Q: Why do you think cycle tourism is so popular right now?
A: With more travellers now seeking to be active on their holidays and choosing travel experiences that combine an active, physical pursuit with an immersive cultural experience in regions and landscapes that are unique and diverse, cycle tourism is perfectly placed.
It is a truly global offering and in fact, with the global tourism market projected to grow at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 9.9 per cent from 2025 to 2030, this demand will only continue to grow – not just for road cycling, where we are positioned, but also across mountain biking and gravel experiences, as well as with more people riding e-bikes.
Q: Do you have to be a physically fit, Lycra-clad cycling enthusiast to enjoy one of your tours?
A: Guests definitely need to be physically fit for our tours, particularly given Italy’s hilly and mountainous terrain and the seven to nine days of continuous riding.
Our tours are designed for recreational cyclists who want to take on an active cycling challenge in some of the most spectacular riding destinations in Italy and around the world.
While nearly all of our tour guests wear Lycra for the comfort it provides on the bike, they are free to wear whatever feels most comfortable for them.
Nancy and Damian
Q: Why did you decide to base your operation in Italy?
A: We decided to base our operations in Italy for a couple of reasons.
First, Italy has a deep history with cycling and is considered one of the top two cycling travel destinations in the world, with many iconic climbs and regions to ride. The market opportunity for Italy as a cycling tour and travel destination speaks for itself.
Second, Italy is our preferred place to live, travel and work. I have Italian roots, am an Italian citizen and speak the language fluently. Combined with Damian’s deep passion for cycling and Italian life, it was the obvious choice.
Being based in Italy gives us a strong competitive advantage, allowing us to design and operate our tours with greater insight and build strong relationships with our Italian partners.
Q: What can guests expect on one of your tours?
A: Guests can expect an immersive Italian cycling experience. From the riding itself – where Damian designs routes that take riders off the beaten path and to small local osterias for mid-ride lunches – to the ride support provided by our Italian team.
Off the bike, our goal is to create a truly authentic and local experience. Our non-riding program offers guests the chance to engage in unique cultural experiences and post-ride, all guests enjoy activities such as wine tastings with small family producers or visits to local artisan workshops.
Meanwhile, our food and wine journey at aperitivo and dinner showcases the diverse flavours of the region’s cuisine and wines.
The attention to detail in curating our guests’ experience, both on and off the bike, is something we take great pride in.
Q: You lead the tours yourselves. Why was this important to you?
A: Leading the tours allows us to consistently provide a highly personalised and immersive experience for our guests.
We are both incredibly passionate about Italy and the local lifestyle, and we enjoy the hospitality side of our tours, where we share everything we appreciate about each region with our guests, both on and off the bike.
Our guests are guaranteed a high-quality, signature experience that reflects our style and curation. Because we genuinely care about every aspect of their journey – from the moment they book to being on tour in Italy with us – they feel at ease.
When we pick them up on the first day it feels as if we’ve already known each other for a while. It’s a very personal experience.
Q: Do you have any plans to expand A’qto beyond Italy?
A: No. We believe that as Italian specialists, we can provide a much deeper and more immersive experience for our guests in a country that has endless cycling and travel possibilities.
Italy’s 20 regions are almost like small countries in themselves, each with different cultures, cuisines, wines and experiences.
For us, it’s about bringing these very authentic and sometimes subtle differences of each region to life for our guests to experience.
Q: Why do you think Australians in particular will embrace your tours?
A: We find that many Australians appreciate that we not only understand Italy and its culture and people, but also understand what they, as Australians, are looking for in a cycling and travel experience.
There’s a cultural fit and understanding that provides advantages on tour and comfort in knowing that you’re riding and travelling in a foreign country with people who speak your language – not just in terms of English, but also culturally.
Cycling travel can challenge people both physically and mentally, so feeling safe while you’re on the bike and riding on foreign roads is important.
Q: Finally, what would your ideal day on a cycle tour be?
A: Damian always talks about our tours being the perfect day, day after day.
This includes waking up to a good Italian espresso and breakfast, riding through some of the most incredible landscapes you’ll ever see, enjoying a simple yet amazing pasta for lunch at a roadside osteria, taking some time out post-ride and regrouping for aperitivo in the piazza or at a local backstreet bar.
The day is complete when we sit around one table, enjoying an authentic and delicious dinner with local dishes and wines, accompanied by great conversation with like-minded people.
