Easy self-guided or guided hotel tour with between 22 to 38 miles (35 - 60 km) of cycling per day over 6 days. Landscape is flat with just one steep climb of 1km in Asolo that is easily walked. Tour runs along good asphalt roads and bike paths with little traffic. Trains with bicycle transportation connect the main cities of the tour so in case of bad weather, or if you need a day of rest, you can reach your destination by train.

Individual arrival in Vicenza, known as the "City of Palladio". Palladio is a famous architect from the 16th century, whose famous works are located in the city, namely the Basilica and the Villa Rotonda. From Vicenza, you can easily reach Venice by train in 50 min. time. The night’s accommodations will be in a hotel within the city center close to the train station.

You will cycle from the valley to the beginning of the Alps until you come to Marostica, a very picturesque town with a nice Castle and the popular Chess Square (a live game with human chess pieces is still played every September on even numbered years). The Grappa Museum is also certainly worth a visit. Further along the way, you will reach Bassano del Grappa, a charming old town on the Brenta River crossed by a marvelous wooden bridge. Via a trek from Vicenza to the base of the Alps is the town of Bassano del Grappa, known for its spirit. Founded in the Middle Ages, Bassano del Grappa is famous for its covered wooden Bridge, the Ponte Vecchio or Ponte degli Alpini, designed by Palladio in 1569. It is tradition, mostly on the weekends, to have an aperitif at the bridge and for the lovers, a bacin d’amor (love kiss). Visit the famous Palladio Villa on your way to Treviso along the Sile River.

 

Today while cycling along the Prosecco vineyards, you will be able to visit the very famous Palladio villa: Villa Barbaro. You can choose whether to have a glass of Prosecco in one of the wineshops along the way or whether to have it as ’aperitivo’ in Treviso before dinner. We suggest you get lost among the many small roads that make up the Treviso free car zone to discover Piazza Pescheria (Fisher Square) and the many other characteristic corners of this wonderful city crossed by numerous canals.

Ranked last year as the best part of the tour is the trek that runs from Treviso along the waterway, which was used by people to transport the products of the land to Venice during the Serenissima Republic. Arrival is at Mestre. 

Through the Ponte della Libertà (a 6 km bridge), you will finally come to the famous city on water, Venice. From there, you will take a ferry to the narrow island of the Lido. Here you will pedal past picturesque stone houses and along the seashore past bobbing boats and fishing nets extended into the water. Another ferry will take you to the even narrower Pellestrina Island with its natural oasis of Ca? Roman. Instead of cycling, a motor boat will transfer you to Chioggia, a miniature Venice with cobblestone streets and canals and home of one of the main fishing ports of the Adriatic. There is a lively fish market every morning but Monday. (First etappe for those clients who starts in Mestre)

Along the cycle path of the Battaglia Canal you will pass through Padua, home to one of the oldest Italian universities. Worth visiting are the great basilica dedicated to St. Anthony, the historic Caffè Pedrocchi and Prato della Valle, the biggest square in Italy. The Bacchiglione River points the way out of the the city and you reach Costozza, a little town at the foot of the Berici hills. The bike path passes in front of Villa Rotonda, the most famous of the Palladian villas. Just before entering Vicenza you will see Villa Valmarana ai Nani with its marvellous frescoes by Tiepolo (entrance included).

In Padova, we suggest you visit the 16th century Anathomy Theatre, the world oldest surviving medical lecture hall as well as visit the recently restored frescoes by Giotto of the Life of Christ in the dazzling Scrovegni Chapel. From Padova, you leave the Euganei Hills on your left to reach the foot of the Berici Hills, and then on to the old Stone Caves of Costozza, where you can also admire the beautiful gardens of Villa da Schio. Stop at the old ice-cave of the villa, now a very unique wine-bar. Along a bike path, you can stop at Villa ai Nani before finally ending the tour back in Vicenza, where you will stay for the night.

Individual departure or extension.