Welcome to Italy — and the beginning of eight unforgettable days on the bike.

We'll meet in Milan before transferring as a group to Bormio, one of Europe's great cycling towns and our home for the first four nights of the tour.

After checking in and getting settled, we'll assemble and check the bikes before heading out together for an easy afternoon ride through Valdisotto to Le Prese and back to Bormio.

Today isn't about kilometres or climbing. It's about loosening the legs after travelling, getting comfortable on the bike and taking in your first views of the Italian Alps.

We'll keep the pace relaxed, regroup along the way and make sure everyone is comfortable with their bike and equipment before the riding begins in earnest.

Back in Bormio, we'll come together for welcome drinks and dinner, talk through the days ahead and get to know the riders you'll be sharing the journey with.

Today we begin exploring the mountains surrounding Bormio, with a beautiful ride through the Alta Valtellina and into Valfurva.

We'll start by riding down the valley towards Sondalo before turning back towards the mountains and making our way to Santa Caterina Valfurva, sitting at around 1,738 metres in the heart of Stelvio National Park.

The climb towards Santa Caterina is long and steady rather than brutally steep, making it an ideal first mountain day. Settle into your rhythm, enjoy the scenery and ride at a pace that feels comfortable.

We'll regroup along the way and stop for a well-earned coffee in Santa Caterina before making our way back towards Bormio.

With around 58 kilometres and 900 metres of climbing, today gives the legs a taste of what's ahead without taking too much out of them.

Back in Bormio, you'll have time to relax and enjoy the town before we come together again in the evening.

Today's focus: Find your rhythm. Enjoy the mountains. Save something for tomorrow.

Today we ride one of the most spectacular roads in the Bormio region — the famous hairpins of Torri di Fraele and the beautiful Laghi di Cancano.

Leaving Bormio, we'll make our way towards the climb to Torri di Fraele, where a remarkable series of switchbacks winds its way up the mountainside towards the historic medieval towers.

From the towers we'll continue towards the turquoise waters of Laghi di Cancano, sitting high in the mountains at around 1,945 metres.

We'll regroup at the top, take some time to enjoy the scenery and refuel before making our way back through Valdidentro towards Bormio.

With approximately 50 kilometres and 1,000 metres of climbing, today is a rewarding mountain ride — but there's no need to chase anyone up the climb. Find your rhythm, enjoy the switchbacks and take in where you are.

Back in Bormio, we'll give you plenty of time to recover before coming together for our Stelvio briefing. We'll talk through tomorrow's route, weather, clothing, nutrition and the different ride options available.

Tomorrow, we ride the Stelvio.

This is the day you've been building towards.

Leaving directly from Bormio, we'll begin the legendary ascent of the Passo dello Stelvio — one of the most iconic roads in cycling and a climb woven into the history of the Giro d'Italia.

From Bormio, the Stelvio climbs for approximately 21.5 km to the summit at 2,758 metres. There's no race and no expectation about how quickly you get there. Find your rhythm, take in the extraordinary Alpine scenery and enjoy the experience of riding one of the world's great cycling roads.

Our team will support you throughout the ride, with opportunities to regroup and refuel along the way.

At the summit, we'll celebrate together, take the obligatory Stelvio photographs and enjoy some time at the top before returning to Bormio.

Classic Stelvio: Approximately 43 km and 1,550 m of climbing — Bormio to the Stelvio summit and back.

Stelvio Challenge: For experienced riders wanting a bigger day, an approximately 96 km / 3,100 m supported option continues down towards Prato, through Val Müstair in Switzerland and returns via the Umbrail Pass.

The Challenge is exactly that — an option. You don't need to ride 96 kilometres or climb 3,100 metres to have conquered the Stelvio.

Tonight, we celebrate.

After yesterday's Stelvio adventure, today is deliberately different — longer on kilometres, but easy on the climbing.

We'll leave Bormio by van and transfer to Tirano, where we'll begin our journey towards Lake Como on the Sentiero Valtellina cycle path.

