Veneto to Venice

Introduction
Veneto Italy
Cycling this sophisticated corner of Italy is a real pleasure: admire the elegant villas of the Venetian nobility, scattered in the whole region... discover Vicenza, architect Palladio’s personal "showcase" and part of the World Heritage List since 1994... taste a typical "grappa" in Bassano, famous also for its covered wooden bridge... cycle through the Prosecco vineyards between Asolo and Treviso... explore the timeless fascination of Venice by foot and by water... take a walk in the charming Chioggia, affectionately known as "Little Venice"... discover the city centre of Padua, home to one of the oldest Italian (and European) universities.
This tour belongs to the European classics, curling between the Alps and the Adriatic sea.

Accomodation

Accommodation
We choose all the hotels mindful of your comfort as well as the proximity to cycling paths and any relevant local sites.

Hotel categories:
- 3* hotels, with a cozy 2* hotel in Vicenza (standard)
- mainly 4* hotels, with some 3* hotels (upgrade)
- only 4* and luxury hotels (night in Venice in a 3* hotel, instead of Mestre, is included - upgrade)

No matter the hotel category, 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.
 
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
- a family room could be converted into two double/twin rooms next to each other, according to availability

Local tax
Some cities charge a tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels.
This fee varies depending on the hotel category, on the season and the number of days of stay. It is usually between 1 and 5 € per person per night.
At the beginning of 2020 the following local taxes (per person per night) were valid, but during the season some variations may occur:
Vicenza: hotel 2/3* 2 €, hotel 4* 2/2,50 €;
Bassano: hotel 3/4* 1 €;
Treviso: hotel 3* 1 €, hotel 4* 1,80 €;
Mestre: hotel 3* 2,40 €, hotel 4* 3,10 €;
Venice: hotel 3* 3,50 €, hotel 4* 4,50 €;
Chioggia: hotel 3* 1,30 €, hotel 4* 1,50 €;
Galzignano: hotel 4* 1 €;
Padova: hotel 3* 2 €, hotel 4* 3 €.



Meals
A breakfast buffet is included each day. Hotels usually serve an a continental breakfast with a varied buffet. However, in some 2/3* hotels you may find the typical Italian breakfast, consisting of a hot drink, such as cappuccino or coffee, with fresh pastries, such as cake, croissants or toast and jam.

* Half board can be arranged: 6 dinners (3-course meals), beverages not included and to be paid on the spot. The restaurants are mostly in the city centres and very rarely in the hotels.

Diets and allergies
If you are vegetarian, gluten-intolerant, allergic to some specific ingredients/substances or if you suffer from any other kind of allergies please indicate it at the moment of booking. We will pass the information on to the hotels, but we cannot guarantee that all dietary requests will be met. Sometimes it is difficult to find particular food, for example gluten-free food, so we suggest that you to bring your own snacks just in case.

Riding

Activity 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.
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

If you want to do the tour with your own bike, before you depart we suggest to check that all parts of the bike are functioning properly. A cycle computer is necessary to follow the road book. We also highly recommend you to bring a repair kit because the emergency number in case of breakdown cannot be used if you are using your own bike. Don’t forget to bring a padlock and always lock your bike.

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

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

At the moment of booking you can also rent helmets, suitable for head circumferences from 54 to 61 cm. All helmets have a certification mark according to the DIN EN 1078 (CE) European norm.

We supply you with some useful material to help you follow the itinerary as well as some tourist information about places and cities you will meet in your holiday.

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)
- 24 hours ACTV ferry ticket only for the hotel category A and A+ (bike transport ticket not included)
- 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).


Mechanical problems
During the tour, if the bicycles should have any type of technical problem that prevents you from continuing, please contact us at the emergency numbers and try to describe the occurred issue. We’ll try to solve as soon as possible the problem. As you are riding unaccompanied, it is wise to know at least how to repair or change an inner tube before setting off on your bike. We remind you that we offer no assistance in case of flat tire.
In case of mechanical problems please:
1. Call the emergency phone number
2. Communicate your name and which tour you are on
3. Let us know your position (total distance of the stage) based on the description of the roadbook
4. Give us your mobile phone number

In relation to your location and to the damage of the bike we can:
- ask you to wait there in order to provide a change of the bike
- Send you to a mechanical shop nearby. We will estimate the damage with the mechanic. The charge will be refunded only after our authorization and on presentation of the receipt. In case of puncture no intervention or assistance is foreseen. Customers will be given a proper puncture reparation kit, which will enable them to intervene directly and solve the problem.

Itinerary



Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Total length: 270/295 km (Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: day 4 and 7)
Total vertical up: 540 m
Terrain: 85% tarmac, 15% unpaved

The itinerary is completely in the low-lands except for the 1 km slope in Asolo. You will ride on secondary streets with low traffic and paved bike paths.

Note: 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.

