Italy - Lake Garda to Venice

Arrival at the hotel in Garda on your own. You will spend your first night in the town of Garda, on the southeast shores of Lake Garda.

A gentle and relaxing start to your cycling holiday that will allow you to enjoy the delights of Lake Garda and explore the surrounding countryside. Ideally located on the south-east shores, the area is a network of cycle routes leading you into the countryside of expanses of vineyards over gentle hills. Cycle routes will take you through quaint little villages just below the Mt Baldo range, and will then take you back to the shores of the lake, where you can enjoy the lake-front vibrant life of Latize and Garda itself. In the evening, Garda(your home for the night) becomes full of life and with plenty of little restaurants and Italian Trattorias to choose from, you are set up to have a lovely evening out.

Distance : 41 Km (25 mi) or 51 Km (32 mi)

Elevation: 547m or 669m

Your day today will start with a short cruise across the lake to Sirmione. From the boat you can admire the eastern shore of the lake, dominated by the long ridge of Mount Baldo, rising over 2000m above the lake. Sirmione was once a famous Roman spa and still attracts visitors for the curative waters and charming character. In roman times villas were built here, including that of the poet Catullus who wrote of the beauty of the lake in his verses. Sirmione is also full of art treasures and history, starting with the Castle through which one must pass to reach the old centre.

From Sirmione you’ll ride south following quiet country lanes, through vineyards, peach orchards and kiwi plantations, in the rolling hills of the region known as Le Colline Moreniche. You’ll stop at San Martino di Battaglia, with its curious museum of armaments. Meandering past typical farm holdings, you’ll arrive at Castellaro Lagusello, a quaint village and ideal location to stop for lunch in one of the local trattorias. Heading back to Lake Garda, the final section is riding the Mincio cyclepath into the fortified walls of Peschiera, your destination for the night.

Distance : 24 Km (15 mi) or 45 Km (28 mi).

Elevation: 167m or 233m

Your destination today is the city of Romeo and Juliet, with renaissance palaces, the roman arena and many cosy corners. Setting off from Peschiera, you’ll start today’s ride, cycling north along the east side of the lake. Heading inland, rolling hills cultivated with kiwi, peach plantations and olive groves will accompany you along the way. The last section is a ride along the Adige cycle path, leading you into Verona.

You’ll have time to enjoy a stroll through this remarkable renaissance city, recently named as a World Heritage Site. Verona has delighted painters, poets, travellers and celebrities for centuries. It is a work of art in itself: a fascinatingcross-road of historical periods and cultures (both classical and Germanic), a blend of both Nordic and Mediterranean influences. After settling into the hotel, you’ll have an evening to explore Verona and try out one of the many quality restaurants in town.

Distance : 33Km (20 mi).

Elevation: 218m

You will leave Verona riding mostly on cycle paths along the banks of the Adige river. This interesting route, mostly on dirt roads and canal embankments, is a relaxing ride and surrounded by nature, allowing you to explore the plains south of Verona, characterised by expanses of orchards and vineyards which extend to the foot of the Euganean Hills.

Always riding on flat routes, you will reach the medieval town of Montagnana. Montagnana is a beautiful and peaceful town, universally famous for its beautiful, and perfectly preserved, medieval city walls. Time permitting you may have the opportunity to visit some of the ancient walls.

Distance : 59km (37mi)

Elevation: 138m

Today’s route reaches Padova passing through the town of Este, travelling along the banks of the River Frassine. You will be riding along quiet country roads with interesting natural features and the typical landscape of the Veneto countryside. Arriving in Este you will see the tower of the castle and part of the ruins, dating from the eleventh century. They are the only remaining artifacts of the five castles, built on the banks on the outskirts of the city to defend the strategic river accesses. This part of the route is mostly along the banks of the canals that surround the isolated group of hills. In particular you’ll ride along the banks of the River Bacchiglione taking a network of cycle paths. Padova is a city characterised by complex town planning, a result of 2500 years of history. The city houses some world-famous works of art; from the traces of the Roman Age splendour to the masterpieces of the Middle Ages.

Distance : 61 km (38mi)

Elevation: 260m

You’ll continue with your journey heading towards Mestre and then onto Venice.

Following a mixture of country lanes and cycle paths, you’ll ride through more beautiful landscapes and past regal mansions, following canals and natural reserves. Reaching Mestre, you’ll arrive at the train station. From here you can take one of the regular trains to Venezia St Lucia, only a 12 minute journey, to avoid the busy section over the Liberty Bridge to Venice (train tickets not included, approximately 3€ per person). Here you’ll have time to stop and lock up your bikes for a few hours, allowing time to visit one of the famous Venetian Palaces and explore the city’s most beautiful and fascinating sights on foot. In the afternoon you will jump on the ferry first to Lido and then to Pellestrina Island. The Lidi di Chioggia are long strips of land that divide the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea and go from Venice to Chioggia, broken only by a few channels. Large sea defenses run the total length of the island with characteristic embankments called “Murazzi” which you will be cycling along, offering unique views of the sea and the lagoon of Venice. One more ferry will take you to Chioggia. Situated on a small island at the southern entrance to the Lagoon of Venice, Chioggia is a miniature version of Venice, with characteristic narrow streets known as calli. Chioggia has several medieval churches, which were renovated during the 16th and 17th centuries, a period of great prosperity in the area.

Distance : 73 km (45mi)

Elevation: 110m

Note: You can split today's ride in two, stop in Venice, and overnight there. Then the next day (day 8) carry on riding the last 22 km of the Lido islands and take the ferry to Chioggia. (If you are interested, please contact our sales team).

Time to say goodbye to this charming part of Italy. Eventual transfer back to Verona will take approx 1.5 hours (not included).