1. When does my Italian Dolomites / Maratona dles Dolomites Family Vacation begin?

Your Italian Dolomites / Maratona dles Dolomites Family Vacation will begin when we meet you at 12 noon at the Marco Polo International Airport in Venice, Italy, on June 27th. From here, we will transfer you to our 4-star hotel in Colfosco where our professional mechanics will assemble your bike for you. In the meantime, you will be able to check-in and relax in your luxury accommodations or the hotel spa before our "Welcome Meeting and Dinner" that evening.

AAA Travel Assistance: If you need any assistance with purchasing transatlantic airline tickets, train tickets, personal rental car, or additional nights at hotels, please contact our AAA Travel Rep , Shelley Lulow, at slulow@aaane.com or by calling 1.800.854.5044 ext. 272 on Monday - Thursday from 12 noon - 6 pm CST. Thanks!

2. How do I prepare for a cycling vacation to the Italian Dolomites?
The daily mileage on this trip ranges between 30 - 70 miles per day over mountainous terrain with various options available each day. Thus, the best training is to get out and ride! You should be comfortable riding 2-5 hours per day over rolling and mountainous terrain for this vacation. If you need a cycling coach to help you and don't know where to start, please contact us for guidance. In addition, since all of the rides are fully-supported, the sag vans will always be nearby to provide a lift if you have had enough cycling for the day.

3. What kind of bike should I bring and what gears should I plan on using?
As regards gearing, we recommend that you have a minimum of a 25 - 29 gear on the rear and don't be afraid to put a 31 or 32-tooth cog on the back. The reason for this is that the climbs in the Dolomites can be challenging and long. To quote Bill Strickland, the Executive Editor in Chief of Bicycling Magazine who joined us in July 2005: " Take a triple or compact-chainring bike, and go big with the cassette." And whatever you do, don't let your local bike mechanic talk you out of putting a triple or a compact on your bike for reasons of ego. As you'll find out on the first day, your pride won't help your legs spin up a climb.

4. Do you provide full sag support on the vacation?
Yes, we will provide full sag support during your entire vacation. Our vans will be stationed at key turns on the cycling routes and will be stocked with bottled water, Italian pastries, fruit, and cookies. Each day's itinerary and the location of the sag support vans will be discussed each prior evening during a brief group meeting before dinner. It is highly recommended, however, that you please bring your own drink powders and energy bars with you. The reason for this is that everyone has different tastes, sensitivities, and responses to various sports drinks and bars. Thus, you should bring what works best for you. Thanks!

5. What kind of weather should we expect in the Dolomites in June / July?
Normally, the days are full of sunshine with temperatures that range from the mid-70's - mid 80's. In addition, it can rain quite frequently in the Dolomites. (That's why everything is so green!) Thus, you will want to bring your rain gear with you. The evenings are quite pleasant and a bit cooler so you will want to make sure you have a pullover, sweater or fleece jacket with you so you don't get a summer chill.

6. What is included in the price of the vacation?

• Onsite experienced Velo Echappe staff and professional mechanics.
• 4-star luxury accommodations at the Hotel Kolfuschgerhof for 5 nights.
• All breakfasts and all dinners.
• Daily guided hikes including lunch for non-riders with professional, fully licensed bi-lingual guides from the Alta Badia Valley.
• Access to the Kolfuschgerhof Spa and Wellness Center during your entire stay.
• Entry into the 2012 Maratona dles Dolomites Gran Fondo - the 26th Anniversary!
• All transfers to-and-from Marco Polo International Airport in Venice, Italy.
• All gratuities, taxes, and fees for all hotels, meals, and porter services.
• All daily prepared routes with maps and cue sheets from official race routes from the Giro d'Italia that include such climbs as the Passo di Pordoi, Passo di Falzarego, Passo Giau, and many more!
• Daily sag support in our Thule-equipped vans with daily supplies of water, Italian pastries, fruit, cookies, etc. .
• Professional Velo Echappe Cycling Jersey.
• Maratona dles Dolomites Post-Ride Lunch and lift back to the hotel.
• Maratona dles Dolomites Photos courtesy of the organizers.
• Pre-Tour Information Packet that will be sent out to you in advance detailing each day's program, hotel info, sponsor info, what to bring, how to pack, etc. so you're fully prepared before you leave home.
• AAA Travel Assistance with airline tickets, train tickets, car rental, and additional hotel stays.
  

7. What is not included in the price of my vacation?
Airfare to and from Italy, lodging before and after the vacation, lunches, any gratuities for Velo Echappe' staff, and any incidentals.

8. What documents do I need to have with me when I arrive into Italy for the tour?
When you arrive into Italy, you will need to have a valid U.S. Passport. We also highly recommend that you make 2 copies of your Passport, visa, and identification materials before you leave. Please leave one copy with your loved ones at home before you leave and bring one copy with you but keep it separate from your baggage. The reason for doing this is to have backup copies in case your belongings and identification papers are stolen. To obtain a new passport, or replace an outdated, lost, or stolen passport, please contact the U.S. State Department .

9. How do I transport my bike on my flight?
We recommend the Thule 699 Round Trip Case. All guests who register for a trip with us will receive special pricing on these cases. Please call us at 402.345.7445 for special discounted pricing info. If you would like to ship your bike over to Italy in advance, please contact us for special shipping information. Thanks!

10. What should I bring on the vacation?
Off the bike, Velo Echappe's programs are casual. Informal polo shirts, jeans, khakis, shorts, and slacks are all very appropriate. You do not need to bring coats and ties, dresses, etc.

For your cycling, you should bring your bike, cycling shoes, plenty of cycling socks, extra cleats, padded cycling shorts or bibs, cycling jerseys, arm and leg warmers, rain jacket, cycling gloves, enclosed gloves in case it rains, 1 long sleeve cycling jersey, poly-pro under garments for layering, waterproof booties in case it rains, cool weather jacket, fleece pullover, 3-4 bike tubes, sunglasses, water bottles, drink mix, preferred gels and energy bars, and sunscreen.We will send you a similar list in our Pre-Tour Info Packet that will be sent out to you when we receive your final payment.