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Holidays

Self-Guided Cycling Bolzano to Venice

Italy
Available Departures: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
E-Bike Available

8 days from

US$1,715

without flights
Cycle
Self-Guided
LEISURELY LEISURELY

Cycle from the Italian Alps to Venice, sail across Lake Garda, and explore Verona - all at your own pace

Trip Code: SGBV
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Self-Guided Cycling Bolzano to Venice

Highlights
  • Cycle to fair Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet

  • Relax on a boat cruise across Lake Garda

  • Enjoy a glass of wine in Piazza San Marco and soak in Venice’s splendour

  • Discover Palladio's fantastic architectural designs in the UNESCO town of Vicenza


At a Glance
  • Self-Guided
  • 6 days cycling and sightseeing
  • Luggage transfer
  • Bike hire included
  • E-bike upgrade available
  • Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday / Sunday departures
  • GPS travel app
  • Join In Bolzano / End in Venice

Accommodation & Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • 7 nights Hotel
Overview

Italian Alps, vineyards, spa towns, Renaissance architecture, Italian Lakes, spectacular Verona and Venice - all in just one week. This fantastic one week cycling holiday takes you on a journey from Bolzano, gateway to the Dolomites, along the inviting waters of Lake Garda to Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet, and on to glorious Venice. Covering a distance of 325km on generally flat cycle paths, you will witness the landscapes and ways of life evolve all around you. The towering mountains and Germanic alpine culture of South Tyrol melt away into the laid back pastures and vineyards of Trento. Experience the deep-rooted operatic passion of Verona before reaching the sea and Venice’s Six Sestieri.

Cycling at your own pace, you can choose where and when to stop and explore. Staying in 3-star and 4-star hotels along the way, and with bike hire included in the price of your holiday, we have everything taken care of. All you need to do is enjoy being immersed in the unique culture of Northern Italy.

Is this holiday for you?

This cycling holiday strikes the perfect balance between cycling on cycle paths and quiet roads alongside spectacular lakes and through majestic mountain scenery, with the cultural experiences of a city break. This trip is ideal if you want to experience Northern Italy on two wheels and witness the changes in the landscape as you cycle from the Alps to the coast at your own pace. Pedalling an a …

This cycling holiday strikes the perfect balance between cycling on cycle paths and quiet roads alongside spectacular lakes and through majestic mountain scenery, with the cultural experiences of a city break. This trip is ideal if you want to experience Northern Italy on two wheels and witness the changes in the landscape as you cycle from the Alps to the coast at your own pace. Pedalling an average of 50km on most days - with one longer day of 70km - on generally flat terrain, you will have plenty of time to explore along the way whilst your luggage is transported to your next hotel. Staying in 3 star and 4 star hotels, you can unwind at the end of the day in comfort, knowing that everything is taken care of for you.

Why KE?

Explore the best of the South Tyrol, Trento, and Veneto on two wheels in just one week, and fall in love with the unique cultures & traditions of these three fascinating regions.


We have included bike hire in the cost of your trip so you can relax, knowing it is all taken care of for you, and enjoy more gelato along the way! E-bike upgrades are available - please contact our Sales Team for more information.

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Itinerary

Arrive in Bolzano, capital of South Tyrol and the gateway to the Dolomites. This fascinating city was once a popular stop on the coach route between Austro-Hungary and Italy, making this natural basin the meeting point of valleys and cultures alike. The South Tyrol is German-speaking with 70% of the province's inhabitants speaking German as their first language, although Italian is also spoken and is more likely to be heard in urban areas and amongst the younger generation. Depending on your arrival, you will have time to settle into your hotel and explore this picturesque city of meticulously painted houses set against a backdrop of mountains and green pastures. We recommend visiting the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, home to Otzi the Iceman - Europe's oldest natural mummy, dating back to around 3300 BC - or paying a visit to Maretsch Castle, a small yet imposing 13th-century Romanesque fortress surrounded by vineyards. This evening our representative will meet you to get you fitted with your bike for the week, provide information about your trip, and answer any questions you may have.

