Most PEZ Readers know a bit about the 'bike hotel' concept, and many of you have enjoyed staying in one location, hospitality by gracious hosts who know the best rides, food and wine, all in a cycling dreamland like Italy. The Garda Bike Hotel was one of the first to cater to road cyclists, with over ten years experience, it's no wonder they've become THE place to stay at Lake Garda.

A 4 star cycling hotel with the cycling operations run by ultra-experienced Larry and Heather from CycleItalia in the magnificent region of Piedmont in Northern Italy? Yep, we just knew it was going to be good. Our own Chris Selden managed to get away for a few days this summer to go and check it out for himself.

We do love traveling to exotic locales and riding the famous roads of cycling, but sometimes a trip closer to home is even better. Scotsdale's Bespoke Inn offers owner-run personalized service, a fully equipped bike shop, days of top rides, and nights of delicious dining and drinks.

I first wrote about the Hotel Funivia a few months back when piecing together a week of riding for the PEZ-Crew to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. After a fantastic few days in Bormio, I can report first hand on the experience. This is an easy one to write because they really have it dialed for cyclists wanting a high level of riding and attention, and a low level of distractions.

The first week of the 2013 Giro gave me a chance to see a lot of new parts of Italy, I covered over 1800km, and after the stage 8 TT I was just a 45 minutes drive to Riccione - another part I'd not seen before, and a chance for a short stay (and ride) at another fantastic bike hotel - the Hotel Dory.

In an unprecedented outbreak of PEZtivities, the capo himself, Richard Pestes, has organised a tenth anniversary bash to celebrate a decade of the world’s coolest bike site. Monday saw a carefully co-ordinated and seamlessly smooth meeting of PEZ regulars … and the fun started at the superb Hotel Funivia in Bormio. Riding, chatter, fine dining? It’s all here …