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Wonderfully easy hotel-to-hotel cycling route exploring the pretty villages, villas and castles of the Venetian countryside
Arrive at your friendly agriturismo run by Gabriella and Alessandro, in time for dinner. (Staying at Agriturismo Il Feudo)
The day starts along the canalside path to Este. This delightful mediaeval town with its pastel, arcaded buildings boasts a C14 castle and an altar piece by Tiepolo in its Cathedral. Your next stop is Monselice. You can visit its mediaeval castle (converted into a sumptuous residence for a Venetian noble in the C15). From Monselice you follow the canal past the C19 Villa Italia, before arriving at Sig Ottolitri's friendly, family run hotel just outside Galzignano. (Staying at Belvedere Resort ai Colli)
Distance in Km: 37
Distance in Miles: 24
It's a lovely circular cycle (route notes provided) to Arqua Petrarca, unchanged since the 1370's when Petrarch lived here. Visit his well-preserved house before pedalling off through vineyards to the fabulous Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio, the delightfully manicured C17 Italian gardens here are the best in the region. (Staying at Belvedere Resort ai Colli)
Distance in Km: 17
Distance in Miles: 11
Cycling through swaying vines you reach the charming village of Battaglia where there's time for a spot of wine tasting. You must try the local Serprino, a medium dry frizzante wine often compared to Prosecco, before carrying on through the spa towns of Montegrotto Terme to the pre-Palladian villa at Luvigliano. After admiring the elegant villa you cycle upwards to Teolo, your hotel is an elegant villa perched high above the town. (Staying at B&B Tito Livio)
Distance in Km: 34
Distance in Miles: 22
A former Roman settlement, Teolo's heyday was in the C15 when it became the summer home of Venice's doges escaping the heat on the coast. Many palazzi and formal gardens from the period remain. You could take a walk in the encircling Euganean hills (360 degree views from here) or maybe take the bus into Padua to admire the town's Giotto frescoes. Or, for a longer day out, take the bus/train to Italy's most romantic city, Venice. Enjoy a cappuccino in St Mark's Square, take a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs, admire the opulent gold decor of the Doge's Palace or visit the Peggy Guggenheim Exhibition. The list is endless! (Staying at B&B Vito Lovio)
Today starts with a 1km climb from the hotel, followed by an exhilarating freewheel down through the Euganean Hills to the mediaeval castle at San Martino. Then, cycling by the Bacchiglione River you reach Cervarese Santa Croce in time for a relaxed lunch in the square. Onwards, it's into wine country once more to reach your charming farm hotel at Villaganzerla where you'll receive a warm welcome from Valfrido and Angelina. There's time for a dip in the pool (typically open June - early September) before dinner. (Staying at Agriturismo L'Albara)
Distance in Km: 38
Distance in Miles: 24
You could laze by the pool but it's a shame to miss out on Vicenza! A cycle path (those feeling lazy can catch the bus) takes you there past the famous Palladian villa, La Rotonda. nicknamed 'Venice of the Terra Firma' for its marvellous architecture, Palladio designed dozens of the city's buildings, from the Basilica Palladiana in the main square to the Teatro Olimpico. There's plenty to explore. (Staying at Agriturismo L'Albara)
Distance in Km: 38
Distance in Miles: 24
Today's route follows the Strada del Tocai Rosso (the only area outside of Hungary where the red Tocai is grown). The wine road links a string of pretty villages, each with their own Venetian campanile. Then it's out across the plain to reach Vo Vecchio, criss-crossed with canals. The Euganean hills are spread out in front of you as you cycle through the vineyards to Gabriella and Alessandro's farmhouse for your last dinner. (Staying at Agriturismo II Feudo)
Distance in Km: 40
Distance in Miles: 25
8 Nights, hotel-to-hotel6 Days cycling GPS route directions
RideWithGPS navigation appHigh quality bikes providedLuggage transfers
between hotels
All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals included.The Veneto ranks as
one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the country. You will see
fields of maize and barley everywhere. It is also a big area for fruit;
expect to eat cherries, peaches, melons, plums, pears, strawberries and
apples. The cuisine varies from the coast up into the mountains and reflects
the region’s mixed cultural past. Nearer to Austria in the mountains, you
get a more Tyrolean cuisine with dishes such as apple strudel creeping onto
the menu, whereas towards the coast, you will find a lighter cuisine with
lots of fish dishes.Three typical dishes you are likely to find throughout
the region are baccalà (air-dried salted cod soaked and cooked to a creamy
consistency in garlic, parsley and olive oil), carpaccio (now seen on menus
throughout Italy and even internationally, this is thin slices of very rare
beef sprinkled with lemon juice and garnished with parmesan cheese,
mushrooms or even white truffles according to the season and the restaurant)
and polenta (made from maize, this is served as an accompaniment to meat
or fish).