Accommodation

Hotel

Leaving Bolzano behind, you will set out on the lovely, flat, well-maintained cycle path that runs alongside the River Adige that, like your route this week, flows south and then east from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea. See the landscape change as you leave the city and pedal through orchards into South Tyrol's largest wine growing region and the town of Salorno. This is the last village in the South Tyrol and is typified by its ancient residences, including Haderburg Castle that soars high above the village atop a limestone rock. This is one of the most important monuments in the South Tyrol and marks the dividing line between bilingual inhabitants who speak German and Italian, and those who speak only Italian. You are leaving South Tyrol and crossing into Trentino! Salorno is a pretty town with a splendid mix of culture, architecture, and fine wine, so it is no wonder that it has been a popular destination amongst past luminaries such as Napoleon, Martin Luther, and Albrecht Durer. After some exploring and maybe a spot of lunch, you will continue on your way to Trento - 'the Painted City' - your destination today. A hub for cyclists and walkers alike, Trento is a vibrant town with the Piazza del Duomo at its heart - the perfect spot to enjoy an Aperol Spritz and gaze at the beautiful Renaissance frescoes that surround you.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

50 M

Descent

110 M

Distance

65 KM

Feeling refreshed, your ride today begins by cycling alongside the Adige once more. First you will reach the historical town of Rovereto, an ancient centre for silk production and renowned for its many museums and palaces. For classical music lovers the Church of San Marco is a must and it is here amongst the beautiful frescoes and magnificent marblework, that Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart held his first concert in Italy, in 1769. From Rovereto you continue to Mori, where you will get to taste the world-famous pistachio gelato at the Gelateria Bologna before breaking away from the river and heading west towards Lake Garda. Fuelled by gelato you will tackle a short ascent of around 100m in elevation, followed by the delight of a downhill, to reach the lake at Torbole. A little further on, taking a designated cycle path for much of this section, you will reach Riva del Garda, a popular holiday destination for watersports enthusiasts. From here, you will hop onto a boat with your bike for a ferry cruise down to the south end of the lake, hopping off again in the medieval town of Sirmione and your hotel for tonight. Here the narrow streets house many restaurants and bars so you can sample the catch of the day, and you may want to make time to relax in the Terme and watch the sun set behind the mountains.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

180 M

Descent

315 M

Distance

50 KM

Today's route presents a few hills to tackle as you pedal on quiet back roads towards Verona, 'the City of Love'. Your efforts will certainly be rewarded when you reach fair Verona, the setting for Shakespeare's tragic love story of two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. There is an array of sights to visit - take a stroll over beautifully constructed bridges spanning the river Adige, marvel at the remarkably well preserved 1st-century Roman amphitheatre, and visit Juliet's famous balcony at Casa de Giulietta, where it is said she revealed her love to Romeo. Verona is a bustling city characterised by ochre-painted buildings, and has a thriving opera scene. If you are visiting during the annual summer Opera Festival (mid-June to the end of August) we recommend booking tickets for a show in the amphitheatre and feel the hairs on your arms stand on end at the powerful emotions from the music.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

175 M

Descent

200 M

Distance

50 KM

Your ride today will take you east, away from the river Adige, initially on a flat route until you reach the Monti Berici hills where you have 300m of ascent before reaching a fantastic view over Vicenza, your next destination. Despite the town's glamour, art, and Andrea Palladio-designed architecture, it often remains under the radar for many tourists. Vicenza became the adoptive home of Palladio in the 16th century and was soon influenced by his design, with his sophisticated architecture soon popping up including the beautiful Palladian Basilica. Palladio's architectural flair and the wealth of the area created this spectacular town, with its many palaces and villas now awarded UNESCO status. Today is the most challenging of the week with the 300m elevation gain, however it is possible to take a train to San Bonifacio to bypass the first section of the day and a large part of the ascent.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

