Cycling in the lands of Venice group tour

Cycling in the lands of Venice 

Group Tour

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL AT EUGANEAN THERMAL BATHS

Arrival and check-in at the hotel.

DAY 2 – FROM PADUA TO VICENZA ALONG THE BACCHIGLIONE RIVER (55 km – no elevation gain)

Starting from the Thermal Baths, it’s a short ride to Padua. Along the way, you will encounter Venetian villas, such as the magnificent Villa Molin, designed by architect Scamozzi. Padua’s fame is linked to three great historical figures: Saint Anthony, whose relics are housed inside the Franciscan Basilica, Galileo Galilei, an astrophysicist and professor at the ancient University, and Giotto, one of the greatest artists of the 14th and 15th centuries. After visiting the historic center, you will ride along the Bacchiglione River, which separates the city of Saint Anthony from Vicenza. The scenic path allows you to enjoy wide panoramas, with the Euganean Hills first, and the Berici Hills later. The arrival in Vicenza is anticipated by the tall bell tower of the Sanctuary of Monte Berico and two works by Andrea Palladio: Villa Almerico Capra “La Rotonda” and the nearby Arco delle Scalette.

DAY 3 – TOWARDS THE CHERRY LANDS: MAROSTICA AND BASSANO DEL GRAPPA (45 km – 80 m elevation)

Between Vicenza and Bassano del Grappa lies a route rich in scenic and artistic charm. At the foot of the Asiago Plateau, you will find a region full of underground waters that emerge, creating numerous springs. Continuing towards Bassano, you will pass through Sandrigo, a town known for its famous baccalà alla vicentina. The next stop is Marostica, which welcomes visitors with its city walls and castles. Famous worldwide for its chess game that takes place every two years in the beautiful square, Marostica is also known for its cherry production. The stage ends in Bassano del Grappa, which surprises and enchants those who discover its architectural and landscape features. The city, located along the Brenta River and at the foot of Monte Grappa, is famous for its wooden bridge designed by Palladio, now a symbol of the Alpini. A shot of grappa at the end of the day is the perfect reward after the fourth stage of this trip through Veneto.

DAY 4 – FROM THE HILLS OF ASOLO TO TREVISO (60 km – 150 m elevation)

The towering Monte Grappa marks the start of the route, which winds through sinuous hills, small valleys, and plateaus that alternate, creating ever-changing landscapes. On a hill, you’ll spot the romantic and elegant Asolo, “the city of a hundred horizons,” with its imposing Rocca standing above a lush landscape of olive trees and cypress trees. Not far away is Maser, a village known for the Palladian villa of the same name, a jewel of 16th-century architecture. From Montebelluna, it only takes a few pedal strokes to immerse yourself in a natural setting rich in history: the Montello. This hill, situated on the Treviso plain, is an ideal destination for pleasant excursions with stops at agritourisms. The last stretch of road crosses the Marca region, where history blends with modernity; secondary paths lead to Treviso, whose historic center is enclosed by its original Renaissance walls.

DAY 5 – THE SILE RIVER AND VENICE (55 km – no elevation gain)

Following the flow of the Sile, Europe’s longest spring-fed river, you’ll leave the 14th-century Treviso and head towards the pleasant descent to the Venice Lagoon. Along its banks, you will pass places of interest such as Casier, an ancient commercial exchange center between the countryside and the lagoon, where you can hear the chimes of an original water clock; next, you’ll reach Casale sul Sile, a strategic point for controlling river traffic, evidenced by the medieval tower built by the noble Carraresi family in the 1300s. After reaching Quarto d’Altino, the sea breeze brings the scents of the lagoon. Not far from the modern town center is the archaeological site of a Roman port city. With the Barbarian invasions, the city was destroyed, and its inhabitants took refuge in the lagoon, helping to found Venice. The lagoon city is the fascinating final destination of this circular itinerary through the ancient domains of the Serenissima.

DAY 6 – THE ISLANDS OF THE LAGOON AND CHIOGGIA (35 km – no elevation gain)

After visiting the historic center of the lagoon, take the ferry to Lido di Venezia, where the cycling adventure begins. The excursion first takes you along the lagoon-facing Riviera, then crosses the Santa Maria Elisabetta avenue, from which the main urban axes of the town diverge. Soon you will reach the Marconi promenade, where the most prestigious buildings of the resort are located: the Gran Hotel des Bains, the Casino, the Palace of the Film Festival, and the distinctive Moorish palace of the Grand Hotel Excelsior. Reaching the natural reserve of Alberoni, take the ferry to the island of Pellestrina. After disembarking at Santa Maria del Mare, continue towards the port of S. Pietro in Volta, with its 18th-century church surrounded by low fishermen’s houses and vegetable gardens. Heading south, you will pass the village of Portosecco, where you might still see women working on bobbin lace, and then the picturesque center of Pellestrina with its 16th- and 17th-century houses. From Pellestrina, take the vaporetto to Chioggia, today’s destination.

DAY 7 – TOWARDS THE EUGANEAN HILLS (55 km – no elevation gain)

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the ancient church of Sant’Andrea, and the medieval tower are the main monuments of the picturesque historic center of Chioggia, wedged between alleys and canals. Don’t miss the colorful fish market between the square and the Canal della Vena. This stage retraces the salt road that connected the lagoon to the Venetian cities. In Correzzola, you’ll find the 16th-century Benedictine court, a testament to how monks carried out major reclamation work in this region. After Pontelongo, continue along the canal embankment, passing the fortified center of Bovolenta. The journey then continues towards the Euganean Hills, which appear on the horizon with their characteristic volcanic profiles. Along the way, you’ll encounter numerous Venetian villas, the riverside village of Pontemanco, and stone bridges. The stage ends at Battaglia Terme, a charming town where a unique museum preserves the memory of river navigation.

DAY 8: DEPARTURE

Check-out and return to residences.