Cycling along Lake Garda and Veneto

June 06 - June 14, 2021

If the once mighty Venetian doges had been afforded a glimpse of this present world, they would have died of envy at the diversity of the delicate Veneto wines!

In the lagoon paradise that is Venice, the golden grape "Dorona" has, for a good decade now, been experiencing a renaissance, and winemakers have coaxed from the golden berries an unmistakable whiteness that piques the palates of wine lovers with its rich aroma.

Scenic landscapes, unique architectural monuments, and works by world-famous artists that have survived for generations - the ingredients for your bike tour are like homemade Italian pasta, enjoyed with a fine glass of wine, which reveals the spice of the region.

Like sketched lines, the vines nestle against the hills that, bathed in the fiery red of the setting sun, create a harmonious atmosphere and readily give the feeling of genuine Italian "dolce vita" to our trip.

Driven by the gentle summer wind, we will tour the historical features of historical metropolises such as Verona, Vicenza, Padua or Venice - just to name a few of the places that have carried the UNESCO World Heritage label for many years and proudly offer their treasures to visitors.

This bike tour through the northern Italian wine regions of Trentino, Lombardy, and Veneto is like a full-bodied grape waiting to be tasted.

BASIC INFORMATION

starting at 2280 €

Country

Italy

Departure

Trento

Arrival

Venice

Total Distance

295 km

Nº of Days

8 days
7 nights

Participants

8 - 14

Cities
Distances
Highlights
Included Services
Prices

Trento
Riva del Garda
Sirmione
Desenzano
Verona
Vicenza
Padua
Venice

1º dia: –
Day 2: 50 km
Day 3: 15 km
Day 4: 60 km
Day 5: 65 km
Day 6: 50 km
Day 7: 55 km
8º dia: –
9º dia: –

World Heritage Vineyards of Valpolicella, Colli Berici, Colli Euganei
Trento: Buonconsiglio Castle, San Vigilio Cathedral
Lake Garda and its charms
Sirmione: Sirmione's historic center with its villas and Catullo's Grotto
Verona: Arena, Piazza Bra, Ponte Pietra, Skaligerburg, Castelvecchio medieval castle, San Pietro
Vicenza and surroundings: Andrea Palladio's theater, houses and palaces
Padua: botanical garden, Scrovegni chapel, Prato della Valle
Montegrotto: Abano thermal springs
Venice: Dogen Palace, San Marco Square, its canals and alleys

7 nights in 4* hotels (or similar)
7 breakfasts
3 dinners
2 wine tastings
2 lunches or picnics
Accompanying guide on bicycle
Additional tour escort for groups with more than 10 participants
Support van with driver
Bicycle technical assistance
Luggage transport
Transfers according to the program
City tour a pé em Veneza
Guided tours in villages along our route
Boat ticket on Lake Garda
Train ticket to Treviso
Tourist tax
Mineral water and fruit during the bike excursions

Price per person:

starting at 2280 € in double room
starting at 2680 € in single room

*minimum of participants for these prices: 10 persons

Regular bicycle: 100 €
E-bike: 190€

*helmet and bag included

Day 1: arrival in Trento

The whole group will convene at the hotel in Trento.

Trento is a small and graceful town, with its old historical center, its very beautiful square with the cathedral and the castle of Buonconsiglio. An Italian charm!

And on that first night we will already taste some great Italian food from the region!

Trento lies 100 km north of Verona, about one hour by car or train.

Day 2: Trento - Riva del Garda

Flanked by the craggy rock formations of the Paganella mountain massif in western Trento, our bike ride today runs alongside the Adige River.

Well-preserved castles, "recklessly" built on steep plateaus, accompany us through the Adige Valley in Trentino, until shortly after Rovereto, where the Adige cycle path branches off towards Torbole/Riva del Garda, and we ride through the fertile Vallagarina towards Passo San Giovanni.

A magnificent view of Lago di Garda, formed by the Adige Glacier, leads us down the valley towards today's destination: Riva del Garda, just like a fairy tale.

