Lake Garda & the Veneto

Day 1: Meet in Verona and transfer to Volta Mantovana, 2 mi. (4 km)
Day 2: Mantova loop ride, 43 mi. (69 km)
Day 3: Lake Garda and Valpolicella, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 4: Pedal through wine country to Verona and Soave, 41 mi. (67 km)
Day 5: Vicenza and Palladio’s architecture, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 6: Cycle to Padova among the Palladian villas, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 7: Venice
Day 8: Tour ends in Padova

All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Meet in Verona, 2 mi. (4 km)
Individual arrival to Verona. Meet the group and tour leader at the Verona train station in the mid-afternoon, from where you will transfer to your lodging for the next two nights. The hotel is located in the center of Valeggio sul Mincio and offers cozy rooms, furnished in a simple yet elegant way. You will be fitted for your bike and then take a  test ride on the nearby cycle path to Borghetto sul Mincio, a picturesque village located on the river connecting Lake Garda with the lakes around Mantova to the south. In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. (D)

Accommodation:  Al Cacciatore Hotel and Restaurant (2 nights)

Day 2: Mantova loop ride, 43 mi. (69 km)
Today, you will pedal south along the bike path to reach the impressive city of Mantova, with its pretty lakes built around it as fortifications and now serving as a great green area around the city. Mantova was home to the princely Gonzaga family, who ruled for several centuries between the 14th and the 18th centuries and who made Mantova an artistic, musical, and architectural center. Visit the Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo del Tè, as well as the Piazza Virgiliana, Castello San Giorgio and Piazza delle Erbe before returning to your accommodations. (B)

Elevation:  745 ft. (223 m) total climbing
Accommodation:  Al Cacciatore Hotel and Restaurant

Day 3: Lake Garda and Valpolicella, 26 mi. (42 km)
The route leads north today along a delightful bicycle path to reach the shores of Lake Garda, one of Italy’s most famous lakes nestled south of the Italian Alps. Visit the historic and colorful town of Peschiera del Garda, on the waterfront, before continuing along the eastern shore to climb a bit onto a ridge leading into the vineyards of the Valpolicella wine area. This area grows the grapes that make Amarone wine, one of Italy’s strongest red wines. Support shuttle will be available. You will overnight in a historic villa tonight, surrounded by vineyards! (B)

Elevation: 1745 ft (532 m) total climbing, most of it on the last hill to reach your accommodation
Accommodation: Villa San Giorgio or similar
 

Day 4: Pedal through wine country to Verona and Soave, 41 mi. (67 km)
You continue along rolling foothills today to leave the Valpolicella area and enter Verona, famous for its arena which is still today used for outdoor theatre. Have lunch in the center of town, visit Juliet and Romeo’s balcony and then continue out of town to arrive in Soave, another small wine village. The medieval castle and its fortifications that dominate the town stand in stark contrast to the softer vineyards that line the hills. Enjoy a wine tasting and meander through the small town as our hotel is centrally located. (B)

Elevation: 846 ft. (258 m)
Accommodation:  Locanda ai Capitelli Residence or similar

Day 5: Vicenza and Palladio’s architecture, 23 mi. (37 km)
The route leads to  Vicenza, another famous art city that prospered under Venetian rule from the early 15th to the end of the 18th century. Its most famous son is surely Andrea Palladio whose work has been declared the biggest influence in Western architecture since his time. His architectural designs, based on a detailed study of classical Roman architecture, gives the city its unique appearance and you can see many of his villas and buildings still standing. (B)

Elevation: 1378 ft. (420 m)
Accommodation: Key Hotel or similar

Day 6: Cycle to Padova among the Palladian villas, 26 mi. (43 km) 
Leave Vicenza along the foothills of Monti Berici. You will enjoy an optional stop at the famous Palladian Villa la Rotonda's gardens, the best known and most influential of Andrea Palladio’s villas. Continue riding to reach one of the oldest cities in Italy, Padova (or Padua) also known as the City of St. Anthony. Padova’s claim to history is not only being home to Italy’s second oldest university and still a vibrant university city, but it also acted as the setting for most of the action in Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. (B)

Elevation: 282 ft  (86 m)
Accommodation: Art Hotel Al Fagiano or similar
 

Day 7: Venice
You will take the train into Venice for the day, to explore the less well-known areas of the “Serenissima”. From the train station, visit the Jewish Ghetto, the Cannaregio neighborhood and the Fondamente Nuova before arriving near the Rialto bridge. From here, you’ll have free time to visit the more famous parts of Venice. Regroup later this afternoon to return to Padova together for our celebration dinner in a local restaurant. Raise a glass of white wine, the traditional Venetian aperitif, or a classic spritz to our journey together across the Veneto region. (B)

Accommodation: Art Hotel Al Fagiano or similar

Day 8: Tour ends in Padova
For those wishing to continue their time in Veneto or Northern Italy, Padova is a great starting point. Venice is a short distance away – a bucket list destination for ending your dream Italian holiday. The Lakes and Dolomites regions of Northern Italy are also nearby. If there is further travel in your plans, please let us know and we’ll be happy to provide suggestions. If your travels end today, we will provide tips for arriving to nearby Venice, Milan, Treviso or Verona airports. (B)

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You will be accommodated in unique 2, 3, and 4-star hotels and inns. On the detailed day to day itinerary, you will find a sample hotel list. Final hotel list will be based on availability.

Bicycles

Touring Bike

Standard Touring Bike

• Aluminum frame & fork
• Step-through or horizontal bar frame
• Flat handlebars
• Platform pedals (you may bring your own pedals!)
• Shimano Deore 3x10 drive train
• Continental Contact 700 x35 tires
• Solid rear rack
• Chain guard

Premium Titanium Touring Bike

• Titanium frame with carbon fork
• Step through frame or horizontal bar frame
• Flat handlebars
• Platform pedals (you may bring your own pedals!)
• Shimano SLX 3x10 drivetrain
• 700x25 tires
• Solid rear rack
• Chain guard

Accessories

• Cyclometer
• Bell
• Lock
• Pump
• Water bottle cage
• Under seat pack that contains a spare tube, tire irons, & patch kit
• Rear rack back
• Helmet

Electric Touring Bike

Cannondale Mavaro or Frantic 7 Days Living Easy

• Aluminum frame
• Front suspension
• 625Wh Bosch Powertube battery
• Bosch Performance Line mortors
• 700x40 Schwalbe Delta Cruiser Plus tires

Accessories

• Cyclometer
• Bell
• Lock
• Pump
• Water bottle cage
• Under-seat pack that contains a spare tube, tire irons, & patch kit
• Rear rack back
• Helmet

Featuring state-of-the-art technology, e-bikes are a fantastic option for bicycle travelers who need a little push. Although you still have to pedal, the E-bike drive provides a nice boost for your efforts. For example, when your pedal stroke increases to get up a hill so does the amount of power the electric motor outputs. Less effort on your part translates to less power assist. These bikes come with rapid-fire shifters that operate in the same way as a regular hybrid bikes. Please note that electric bikes are heavier than regular touring bikes and are not meant for cyclists with little or no experience.

Accessories & other rental options

Child trailers, Tag-alongs, Tandems are also available for rental, based on availability