Cycling Italy's Art Cities from Venice to Florence
Bike - Self-Guided Tour
Overview
Romance, art, history, and great food come together on our most popular trip for beginning cyclists. From the canals of Venice, the bridges of Comacchio and the early Christian mosaics of Ravenna to the Renaissance architecture of Florence, this tour features six days of pedaling through the heart of Italian culture and cuisine. Along the way you'll pedal through vineyards and fruit trees and discover colorful ceramics in Faenza, while of course enjoying gourmet meals in Emilia-Romagna - Italy's foremost pasta region.
Highlights
- Chioggia and the Venetian Lagoon
- Ravenna's Byzantine mosaics
- Faenza and its ceramics
- Cycling quiet country roads through orchards and olive groves
- Crossing the Apennines
- Florence, the Rennaissance capital
Daily itinerary
Day 1 Day 1 - Tour begins in Chioggia, Italy
Highlights: "Little Venice" and the Venetian Lagoon
Welcome to Chioggia and the Venetian Lagoon! We meet this afternoon at our hotel in the center of Chioggia. We'll fit bicycles and go over route details. Take a walk around the center of Chioggia and admire the canals, bridges and main pedestrian walking street. If you arrive early we can suggest a ride along one of the islands in the lagoon.
Daily distance: optional ride of 17 km (11 miles), or cycle as much as you desire today.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Italia, or similar. Upgrades available - please inquire for details
Day 2 Day 2 - Pedal the Po River Delta
Highlights: Chioggia, bicycle quiet roads, sleep in a country farm estate
We leave the Venetian lagoon today towards the Po River Delta. Enjoy cycling on levee roads and birdwatching. Grab some picnic supplies from the local grocery store or stop at a cafe for lunch today. Those who want extra mileage can enjoy a great ride into the delta this afternoon. Our destination tonight is a lovely country farm bed and breakfast.
Daily distance: 58 km (36 miles)
Elevation gain: + 208 m (683 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat
Po Delta extra loop ride: 43 km (27 miles) Elevation gain; + 157 m ( 515 ft)
Accommodation: Agriturismo Forzello, or similar. Upgrades not available
Day 3 Day 3 - Comacchio
Highlights: Comacchio and its "Trepponti" bridge
Our destination today is a small lagoon town that at one point was more powerful than Venice in the 700 and 800s. The lagoon town of Comacchio, has a fabulous museum that showcases a Roman boat and its cargo that was excavated from one of the canals. Built on 13 islands this town is now landlocked but surrounded by the Po River and fresh water wetlands.
Distance: 74 km (46 miles)
Elevation gain: +156 m (511 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat
Accommodation: B&B Al Ponticello, or similar. Upgrades available - please inquire for details
Day 4 Day 4 - Ravenna
Highlights: Wetlands, bird viewing and beautiful mosaics, bustling town
We pedal along the Valley of Comacchio wetlands towards Ravenna. Ravenna 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 our hotel is near all the city sights.
Daily distance: 63 km (39 miles)
Elevation gain: + 202 m (662 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat
Accommodation: Hotel Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi, or similar. Upgrades available - please inquire for details
Day 5 Day 5 - Ravenna to Faenza
Highlights: Faenza International Ceramics Museum and Renaissance Town Square
Exiting Ravenna you have the choice to visit another very important Byzantine masterpiece: Sant'Apollinare in Classe. Cross the plains through fruit plantations and arrive to Faenza. 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; we recommend a visit to the International Ceramics Museum as well as several of the local artists' studios specialized in this colorful pottery.
Daily distance: 52 km (32 miles)
Elevation gain: 158 m (518 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat
Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria, or similar. Upgrades available - please inquire for details
Day 6 Day 6 - Over the Apennines
Highlights: Bicycle the Apennines and the Mugello.
You will head into the Apennine mountains today, passing first through the colorful medieval village of Brisighella. Take a break and pick up some snacks for climb. If you decide you prefer to take the train up and over the mountains, feel free to do so! For those who decide to bicycle, begin the climb over the Apennines - remember to look around as you pedal since the scenery changes dramatically as you leave the plains and enter the mountains. Just before we reach the toughest part of our climb there is a very conveniently located train station, from where you could choose to hop on for the last and toughest part of the climb. You'll spend the night in Ronta, a small mountain town where you'll enjoy the clean and crisp mountain air. Dinner is included tonight.