8 Nights, hotel-to-hotel6 Days cycling GPS route directions
RideWithGPS navigation appHigh quality bikes providedLuggage transfers
between hotels
Cycling ConditionsClassification: Self-GuidedActivity Level: 1
(Leisurely)Average daily distance on move on days: 34km (21.5 miles). No. of
days cycling: 6Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who
prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress
of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you
with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace.It is
important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make
these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. As this is a
self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on
the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The
route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should
you need it and in emergencies.We take you across the Venetian plain, past
cherry orchards and swaying vine terraces, with the outline of the conical
shaped Euganean Hills and imposing Colli Berici acting as a constant
backdrop. The cycling is wonderfully gentle, over the flatlands of the plain
and the low foothills of the Colli Berici, along peaceful canalside paths,
cycle tracks and quiet country roads, passing sumptuous villas and historic
towns with wine-tasting opportunities on the way.
HotelsEn route the cuisine is fabulous, home cooked fayre and you'll stay with some
of the friendliest people we've ever met. In Teolo you'll stay at Tiziana's
lovingly restored Liberty villa, whilst there's a warm welcome at Valfrido
and Angelina's charming agriturismo near Vicenza, and at the Ottolitri
family's hotel just outside Galzignano.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local
representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of
the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of
interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided.
Please note: the walking and luggage transfers included in this tour are
subject to a minimum of 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A
supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy
of a room will apply if only 1 person travelling on a departure date.
All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals included.The Veneto ranks as
one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the country. You will see
fields of maize and barley everywhere. It is also a big area for fruit;
expect to eat cherries, peaches, melons, plums, pears, strawberries and
apples. The cuisine varies from the coast up into the mountains and reflects
the region’s mixed cultural past. Nearer to Austria in the mountains, you
get a more Tyrolean cuisine with dishes such as apple strudel creeping onto
the menu, whereas towards the coast, you will find a lighter cuisine with
lots of fish dishes.Three typical dishes you are likely to find throughout
the region are baccalà (air-dried salted cod soaked and cooked to a creamy
consistency in garlic, parsley and olive oil), carpaccio (now seen on menus
throughout Italy and even internationally, this is thin slices of very rare
beef sprinkled with lemon juice and garnished with parmesan cheese,
mushrooms or even white truffles according to the season and the restaurant)
and polenta (made from maize, this is served as an accompaniment to meat
or fish).
Prices include our standard flights/transfersBritish Airways Gatwick to
Venice Marco Polo 07:30/10:50 then rail Venice Mestre to Vicenza 13:32/14:03
and transfer to hotel 50 minutes. Return: Transfer to station 50 minutes then
rail Vicenza to Venice Mestre 13:56/14:28 then British Airways Venice Marco
Polo to Gatwick 17:25/18:35. Business/club/first class seats are available on
request.Alternative transfersIf you require alternative transfers (because
you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we
can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
Standard transfersTransfers included from Vicenza train station at 14:03 and
back to Vicenza train station at 12:45.
In Veneto and the surrounding areas the temperatures are cool/mild in spring
and autumn and warm/humid in summer, with potential summer storms. You can
find more information on the weather in Veneto on www.arpa.veneto.it.
You will need spending money for meals not included in the itinerary and all
drinks. We suggest €25 per day to cover a few drinks if not then €10 per
day. On the days where lunch is not included expect to spend €10-€15.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - compulsory
supplement)Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on
a departure date)Visas or vaccinationsArrival & departure transfers
(available on request)
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.