Active Journeys SelfSelf----GuidedGuided Bike tour

Tour descriptions Italy

Day 1 Arrive Vicenza

Day 2 40 km Northern To Vicenza-Grappa This itinerary is organized as Day 3 40/65 a loop taking in the most To km beautiful and scenic towns in the Veneto region. Come and Day 4 46 km discover the small towns, To Mestre/ connected like a pearl neck- lace, linking you back to the starting point. Day 5 35 km To Chioggia The secret of this trip is the combination of an active holi- Day 6 60 km day with a slower and ancient To Padova way of life. This is a relaxing holiday, suitable for every- Day 7 45 km body thanks to its friendly To Vicenza atmosphere: the hotels have been selected in city centres Day 8 to give you the opportunity of Tour ends a nice and rewarding walk in the old part of town after a day of cycling, or to enjoy a fine dinner with some won- derful local wines.

Every day you can choose between two different itineraries according to your cul- tural interests as well as mileage requirements, and weather conditions. Tour Details Dates: March 24 to October 20 Saturdays & Sundays (from Vicenza) Tuesdays & Wednesdays (from Mestre) Cost: $1595 per person Standard $3195 per person Superior High season supplement: $200 p/p (23 June-20 September) Single Room Upgrade: $450 / $650 Fast Facts • Lovely accommodations, always EEE-E---BikeBike InfoInfo: Length: 8 days / 7 nights with private facilities • E-bike rental: $350 Bike rental: $175 • Buffet breakfasts, luggage transport • Limited supplies on boat, so Grade: Moderate • Welcome briefing reservations recommended Starts/Ends: Vicenza • Route notes and maps • Kalkhoff Agattu and BionX models available • Entrance to Villa Valmarana ai Nani

Active Journeys Contact: 11----800800800----597597597----55945594 or 416416----236236236----50115011 Email: [email protected]

Day 1: Vicenza Individual arrival. Discover the cozy historical city centre characterized by the buildings of the fa- mous architect Andrea Palladio (16th c) , namely the Basilica and the Villa Roton- da. Here you will receive your bicycles and the info material on your holiday.

Day 2: Vicenza - Bassano del Grappa (40 km) The first stage of this holiday is a bike ride from the flat region of Vincenza to the start of the Alps unl you reach Marosca, a very typical Italian town with its Castle and Chess Square. Further along the way you reach Bassano del Grappa, a charming old town on the Brenta River, which you reach by crossing a marvelous wooden bridge.

Day 3: Bassano del Grappa - Treviso (62 km/40 km)

Today you will enter Asolo, which gives us the only real ascent of the tour. The downhill run takes you to the Prosecco vineyard, and then to Treviso. This is a great place to get lost among the many small roads of Treviso’s car-free zone to discover Piazza Pescheria (Fisher Square) and many other charming corners of this wonderful city.

Day 4: Treviso - Venezia (Mestre) (46 km) Voted last year as the best part of the tour: from Treviso along the waterway, which people used to transport the products of the land to Venice during the Serenissima Republic. Arrival in Mestre. You can easily reach Venice by public transportaon.

Day 5: Venezia (Mestre) - Chioggia (33 km) Through the Ponte della Libertà (4 km bridge) you reach Venice. From there you take a ferry to the narrow island of the Lido. Here you will pedal past pictur- esque 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 Pel- lestrina Island with its natural oasis of Ca Roman. Then to Chioggia, a miniature Venice with cobblestone streets and canals, and one of the main fishing ports of the Adriac.

Day 6: Chioggia - Padova (60 km) Pedalling along ancient navigable canals and locks you arrive at 'Stra' at the be- ginning of the 'Riviera del Brenta' and famous for Villa Pisani and its garden with a hedge-maze (labyrinth). Arrival and accommodaon in the beauful city of Padova, home of Italy's second-oldest university, founded in 1222.

Day 7: Padova - Vicenza (48 km) You can visit the 16th century anatomy theatre, the world’s oldest surviving medical lecture hall, and the Gioo's recently restored frescoes of the life of Christ in the dazzling Scrovegni Chapel. From Padova you reach the Berici Hills, and then on to the old Stone Caves of Costozza, where you can also appreciate the beauful 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 and then reach Vicenza where you will stay for the night.

Day 8: Vicenza Aer breakfast checkout and departure.

What to Expect Getting There

What will the weather be like? VENICE MARCO POLO (VCE) : The daytime temperature will be around 22 to mid-30’s degrees C ( 70’s to 90’s F), with very little rainfall. It is the hottest in July and August, while other months have www.veniceairport.it there is a “Fly a nice breeze along the river. Bus” service leaving the airport for Venice-Mestre railway station every How many hours of cycling a day? 25/30 minutes. The transfer takes Be prepared to ride between 4 to 6 hours daily. This is not a supported tour, so you approx. 17 minutes and the ticket must ride the route once you set out. costs about € 3.00 What are the bikes like? 27 speed hybrid (or mountain bike style) Rapid Fire Deore Shimano gears with Gel From Venice Mestre to Vicenza : saddles, aluminum frame, puncture resistant 28” tires, side saddle bags, bike com- puter, lock, repair kit and handlebar bag. You can bring your own pedals to attach. the journey takes about 45 minutes, from 5.31 to 23.04 trains depart How fit do I need to be? every 20 minutes. The fitter the better, so you will enjoy the rides each day. There are few hills and mostly level terrain. ATTENTION : On Sundays and Bank What is the food like? Holidays there are fewer services We have included a buffet breakfast each day. Most of the hotels offer some chees- than on working days. For further es, fruits, meats and yoghurts. For lunch, you can stop in a local restaurant for a information on timetables and prices full meal or mid-day snack. For dinner, our notes will offer some suggestions close you can consult the following web- by. sites: www.trenitalia.it What are the hotels like? They are chosen for their charm and location. Properties for the standard trip are charming 3* and 4*s, superior trip 4*s, well- located in the towns. All the rooms have private facilities.

How to book your holiday

• Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of our travel planners will walk you through the entire pro- cess. Extra Services • Download the reservation form from our site and send in Bike helmet rental 15€ completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent. Extra hotel nights in Rome, Venice and Florence, by the airport or downtown are • A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due priced starting from 150 Euros per night. 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & conditions are outlined in our Reservation Form. Extra nights from $225 per room Upgrade to Venice from $350 per room • Plan your air travel as soon as possible. (Standard double rooms) • We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either Local hotel taxes through us or a travel insurance provider directly. (approx. 1-2 € per person/night) • Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact us, for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and fitness requirements.