From here, we'll follow the valley through vineyards, villages and beautiful Italian countryside as we make our way towards Colico. The route is predominantly gently downhill and largely away from traffic, giving the legs a chance to recover while still enjoying a memorable day on the bike.

We'll stop along the way for coffee and lunch, with plenty of time to enjoy the journey rather than chase the kilometres.

Standard Ride: Approximately 75 km with around 250 m of climbing from Tirano to Colico.

Shorter Ride: Start further down the valley at Sondrio for approximately 45 km.

Our luggage will travel separately with the support vehicle while we finish the day in one of the best ways imaginable — crossing Lake Como by ferry and arriving into Bellagio from the water.

Tonight, we settle into our new home on the shores of Lake Como.

Today's focus: Recover the legs. Enjoy the journey. Arrive in Bellagio in style.

Today combines spectacular Lake Como riding with some of the most famous landmarks in Italian cycling.

Leaving Bellagio, we'll climb towards the legendary Madonna del Ghisallo — home to the chapel of the patron saint of cyclists and the Museo del Ciclismo.

We'll take time at the summit to explore the chapel and museum, surrounded by memorabilia celebrating generations of riders and some of cycling's greatest moments.

From here, you choose how much you want from the day.

Ghisallo Ride: Approximately 21 km and 525 m of climbing, taking you from Bellagio to Madonna del Ghisallo and back.

Sormano Ride: Continue through Asso towards Sormano, Pian del Tivano and Nesso before following the lakeside road back to Bellagio — approximately 62 km with 1,500 m of climbing.

For riders who want to test themselves, the famous Muro di Sormano provides an additional challenge. At around 1.9 km with an average gradient of approximately 16%, it's short, steep and completely optional.

There's no expectation that everyone rides the Muro. Choose the route that suits your legs, enjoy the history and take in some of the most beautiful cycling country around Lake Como.

Back in Bellagio, there'll be plenty of time to relax by the lake and enjoy the evening.

Today's focus: Cycling history. Beautiful roads. Your choice.

Our final day on the bike is all about enjoying where we are.

We'll begin with a ferry across Lake Como to Cadenabbia before riding through the beautiful Tremezzina region towards Lenno and Menaggio.

From Menaggio, we'll leave Lake Como behind for a while and make our way towards Lake Lugano, crossing into another spectacular lakeside landscape before reaching San Mamete.

With approximately 56 kilometres and 550 metres of climbing, this is designed as a social final ride rather than another big mountain challenge. We'll take our time, regroup regularly and leave plenty of room for coffee, photographs and a long Italian lunch.

Along the way we'll pass some of Lake Como's famous villas and villages before using the ferry to make our way back towards Bellagio.

There's no need to empty the tank today. Enjoy the roads, enjoy the company and take in the final kilometres of an extraordinary week in Italy.

Back in Bellagio, we'll come together for our farewell evening — great Italian food, a few drinks and plenty of stories from the week.

From Bormio and the Stelvio to the shores of Lake Como, we've experienced some of the most memorable cycling roads in Italy.

Today's focus: Ride together. Enjoy the lakes. Finish with a smile.

After an unforgettable week on the bike, enjoy one final relaxed breakfast on the shores of Lake Como before it's time to say goodbye.

Take in the views, enjoy that last Italian coffee and spend some time with the group before we pack up and begin our transfer back to Milan.

Over eight days, we've ridden through the spectacular Italian Alps, climbed the legendary Passo dello Stelvio, followed the switchbacks to Laghi di Cancano, experienced the history of Italian cycling at Madonna del Ghisallo and finished our journey on the beautiful roads surrounding Lake Como.

But this tour has been about much more than kilometres and elevation. It's been about spectacular roads, incredible scenery, Italian food, new friendships and sharing experiences that will stay with you long after you've returned home.

We'll transfer as a group to Milan, where our Bikey Tours adventure comes to an end.

Arrivederci Italia — until the next ride.