SelfSelf----GuidedGuided Bike tour

Italy Tour description Day 1 Northern Arrive Vicenza This itinerary is organized as a loop taking in Day 2 40 km the most beautiful and scenic towns in the To Vicenza-Grappa Veneto region. Come and discover the small Day 3 60 km towns, connected like a pearl necklace, linking To you back to the starting point.

Day 4 20/45 Cycling this sophisticated corner of Italy is a To Mestre/ km feast for the eyes: admire the elegant villas of Day 5 35 km the Venetian nobility scattered throughout To Chioggia the region... discover Vicenza, architect Pal- ladio’s personal "showcase" and part of the Day 6 55 km World Heritage List since 1994... taste a typical "grappa" in Bassano, famous also for its To Padova covered wooden bridge... cycle through the Prosecco vineyards between Asolo and Tre- viso and explore the timeless fascination of Venice by foot and by water... take a walk in Day 7 60 km charming Chioggia, affectionately known as "Little Venice"... take a relaxing break To Vicenza among the hills in the largest European thermal resort... discover the city centre of , home to one of Italy’s oldest universities. Day 8 Tour ends This tour belongs to the European classics, winding down through the Alps and ending on the Adriatic sea with stunning Venice as your backdrop. Tour Details

Departures : March 23 to October 26 Saturday & Sunday (from Vicenza) Tuesday & Wednesday (from Mestre)

Cost: $1495 per person High season supplement: add $250 p/p (June 15 to September 11) Fast Facts Single Room Upgrade: $450  Lovely accommodations, always with E-Bike Info : private facilities  E-bike rental: $375 Bike rental: $175  Buffet breakfasts, luggage transport  Limited supplies available, reserva- Length: 8 days / 7 nights  Welcome briefing tions recommended upon booking Grade: Moderate  Route notes and maps  Kalkhoff Agattu and Bosch Active Line- Starts/Ends: Vicenza 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 famous architect Andrea Palladio (16th c) , namely the Basilica and the Villa Rotonda. Here you will receive your bicycles and the info mate- rial 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 Vincen- za to the foot of the Alps until you reach Marostica, a very typical Italian town famous for 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. Tonight enjoy some of the local “grappa” after your evening meal.

Day 3 Bassano del Grappa - Treviso 60 km Today you will enter Asolo, which gives us the only real ascent of the tour. The downhill run takes you through the Prosecco vineyards to Ma- ser 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 20/45 km Voted last year as the best part of the tour: from Treviso along the wa- terway, which people used to transport the products of the land to Ven- ice during the Serenissima Republic. Arrival in Mestre. You can easily reach Venice by public transportation.

Day 5 Venezia/Mestre - Chioggia 35 km Through the Ponte della Libertà (4 km bridge) you reach Venice. From there you take a ferry along the Giudecca canal to the island of Lido. Here you will pedal past picturesque stone houses and along the sea- shore past bobbing boats and fishing nets extended into the water. An- other ferry will take you to the even narrower 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 Adriatic.

Day 6 Chioggia - Padova 55 km You will be pedalling along the river Bacchiglione, which carried trade in and out of Venice centuries ago. Pedalling along ancient navigable ca- nals and locks you arrive at 'Stra' at the beginning of the 'Riviera del Brenta' and famous for Villa Pisani and its garden with a hedge-maze (labyrinth). Once at the foot of the Euganean Hills, you will have the chance to relax in a 4* spa resort in the largest European thermal dis- trict. Arrival and accommodation in the beautiful city of Padova, home of Italy's second-oldest university, founded in 1222.

Day 7 Padova - Vicenza 60 km You can visit the 16th century anatomy theatre, the world’s oldest sur- viving medical lecture hall, and the Giotto'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 beautiful 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 After breakfast departure.

What to Expect What will the weather be like? Getting There 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 VENICE MARCO POLO (VCE) : a nice breeze along the river. www.veniceairport.it there is a “Fly Bus”

service leaving the airport for Venice- How many hours of cycling a day? Mestre railway station every 25/30 Be prepared to ride between 4 to 6 hours daily. This is not a supported tour, so you must ride the route once you set out. minutes. The transfer takes approx. 17 minutes and the ticket costs about € What are the bikes like? 3.00 27 speed hybrid (or mountain bike style) Rapid Fire Deore Shimano gears with Gel saddles, aluminum frame, puncture resistant 28” tires, side saddle bags, bike com- From Venice Mestre to Vicenza : the jour- puter, lock, repair kit and handlebar bag. You can bring your own pedals to attach. ney takes about 45 minutes, from 5.31 to

23.04 trains depart every 20 minutes. How fit do I need to be? 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 Holi- days there are fewer services than on What is the food like? working days. For further information on We have included a buffet breakfast each day. Most of the hotels offer some chees- timetables and prices you can consult the es, fruits, meats and yoghurts. For lunch, you can stop in a local restaurant for a full following websites: www.trenitalia.it meal or mid-day snack. For dinner, our notes will offer some suggestions close by.

What are the hotels like? They are chosen for their charm and location. Properties are charming 3* and 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 completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent. Bike helmet rental 15€

 A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due Extra hotel nights in Rome, Venice and Flor- 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & conditions are ence, by the airport or downtown are priced outlined in our Reservation Form. starting from 150 Euros per night.  Plan your air travel as soon as possible. Extra nights from $225 per room Upgrade to Venice from $350 per room  We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either (Standard double rooms) through us or a travel insurance provider directly.

Local hotel taxes  Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact (approx. 1-2 € per person/night) us, for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and fitness requirements.