We asked our team what they love most about our European trips, with one rule:
No talking about rides, climbs, and routes. Only the best “off-the-bike” experiences in Europe.
Here’s what they said…
Best Pasta: Tuscany, Italy
It simply doesn’t get better than Mama Lia’s authentic, homemade pasta. She’s the matriarch of the family that runs Palazzo a Merse, the bed and breakfast where we stay on our Tuscany trips. The meats are sourced from a farm down the road and cooked over an open flame, the veggies are grown in the back yard, the sauces are made from scratch—you’ll find no jars of pre-made pasta sauce here.
Learn more about Tuscany by clicking here!
Best Pizza: Dolomites, Italy
In another hotly contested category, we awarded best pizza to Pizzeria Caterina in Corvara. It’s the classic wood-fired pizza restaurant on the ground floor of the Villa Caterina, right across the street from the Col Alto cable. It’s tough to beat Tuscany (or our own wood-fired pizza oven in Tucson, for that matter) but Pizzeria Caterina does it. Their slogan is “Because a pizza is more than just a pizza,” and we couldn’t agree more.
Learn more about The Dolomites & Italian Alps by clicking here!
Best Chocolate: Girona, Spain
Another split ticket: Casa Cacao (Chef Steven’s pick) vs Chocolataria Equador (my pick). But both are in Girona. Both make their chocolates in-house, from bean to bar. Get the Big Bon Bon at Cacao or the hot chocolate at Equador. You really can’t go wrong and you can always have both.
Learn more about Girona by clicking here!
Best Beachfront Picnic: Mallorca, Spain
After the iconic Cap de Formentor ride, swap your cycling kit for a swimsuit in the turquoise Mediterranean. Then it’s time for a laid-back beachfront picnic—fresh, and well-earned. The day wraps with a stroll through Alcudia, where medieval streets and Roman ruins offer a glimpse into Mallorca’s layered history.
Learn more about Mallorca by clicking here!
Best Coffee: Mallorca, Spain
The Farmer’s Market in Alaro takes place Saturday mornings in the main town square, Plaça de la Vila, in front of a 17th-Century Cathedral. If you happen to be there, you have to find the guy who roasts his own beans. Order the cortado—it’s the “cyclist’s drink” because it’s served in a 4-ounce cup. The perfect milk to coffee ratio, quick to drink when you’re on the go, and will charge you up for the ride ahead.
Learn more about Mallorca by clicking here!
Best Dessert: Tuscany, Italy
The tiramisu at Ristorante Cateni in Orgia, Tuscany. It’s widely known as the best restaurant in Orgia (because it’s the only restaurant in Orgia, but don’t let that fool you). Cateni has been run by the same family for 6 generations. It sits on a little hilltop, just a few minutes from the Bed and Breakfast where we stay. Their tiramisu is creamy, light, refreshing, and has the perfect amount of espresso—nothing like any tiramisu you’ve had in the states. The perfect little pick-me-up after a long day in the saddle.
Learn more about Tuscany by clicking here!
Best Evening Stroll: Girona, Spain
Girona feels like stepping into another century. As the sun begins to drop, climb past the cathedral in Old Town to the winding streets atop the city. From above, terracotta rooftops stretch out in every direction, glowing in the evening light. Down below, the city hums with life: cafés spilling into the streets, tapas bars filling up, and boutique shops tucked into narrow alleys. It’s the kind of place where one quick stroll turns into an entire evening adventure.
Learn more about Girona by clicking here!
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