Cycling:
Summer is cycling season in the Dolomites, and several outfitters offer seven- to ten-day tours from June through August; prices include accommodations (single rooms cost more) and most meals. The author rode with Carpenter/Phinney Bike Camp (June 26-July 3; $3,750; www.bikecamp.com), owned and operated by two of America's cycling legends. Ciclismo Classico has three trips led by Italian guides ($3,895 for ten days; www.ciclismoclassico.com), and if you don't want to ship your bike you can pedal one of their Bianchi Via Nirone 7s. The Ride Strong Dolomites tour (August 3-11; $3,190; www.ridestrongbiketours.com) is strictly BYOB (bring your own bike) and the rides emphasize climbing. From May through September the Italian Cycling Center, in the Venetian Pre-Alps, leads three daily rides of varying difficulty ($187 a day, including meals; $34 a day for bike rental; www.italiancycling.com).
Events and Races:
Large-scale cycling races are held throughout Italy during the summer. Two other notable events are the Granfondo Campagnolo, held June 17 in nearby Feltre ($56; www.granfondocampagnolo.it), and the Granfondo Coppi, held July 1 ($54; www.faustocoppi.net), which traces national biking hero Fausto Coppi's hometown roads in Piedmont.
Custom-Built Rides:
In Milan the De Rosa family has been crafting frames for more than 50 years. Stop by their showroom or schedule an appointment for a custom fitting; they'll ship your bike to the U.S. in three to four weeks ($2,272 and up for a carbon fiber frame; www.derosanews.com). Giovanni Pinarello opened the Pinarello shop (www.pinarello.com) in Treviso in 1952 and still works there.
Alternative Activities:
The Dolomites are a summertime playground for hikers, climbers, and mountain bikers. One must-do: a steep eight-hour hike to Sarlsattle (7,316 feet [2,230 meters]) in the middle of Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park (www.provincia.bz.it).
Where to Stay and Eat:
Most tours book hotels for their guests. Carpenter/ Phinney Bike Camp lodges in Corvara at Hotel La Perla ($182; www.hotel-laperla.it). Its restaurant boasts a coveted Michelin star.
Getting There:
Corvara is less than a four-hour drive from both Munich and Milan. Major airlines regularly fly to both from North America.
Read more about racing in the Maratona dles Dolomites >>
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