Bolzano, Verona to Venice Veneto Italy An extraordinary cycle route will let you discover unique landscapes, art cities and the largest European thermal district. From the superb Dolomites, part of the UNESCO world heritage list, you will start cycling along the river Adige, crossroads between people and cultures. Heading south you will reach the palm lined shores of Garda Lake and then romantic Verona, the town of Romeo and Juliet. In Vicenza you will be fascinated by the architectural genius of Palladio, who made the town his personal showcase. Further on you will reach the Euganean Hills and their renowned thermal district, the largest in Europe. Finally, beautiful Padua, cradle of arts, will open the way to the Venetian lagoon, where the timeless fascination of Venice has lured passersby for centuries (and still does). Biking Tour Meeting: Bolzano Airport:   Verona, Venice Transfer: by train (not included) Trip Brochure (PDF)

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

It is possible to add one extra night in the middle of the tour only for departures on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Price and availability are upon request.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Total length: 290/355 km
Total vertical up: 570/1,120 m
Terrain: 90% tarmac, 10% unpaved
Train connections among the overnight stays: day 2, 3, 4 and 5
Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: day 2, 3, 5 and 7.

As a whole it is an easy to manage itinerary, riding on secondary streets with low traffic or paved bike paths. There are light hilly bits with short uphill sections.

Day 1: Arrival
Bolzano is a famous commercial and touristic centre and also a historical and cultural connection between the Italian and the German world.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Bolzano

Day 2: Bolzano to Trento
Today we will ride mostly along the Adige River, through orchards, vineyards passing the villages of Ora, Egna and Salorno. The dam pathways lead then to Trento. Possibility to shorten the stage by taking the train in several train stations along the way.
Biking approx. 65-70 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Trento

Day 3: Trento to Riva del Garda & Ferry
Always pedaling along the Adige we reach Rovereto and Mori. From here westwards towards Lake Garda. After a short ascent, a refreshing descent will follow and lead you to Torbole and to Riva. The ferry cruise takes us to the southern part of the lake.
Biking approx. 50 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Peschiera/Desenzano

Day 4: Peschiera/Desenzano to Verona
Today we head to Verona. Crossed by the Adige, it is one of the most important and beautiful cities of the Veneto region. Worth visiting are: the roman Arena, the Church of San Zeno and Juliet’s House.
Biking approx. 35-60 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Verona

Day 5: Verona to Vicenza
At first, the route starts out flat and then heads through the Monti Berici, a hilly region just south of Vicenza, with a wonderful view of the city. The old city centre is characterized by the beautiful private palaces and public buildings by Andrea Palladio, the famous 16th century architect known all over the world. This stage can also be reduced by taking a train from Verona to San Bonifacio (approx. 30 km).
Biking approx. 40-75 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Vicenza

Day 6: Vicenza to Padua
Cycling out of Vicenza you will come across the beautiful Palladian Villa Rotonda. Along the Bacchiglione, the route will continue to the fascinating city of Padua with its famous Giotto's Chapel and one of the biggest squares of Europe "Prato della Valle".
Biking approx. 45 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Padua

Day 7: Padua to Mestre / Venice
The tour continues easily through the flat Veneto. You will cycle along the Brenta Canal, overlooked by the once countryside villas of the Venetian nobility (Villa Pisani, Malcontenta, Villa Widmann) until you reach Mestre, Venice’s mainland. You can chose to stay in Venice with a price supplement. Please note that in Venice (apart from Piazzale Roma and train station Santa Lucia) it is forbidden to cycle, and also to push your bike by hand. 
Biking approx. 40 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Mestre

Day 8: Departure
Departure. Possible transfer back to Bolzano (reservation required).
Meals included: Breakfast


Tour program variations
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.

Along the way you may find temporary deviations (for example road works) which cannot be foreseen; in this case each rider can decide autonomously how to deal with these stretches.

In case of strike, bad weather conditions, technical breakdowns, safety problems or any other reason preventing the regular departure of the ferry boat (from Riva del Garda to Peschiera/Desenzano), the ferry boat company can delay, cancel or
deviate the navigation without notice.

In case of cancellation the ferry boat service will be replaced by alternative means of transport (usually by bus). The same applies if the ferry boat service is no longer foreseen (for example at the end of the season).

                                                Venice area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	45	48	55	62	71	78	83	82	75	65	54	46
Average Low Temperature (°F)	32	33	40	47	55	62	66	65	58	50	41	33
Average High Temperature (°C)	7	9	13	17	22	26	28	28	24	18	12	8
Average Low Temperature (°C)	0	1	4	8	13	17	19	18	15	10	5	1
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	4	4	5	7	7	7	5	5	5	6	6	6

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The climate is sub-continental, mild and pleasant in every season thanks to the mitigating action of the sea and to the Alpine barrier sheltering it from the North winds. There are 2 main climatic areas: the Alpine area, with fresh summers and often snowy winters, and the hilly and plain area characterized by an almost continental climate. The milder areas, with a Mediterranean climate, run along the coasts of the Adriatic sea and around Lake Garda. Summers can be humid, above all in the plains and in the Venetian lagoon.

