3 nights, 4 days
ACCOMMODATION:
3 nights at HOTEL SPORTING 4*, in GALZIGNANO TERME
The Galzignano Resort Terme & Golf is located in the very heart of the Natural Park of the Euganean Hills, a unique complex with three 4-star hotels and one of the largest spa centres in Europe with natural waters at 37°C, a new Galzignano Wellness Spa, Beauty & Medical Center, a 9-hole golf course, haute cuisine and all amenities for an unbelievable stay. Galzignano Resort is ideal if you want to restore your sense of wellbeing, get back in touch with nature and forget the stressful pace of everyday life. Here you can let go in the warm mineral spring waters, with their beneficial, regenerating, healing and relaxing properties. Each Galzignano Resort Hotel has a centre dedicated exclusively to spa treatments and indoor and outdoor pools with water heated to 37° which are some of the biggest in Europe. In verdant grounds, the outdoor pools also have whirlpools and a Kneipp installation, and are some of the most attractive in the entire Euganean Hills area.
PROGRAMME AND SERVICES:
DAY 1 – VENICE
Arrival at Venice Airport. Meeting with the tour leader at the arrival lounge. Luggage drop off and transfer to historical centre by water taxi where we have a 2h guided tour of the city and some free time, according to the arrival time. Possible to organize a Bacaro Tour (food and wine tasting experience) with extra cost. Walk to train station and train to Battaglia Terme. From there 10 min walk to the hotel (possibility to organize taxis with extra cost). Check in, free time and relax at the pools at Hotel Sporting.
Dinner at the hotel, overnight staying at the hotel.
DAY 2 – BIKE TOUR EUGANEAN HILLS (65km, 80m elevation gain, mainly bike path)
The Euganean Hills bike path develops like a circular itinerary along the canals that embrace the Euganean Hills Natural Park. This full-day ride will surprise you with its rich cultural heritage with prestigious Venetian villas, unchanged walled cities and castles. You will soon reach the walled city of Monselice and then continue along the Bisatto canal. After the river village of Marendole, Este, another walled city with the imposing Carrarese Castle and elegant squares, will conquer your heart. You will then proceed towards the western part of the Hills, characterized by extensive countryside, silence and uncontaminated nature and you will feel the satisfaction of finding yourself far away from pollution. The acute forms of the hills, a sign of their volcanic origin, but also the hillsides that host olive groves and vineyards, will keep you company.
After lunch and wine tasting in local cellar, you will cycle towards the northern part of the Hills, up to the Praglia Abbey, where you will stop for a guided tour of the most important Benedictine monastery of the Euganean Hills. You will now be on your way back when you pass by the elegant Villa Draghi and the wonderful Castello del Catajo.
Breakfast and Dinner at the hotel, overnight staying at the hotel
DAY 3 – BIKE TOUR BRENTA RIVIERA (50km, flat terrain, bike path and secondary roads)
With this Bike Tour along the Brenta Riviera you will cycle along the canal that in ancient times used to link the city of Padua with the lagoon of Venice. After a quick visit of Padua, we set off in the direction of Venice, crossing the university district of Portello, with its monumental Porta Ognissanti, and then proceeding along the Piovego canal first, and then the Brenta canal. These medieval waterways guaranteed communication between Padua and Venice for many centuries, through the famous Brenta Riviera.
Continuing your bike tour along the Brenta Riviera, you will be able to capture the beauty of Venetian architecture not only in the numerous noble buildings but also in the rustic residences, which, despite having lost their original productive functionality, still retain the courtly details of the Venetian palaces.
By bicycle it is possible to travel the same routes and admire the same landscapes that amazed travelers in past centuries: Villa Pisani in Stra, the beautiful center of Dolo and Villa Foscari known as “la Malcontenta”, the pinnacle of Palladian architecture.
Breakfast and Dinner at the hotel, overnight staying at the hotel
DAY 4 – PADUA
After breakfast check-out from our hotel. We spend the morning with a 2 hour walking tour of the city of Padua. We start from St Antony basilica and finish to the old city centre with its squares, the University and Palazzo della Ragione. Free time for lunch and transfer to Venice airport in the afternoon. Time to say goodbye to Italy!
Breakfast at the hotel
Price: on demand for groups
When: on demand
For booking and information:
VIAGGIARE CURIOSI walking, bike, boat, wine tours, bike rental
Via Aureliana 50, 35036 Montegrotto Terme (PD)
Mobile +39 328 4089272
e-mail info@viaggiarecuriosi.com