Daily distance: 64 km (40 miles)
Elevation gain: + 1286 m (4219 ft)
Terrain type: very hilly
Accommodation: Albergo La Rosa, or similar. Upgrades not available
Day 7 Day 7 - Florence
Highlights: Fiesole and its Etruscan ruins, Renaissance Florence, Uffizi Gallery
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. Glide down into Florence on your bike. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore this capital of Renaissance Italy.
Daily distance: 42 km (26 miles)
Elevation gain: + 510 m (1673 ft)
Terrain type: hilly
Accommodation: Hotel Silla, or similar. Upgrades available - please inquire for details
Difficulty description
Gentle terrain down the Adriatic Coast with more challenging rides as we enter the Apennines. First 5 days are flat, last few days include climbs (with option to take a train over the mountain pass). A top notch introduction to Italy and its culture.
Visit our Tour difficulty level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.
Map
What's included
- 7 nights in 3- and 4-star lodgings
- All breakfasts
- 1 dinner
- Bike fitting and briefing in English by our professional staff at tour start
- Access to smartphone app with tracks and digital roadbook
- Luggage transfers
- All Classic self-guided tour inclusions
Optional activities
- Cooking classes available in various tour locations! Organized by Le Cesarine, experts in Italian culinary experiences. You will be hosted by a local at their home - your "Cesarina" - in a class that lasts about three hours, during which you will help the Cesarina prepare three courses. In the fourth and final hour, you will enjoy the meal (lunch or dinner) which you prepared during the class. Water and one bottle of house wine for every 3 people are included.
- Guided visit of Ravenna (approx. 3 hours)
- Dinner in Ravenna
- Dinner in Faenza
- Olive Oil Tasting in Brisighella
- Guided visit of Florence
Dates and availability
This tour is available between March 1 and October 31
Starts every Saturday. Other start days available by request (extra fee applies). Please note that starting on certain days of the week will make some visits impossible (such as museums or tastings). Because most museums in Florence are closed on Mondays, we discourage starting in Chioggia on the previous Monday or Tuesday. There can also be more weekend traffic on the road over the Apennines, so we discourage starting in Chioggia on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
2025 Confirmed departure dates:
June 7
________________________________________
Does crossing Italy from coast to coast sound appealing? On our legendary Bike Across Italy from Venice to Pisa Tour (12 day), you will continue from Florence on to Pisa, stopping in Vinci and Lucca.
________________________________________
Tour Code: itbs2193
Prices
Low season: €1485
2025 dates: Mar 1 - Apr 31; Jun 16 - Aug 31; Oct 15-31
High season: €1585
2025 dates: May 1 – Jun 15; Sep 1 - Oct 15
Prices per person, based on double occupancy; minimum 2 participants per departure.
Single supplement: €335 (in double room for single use)
Solo traveler departures: €845 (only one person on the departure). Includes the single/double room supplement and a GPS unit with the pre-loaded routes.
Lodging upgrades & extra nights are available: please inquire
City hotel tax not included in tour package (2 to 5 euro per night per person, to be paid locally by traveler).
* due to the 2025 Rome Jubilee, some cities may charge a higher per night tax
GPS device rental, as well as a printed roadbook, are available at an optional extra fee:
- GPS device rental: €50
- Printed roadbook: €45 (second copy of printed roadbook €15)
See the What's Included section for details on included navigation tools
Group Discounts are available for participants booking together on the same departure! Please inquire!
For more ways to save, see our discounts and promotions page.
Bike rental
We offer quality bikes in different styles, all great options for this bike tour. Our bikes are maintained and delivered in optimal working condition. The prices below are per bike for the duration of the tour, including delivery to starting point in Chioggia and collection from ending point in Florence.
Bike rental rates
Aluminum hybrid: €140
Premium Titanium road or hybrid: €175
Touring E-bike (hybrid with straight handlebar): €245
Tandem: €260 (priced per bike, for 2 cyclists)
Tag-along or kid trailer: €70
* bike rental from afternoon of day 1 through 5pm on day 7
Bike rental insurance is available for purchase with all our rental bikes – see details in the Bike Rental Insurance section of our Terms and Conditions page.
For detailed specs and photos of our bikes, see our website - Bike Rentals Italy.
Trip planning
Starting point
Starting point: Hotel Grande Italia - Rione S. Andrea, 597, Chioggia
We recommend flying into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
Options for getting to the starting hotel:
- Take a shuttle bus to Venice, then a bus to Chioggia or ask for a private transfer from Venice airport to your hotel in Chioggia.
Private airport transfers available if you prefer to be driven from airport to hotel in a private vehicle transfer, please inquire for cost - we will be happy to include this service in your tour package
Long-term parking
- Choose to leave your car in Venice Tronchetto and take public transportation to Chioggia for tour starting point. At tour end in Florence, take train back to Venice.
