VENICE TO FLORENCE COASTLINES, COUNTRYSIDE, THE APENNINES AND TWO OF ITALY’S FAVOURITE CITIES VENICE TO FLORENCE - SELF GUIDED CYCLING HOLIDAY SUMMARY Cycle from the floating city of Venice along Italy’s east coast, passing Delta Del Po UNESCO World Heritage Site and across the Apennines to the enchanting statue lined streets of Florence. Travelling along farm tracks and quiet roads you will encounter a region of Italy rich in Etruscan history and ever changing landscapes. Departing from Mestre you will cross over the 4km Liberty Bridge into Venice before taking a ferry across to the 11km long sandbar, Lido. After cycling from the length of Lido and its neighbour, Pellestrina Island, you arrive into Chioggia where you will be rewarded with a choice of wonderful seafood restaurants. The following morning a visit to Chioggia’s bustling fish market is highly recommended before heading onwards along quiet country roads, with the River Adige flowing beside you, to the narrow streets and cosy cafes of the 3000 year old Etruscan city of Adria. Tour: Venice to Florence The path then follows the River Po, Italy’s longest river, to the “town of bridges” Comacchio. Code: CITSVF Built on 13 small islands, Comacchio’s ancient stone bridges are an architectural delight and Type: Self-Guided Cycling Holiday Price: See Website offer some fantastic photo opportunities. On leaving Comacchio the landscape takes a twist as Dates: Each Saturday between April - June you cycle along a dam through Delta Del Po National Park, home to 370 bird species. and August - October. Following two very short ferries you shortly arrive at your next destination and home to 8 Alternative arrangements can be made for 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ravenna. or more people on request. Nights: 7 Cycling through the Italian countryside, the medieval cliff top clock tower, Torre Orologgio, and Days: 8 its partner Rocca Veneziana tower, await you in the spa town of Brisighella. Torre Orologgio Cycling Days: 6 Start: Venice and Rocca Veneziana perch atop opposing cliff tops casting imposing shadows over Finish: Florence Brisighella below. Distance: 305km (189 miles) Grade: Moderate Finally following a train journey through the lush green forests of the Apennines you glide down a long descent into Florence where you can soak up the history of this famous Italian IS IT FOR ME? The Apennines, Italian countryside, a unique coastline city and wander round the statues in the “open air museum” of Piazza del Signoria. and two of the worlds most visited cities. Cycling between Florence and Venice will allow you to indulge Our Venice to Florence cycling tour includes 7 nights accommodation in 3* & 4* hotels on bed in an area of Italy full of diversity, with long surviving and breakfast basis, door to door bag transfers, a detailed information pack, route notes and ancient architecture, Delta Del Po UNESCO World maps. Bike hire is available as an optional extra and emergency support is of course included. Heritage Site, and the lush green forests of the Apen- nines you will experience the best that Italy has to offer. HIGHLIGHTS WHAT’S INCLUDED? Accommodation: 7 Nights accommodation Taking the opportunity to float on a gondola through the canal’s of Venice. in 3* hotels. Meals: 7 Breakfasts Spotting flamingo’s in Delta Del Po National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage Chiogga’s bustling early morning Fish Market. transfer. The many stone bridges of Comacchio’s 13 islands. Bike Hire: Not included but available as an Torre Orologgio, the medieval cliff top clock tower in Brisighella. option. Information Pack: Comprehensive route Ravenna’s 8 buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site’s. directions, information pack and maps. VENICE TO FLORENCE COASTLINES, COUNTRYSIDE, THE APENNINES AND TWO OF ITALY’S FAVOURITE CITIES Shortly you cross over to Pellestrina Island palazzo and ornate churches bear witness of the ITINERARY: CISBV where locals have painted their houses orange, prosperity once gained by salt production. red and green giving a unique setting next to Cycle: 65km / 40m Cycling Days: 6 stunning ocean views. Nights: 7 Overnight: Comacchio Days: 8 A little further on is Chioggia a quiet little fishing Grade: Moderate village where you can visit one of several Day 5 seafood restaurants before settling in for the Day Route night. Cycle to Ravenna 1 Arrive in Mestre Cycle: 35km / 22m Leaving Comacchio behind you arrive at the 2 Cycle to Chioggia/Sottomarina: 35km UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delta del Po. Overnight: Chiogga/Sottomarina 3 Cycle to Adria: 50km Along with being home to a vast array of unique 4 Cycle to Comacchio: 65km and colourful flora and fauna the large