400 M

Descent

450 M

Distance

70 KM

With the climbs over with and feeling rested, you say goodbye to Vicenza, cycling past numerous Renaissance villas along the way, including Palladio's dramatic Villa Rotonda just outside the town. Pedalling on a cycle path alongside the river Bacchiglione as it meanders its way through the landscape, you'll reach Abano Terme - one of Italy's most famous spa towns - set at the foot of the Euganean Hills. Take a local bus from here to nearby Padua - one of the oldest cities in Northern Italy and home to one of the oldest universities in the world. Here you can explore the cobbled streets of 'the city of St Anthony', immerse yourself in the authentic essence of Italian culture, and enjoy its thermal baths if you wish, before returning to Abano Terme and your hotel for the evening. Legend has it that the first settlement here was made by Hercules and his heroic companions after they left Greece to defeat Geryon, and were then so exhausted that they restored themselves in the local hot springs and liked it so much that they did not want to return to Greece!

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

20 M

Descent

40 M

Distance

36 KM

Your final day on the bike is a gentle one on a flat route through meadows and fields as you cycle towards the coast and your final goal of Mestre and Venice. Your cycling journey comes to an end on the mainland in Mestre, just before the island-city of Venice. From Mestre it is just a short bus journey across to the magnificent city of lagoons, where you can toast to an excellent week of cycling with a Grappa tasting. Spend an afternoon exploring the maze of narrow streets and canals that is Venice. Take a gondola down the Grand Canal under the Rialto Bridge, relax with a glass of Prosecco in Saint Mark's Square, or get off the main tourist track and pop into a bacari bar to enjoy cicchetti - small snacks similar to tapas - a delicacy unique to Venice!

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

20 M

Descent

30 M

Distance

50 KM

Your trip ends shortly after breakfast, however we recommend taking time to explore Venice and its many islands before your onward journey. Even better, book an additional night's accommodation and really soak up the culture of this fascinating city - just ask our Sales Team for more details.

Meals

B
Download Trip Notes
The Route
Point Point
Airport Airport
Bike
Boat

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • All accommodation as described

  • Meals as described in the Meal Plan

  • Self-guided information pack containing your route notes

  • Venice city guide book

  • Luggage transfers

  • 21 gear bike hire

  • Bike accessories hire (pannier, handlebar bag, milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit, inner tube)

  • Welcome briefing

  • Boat cruise across Lake Garda

  • A classic pistachio ice cream in Rovereto

  • A Grappa tasting in Venice

  • Navigation App and GPX tracks available

  • Travel insurance

  • Bike helmet

  • Travel to Bolzano

  • Travel from Venice

  • Visas (if applicable)

  • Tourist taxes may apply and are usually under 5 Euros per person per night

  • Day visitor tax for Venice Islands (approx. 3 - 10 Euros per person per day)

  • Some meals as described in the Meal Plan

  • Personal equipment

  • Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional

Each self-guided holiday comes with comprehensive route notes and a map or pocket guidebook of the area you are exploring. The route notes contain information about the places you will visit and the local transport you might need, along with the detailed route notes for your daily walks or cycle rides. We even include some tips for the best places to stop for lunch.

You can expect to receive your Self-Guided Pack containing your route notes, a map or guidebook, and all your relevant documents, no later than 3 weeks before your holiday start-date. We will send your documents using a signed-for courier so that you can track your package and know that it is safely on its way to you. For bookings of more than 4 people we will send an additional Self-Guided Pack. If you do not need this additional pack please inform our Sales Team. Your pack will be sent to the lead booker, so please remind them to pack it before setting off.

Should your self-guided trip be part of a longer adventure requiring you to leave home more than three weeks before your holiday start-date, please inform our Sales Team so that we can make alternative delivery arrangements.

Our Self-Guided Holidays are perfect for your next family holiday and are suitable for children of all ages.

