Venice's gems

This tour provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the Italian culture, gastronomy and nature up close. You'll cycle between a plethora of cultural riches and architectural gems. Here are pompous mansions with sculptures and frescoes, churches and cathedrals with amazing ornamentations and well-kept city centres. It will truly make your mind wander back to the power and wealth of the past when Venice was the great merchants' city with large merchant ships that brought prosperity to the whole region. And it's a lush region that you'll visit. You’ll cycle along lagoons and small canals, in green hills, along hedgerows and lots of farming.

You'll stay in good 2-3* hotels with private bath and toilet. Breakfast is included.  
At an additional cost, you can upgrade to:

• 3-4* hotels 
• Luxury hotels and villas (only with start in Vicenza, night in Venice along the way is included)

It's also possible to purchase half board.

A degree of difficulty of 1 with few slopes and only a single demanding climb up to Asolo on the stage between Bassano and Treviso.
An easy tour of 270-295 km, most of which is on marked cycle paths and small peaceful secondary roads - 90% on paved surface and 10% on gravel road. Cycling in and out of the larger cities, short stretches with some traffic is to be expected.  
The entire route is signposted and you'll also cycle after a very detailed route description in English as well as indicative maps. This material is handed out at the first hotel.

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

Day 1. Arrival in Vicenza.
Vicenza, the city of the famous Italian architect Palladio's (17th century). Enjoy a stroll around the city with his mansions, the churches and the small streets with cosy cafes.
Accommodation (2-3*) e.g. at Albergo San Rafaele, peacefully situated about 3 km outside the city centre.
At 3-4* hotels, e.g. in the centrally located Hotel la Ville.  
For luxury hotels/villas, e.g. at Hotel Palladio.

Day 2. To Bassano del Grappa. 40 km. 
Along the poppy and asparagus fields and through villages with still higher church steeples, past Marostica, known for its castle and its huge chess game in the square. Arriving at Bassano del Grappa is like stepping into an old Italian film: steep alleyways, charming squares with stalls, the old bridge over the picturesque river Brenta and the breath-taking mountains in the background. Bassano del Grappa is famous for its asparagus and, as its name says, its Grappa, the best in Italy.
Accommodation (2-3*) e.g. at Hotel Brennero or (3-4*) at Bonotto Hotel Palladio.
For luxury hotels/villas, e.g. at the Albergo al Sole in Asolo.

Day 3. To Treviso. 65/40 km.
Today's stage is the hardest of the tour, but also the one with the most beautiful scenery. You cycle up along vineyards overlooking the many hilltops, where you'll often see a church or one of the countless magnificent villas, to Asolo with the well-restored medieval castle. The castle is set on a hilltop overlooking the Alps and the valleys. From Asolo, the route goes down along Proseco's vineyards to Maser, where the higher bourgeoisie of Venice in the 16th century spent their holidays. The day's stage ends in Treviso with its cosy canals, the arcades and the many small, car-free streets. It's possible to shorten the tour by taking a train from Montebelluna to Treviso (not included).
Accommodation (2-3*) e.g. at Hotel Treviso Maggior Consiglio on the outskirts of Treviso or (3-4*) e.g. at Hotel Carlton Treviso.
For luxury hotels/villas e.g. at Maison Mathilde.

Day 4. To Mestre, a nice suburb of Venice. 45 km. 
The landscape now flattens and vineyards are replaced by large cornfields, used partly for feed and partly for Italy's large production of polenta. You cycle along the river Sile and the canals that the ancient peasants used to transport their fruits and vegetables to the residents of Venice. Be sure to arrive early in Mestre so that you have time to do a boat trip to Venice. (Alternatively, you can pay between 675 DKK and 860 DKK extra per person and stay in Venice instead of Mestre).
Accommodation (2-3* and 3-4*) e.g. at the Best Western Plus Quid Hotel.  
For luxury hotels/villas e.g. at the Hotel Al Sole in Venice.

Day 5. To Chioggia. 35 km. 
You leave Mestre by the bridge "Punta della Liberta" and on to the Trochetto harbour. From here by ferry, first to the island of Lido with the luxurious hotels, the beautiful old casino and the inviting sea. Again, with ferry onwards to the island of Pellestrina, a more humble island mostly inhabited by fishermen. Here there are only day tourists because no accommodation is available. And lastly, by ferry to Chioggia, an exciting town with cobblestone streets and a big fish market every Monday morning. (The ferries are not included in the price).
Accommodation (2-3*) e.g. at Hotel Airone in Sottomarina or (3-4* and luxury hotel/villas) e.g. at Hotel Grande Italia by the small ferry port of Chioggia.

Day 6. To Padova (Padua). 60 km.
You'll cycle between and along the rivers Brenta and Bacchiglione, a paradise for anglers and with many obvious spots for a picnic lunch. Along the way you’ll pass Stra with another of the great old mansions.
Padova is an exciting city with a huge and very beautiful cathedral that should be seen. Walk around the winding streets of the quaint old town with squares and beautifully restored buildings; enjoy a coffee at the historic Caffé Pedrocchi and Italy's largest square "Prato della Valle".
Accommodation (2-3*) e.g. at Hotel Igea or (3-4*) e.g. at Hotel Grand'italia.  
For luxury hotels/villas e.g. at Hotel Donatello.  

Day 7. To Vicenza. 50 km.  
After having seen Padova, the tour continues, first along the Bacchiglio River and its canals to Costozza, located at the foot of the Beici Mountains. Approaching Vicenza, the landscape changes character with green hills and a few climbs. The route passes by Villa Rotonda, the most famous of Palladio's mansions.

Day 8. Departure Day.
Departure.

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 18 EUR 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
If you want to fly, it's easiest to choose Venice, but Milan, Bergamo or Treviso can also work. From both Venice and Milan there are many daily train departures to Vicenza.

Ruby Rejser can assist in booking airfares for on-the-day-price plus a handling fee from 42 EUR per ticket. The plane ticket must be paid together with the deposit and will be purchased only upon registration of payment. The price quoted is therefore subject to change until the ticket has been purchased.

By train
There is a train station in Vicenza.

By car
In Vicenza, parking is possible (for a fee) either at the hotel or car park.
 

Links to flights and trains:  
Momondo  

Trenitalia (Italian rail service)
Deutsche Bahn (German rail service)