TOUR AT A GLANCE – Venice to Bologna Bike
Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
Departures: Private departures only, please contact us for details.
Departing from: Venice at 9:00 a.m. on Day 2 (Sunday).
Tour finishes: Bologna train station on Day 9 (Sunday morning).
Trip cost: €2,000 per person based on double occupancy & minimum group size of six. Single supplement €200. Please contact us for details.
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Our Venice to Bologna bike trip takes you on a classic journey through the historic towns and villages of the Adriatic to the Appenine mountains of Bologna. On your way you will see three different sites classified by UNESCO as World Heritage sites (Venice, Ferrara & the Po Delta, and Ravenna). Ride along quiet poplar-lined roads past beautiful farmhouses and abandoned villas. Traverse the wildlife reserve of the Po valley not only by bike, but also by boat. Come meet with the artists and artisans of the famous ceramics village of Faenza. We will visit a mosaicist who practice her artistry in Ravenna, where Roman emperors adorned their villas and temples with mosaics 2,000 years ago. Our trip starts in Venice and ends in Bologna, two cities whose residents claim to have the finest cuisine in Italy.
We have designed this trip to enable novice bikers to discover the joys of exploring Italy by bike. We ride along quiet roads that traverse the flat yet beautiful landscape of the Po valley. Our last two nights are spent in Dozza, at the base of the Appennine mountains, allowing stronger cyclists to do some beautiful and challenging rides. We spend two nights each in Ferrara, Ravenna and Dozza, allowing you time to explore these wonderful towns and discover their artists and artisans while slipping into the quintessentially Italian rhythm known as the “dolce far’niente” (sweet do-nothing!). You will explore Italy by bike, savor its fine cuisine and wine, and then relax in a shaded piazza or café after your day’s ride. (Luggage is transferred by van. 1 night Venice, 1 night Contarina, 2 nights Ferrara, Ravenna and Dozza. Trip ends in Bologna.)
Day 1 – Saturday: Arrive in Venice and transfer to the Hotel Atlanta Augustus on the Venice Lido. Enjoy the sights and sounds of this amazing city and do dinner on your own. Overnight Venice Lido. Hotel included.
Day 2 – Sunday: Today we bike directly from our hotel to the mainland — using ferries of course! — and make our way to Chioggia and its brightly painted houses. Food lovers can enjoy an exquisite lunch at the Michelin-starred restaurant “El Gato” (if need be, we will come and pick you up afterwards with the van!). After lunch we continue south and follow canals to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Po Delta, which we traverse by boat, on our way to the picturesque village of Comacchio. Overnight Hotel Delta Park, Contarina. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 – Monday: Today’s destination is the charming Renaissance town of Ferrara. We arrive after riding along the canals and waterways of the Po. Ferrara is principally famous as the residence of the Este Dukes, whose court was one of the most illustrious of the Italian Renaissance. Today the centre of Ferrara is divided between the narrow cobblestone streets and medieval houses of the south, and the spacious piazzas and grand palaces of the Italian Renaissance in the north. The centre of the city is closed to automobiles and the principle form of transport is bicycle. Overnight Ferrara at the Hotel Carlton. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 – Tuesday: We have a morning walking tour of medieval and Renaissance Ferrara, then have an optional afternoon ride through gently rolling hills south of Ferrara. Tonight is a “free night” dinner so you are free to explore the city’s nightlife on your own. Overnight Ferrara. Hotel and breakfast included.
Day 5 – Wednesday: Today we ride to Ravenna, home to Western Europe’s finest Byzantine art and on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Once a flourishing port on the Adriatic, Ravenna reached it zenith in the 5th century when Honorius transferred the Imperial Roman court from Rome to Ravenna. We visit the studio of mosaic artist Stephanie Jurs to learn about the history and technique of this splendid art form. Overnight Ravenna at the Hotel Sant’Andrea. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6 – Thursday: Bike to Faenza today, a Renaissance town that was one of the leading producers of majolica ceramics in Europe in the 16th century. The tradition lives on in this pleasant walled town and we visit a local ceramicist. Return ride in the afternoon to Ravenna. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 7 – Friday: The Apennine mountains are our beacon today as we head for the charming village of Dozza, considered “one of the most beautiful towns in Italy.” Our hotel is a restored 14th century convent. Overnight in Dozza at the fabulous Monte del Re. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8 – Saturday: Today you have the choice between a guided walking tour of nearby Bologna or a beautiful but challenging ride amongst the foothills of the Apennines. Overnight Dozza. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 9 – Sunday: The trip ends in Bologna, where we transfer to the train station. Breakfast included.
See all of our tours by date: TOUR CALENDAR 2010
The biking on this trip is flat, with some challenging optional rides on some days. We normally ride between 40 – 65 km a day, with optional extensions as well as van support, which allows you to relax off the bike for a while. We have designed the trip so that there is always some free time in the late afternoon so you can relax, read, or explore the towns where we stay. Breakfast is included every day, and dinners reflect the excellent traditional food of the region.
General Information
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Qualifications: This trip is rated easy, so it is perfect for anyone who is physically fit and likes to cycle; the presence of a support van and flat terrain means that cyclists of all abilities may join. The daily distances are around 50 km (30 miles) a day, or about 4 hours of riding divided between morning and afternoon. Trip Cost Includes: All accommodations (1 night Venice, 1 night Contarina, 2 nights Ferrara, Ravenna, and Dozza); 8 breakfasts and 6 dinners; bilingual guide or guides; support vehicle; guided tours as noted in the itinerary; all luggage transfers and final transfer to Bologna train station at the end of the trip; bikes (quality 27-speed hybrid-style touring bikes with front handlebar bags and rear racks). Getting there (this will redirect you to our “Getting to the Trip” page) Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the “Reservation” page). Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance. We recommend “Travel Guard” to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.  We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
