La Via Claudia - Self-Guided Leisure Cycling Holiday
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Tel : +47 22413030 | Epost :[email protected]| Web :www.reisebazaar.no Karl Johans gt. 23, 0159 Oslo, Norway 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.