Venetian Villas and Vineyards Cycling
Venetian Villas and Vineyards Cycling
Venetian Villas and Vineyards Cycling
9 Days Starting and ending in Cortela
Visiting: Italy
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C08VN
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
13-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
Tour Overview
Our undiscovered corner of Veneto, just 60 minutes (but a world away) from bustling Venice, is the perfect setting for a relaxed cycling holiday. Nestled between the art cities of Padua, home to one of the oldest universities in the whole of Europe, and UNESCO-recognised Vicenza, the region is bursting with Patrician villas - built by Venetian nobles to escape the muggy heat of the city - and ancient castles, although it is surprisingly almost entirely untouched by tourism. Palladio was the most famous Renaissance architect and many of his buildings, including the Villa Rotonda, can be visited on day 7 of this interest-packed itinerary.
Highlights
Itinerary
Arrive at your friendly agriturismo run by Gabriella and Alessandro, in time
for dinner. *(Staying at Agriturismo Il Feudo)*
Day 2
*/Option: 1/*
The day starts along the canalside path to Este. This delightful mediaeval
town with its pastel, arcaded buildings boasts a C14 castle and an altar
piece by Tiepolo in its Cathedral. Your next stop is Monselice. You can visit
its mediaeval castle (converted into a sumptuous residence for a Venetian
noble in the C15). From Monselice you follow the canal past the C19 Villa
Italia, before arriving at Sig Ottolitri's friendly, family run hotel just
outside Galzignano. *(Staying at Belvedere Resort ai Colli)*
*/Option: 2/*
*/[[{"fid":"151236","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default"}},"attributes":{"height":"42","width":"133","class":"media-element
file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]] 47km / 29mi
/*
Today is a fairly short ride that features several scenic climbs and
switchback descents through the hills of the national park, the Colli
Euganei. After a warm up descending onto the plains to encircle the Monte
Lozzo your climbing is rewarded with stunning views from this unique terrain.
The medieval village of Arqua Petrarca, one of Italy's prettiest villages,
and long ago, home to the poet Francesco Petrarca, is a good stop for
refreshments before finishing the day at the spa town of Galzignano Terme.
1011m / 3316ft of ascent on this route.
Day 3
It's a lovely circular cycle (route notes provided) to Arqua Petrarca,
unchanged since the 1370's when Petrarch lived here. Visit his well-preserved
house before pedalling off through vineyards to the fabulous Villa Barbarigo
at Valsanzibio, the delightfully manicured C17 Italian gardens here are the
best in the region. *(Staying at Belvedere Resort ai Colli)*
Day 4
*/Option: 1/*
Cycling through swaying vines you reach the charming village of Battaglia
where there's time for a spot of wine tasting. You must try the local
Serprino, a medium dry frizzante wine often compared to Prosecco, before
carrying on through the spa towns of Montegrotto Terme to the pre-Palladian
villa at Luvigliano. After admiring the elegant villa you cycle upwards to
Teolo, your hotel is an elegant villa perched high above the town. *(Staying
at Villa Lussana)*
*/Option: 2/*
*/[[{"fid":"151296","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default"}},"attributes":{"height":"39","width":"124","class":"media-element
file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]] 125km / 78mi
/*
Start the day crossing the Paduan plain through the spa towns of Battaglia
and Abano, passing the Roman baths in the centre of Motegrotto en route. You
skirt the historic and UNESCO city of Padova, home of one of the world's
first universities and traditionally a centre for leather shoe manufacturing
leaving along the Canale Brentella towards the foothills of the Venetian
Pre-Alps the medieval walled citadels of Castelfranco and Cittadella. The
only climbing of the day is to your hotel in the pretty hilltop village of
Teolo. 493m / 1617ft of ascent on this route.
Day 5
A former Roman settlement, Teolo's heyday was in the C15 when it became the
summer home of Venice's doges escaping the heat on the coast. Many palazzi
and formal gardens from the period remain. You could take a walk in the
encircling Euganean hills (360 degree views from here) or maybe take the bus
into Padua to admire the town's Giotto frescoes. Or, for a longer day out,
take the bus/train to Italy's most romantic city, Venice. Enjoy a cappuccino
in St Mark's Square, take a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs, admire the
opulent gold decor of the Doge's Palace or visit the Peggy Guggenheim
Exhibition. The list is endless! *(Staying at Villa Lussana)*
*Ride Plus option: 98km / 61mi*
A climb over the hills into the Liona region to join the Strada del Recioto,
a trail through the vineyards of the Garganega grape that lead you to the
walled town of Soave just outside of Verona. Here as well as exploring this
beautiful town you can sample the wines that the town so famously gives its
name to. You return crossing the vineyards and olive groves of the Berici
hills. 912m / 2992ft of ascent on this route.
