Grotte del Caliendo) or the villages of the plateau.
