La Via Claudia - Self-Guided Leisure Cycling Holiday

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Austria and Italy - La Via Claudia - Self-Guided Leisure Cycling Holiday

Turkode Destinasjoner Turen starter 42545 Italia - Østerrike Verona

Turen destinasjon Reisen er levert av 8 dager Verona Fra : NOK

Oversikt

An easy-paced cycling holiday in Italy, ideal for those wishing to experience the beauty of the Alps and Italy in style. The riding is concentrated along the Via Claudia Augusta, a 2000 year old Roman-built road which was for many centuries the main commercial route across the Alps.

Reiserute

Day 1: Arrival into Verona Airport - Transfer to Nauders Day 2: Nauders to Silandro Day 3: Silandro to Merano Day 4: Merano to Caldaro Day 5: Caldaro to Trento Day 6: Trento to Belluno Veronese Day 7: Belluno Veronese to Verona Day 8: Departure from Verona - Transfer to Verona Airport Your journey begins in Austria, on the border with Italy, and takes in some of the most beautiful Tyrolean landscapes imaginable. From your ﬁrst night's stay in Nauders, your journey has a stunning start, crossing the border into Italy via the Reschen Pass - the panoramic views will open up as you roll gently down into the Vinschgau Valley and South Tyrol. The descent will take you past Lake Resia, famous for its submerged church, showing only the church tower.

Your ride continues via apple plantations, vineyards and historic castles, with plenty of time during the week to sample the food and wines for which the region is famous! Riding south, you'll enter the Etsch Valley which will lead you straight into the bustling city of Trento, where you can spend an afternoon soaking up the trendy Italian atmosphere in the numerous gelaterias and capuccino bars. You'll leave the Alps and enter the lower hills of the Valpolicella and on to Verona, your destination for the week. Verona has always been the centre of the trading routes since Roman times and, like in old times, an ideal stop to enjoy the delights that the city of Romeo and Juliet has to oﬀer.

The Via Claudia was originally used for the transportation of wine and olive oil from Spain, oysters from the Mediterranean and even spices from Asia; it now serves as the perfect cycling route, along secondary roads, narrow country lanes and cycle paths. You will be provided with route notes and maps so navigating the day's rides couldn't be easier!

Day 1: Arrival into Verona Airport - Transfer to Nauders Following your arrival into Verona airport (VRN), we’ll transfer you across the border to the Austrian village of Nauders. The village oﬀers a beautiful view of the white peak of Ortler (3904m). The transfer will take around 2 hours.

Day 2: Nauders to Silandro (B) Following a hearty breakfast you’ll cycle up 100 or so metres to reach the Reschenpass (1508m), arriving in Italy, where a breathtaking view will open up before you – the white peaks of Ortler (3905m) and the blue Lake Reschen. The building of this lake caused 163 homes and 523 hectares (1,290 acres) of cultivated land to be submerged. Now, when the lake freezes in winter, the tower of the main church is reachable by foot. Legend has it that during the winter one can still hear church bells ring (in reality the bells were removed from the tower in July 1950, a week before the demolition of the church and the creation of the lake). Enjoying the landscape you’ll take a fast downhill into the Vinschgau Valley; stretching from the Reschen Pass to Kastelbell/Tschars, and bordering Switzerland and Austria, it’s a beautiful valley of sparkling lush meadows, gigantic glaciers and glittering lakes. The Via Claudia route takes you via the charming village of Glorenza and Prato allo Stelvio, right on the foot of the famous Stelvio. Your ﬁnal destination today is Silandro. A stunning location, with small lanes, historic buildings, typical Tyrolean Wine Taverns (Buschenschanken) and cafes with sun terraces just perfect for a post ride tipple.

Approx. distance: 35 Miles / 56 Kms

Day 3: Silandro to Merano (B) Setting oﬀ from Silandro you will re-join the cycle path, heading now through apple plantations which supply many European markets. The cycle path will then follow the River Adige and with a gradual downhill bias, it’s time to sit back and relax in the saddle! From the valley you’ll be able to see castle Juval, which belongs to the famous Alpine climber Reinhold Messner. Your last port of call today is a jewel of the South Tyrol; Merano. Merano is in a beautiful setting where the three valleys of Vinschgau, Etsch and Passier come together. This unusual geographical location, where the town is sheltered to the north and east by high mountain ranges, is the reason for its mild climate and enables a wide variety of colourful, Mediterranean and sub-tropical plants to thrive. You’ll have plenty of time to explore Merano in the afternoon.

Approx. distance: 22 Miles / 36 Kms

Day 4: Merano to Caldaro (B) Leaving Merano, you’ll re-join the cycle path to then head oﬀ onto small country roads, riding through more apple plantations and vineyards, taking in superb panoramic views, small villages with market squares and historical sites along the way. Today you will tackle your ﬁrst real climb, as you leave the Adige riverside near Bolzano and you gradually climb, on a cycle path, towards San Paolo and San Michele, small Tyrolean-style villages located on the terraced vineyard area of “La Strada del Vino”. Before arriving at today’s destination, you can visit the small Roman chapel of St. Jakob in Kastelaz, in Tramin; the chapel houses the oldest Romanic frescos in this part of Italy and is well worth a few minutes of your time. This part of Italy is German speaking, with the famous Gewuerztraminer white wine originating here. Time to relax and recharge the batteries!