Day 6
*/Option: 1/*
Today starts with a 1km climb from the hotel, followed by an exhilarating
freewheel down through the Euganean Hills to the mediaeval castle at San
Martino. Then, cycling by the Bacchiglione River you reach Cervarese Santa
Croce in time for a relaxed lunch in the square. Onwards, it's into wine
country once more to reach your charming farm hotel at Villaganzerla where
you'll receive a warm welcome from Valfrido and Angelina. There's time for a
dip in the pool (typically open June - early September) before
dinner. *(Staying at Agriturismo L'Albara)*
*/Option: 2/*
*/[[{"fid":"151301","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default"}},"attributes":{"height":"41","width":"130","class":"media-element
file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]] 84km / 52mi
/*
From Teolo you can cycle along the route of the skateboard and inline skate
world championships before descending through vineyards, a stop at the Villa
dei Vescovi, one of the region's best-preserved Villas, is highly
recommended. After the Praglia Monastery ride out on a loop across the Paduan
plain to return to the foothills and Bastia. There are several villages on
the route to stop for refreshments. 677m / 2221ft of ascent on this route.
Day 7
You could laze by the pool but it's a shame to miss out on Vicenza! A cycle
path (those feeling lazy can catch the bus) takes you there past the famous
Palladian villa, La Rotonda. nicknamed 'Venice of the Terra Firma' for its
marvellous architecture, Palladio designed dozens of the city's buildings,
from the Basilica Palladiana in the main square to the Teatro Olimpico.
There's plenty to explore. *(Staying at Agriturismo L'Albara)*
*Ride Plus option: 87km / 54mi*
Today's ride takes you to Palladio's city of Vicenza, traditionally the
centre for gold jewellery artisans. The route follows a figure of 8 through
the Berici Archaeological and Natural Park where you will ascend and descend
several times through vineyards before passing Lake Fimon, a residual feature
from the last Ice Age. There is an option on this route of reducing the
amount of climbing by turning right at 13.2km to spend more time in Vicenza.
Option 1 has 1432m / 4698ft of ascent, option 2 has 770m / 2526ft of ascent
and is 3km shorter.
Day 8
*/Option: 1/*
Today's route follows the Strada del Tocai Rosso (the only area outside of
Hungary where the red Tocai is grown). The wine road links a string of pretty
villages, each with their own Venetian campanile. Then it's out across the
plain to reach Vo Vecchio, criss-crossed with canals. The Euganean hills are
spread out in front of you as you cycle through the vineyards to Gabriella
and Alessandro's farmhouse for your last dinner. *(Staying at Agriturismo II
Feudo)*
*/Option: 2/*
*/[[{"fid":"151306","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"default"}},"attributes":{"height":"40","width":"127","class":"media-element
file-default","data-delta":"4"}}]] 80km / 50mi
/*
Start the day following the Strada dei Vini along the foothills of the
Berician with the possibility of wine tasting stops at the villages of
Costozza and Nanto locally well known for using the red Tokay grape
originating from Hungary. You then climb over the Berici for a stunning view
and descent into the horseshoe valley carved by the Liona river, before
heading back across the plains to the Euganei and into the vineyards of Villa
Sceriman. A picturesque final wine tasting opportunity before arriving back
to your Agriturismo for a well-earned chilled locally produced glass of
bubbles! 587m / 1926ft of ascent on this route.
Day 9
LEAVE CORTELA
What's Included
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Meals
8 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 6 dinners.
* All continental breakfasts and evening meals included
* All accommodation
* GPS route directions
* /RideWithGPS/ navigation app
* High quality bikes provided
* Luggage transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
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Arrival & departure transfers (available on request)
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request) Please enquire for prices
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Any Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Food
All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals included.
The Veneto ranks as one of the most fertile agricultural regions in
the country. You will see fields of maize and barley everywhere. It is also
a big area for fruit; expect to eat cherries, peaches, melons, plums,
pears, strawberries and apples. The cuisine varies from the coast up into
the mountains and reflects the region’s mixed cultural past. Nearer to
Austria in the mountains, you get a more Tyrolean cuisine with dishes such
as apple strudel creeping onto the menu, whereas towards the coast, you
will find a lighter cuisine with lots of fish dishes.
Three typical dishes you are likely to find throughout the region
are baccalà (air-dried salted cod soaked and cooked to a creamy
consistency in garlic, parsley and olive oil), carpaccio (now seen on menus
throughout Italy and even internationally, this is thin slices of very rare
beef sprinkled with lemon juice and garnished with parmesan cheese,
mushrooms or even white truffles according to the season and the restaurant)
and polenta (made from maize, this is served as an accompaniment to meat
or fish).
Accommodation
En route the cuisine is fabulous, home cooked fayre and you'll stay with some of the friendliest people we've ever met. In Teolo you'll stay at Mauro’s lovingly restored Liberty villa, whilst there's a warm welcome at Valfrido and Angelina's charming agriturismo near Vicenza.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Only Luggage transfers between hotels.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
8+ age people can join this tour.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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