2009 Giro d'Italia 100th Anniversary Bike Race

This year the Giro d'Italia, a bike race similar to the Tour de France, celebrates its 100th anniversary. Starting on the Venice Lido on May 9 and finishing in the historic center of Rome, this exciting race covers 3,395.5km in the mountains and countryside of Italy as well as hitting Austria and the French alps.

A few highlights are a climb up Mount Vesuvius, a ride through the seaside towns of the Cinque Terre, and the Piemonte stretch from Cuneo through the French Alps and back through the picturesque Val Chisone, with venues from the 2006 winter Olympics. The race takes in some spectacular scenery and promises to be one of the best ever. I'm hoping to see a couple stages. If you're going, be sure to book hotels early as they're likely to fill up.

The 2009 Giro d'Italia Map and Travel Information has details about the route and daily stages.