Cycling holiday from Bolzano-Garda-Verona

Beautiful mountains, green landscapes and roaring rivers from the Alps to the Po Valley. Monasteries and castles, long rows of apple orchards and graceful vineyards. Beautiful historic cities like Bolzano, Trento and Verona, and the stunning Lake Garda are some of the highlights along this route.
You'll be in the Italian part of South Tyrol or, as it's called in Italian, Alto Adige. Therefore, cities and rivers have 2 names, but do not let this confuse you. Instead, just enjoy the changing landscape while slowly leaving the Alps and approaching the Po Valley and Verona.

You'll stay in very good 3-4* hotels, which are usually centrally located in the cities. All rooms are with private bath and toilet. The tour is with breakfast included.

A relatively easy route, mainly on cycle paths. A gentle terrain without any big climbs, but a few challenging climbs around Bolzano and when approaching Lake Garda. The tour can be managed by anyone with a generally good level of fitness.
On the trains between the larger cities, you can bring the bike (max 4 bikes per train) if you feel like needing a bike-free day during the holiday.
The entire route is signposted, and you'll be following a very detailed route description in English as well as guiding maps.

* We note that the map is indicative and therefore does not contain precise route information.

Day 1. Arrival in Bolzano/Bozen.
Bolzano is beautifully situated in the valley where the rivers Talvera and Izonzo collide with Adige. The town is surrounded by a beautiful mountain landscape with deep valleys, vine-covered slopes and the Dolomites' fascinating mountain peaks. Here are many beautiful old buildings, like a Gothic cathedral dating back to the 14th century and of course small streets with tempting shops and cafes.

Day 2. Resiapass - Silandro/Schlanders, approx. 50 km. 
Transfer (about 2 hours, included) from Bolzano to Resia at 1500 m altitude. From here you'll follow one of the most beautiful cycle paths along the lake Resia, past the Marienberg Abbey and through the charming cities of Clusio and Glorenza until reaching Silandro.

Day 3. To Merano, approx. 40 km.  
A peaceful cycling day that gently follows the bends along the Adige River. You cycle along orchards and historical monuments, such as the impressive Castle Dornsberg. Arrival in Merano, a nice spa town, beautifully situated in the middle of the valley and surrounded by the impressive mountain ranges.

Day 4. To Bolzano, approx. 35 km.
The route continues along peaceful, secondary roads and cycle paths to Bolzano, where the rivers Adige and Isarco meet. You'll come through pleasant little villages like Nalles and Andriano, from where you'll continue on cycle paths until arriving in Bolzano.

Day 5. To Trento, approx. 65-70 km.  
The cycle path follows the Adige River all the way to Trento, and along the way you can enjoy the view of apple orchards and vineyards. You come through some charming little villages like Ora, Egna and Salorno. On the surface, Trento doesn't look like much, but you'll see the city's charms while exploring the old town, centered around a large square with small shops, cafes and an impressive cathedral. Many of the houses are decorated with beautiful paintings. Trento is also a "cycling city", where many of the locals use bicycles as a means of transport - and they have both child bike seats and trailers.

Day 6. To Desenzano/Peschiera del Garda, approx. 50 km + boat trip.
Again, you'll follow the Adige River and cycle path to Rovereto, with its pleasant, winding streets and a new and very nice art museum, and further on to Mori. From here, the route turns west towards Lake Garda. After a short climb, follows a lovely descent to Torbole and Riva. From Riva, take the ferry to Peschiera del Garda at the southern end of Lake Garda. A wonderful 4-hour trip with amazing views (included).

Day 7. To Verona, approx. 60/35 km.
You leave Lake Garda and cycle through a mild landscape to Verona, an exciting city known for its magnificent arena and a wonderful theatre. Here are many open air performances, mainly operas, but also rock concerts, plays etc. It was also in Verona that the love story between Romeo and Julie played out.

Day 8. Departure Day
Departure for home, unless you have booked an extra night in Verona

You can choose from a 7-gear bike (unisex) with foot brake, 24-gear bike (unisex), 7-gear men's bike with foot brake, or a 24-gear men's bike with hand brakes. It's also possible to rent electric bikes.  
The unisex bikes have low entry.
All bikes are equipped with gel saddle, luggage rack, rear rack bags, cycle computer, bar bag and map holder.
At least one bicycle per room will also be equipped with lock, pump and repair kit.

Rental of bicycle helmet costs 120 DKK and must be booked and paid from home. 

It's also possible to rent children's bikes (available only with 21-gears and hand brakes) and follow-me tandem for children.

By plane 
How to get to Bolzano:
By plane, it's easiest to fly to Milan or Munich. From both places it's about 4 hours by train to Bolzano. It’s often possible to find good and cheap flights on the search engine Momondo.

How to get home from Verona:
By plane, it's easiest to fly out of Milan.
There are trains from Verona to Milan.

By car
You can park in Bolzano (for a fee) either at the hotel or at a parking garage.

If you arrive by car and park in Bolzano, on departure it's easiest to take the train from Verona back to Bolzano.

From Verona there are about 20 daily departures between 6:00 and 22:00. The journey takes about 2 hours and costs between 11 and 26 EUR depending on the type of train.

For more information, see www.trenitalia.it or www.bahn.com.