The 2008 Giro d'Italia, a bike race through Italy modeled after the Tour de France, started today in Palermo, Sicily. Tomorrow the cyclists head across the center of the island going from Cefalu on Sicly's north coast to Agrigento, known for its Greek temples, on the southwest coast.

From Sicily, the race continues through the toe of Italy's boot, then crosses mountains going from the west coast of the mainland to the east coast and then returning near Civitavecchi, north of Rome. The race continues up the west coast into Tuscany, then into the Marche region where cyclists will tackle hills on a scenic route taking in the Renaissance city of Urbino and the medieval town of Urbania, one of my favorites.

Some of the steepest climbs and most exciting parts of the route will be in the Dolomite mountains and Alps of northern Italy and into Switzerland later in May before ending in Milan on June 1. The race is a total of 342 kilometers. Find out more about the race, including photos and updates, on steephill.tv bike travelogue.

If you enjoy biking, you might consider a bicycle tour when traveling in Italy.