Pedaling Lake Garda and the Veneto

Highlights: Test ride and welcome dinner

Meet the group and tour leader at the Verona train station in the mid-afternoon, from where we will transfer to our lodging for the next two nights. Our quaint inn is located in the small town of Valeggio Sul Mincio, near Mantua (Mantova in Italian). We’ll fit bicycles and enjoy 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 Mantua to the south. Return to our inn for our welcome dinner together.

Daily distance: 4 km (2 miles) 
Elevation gain: + 62 m (203 ft)

Accommodation: Al Cacciatore Hotel and Restaurant, or similar.

Highlights: Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te

Pedal south along the bike path to reach the impressive city of Mantua, with its pretty lakes built around it as fortifications and now a great green area surrounding the city. Mantua was home to the princely Gonzaga family, who ruled for several centuries between the 1400-1800's and who made Mantua an artistic, musical and architectural centre. Visit the Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te, as well as the Piazza Virgiliana, Castello San Giorgio and Piazza delle Erbe before returning to our small town later this afternoon.

Daily distance: 69 km (43 miles) 
Elevation gain: +279 m (920 ft) 
Terrain type: rolling hills

Accommodation: Al Cacciatore Hotel and Restaurant, or similar.

Highlights: Peschiera del Garda; Sant'Ambrogio; Hilltop lodging

Head north today along our 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, which we will enjoy in a wine tasting hosted by the owners of tonight’s lodging, set on a lovely terrace overlooking the vineyards. A historic home turned into a boutique lodge, Villa San Giorgio is surrounded by vineyards, with a truly amazing view of the hills and Lake Garda in the distance.

Daily distance: 42 km (26 miles) 
Elevation gain: +532 m (1745 ft) 
Terrain type: rolling hills

Accommodation: Villa San Giorgio, or similar.

Highlights: Valpolicella wine country; Verona; Soave castle and historic center

We 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, a lovely medieval town also located in the Veneto wine country. The medieval castle and its fortifications that dominate the town stand in stark contrast to the softer vineyards that line the hills. Enjoy the local wine or a stroll through the small town, near our centrally-located hotel.

Daily distance: 67 km (41 miles) 
Elevation gain: + 258 m (846 ft) 
Terrain type: rolling hills

Accommodation: Locanda ai Capitelli, or similar.

Highlights: Home of Andrea Palladio

We head to Vicenza, another famous art city which 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.

Daily distance: 39 km (24.7 miles) 
Elevation gain: + 430 m (14112 ft) 
Terrain type: rolling hills

Accommodation: Key Hotel, or similar.

Highlights: Palladian Villa la Rotonda's gardens

Leave Vicenza along the foothills of Monti Berici. We’ll 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 (and still vibrant) university, but it also acted as the setting for most of the action in Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Daily distance: 44 km (28 miles) 
Elevation gain: + 152 m (498 ft) 
Terrain type: mostly flat

Accommodation: Casa del Pellegrino, or similar.

Highlights: Discovering Venice by foot

We’ll take the train into Venice for the day, where we will explore less well-known areas of the “Serenissima”, as the majestic city is often called. From the train station, visit the Jewish Ghetto, the Cannaregio neighborhood and the Fondamente Nove before arriving near the Rialto bridge. From here, you’ll have free time to visit the highlights 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.

No biking today

Accommodation: Casa del Pellegrino, or similar.

Highlights: Farewell!

For those wishing to continue their time in Veneto or Northern Italy, Padova is a great starting point. Venice is 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.

PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. 

Starting point: Meet in front of Verona’s Porta Nuova Train Station, for a group transfer to the starting hotel (you will receive exact meeting point instructions prior to your departure).

We recommend flying into and out of Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) or Verona "Valerio Catullo" airport (VRN)

If flying into Venice Airport:
An airport shuttle runs between Venice "Marco Polo" airport (VCE) and Mestre station.
From Mestre train station to Verona’s Porta Nuova train station, there are frequent departures of regional trains.

If flying into Verona "Valerio Catullo" Airport (VRN), the airport shuttle connects Verona "Valerio Catullo" airport (VRN) to Verona’s Porta Nuova train station in 15 minutes.

Final arrival and departure instructions along with other detailed pre-travel documents, will be e-mailed prior to your travel, with information specific to your departure (including the actual hotels used on your tour dates, which may vary from the hotels listed above.)

Ending point: Casa del Pellegrino – Via Melchiorre Cesarotti, 21, Padova
We recommend flying out of Venice’s Marco Polo Airport (VCE)

Options for getting away from the ending hotel:
- To get to Padova train station you can take a bus (approx. 10min ride)
- Taxis from the hotel to the train station take about 6 minutes. You can book your taxi by calling +39 049 65 13 33 (or ask the hotel reception)
- From Padova train station, regional trains will take you to Venice in about 1 hour. Venezia Mestre station will connect you to the airport
- From Padova train station a shuttle bus will take you to Venice "Marco Polo" Airport (VCE) in about 1 hour
- If you prefer to save time, it is also possible to take a taxi from Padova train station. It takes about 45-50 minutes to get to Venice "Marco Polo" Airport (VCE). You can book your taxi by calling +39 049 65 13333 (or ask at hotel reception)

If you’re flying out Verona "Valerio Catullo" Airport (VRN), the airport shuttle connects Verona’s Porta Nuova train station to Verona "Valerio Catullo" airport (VRN) in 15 minutes .

Final arrival and departure instructions along with other detailed pre-travel documents, will be e-mailed prior to your travel, with information specific to your departure (including the actual hotels used on your tour dates, which may vary from the hotels listed above.)