Venice to Florence

Day 1: Chioggia
Day 2: Po River Delta, 36 - 63 mi. (58 - 101 km)
Day 3: Comacchio, 46 mi. (74 km)
Day 4: Ravenna, 31 mi. (49 km)
Day 5: Ravenna - Faenza, 32 mi. (51 km)
Day 6: Over the Apennines, 9 - 39 mi. (15 - 63 km)
Day 7: Florence, 26 mi.  (41 km)
Day 8:  Departure

Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadworks, which cannot be foreseen.

Day 1: Chioggia
On the southern end of the Venetian Lagoon, lies the busy fishing port of Chioggia, the start of your bike tour in Italy. Your hotel is located in the historic city center. Our local partner will meet you in the afternoon to fit your bicycles and go over the route details. This is usually scheduled between 2 and 4 pm so please inform us of your travel planes and arrival time in Chioggia. After checking in, you can take a stroll around the center of Chioggia and admire the canals, bridges, and main pedestrian walking street. If you arrive early, you can even cycle along one of the islands in the lagoon.
Accommodation: Hotel Grande Italia
Optional activity: Gourmet dinner in Chioggia
 

Day 2: Chioggia - Po River Delta, 36 - 63 mi. (58 - 101 km)
Today you cycle towards the Po River Delta, Italy's wildest and most fertile plane, the home to a variety of wildlife; flamingoes, bull, horses, and thousands of water birds. Grab some picnic supplies from the local grocery store and take your time,  or stop at a local cafe. Those who want extra mileage can enjoy a great ride into the Delta in the afternoon. Your destination this evening is a small country bed and breakfast. 
Accommodation: Agriturismo Forzello
Optional activity: Dinner near the agriturismo. Either a pizza menu or a 3-course meal.

Day 3: Comacchio, 46 mi. (74 km)
Today is another day of easy riding. The destination is a small lagoon town, Comacchio, full of character and history. At one point in history, this port was more powerful than Venice. Built on thirteen islands, the town is now landlocked but surrounded by the Po River and freshwater wetlands. Comacchio has a fabulous museum that showcases a Roman boat and its cargo that was excavated from one of the canals.  You may enjoy a boat ride through the extensive maze of canals on a traditional batane, a small flat-keeled boat which was the usual means of transport for the inhabitants until a few decades ago.
Accommodation: Hotel La Comancina or B & B Al Ponticello
 

Day 4: Ravenna, 31 mi. (49 km)
You pedal along the Valley of Comacchio wetlands towards Ravenna. This city was the last capital of the Western Roman Empire and home to more early Christian mosaics than any other city in Western Europe. You can walk to Dante's Tomb and the mosaics of San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia this afternoon, as your hotel is near all the city sights.
Accommodation: Ostello Galletti Abbiosi
Optional activity:
Guided visit of Ravenna (approx. 3 hours)
Dinner

Day 5: Ravenna - Faenza, 32 mi. (51 km)
Exiting Ravenna you have the choice to visit another very important Byzantine masterpiece, Sant'Apollinare in Classe. After crossing the plains, you pedal through fruit plantations and arrive to Faenza, located in the region of Emilia-Romagna. Your hotel is a restored convent near the central square of this regional market center and famous ceramics town. Enjoy the bustle in the market square and the main "piazza" which is always full of bicycle riders of all ages. Faenza is world-renowned for its hand-decorated ceramics and a visit to the International Ceramics Museum is highly recommended as well as several of the local artists' studios specialized in this colorful pottery.
Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria
Optional activity: Dinner
 

Day 6: Faenza - Ronta, over the Apennines, 9 - 39 mi. (15 - 63 km)
You head into the Apennines today, passing first through the medieval village of Brisighella. This is a good place to take a break and pick up some snacks for the climb ahead. If you want to tackle the entire mountain, you can do so. Your route descriptions provide options. The climb is quite easy at first as you begin the ascent. Remember to look around as you pedal since the scenery changes dramatically as you leave the plains and enter the mountains. Just before the toughest part of the climb, there is a conveniently located train station which allows you a choice in how you reach your destination! 
Accommodation: Albergo La Rosa
Optional activity:
Olive oil tasting in Brisighella
Dinner at the hotel in Ronta

Day 7: Florence, 26 mi.  (41 km)
There's a small climb this morning to Vetta le Croci, then it's downhill to the old Etruscan city of Fiesole, where you'll enjoy a great view of Florence rising from the valley floor. We recommend waiting until after lunch to ride into town and the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore this capital of Renaissance Italy. 
Accommodation: Hotel Silla
Optional activity: Dinner 

Day 8: Departure
After a buffet breakfast in the hotel, you're ready to become a tourist again. Visit Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and the other masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery, and more.
Optional activity: Guided visit of Florence

Cooking class is available in more than one location along the way and includes tasting the meal as well. 

The class is run by Le Cesarine, a company that organizes culinary experiences at local people’s houses. Your class will last about 3 hours, during which you will help the Cesarina prepare 3 courses. In the 4th and final hour, you will enjoy a meal (lunch or dinner) made of the courses you prepared during the class. Water and one bottle of house wine every 3 people are included.

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Please see each day’s detailed itinerary for the accommodations that are generally used. Of course in the event of lack of availability, our partner will search for a comparable alternative. Most of the accommodations are in 3 and 4-star establishments. Upgrades are possible in some hotels. Just ask.