Dolomites, Lake Garda And Venice Ride Cycling Holiday - Italy

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 6 reviews.

Linda Reid

DOLOMITES, LAKE GARDA & VENICE RIDE

Written June 2013
This trip was excellent and we saw a lot of Italy during our week, cycling from Bolzano to Venice. The cycle paths were excellent and the countryside beautiful going from the snowy peaks of the Dolomites to many vinyards as we cycled towards Lake Garda. Then on to Verona, Vicenza,Padova and finally Venice . The trip allowed you to experience rural Italy as well as all the cities with their individual historical past, so it was also for me a cultural experience.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Our visit to the Scravigni Chapel in Padova was a very enlightening experience, where we saw the Frescos by Giotti telling the story of Christ - a story in amazing paintings is what I would call it, well worth a visit. Also in Padova was St. Anthony's Cathedral which was huge and again had many frescos , and sculptures. Seeing Verona from the top of the hill early in the morning it was just beautiful - the guide took me a cycle up the hill overlooking Verona. Seeing Venice and all the waterways busy with water taxis, gondolas and vaporettas it was quite amazing seeing the transport being on boats and not in cars. St. Marks Square in Venice, climbing to the top of the tower seeing a panoramic view of Venice and the islands.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was excellent and he took care of us extremely well and ensured that we were altogether when cycling. He showed us rural Italy and took us to places we would not have seen and also suggested that we try the local food and alcohol, both were excellent. He had great knowledge of the history of the towns and cities we visited. He was a great character with lots of personality, charisma and fun and everyone was treated the same. Everything was well organised and we had no mishaps. He also organised early morning rides up the local hills to view points for those who were early birds.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It's a great trip mixing cycling with the local culture and cuisine. A certain level of fitness is required but overall the cycling was on flat cycle paths and roads. There were one or two hills which some managed easier than others, but the guide always made sure that he was at the back with the slowest to encourage them up the hill and we all made it. Remember your camera as there are loads of opportunities for taking photos of the spectacular scenery, cathedrals and historical buildings. The rural areas were relatively cheap much the same as in Britain, but the cities were considerably more expensive especially Venice which is to be expected. The markets are cheap with amazing selection of fruit, cheese and bread -wonderful. A must do in Venice is going to the bar called DA LELE in Campo Dei Tolentini Santa Croce where you get small glass of red or white wine for 60c, and a ham roll for 90c. Very busy but well worth a visit just for the experience. The cheapest places in Venice for a drink and food in the evening and not too busy are in the Dorsuduro area, away from the crowded restaurants. Take the rough guide to Venice very informative. Remember your rain jacket for the occasional heavy shower.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
In the Exodus Brochure it states that the bikes are hybrids which is not the case we had heavy touring bikes. They all were well maintained with good components, and we were supplied with a pannier bag, a bar bag and a water bottle. Again this wasn't mentioned in the trip notes and most of us had an extra rucksack and a water bottle to take on the rides each day which were in the end not required. The trip notes should be more precise on what Exodus supply and the kind of bike supplied. The accommodation was all very clean some more basic than others and in Venice the rooms were exceptionally small and very cramped. On hind sight I would love to have spent more time in Bolzano a beautiful Tyrolean town in the foot hills of the Pyrenees where they speak German, there is spectacular scenery, great walks and cycle routes - one for the future. Overall a fantastic trip with a great group of people, an excellent tour leader, a great mix of cycling and culture.
Nigel Peacock

DOLOMITES, LAKE GARDA & VENICE RIDE

Written October 2012
This was a very enjoyable trip; a nice combination of mostly easy cycling and getting a taste of the countryside and cities of Northern Italy.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Venice is amazing - it was on my 'to do' list for quite a while, so being able to combine it with an activity holiday was great.
What did you think of your group leader?
Michele was excellent. The guidebook, including maps, and list of hotels provided at the start were also very useful and informative - it would have been possible to find the route and the hotel each day even if you had been separated from the group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go for it. The days are a bit more 'full on' than on other trips, not due to the cycling but due to the time spent visiting the cities in the evenings, where there is rather more to see than in cycling holidays in more rural areas. If you want a holiday with more-difficult cycling, chose a different trip, as this was probably the easiest of the 'moderate' grade holidays I've been on, with only one reasonably serious hill on the trip.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Much of the first part of the route, from Bolzano to Rovereto, although on a proper cycle path was also alongside - or just across the river from - a major highway. It may be possible to revise the trip so that more time is spent on country lanes which may give a more enjoyable (and quieter!) journey through the lower parts of the Dolomites.
Colin McQueen