- Or choose to leave your car in Chioggia (tour starting point) in a parking lot. At tour end in Florence, take a train back to Venice and connect to Chioggia by public transportation.
Meeting Time for self-guided tours: the meeting time for our self-guided tours is typically set between 2pm and 4pm. We recommend travelers plan accordingly allowing plenty of time to arrive at the determined meeting place. Please note a late fee may be applied for late arrivals - please see our terms page for details.
Final Arrival and Departure Instructions: Detailed pre-travel documents, including your actual hotel details (which may vary from those listed), as well as exact meeting time, will be sent via email before your departure.
Ending point
Ending point: Hotel Silla - Via de Renai, 5, Firenze
We recommend flying out from Florence airport (FLR), connected from Florence city center by train
Options for getting away from the ending hotel:
Private airport transfers available if you prefer to be driven from hotel to airport in a private vehicle transfer, please inquire for cost - we will be happy to include this service in your tour package
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.)
Photo gallery
Customer reviews
Click to read past traveler reviews
Perfect amount of ease and difficult rides. The wind around the Delta (was) strong and the climbs are steep so must be strong rider. Or get an ebike! My wife had ebike and was so happy with it! Our favorite: Riding from Ronta to Florence (over the Apennines). So stunning. As architects, we enjoyed the stops and as cyclists, we enjoyed the treks between!
- Bill A. (usa, 2024)
We had an amazing trip, thank you for everything!
- Gina L. (USA, 2023)
10 out of 10 - Our route was definitely off the beaten path for tourists from the US, and we loved that! The itinerary was perfect for our group. The route, hotels, bikes were arranged for us by CycleEurope. Otherwise, we were self-guided supported by maps and a GPS, and it was great fun! The route was well planned - primarily on secondary roads, through small towns and interesting countryside. Our lodging was in very nice European hotels. The hotels expected us, accommodated our bikes and early check-in, and always had great recommendations on restaurants.
- Dianne G. (USA, 2022)
10 out of 10: A lovely relaxed bike tour thru the Italian countryside. Not too strenuous except for one day, which was manageable. Very good accommodations and easy access to sites and restaurants.
- Dan S. (USA, 2022)
Moderately challenging and fun. Great hotels and cities. Overall, the highlights were the towns and cities more than the landscapes we cycled through with a few exceptions. Best biking was over the Apennine, the Po Delta, and Ronta to Firenze. Loved visiting Ravenna. Staff was very responsive when we had a problem. Good support and communication.
- Maria F. (USA, 2022)
10 out of 10: Extremely well organized with quality, friendly accommodations and top notch equipment. The bikes were phenomenal. The luggage transfers and logistics were flawless.
- Jane K. (USA, 2019)
10 out of 10: I had a great time with my friends and I can?t wait to do it again next year!
- Priscila N. (2019)
10 out of 10: A nice cruise on the backroads of Italy. I loved the food, the buildings and the history.
- Charles P. (USA, 2019)
I gave Cycle Europe an A on overall. Sara was the best.
- Bruce H. (USA, 2019)
The bicycles were very nice. Cycling the back roads through orchards, vineyards and farmland. The food was wonderful, the fruit delicious, the wine tasty. Cycling by the beach and over canals. Plenty of history to soak up.
- Jim P. (USA, 2019)
Everything was really great. We really enjoyed the Agriturismo hotel in San Basilio. I want to highlight the great on-the-road service we received. When we called, you were easily accessible and within 3 hours, you had a mechanic out to take care of it. I thought that was terrific and continues to give me the confidence I need to take another self-guided trip. That is a story that I think is meaningful to most who want to take a self-guided tour. I am certainly capable of changing tubes and making bike adjustments, but the concern for me (and likely others) is if a more difficult bike problem happens. You showed that you have great support for that situation. Overall, my daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour and would love to do another with your company. Thank you for all you did for us.
- James N. (USA, 2017)
My favorite experience on this trip? Small towns . Quiet roads. Time with my son.
- Steve B. (USA, 2016)
My favorite experience was seeing spoonbills in the Po Delta Preserve and finding a typical, local meal by chance at the Ronta train station in the pouring rain . I also loved Faenza . Hotels were phenomenal. Route notes provided were very helpful
- Mary Ann L. (Germany, 2016)
Comacchio was great. The ride up over the Apennines on the second to the last day was fantastic. Alas, the rest of the group hopped on the train. They did enjoy the train.