In Veneto you will find cool or mild temperatures in spring and autumn, whereas in summer (June-September) the climate is definitely hotter and more humid with a good possibility of cooling rains.

Being entirely situated within the alpine area, Trentino-Alto Adige has a typically mountainous climate, with rigid winters and cool summers; the rainfall level is not very high, with minimum amounts in winter and maximum amounts in spring and autumn.

Average ratings from 1 tour feedback (see details below) (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: Name Date brian specht 10/3/2010

Accommodations
We personally choose all the hotels mindful of your comfort as well as the proximity to cycling paths and any relevant local sites.
 
According to your category of choice you will be accommodated in:
- Cat. A: mainly 4* hotels, with some 3* hotels
- Cat. B: mainly 3* hotels, with some 2* hotels
The overnight in Padua thermal district for both categories will be in a 4* Wellness Hotel with swimming pools.
 
All rooms have en suite facilities. All 3/4* hotels have air conditioning while in the category of 2/3* hotels there may be some cases of accommodation without air conditioning. Some hotels located in mountainous places of northern Italy can be without air conditioning (even in category A).
 
When you book the tour please specify the type of room requested:
- double room is a room with one double bed
- twin room is a room with two single beds
- triple room is usually a room with one double bed and a single bed or a sofa bed.
 
On request 7th night of the tour in Venice instead of Mestre with delivery of the bikes in Mestre.


Meals
Only breakfasts are included in this package.

Tack:		--
Horses:		--
Pace:		There are light hilly bits with short uphill sections. As a whole it is an easy to manage itinerary, riding on secondary streets with low traffic or paved bike paths. 275/340km total.
Level:		(2 to 2 out of 5)    Easy
Riders:		Min 2	Max 15

Tour level
Easy cycling in mostly flat areas, with only few short climbs and descents. Little effort required, suitable for most people. This tour is also suitable for children. The longer stages, from Bolzano to Trento and from Verona to Vicenza, can be shortened by taking the train.
We have carefully chosen our bicycles and accessories in order to be able to satisfy the requests and wishes of our customers. In this page we illustrate some of the available types of bicycles.

Rental bikes
Girolibero’s City bikes are available in various sizes in unisex/women’s or men’s models. At the moment of booking, you can choose among the following bikes:
- Touring bike 27-gear Shimano Deore
- Touring bike 7-gear Shimano Nexus with back-pedal brake
- E-bike 9-gear Shimano
- Tandem

Features:
- aluminum frame
- mudguard
- rear rack
- comfort gel saddle
- anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres
- ergonomic bicycle grips
- Speed Lifter system (only for City bikes)

You can also rent:
- Child bikes | 20” wheels | 24” wheels
- Child seat | max 22 kg | 1-5 yrs
- Child trailer | max 35 kg | 1-4 yrs | 1 seat
- Follow-me tandem for 20” child bike | max 30 kg | 6-8 yrs
- Family tandem | 1 adult + 1 child 6-8 yrs
These accessories can only be mounted on unisex 27-gear Shimano Deore Touring bikes.

Accessories
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
1 cycle computer
1 Ortlieb one-sided saddlebag
1 front bar bag
1 repair kit per room: 1 spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, 2 allen keys and tyre levers
1 combination bike lock

Accompanying material
The Information Pack (one per room) includes:
- final hotel list: due to overbooking or organizational needs your hotel list may be changed just before your arrival
- luggage labels to be fixed at each piece of baggage, which has to be carried
- hotel vouchers to be given to the reception of each hotel on your arrival
- restaurant vouchers (if you have booked half-board)
- Lake Garda ferry-boat voucher: give this voucher to the ticket office in Riva del Garda to get your passage by ferry-boat to Peschiera or Desenzano del Garda
- ice cream voucher: you can enjoy a free ice cream in one of Vicenza's most famous ice cream parlours
- Villa Valmarana ai Nani voucher: you can enjoy a free entrance ticket to this beautiful villa in Vicenza, famous for Tiepolo’s frescoes (www.villavalmarana.com).

Girolibero Greens booklets:
1) Travel Guide with valuable information about the history, artistic heritage, landscapes and natural treasures of the areas visited on the tour. Plus: local events, some great anecdotes, suggestions on how to make the best of an extended break along the route, and tips on local wining and dining.
2) Detailed Maps of the itinerary: in colour and scaled 1:75.000/50.000, an altitude profile chart and maps of any historic city centres you would visit.
3) Roadbook describing the cycling route, stage by stage. Great on its own or in conjunction with the maps.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passport Note

(a) Italy is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. (b) The regulations stated below also apply to San Marino and the Vatican City.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;

(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements 

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	1
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No