Our partner hotels and accommodations are able to provide cots for young children, and some offer family rooms. We can also arrange hire of children’s bikes and tag along bikes for most of our self-guided cycling trips and with trips such as Lake Constance and the Danube offering routes on designated cycle paths you can rest assured in keeping your family safe.

As a parent we trust that you know your own child’s capabilities, so please read the itinerary details to ensure the distances covered each day are suitable for your family. If this is a first time walking holiday for your family, a centre based trip is a fantastic option as it allows you to easily opt out of a days walking if a day of building sand castles, swimming in the pool or visiting museums is calling instead.

Please discuss this further with our sales team who will be happy to assist in picking the best trip for your family.

Your trip starts at your hotel in Bolzano. All of our self-guided holidays are sold on a Land Only basis, allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. The nearest airports are Verona or Venice Marco Polo and both have great low cost flight options from UK regional airports.

The rail network in this part of Italy is extremely good and offers regular connections from both Verona and Venice, making train travel the best option for getting to your hotel.

If you are flying into Verona airport you can either take a taxi, or the shuttle bus, from outside the airport to Verona Porta Nuova train station. From here you can take the direct train to Bolzano Bozen station. The journey takes approximately 1.5 - 2 hours.

If you are flying into Venice Marco Polo airport you can take the shuttle bus to Venezia Mestre train station. From here you take the train to Bolzano Bozen. The journey takes approx. 3 hours with one change at Verona Porto Nuova.

Tickets for the Italian trains can be booked through Trenitalia in advance of your holiday, simply visit their website www.lefrecce.it

We can also arrange additional nights' accommodation before or after your self-guided trip, or you may even wish to make cycling from Bolzano to Venice part of a bigger trip of your own, or pair it with one of our other holidays - just ask our Sales Team to find out more.

This trip is on a bed and breakfast basis to allow you the most flexibility during your holiday.

Water from the taps is perfectly drinkable on this holiday - please use this to fill your personal bottles for your daily activities. We do not encourage the purchase of single use plastic bottles.

One of the great things about this trip is being able to experience the changes in the local cuisine from the German-inspired delicacies of the South Tyrol such as Apfelstrudel and Grostl (a beef stew), to the Cicchitti of Venice (similar to Tapas). With so many culinary delights to enjoy along your route, we have designed this programme on a bed and breakfast basis to allow you to sample as many as possible. Breakfasts tend to be continental, with fruit, cereals, fresh pastries, and coffee. You will find many cafes along your route, and in the evening there are many fine restaurants from which to choose. We recommend to always ask for the house wine as this is usually from the local vineyards through which you have been cycling, and the wines are fantastic.

This trip has been designed with comfort in mind, staying in 3-star and 4-star hotels each evening with plenty of communal space to relax after a busy day exploring on your bike. Facilities include pools, wellness centres for soothing your legs, pretty gardens for settling down with a good book, and rooftop terraces for the perfect breakfast view.

In Verona you will stay in the fantastic 4-star Hotel Palace in a quiet part of the city with great transport links to the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Similarly in Venice you will stay in the 4-star Hotel Elite in Mestre, the perfect base for exploring Venice's San Marco and Castello and the photogenic colourful streets of Burano.

All the hotels have been hand-picked for their wonderful hospitality and all offer a great breakfast buffet to fuel you for the day ahead, with rooms on a double or twin basis.

It is possible to arrange additional nights' accommodation if you would like to extend your time in Venice. Please speak to our Sales Team for more information.

During high season you may be booked into an alternative accommodation of a similar standard in the area.

Reflective vests are mandatory in Italy as soon as cyclists leave a village/town and cycle during night-time hours (half an hour before sunset until half an hour before sunrise). They are also mandatory when cycling in tunnels with traffic. Please pack a reflective vest or jacket.

Standard hybrid bikes come with 21 gears, and all bikes come equipped with a pannier and handlebar bag for your daily essentials, plus a milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit, and spare inner tube.

