To Venice con Gusto
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Photo Gallery: Venice to Bologna
To Venice con Gusto
In Italy’s northern provinces of Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and Veneto the cuisine is a journey in itself.
Highlights
- Unparalleled cycling along Venetian lagoons and along the Po river
- Tranquil riding on level terrain of the Po River Delta nature reserve
- Discover Mantova, Ferrara and Venice, UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Spectacular fish dinners in Venezia and Chioggia
- Explore the unspoiled wilds of Parco del Mincio and dei Colli Euganei
- Strolls through lively fruit and vegetable markets
Description
Hearty ossobuco. Golden risotto alla Milanese. The light and fluffy bread panettone, sweet with a hint of lemon. The soft, ever-present taleggio cheese. The peoci, clams from the Venetian lagoon. The piadina, the flat bread made with simple ingredients like flower and water, perfect for a panino. You’ll feel like every turn is leading you to an exciting new flavor on this new Ciclismo tour. Best of all, you’ll taste the region from the perspective of our most knowledgeable guide —your trip specialist Andrea Marchesini, who always knows where to find food at its best!
This bicycling adventure travels along a delicious route and crossing three regions, ending in the romantic and famous Venice. Appetites will be treated to irresistible dishes from the breadbasket of Italy as we cycle from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the untouristy Mantova along the Po river in Lombardy. We continue in the Emilia Romagna region visiting the cyclist-friendly and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ferrara, famous for its fortress and its medieval atmosphere. The fertile alluvial plain of Emilia-Romagna with its rich agricultural countryside full of fruit orchards and grazing plains is the region where pasta has achieved the status of an art form, where syrupy-rich aceto balsamico (balsamic vinegar) is measured in drops, and where Parmigiano Reggiano cheese makers still follow a 700-year-old tradition.
The tour will end in the Veneto region, famous for its villas and seldom-touristed fishing villages like Chioggia, called also “the mini Venice” given its canals and narrow streets. Our last destination, Venice, is the perfect place for a final celebration after a full immersion in the northern Italian culture, history and culinary experience through some undiscovered areas of the bella Italia: andiamo! Forza, forza!
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Price
$4,495
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Single Supplement
$800
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Ability Level
Easy
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Terrain
Flat
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Distance
235 miles Daily average: 29 miles
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Departing
Venice
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Arriving
Mantova
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Bike Rental
Included!
- View our Suggested Reading
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Dates
- May 25, 2012
- June 16, 2012
- August 31, 2012
- September 14, 2012
- September 28, 2012
Day 1–2: Mantova and the Mincio river
Day 1: We gather in the southeast of Lombardy in Mantova, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for lunch, introductions and a quick spin. The relatively flat terrain is ideal for today’s warm-up ride.
Day 2: Today we’ll follow the course of the Mincio, a river which descends from the Lake Garda, on a delightful loop that includes Parco del Mincio, established in 1984 to protect the natural and historic treasures of the river valley.
Day 3: Villa Bartolomea
We ride eastward through the lovely Po Valley today into the Veneto province. Sometimes called the “Po Plain”, it is one of Italy’s major geographical features and the area where Napoleon declared his “Kingdom of Italy. We are in the province of Verona famous for its sought-after wines like Amarone, Valpolicella and Soave.
Day 4–5: Ferrara
Day 4: Today we reach Ferrara, UNESCO world Heritage Site, one of the centers of Italian Renaissance history and an outpost of papal power in the north. Bicycles are the favorite mode of transport; its streets are closed to car traffic!
Day 5: Enjoy a tranquil morning loop around the surrounding fields and canals, a walking tour of Ferrara’s historic center and a tasting at the world’s oldest winery!
Day 6: Monselice
Northward we ride today to Monselice, the gateway to Parco Regionale dei Colli Euganei whose park’s volcanic peaks rise in stark contrast to the surrounding valley.
The modern town lies in a wide valley while the oldest part of the town is around the Rocca hill.
Day 7: Chioggia
Sprint eastward to the Adriatic coast today, through the Veneto region to reach Chioggia, known as “little Venice.” Chioggia is likened to Venice because of it’s canals, bridges, and narrow streets.
Day 8: Venice
Today we bike and ferry through the Veneto region to Venice, our final destination, probably one the most romantic towns in the world. Before dinner, stroll along the maze of waterways, have a break for a “spritz” in one of the campi (squares) and take a unique insider’s look at Venice.
Day 9: Arrivederci!
Following breakfast at around 9am we shuttle you to the lido docking area (1km from the hotel) to catch your waterbus to the airport or the train station. Buon Viaggio!
Guides for this trip
