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.