The bikes provided for this trip come in two different frame types - unisex bike frame or male bike frame. Unisex bike frames are provided for passengers up to a height of 185cm, and male bike frames are provided for those above 185cm. If you would prefer a specific bike frame, e.g. a male bike frame, please request this from our Sales Team.

You also have the option of upgrading to "Bike Plus" hire on this trip for a supplement of £70. The Bike Plus option provides a slightly sportier sitting posture and comes with upgraded items such as 27 gears, hydraulic brakes, and a front suspension fork. This is a great option for those looking for a slightly comfier ride without upgrading to an e-bike.

We strongly recommend that you bring your own helmet with you for the best comfort, however you can order a helmet in advance to collect in Bolzano before you begin cycling for an additional €40. Please contact our Sales Team to reserve this in advance of travel.

E-bikes are also available at a supplement of £255. We are also able to arrange tandem bikes, children’s bikes, trailers, and child seats. Please ask our Sales Team for details.

If you are looking for a bit of extra support whilst in the saddle, you can upgrade to an e-bike to make your ride even more leisurely.

Equipped with a battery and motor, these electric bikes give you a helping hand whilst you are pedalling, making it easier to climb hills, and travel further with less effort and more comfort.

E-bikes are available on this holiday at an additional supplement of £255. Just request this upgrade option with our sales team at the time of booking.

Your main luggage will be transferred between each of your hotels while you are out on your ride. We ask that you please ensure that each piece of your luggage is under 20KG and that your luggage is ready for collection each morning. You will also need a daypack to carry your daily essentials with you whilst you are riding.

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)

  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

The advantage of a self-guided cycling holiday is that you decide the pace. This trip is designed for leisure cyclists and does not require you to be in peak fitness. Having said this it is always sensible to get some additional exercise before going on an active holiday. After all, the fitter you are the more enjoyable your cycling will be. You should be comfortable with cycling 40-60 km a day on easy cycle paths or quiet roads and we advise you to dust off your bike and head out on a few rides before your holiday.

Northern Italy is in the middle European climate zone, making for warm summers and cold winters. The warm days of spring fill the meadows with beautiful wild flowers, although the evenings can still be cool particularly in the South Tyrol. Temperatures in the autumn are similar. As you make your way towards the Adriatic coast the temperatures rise, however the sea breeze makes cycling pleasant. Rainfall in the region occurs in all seasons, so we recommend you pack your waterproofs just in case.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

  • Cycling shorts

  • Cycle helmet

  • Functional base layer

  • T-shirts

  • Scarf

  • Hat

  • Windproof jacket

  • Fleece / extra layer

  • Rain protection

  • Rucksack (approx. 20 l)

  • Small first aid kit for your rucksack

  • Sunscreen

  • Water bottle or hydration pack

  • Camera (batteries/memory card)

  • Mobile Phone (ensure your data package covers your destination)

  • Handlebar mount that is compatible with your smartphone

  • Power bank

  • Waterproof phone cover

  • Sun glasses

  • Personal wash kit

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping to avoid the use of plastic bags

  • Tupperware for picnics

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
>> Find out more

DATES & PRICES

2024

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

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2025

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

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Land Only Information

Please note our 'from price' listed is based on 4 persons on twin or double occupancy, however we can quote for any number of travellers, including solo travellers, contact our sales team for a quote. This trip is available for departures Wednesdays to Sundays throughout the dates listed.

All of our self-guided holidays are sold on a Land Only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. You may even wish to make this holiday part of a bigger adventure or pair it with one of our other holidays. We can arrange additional nights accommodation before or after your self-guided trip, ask our sales team to find out more about this.

Our sales team will be happy to provide you a quote for scheduled flights or alternatively you may wish to book your own flights with a low cost carrier from your nearest regional airport.

Please DO NOT book your flights before you have received your booking confirmation and your deposit has been taken.

We offer some transfers to your hotel from the nearest airports, please refer to the 'joining arrangements and transfers' for further details for this trip.

ZEN_HOLIDAY_DATES_PRICES_LAND_ONLY_USD_NOTICE

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


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