- Peter K. (USA, 2016)
The notes were very inclusive - I like that there were sections that said this is a tricky area, or it's the road just after the yellow house - it made things very easy. The first hotel was beautiful - the next b&bs were nice - all people were very courtious and helpful and friendly. We arrive at a couple places early - it was POURING RAIN - everyone let us into our rooms early - our luggage was always waiting for us. GREAT!! It was so nice seeing the countyside - seeing things that we would never normally see - pink flamingos in Italy?? I think the senery was prettier later in the trip, but riding on flat lands for a few days got us in shape to climb. I liked the ideas that you put in to go visit different places, as well as history of the areas. It was a very good experience. My husband and I have already talked about doing another tour. The experience was great. Thank you!
- Nancy & Dennis H. (USA, 2015)
The daily route guides were the best I''ve ever used - very comprehensive. Hotels were very nice and centrally located in the towns we stayed in. This was very advantageous in exploring these towns.The two days in the Appenines were favorites. The sun broke through and the country view was beautiful - like an Italian postcard. Great experience overall. The titanium bikes were an unexpected plus. My wife now wants a new bike after riding her Van Nicholas on the tour.
- Thomas D. (USA, 2015)
Loved the hotels. Our meal at the hotel in Faenza was outstanding. Most of our breakfasts were excellent. The scenery was beautiful. Forgot to mention that the bikes were great, no flat tires! Also, Sara was great explaining the tour etc. to us and giving us pointers. And Stefania answered all our questions beforehand. Great job!
- Carol M. (Canada, 2015)
Our favorite experience on this trip was the feeling of achievement when we reached the restaurant at the highest point of the Apennines. We loved the carrier bags fitted to the bikes. Where can we buy one?
- Ian W. (UK, 2015)
My favorite experience was visiting Ravenna! Such a great city with such great things to see, but I''d never really heard of it before. Loved the trip, thank you so much!
- Kelly D. (USA, 2014)
Tops on our list would have to be the excellent organization and directions that were provided. I was a little nervous about doing a self guide tour, but the directions were so clear that my doubt was gone after the first day. Also, the friendly people that we met along the way and the quiet back roads that we traveled stand out as highlights. We loved the smaller towns that we passed through. To be honest, having the trip end was my least favorite part. We had such a great time. I just want to thank you again for such a wonderful trip. Everything was first rate from the pre-trip planning and communication to the bike fitting, bikes, route and sights to see along the way.
- Dan C. (USA, 2014)
Our favorite experience was riding along the lagoon with all the pink flamingos and that little bitty ferry that took us across the river! We really, really, really enjoyed ourselves and could not have been happier. Well, maybe if we had had tail winds, we would have been happier. : ) We will definitely book another tour with you guys. Thank you, Stefania. Our trip was really the most enjoyable thing we have ever done as a couple.
- Cathline M. (USA, 2014)
Our favorite experience on this trip was the variety of terrain, the beauty of the towns, the art in Venice, Ravenna and Florence was spectacular. Of course the food was amazing. Sarah''s orientation was thorough and extremely well done. She is a delight!
- Susan O. (USA, 2014)
Your notes were good and comprehensive and very useful
- Johann V.Z. (S.Africa, 2014)
We really enjoyed the cycling, what a wonderful way to see Italy! I was pleased that our ride up and over the Appennines was not difficult. Thanks again for all of your wonderful and detailed organization which made the trip such a pleasure. We are already discussing what trip we should take next year.
- Ellen K. (USA, 2013)
Each days ride was majestic. The variety of terrains and regions was perfect. Sara was the link to making our trip wonderful. She''s engaging, informative, knowledgeable - most helpful. And she''s a lovely person, and set the tone for the experience. Unforgettable experience. What a way to see This part of Italy.
- Richard B. (USA, 2013)
Seeing the mosaics in the Basilica in Ravenna was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Best on the road experience was a lunch stop at the first agriturissmo. Fantastic food and a great interaction with the owner
- Kurt D. (USA, 2012)
The routing was perfect. Flat rides to warm us up, building to hill climbs later in the trip. Great service from the reps. Thanks!
- Anonymous traveller (2012)
The personalized service that I received for my bike from your company was spectacular. We were so impressed with the mechanic who dropped off the bikes and reviewed the trip with us, to the mechanic you sent to our hotel who solved our problems. They were efficient, knowledgeable, helpful and kind. The gentleman who came to our hotel to fix my bike problem was wonderful. This personalized service and the sense that you cared that we had a great trip made all the difference in the world.
- Clare S. (USA, 2012)