Day 1: Arrival in Vicenza
Individual arrival. A nice and cozy historical city centre characterized by the buildings of the famous architect Andrea Palladio (16th century).
Meals included: none
Overnight in Vicenza

Day 2: Vicenza to Bassano del Grappa
From Vicenza you cycle toward Marostica, famous for its castle and the chessboard in the main square.  The last stop ins Bassano del Grappa with its covered wooden bridge and the "grappa". 
Watch out for the traffic when you cross the provincial road 111 and when you follow the provincial road 248 on a short stretch. There are a few hundred metres on dirt roads before and beyond Marostica.
Biking approx. 40 km (elevation gain: 100 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Bassano del Grappa

Day 3: Bassano del Grappa to Treviso
You enter Asolo, which presents the only real uphill action of our ride. The downhill run takes you to the land of Prosecco vineyards and on to Maser. The trip ends in Treviso. 
The degree of difficulty is medium because of the hard 1.5 km slope uphill to reach Asolo and because of the total length. The cycle track that runs at the foot of the Montello is sometimes unpaved but in very good condition. Watch out for the traffic along the final part of the stage, between the village of Ponzano Veneto and Treviso.
Biking approx. 60 km (elevation gain: 260-300 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Treviso

Day 4: Treviso to Mestre/Venice
Leaving Treviso behind you, follow the course of the River Sile up to Casale. At the end of the trip Venice awaits for an evening among canals and narrow streets. 
Today you’ll ride mainly on the cycle path along the Sile river (75% of the whole stage), partially on unpaved surface.
It is possible to shorten the stage by 20 km by taking the train in Quarto d’Altino.
Biking approx. 20-45 km (elevation gain: 100 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Mestre (possible to stay in Venice with a supplement)

Day 5: Mestre/Venice
Today you can decide to give your bike a day of rest and spend your time in Venice, exploring its timeless fascination on foot.
Alternatively, you can enjoy another exciting cycling day by pedalling on the two narrow islands that divide the sea from the lagoon: the island of Lido, with the ancient hamlet of Malamocco, once capital of the Serenissima Republic, and the island of Pellestrina, with its long wild beaches.
If you have time you can take the motorboat from Pellestrina and visit Chioggia, too.
If you decide to cycle along Lido and Pellestrina, in the first part of the stage you will have to reach Tronchetto Island, from where by ferry-boat you will sail towards Lido Island along the Giudecca Canal. You will cycle all along the island of Lido, until you reach Lido Alberoni, where you will take the ferry to Pellestrina (S. Maria del Mare). Then you will proceed cycling along Pellestrina and its beaches until it’s time to go back to Mestre, by following the same route backwards.
If you have time you can take the motorboat from Pellestrina and visit Chioggia, too.
Biking approx. 65 km (elevation gain: 0 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Mestre (possible to stay in Venice with a supplement)

Navigation (24h ACTV ticket not included):
- about 35 minutes by ferry-boat from Tronchetto to Lido S.Niccolò;
- about 10 minutes by ferry-boat from Alberoni to S. Maria del Mare;
- about 25 minutes by motorboat from Pellestrina to Chioggia;
- about 25 minutes by motorboat from Chioggia to Pellestrina;
- about 10 minutes by ferry-boat from S. Maria del Mare to Alberoni;
- about 35 minutes by ferry-boat from Lido S.Niccolò to Tronchetto.

Day 6: Mestre/Venice to Padua thermal district
You will start following the Brenta Canal, overlooked by the countryside villas of the ancient Venetian nobility (Villa Malcontenta, Villa Widmann, Villa Pisani) until you reach the hamlet of Stra. From here you will cycle along the Piovego Canal, which will lead you to the city centre of Padua, home to one of the oldest Italian (and European) universities and rich in art and history. Finally, along the cycle path of the Battaglia canal, you will head towards the Euganean Hills, where you will have the chance to relax in the largest European thermal district.
It is an easy stage, along river (Brenta) and canals (Piovego and Battaglia).
Biking approx. 55 km (elevation gain: 0 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Padua thermal district

Day 7: Padua to Vicenza
Cycling out of the Euganean Hills, you will head towards the cycle path of the river Bacchiglione, which will lead you into Vicenza, architect Palladio’s personal showcase. Before entering the town, along the way you can admire the Palladian masterpiece Villa La Rotonda. Let yourself be fascinated by the old city centre of Vicenza, characterized by beautiful private palaces and public buildings by Andrea Palladio.
The stage is not difficult and it develops almost entirely on cycle path: tarmac cycle track on the Euganean Hills, unpaved cycle track along the river Bacchiglione, up to Vicenza.
Biking approx. 50 km (elevation gain: 130 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Vicenza

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, end of service.
At the end of the last cycling day you have to leave the bikes locked with all accessories inside the rear pannier at the last hotel of the tour. Please ask the hotel
staff where to leave the bikes.
If you have rented e-bikes: please put both keys (battery and lock) inside the black case of the battery charger, and leave it inside the pannier.
We remind you that bike rental is not included in case of extra nights.
Meals included: Breakfast



How to shorten the stages
In Italy there is a good train service offering bicycle transport. This low-cost option will allow you to reach the next city in case of rain or bad weather, or if you prefer to visit a city at your own pace instead of cycling. Trains with bicycle compartments are usually regional trains and are indicated with a bicycle symbol on the carriage and also on the timetables displayed at the railway station.
The cost of the ticket for a passenger varies according to the distance covered, whereas for the bike it is always 3.50 € (valid for 24 hours on the entire Italian network). Tickets can be bought directly at the railway station. We remind you that in Italy it is compulsory to validate the ticket before getting on the train.

Most towns of this tour are connected with the train. Please note that not every stage is served by a direct train connection but it could sometimes be necessary to change train.
If you want to shorten the itinerary by taking the train, you can do it on day 4 and 7.

Day 4: Treviso-Mestre
You can shorten the stage from the intermediate station Quarto d’Altino, that is along the railway line Treviso-Mestre.

Day 7: Padua Thermal district-Vicenza
The stage can be shortened either in the first part from the station Terme Euganee-Abano-Montegrotto until Padua, or in the second part with the directtrain from Padua to Vicenza.

Rates and Dates for Veneto to Venice

Dates Note:
Every Saturday and Sunday from Vicenza and every Tuesday and Wednesday from Mestre

Other Info
Meeting: Vicenza
Airport: Venice, Verona, Treviso
Transfer: Vicenza

Climate:
                                                  Venice area