delta also 5 Cycle to Ravenna: 65km Day 3 6 Cycle to Brisighella: 55km plays host to over 370 species of bird. Pedalling 7 Cycle to Florence: 35km Cycle to Adria on top of the dam leading you though the delta 8 Onward Travel you will likely see the most popular and easiest If you are an early riser take the time to visit to spot resident, the pink flamingo. Chiogga’s bustling fish market. Hidden behind the 14th century Palace of the 'Granaio Pubblico' On leaving Delta del Po you will take two short DETAILED DESCRIPTION Chiogga’s fish market is full of local characters ferries (costing around 3 euros) before reaching as diverse and wonderful as the morning’s catch. the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Passing the wide Day 1 sandy beaches, that hosted the 2011 FIFA Cycling along quiet country roads today you will Beach Soccer World Cup, you soon arrive at the Arrival in Mestre head back towards the River Adige passing by former capital of the Western Roman Empire, melon plantations and peaceful villages on your It is a good idea to arrive a day or two early in Ravenna. Mestre to allow yourself time to explore the way to Adria. Ravenna is rich in history with no less that 8 famous city of Venice which is only a 10 minute Adria dates back to 1000BC with the Etruscan buildings found on the UNESCO World Heritage train ride away. settlements in 520BC now sitting 3 to 4 metres Site including the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in beneath the current cities narrow streets and Travelling around by foot or gondola head to St Classe, which looks fairly plain from outside but cosy cafes. Mark’s Square where the Roman Catholic has an interior adorned with wonderfully Cathedral, Basilica di San Marco, and the Cycle: 50km / 31m elaborate mosaics. Venetian Gothic building, The Doge’s Palace can be found. Overnight: Adria Cycle: 65km / 40m Overnight: Mestre/Venice Day 4 Overnight: Ravenna Day 2 Cycle to Comacchio Day 6 Cycle to Chioggia/Sottomarina Today you will pedal alongside the longest river Cycle to Brisighella in Italy, the River Po. After arriving at a fork in the From Ravenna you head through Italian After receiving a tour briefing you begin your day river you will follow the tributary called Po Di countryside to the city of art, Faenza. Sitting on with a glorious cycle over the 4km long Liberty Goro down to the Adriatic Sea. Bridge to Venice. Then catch a ferry and cycle the edge of the vast plains this enchanting little along Lido passing the tiny island of Poveglia, After a break on the beach you head on to the city is where world-famous ceramics are which was used by the early Romans and then charming town of Comacchio. Built on 13 small produced. Local artists will be happy to let you again in the 1300’s to isolate victims of the islands all connected by elaborate stone bridges watch while they paint and work with the plague and black death! Comacchio looks like a town designed with ceramics. artists and photographers in mind. A magnificent VENICE TO FLORENCE COASTLINES, COUNTRYSIDE, THE APENNINES AND TWO OF ITALY’S FAVOURITE CITIES As you leave Faenza arriving into the gentle statues decorating the square between the grand baggage to a maximum of 1 bag per person rolling foothills of the Northern Apennines it is buildings Palazzo Vecchio, Tribunale della (maximum weight 20kg). only a short cycle to Brisighella. Mercanzia and Loggia dei Lanzi to name a few. Rental Bikes This ancient village sits in the shadow of the Our rental bikes are 7 or 21 speed KTM trekking Torre Orologgio and the Rocca Veneziana , two HOLIDAY INFORMATION imposing medieval towers dating back to the bikes in many different frame sizes. Our 7-gears- bikes are equipped with Shimano Nexus gear 13th and 14th centuries that sit on top of the Additional Nights and Extensions Brisighella’s nearby cliffs. hubs while our 21-gears-bikes are equipped with You can add additional nights at any point Shimano Alivio derailleurs. Brisighella is a spa town and offers relaxation but before, during or after your tour but I would We also have the popular electric bike option. also make some time to visit the wonderful Via recommend extra time to explore Venice and The motor on your electric bike kicks in to help Del Borgo, also known as the Donkey Path. Via Florence. Del Borgo is a street which passes along the first you when pedalling uphill or when your legs are floor of a long building passing through arches of Accommodation tiring. After a short explanation electric bikes are very easy to handle. various sizes. The Venice to Florence Tour includes 7 nights in Cycle: 55km / 34m carefully selected hotels of 3 & 4 star standard. Our electric bike is a Pedelec which assists with electric support only when pedalling.