DOLOMITES, LAKE GARDA & VENICE RIDE

Written October 2012
An excellent trip through varied scenery, made all the better by a knowlegeable and friendly guide
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The first view of Lake Garda was truly stunning (and the descent to the shore).
The quality of cycle routes was superior to anything we have in the North East.
Venice was better than I expected, as were all our cultural experiences (the covered walkway from the hotel in Vicenza was stunning)
The misty morning ride along the waterway as we left the bustle of Verona

What did you think of your group leader?
Michela was one of the best tour leaders we've ever had. a constant smile, excellent English and more than enough knowlege for a bunch of cyclists.
He never wore the same cycle jersey twice - very colourful!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go and enjoy it! Bring lots of money for Venice and visit very early on the last day to avoid the crowds.
Michael Hayes

DOLOMITES, LAKE GARDA & VENICE RIDE

Written September 2012
All in all probably the best holiday I have ever had and that includes skiing in USA & Canada.Why ? Scenery, weather (35 deg), good bikes, the people, food, local wines but above all Michele, our guide.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
That's a difficult one ...... something every day, but probably cresting the valley leaving Bolzano and riding through the vineyards or was it cresting the saddle at Lake Garda or was it the last meal in Venice with Michele and family ..... so many things were magical.
Overall, the simplicity of going at your own speed soaking it all in ......

What did you think of your group leader?
This was my first orgnised cycling trip and Michele has set the standard for my future trips.
He was organised, punctual, very knowledgable about the history of the region, really looked after us, had on occassion to be firm but was always fair in order to pack everything in for the day and keep the group together.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I thought 35 deg would be too hot to ride (coming from Scotland) but it was excellent as the breeze made by cycling was suffient to keep you comfortable.
No need to take your own bike on this trip as the hired ones were more than adequate and comfortable.
No mechanicals or punctures - 12 people - 220 miles - not bad ?

Is there anything else you would like to add?
We were given an excellent purpose-made map and guide booklet when we arrived - I think having these before we started the holiday would have given prior information about the towns and cities before we arrived at them.
Other than that - perfect.
John Radtke

DOLOMITES, LAKE GARDA & VENICE RIDE

Written June 2012
This was a well organized event, with two very conscientious leaders. There were some slip ups, but nothing serious, and not the fault of the leaders. One was having no hotel in Trento when we arrived, but they found a very good one nearby before too long.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the top of the last hill!
What did you think of your group leader?
Personable, organized, and spoke English well. Michele was an inspiration.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring better rain gear.
Keri Lummis

DOLOMITES TO VENICE RIDE

Written July 2011
This cycle trip was in most parts beautiful. The first three days coming through the Dolomites was beautiful with off road cycle routes made it an absolute joy. The others day were mostly beautiful too, along the canal river route but there were a couple of long stretches on busy roads which were not so good but mostly beautiful cycling.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The stunning scenery of being up near the Austrian border and being in cool fresh clean air.
Off road, down hill, cycle paths through stunning scenery
The evening and day we had in Venice, it has to be the most beautiful city in the world. My top tip is to keep away from the main tourist parts and just explore the back routes.
Great Great food and at least two ice creams a day!
My morning expresso en route

What did you think of your group leader?
He was fine, lacked the Joie de Vivre that I think is so important for a Tour Leader, but he could mend bikes and read a map.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is all in the Trip dossier, what to take etc. I would recommend a Fleece for first 2 nights in mountains, as was a little chillier than I had expected in the evenings. I had also rang Exodus twice re panniers on bikes to be told there were no panniers, so brought some and in fact the bikes did have panniers to carry daytime stuff. agh!!!!annoying.
Apart from Venice which is incredibly expensive the rest of the trip the food, drinks etc were good value considering the Euro is so bad at the moment.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The dolomites are a great place to see and cycle through, stunning scenery, we had a great trip. As it is a review though I would like to add these observations -
The back up vehicle that is mentioned in the dossier was not available to us on this trip, which was fine as was not too hard the cycling but it is a bit misleading if people are relying on it.
( see Trip Notes )
The bikes were fine on this trip, they did the job but were nothing special. We had been on the Tuscany cycle trip last year and the bikes there had been good so did not bother taking ours this year. I would look into the kind of bike a bit more next year before deciding on which cycle trip to do! SO YES of course, we will be cycling again with Exodus. Every trip will have bits you prefer to others but was still a great trip in beautiful Italy with great cycling, fabulous company and just hoping Exodus can keep coming up with new bike trips every year for us to enjoy.