Approx. distance: 29 Miles / 46 Kms

Day 5: Caldaro to Trento (B) Today you’ll notice the mountains surrounding you have become rougher on the side of the Etsch Valley, as you continue towards Trento. With the terrain very easy going now, as you follow the River Adige, and with you well in your stride, you’ll cover the distance with ease. Positioned in a wide glacial valley, where the Fersina and Avisio rivers join the Adige, and surrounded by mountains, including the Vigolana (2,150m) and the Monte Bondone (2,181m), Trento is spectacularly placed. This is a bustling city bursting with Italian ﬂair, with gelaterias, cappuccino bars and trendy boutiques all ready to lure a few Euros from your grasp. You’ll have the afternoon to explore Trento and its picturesque backstreets.

Approx. distance: 37 Miles / 59 Kms

Day 6: Trento to Belluno Veronese (B) You’ll continue your journey south following the Adige cycle path, through the wide and open valley of plantations. Stopping in Rovereto (with plenty of time for Gelato!) you’ll continue on, heading south and following the Adige river once again. Along the way you’ll enjoy fantastic limestone landscapes towering high towards Mount Baldo. Your destination for today is a homely agriturismo oﬀering a warm welcome, cheering you on, on the last leg of your journey to Verona.

Approx. distance: 35 Miles / 57 Kms

Day 7: Belluno Veronese to Verona (B) Your destination today is the city of Romeo and Juliet, with Renaissance palaces, the Roman arena and many cosy corners. Setting off from your accommodation, you’ll start today’s ride cycling south along the cycle path and, as you get closer to the Valpolicella region and the southern side of Lake Garda, the valley will narrow, mountain cliffs roaring vertically above you. A cheeky climb and descent into Rivoli Veronese will be a farewell to the mountains as the route again follows the Adige cycle path towards the lower plains of the Veronese, leading you into Bussolengo. This is an ideal stop for a rest before the last section 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 fascinating crossroad 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.

Approx. distance: 29 Miles / 47 Kms

Day 8: Departure from Verona - Transfer to Verona Airport (B) Ciao! Time to say goodbye and head to Verona airport for ﬂights home. The transfer will take around 20 minutes.

If you would like a slightly longer holiday, you could consider adding a stop over in Riva Del Garda (on the shores of Lake Garda). This would see you riding from:

Trento to Riva del Garda (40 Kms) on Day 6

Riva del Garda to Belluno Veronese (25 Kms) on Day and onto Verona as per the standard itinerary on Day 7 (Departure on Day 8). Please note, the cost of an extra day’s bike hire is £20 for a standard bike, and £30 for an electric bike. Please let us know if you’d like to take this option!

Alternatively, if you wish to extend your trip to 12 days you can extend your ride all the way to Venice and Chioggia by joining up onto our Lake Garda to Venice trip. Please enquire for further details

Viktig Informasjon

What's Included:

Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in 3* hotels and guesthouses Meals as per the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Local representative (with bike delivery and welcome meeting) Detailed route notes and maps Luggage transfers Pre-loaded GPS unit (1 per group) Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Verona airport (VRN) Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Verona airport (VRN)

What's Not Included:

Bike hire (available if required, from GBP 140 - Electric bike from GBP 250) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable) Single room (available if required, from GBP 210) Travel insurance Meals not stated in the itinerary Personal clothing and equipment Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc) Possible city tax to be paid in cash at each hotel (amount varies) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days Hotel upgrade from GBP 145, in July and August the price is from GBP 210 - Single room upgrade from GBP 260

Other useful travel information: Vaccinations: We recommend you have a dental and medical check-up before the holiday Passport: A full passport is required for visiting this destination. Baggage: Your allowable baggage is one main piece of luggage per person, other than your bike and a small day pack. Travel Insurance: It is a condition of your trip that you are covered by a medical and personal accident insurance policy that includes repatriation to your home country and cover for all planned activities. Grade: 2 Gentle, On undulating or rolling terrain, occasional moderate / challenging climbs. No high altitude ascents & the odd short steep climbs. For semi-regular riders / relative novices wishing to gain experience & fitness. 40-50 miles / 60-80 kms per day. Airport transfers: are included in the cost of your holiday. For this tour we ask that you fly into and back from Verona airport (VRN). Please arrive between 09.00 and 14.30 and depart between 09.00 and 19.00. Please note – If you make travel arrangements that fall outside of the time windows there may be an additional charge for your transfers. Terrain: Designed to retrace the steps of the ancient Roman route across the Alps, most of the riding of the Via Claudia follows quiet, mixed-use cycle paths (both cyclists and pedestrians) and quiet country roads. The route will take you along Alpine valleys, with daily climbs averaging around 300m /985 ft daily, with a downward bias overall as you follow rivers towards the sea. Only around 15% of the route sees you sharing the road with low levels of traffic, with some busier roads as you enter the towns of Merano, Trento and Verona. Bike Hire: If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to hire. These bikes are typically hybrid/touring bikes. Depending on the size needed, the bikes may have a cross bar, or have a step through frame (usually the smaller models). If a smaller frame is required, occasionally a mountain bike with semi slick tyres adapted for road use may also be provided. Hire bikes will be provided with a pannier rack and 1 bag, a tool kit, a spare inner tube, a bike lock, a bike pump, a KM counter and a map holder. E-bikes are on request (adult sizes only) and it may take a day or two to confirm we have one available. Please request at the time of booking by selecting the e-bike supplement and we will confirm as soon as possible. Vehicle Support: There is no vehicle support on this tour, however your luggage will be transferred between your accommodation. We do provide a 24- hour emergency contact number for you to call if you encounter any problems during the trip. Please note that this may incur additional charges depending on the nature of the action required. Daily departures: available between 01/05/2019 and 15/10/2019. Priser / Datoer

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