Day 3: Riva del Garda – Desenzano - Sirmione

We begin our day on a beautiful boat trip. We leave behind the craggy rock faces that are so strikingly reflected in the clear, sparkling waters of the northern half of the lake. We cross the lake in a north-south direction and arrive in charming Sirmione.

The spa resort of Sirmione reveals itself as a treasure trove. Protected by the mighty Scaligero Castle, owned by the Della Scala family, we enter this charming cultural town via a drawbridge. We find well-preserved houses, bars and stores, and out at sea, the caves of the poet Catullo.

We grab our bikes and after a few kilometers of pedaling, the Lombard town of Desezano del Garda welcomes us with its warm atmosphere and excellent traditional cuisine.

boat crossing and about 15 km of cycling

Day 4: Desenzano del Garda - Verona

Today our route first takes us via Peschiera del Garda along the idyllic natural park of the Minco River. To the south, the fertile brown hills of the Adige glacier accompany us, there where the Trebbiano grape finds the ideal conditions to give Lugana wine its special flavor.

Hills covered with lush orchards lead us through rural villages to Verona. The vibrant commercial metropolis on the Adige River was once considered the most important transshipment point along the salt and amber route between the Adriatic Sea and the north. In Piazza Bra - the "living room of the Veronese" - the sublime voices of world-famous opera singers delight the ears of those who stay there. Close by is the Arena.

What a pleasure this is!

around 60 km

Day 5: Verona - Vicenza

Today's bike tour takes us through the idyllic landscape of the Valpolicella. The "Strada del Vino" leads us through the extensive vineyards of the Lessini hills to the city gates of Soave, whose mighty Scaligero from the early Middle Ages, with its 24 original towers, dominates the landscape.

We make our way through the wine forests of the Colli Berici to Vicenza, the "little" sister city of Venice. The city has an ambitious character and experienced an economic boom, especially in the mid-20th century. Historically unique buildings, such as the Teatro Olimpico, considered the oldest covered theater in the world, can still be visited in its original state.

And in Piazza dei Signori we can wrap up the day in a pleasant and elegant atmosphere.

around 65 km

Day 6: Vicenza - Padua thermal region

Accompanied by the Bacchiglione River, which was used for many centuries as a waterway between Padua and Vicenza, we will cycle to the university city of Padua.

On the "Casarotta" cycle path along the old Berica Riviera railway line, we are accompanied by a series of Palladian villas - firstly the villa "La Rotonda", a magnificent work of art, which is enthroned on a hill to the south of Vicenza.

To the southwest of Padua, vines of a deep, shimmering green nestle against the hills. These cone-shaped hills are the result of volcanic activity and, in combination with the Mediterranean climate, form the ideal soil for growing yellow grapes. In the area around these hills we find the ancient hot springs. The old city of Padua is impressive not only for its artistic and cultural treasures, but also for its liveliness that echoes through the arches of the palazzi, and immerses us in the city's history.

around 50 km

Day 7: Padua - Venice

Along the Naviglio del Brenta canal, built in the 16th century, we will pass by majestic Venetian villas on the Riviera del Brenta towards our destination today: Venice. A light, salty breeze already brings the proximity of the lagoon city.

The city of Venice, built on some 150 small islands and supported by wooden stakes, stands proudly and pompously after over 1,500 years of history. Its 400 bridges connect the Serenissima's six districts and lead us to discover its alleys, its buildings, and the cultural assets of this off-the-beaten-track metropolis. Relax with a glass of Dorona - the Doges' golden grape - and let the magical ambiance have its effect on you.

around 55 km

Day 8: Venice - Treviso

On this day we no longer have our bicycles.

We leave Venice by train for Treviso and thus close the cycle of visits to the main cities of Veneto, from where so many of our ancestors migrated to Brazil.

After a pleasant day in Treviso, we hop on our return train to Venice.

Day 9: Venice

After breakfast, it is time to depart!

We bid farewell to our new friends and are already planning to meet up again on the next cycling trip around the world!