Venetian Villas and Vineyards Cycling

9 Days Excluding Flights From

9 Days from

£ 1319

£ 1429

Cycling

Activity Level

Easy

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Cycling

Ages :

13+

Trip Code :

C08VN

Our undiscovered corner of Veneto, just 60 minutes (but a world away) from bustling Venice, is the perfect setting for a relaxed cycling holiday.

Our undiscovered corner of Veneto, just 60 minutes (but a world away) from bustling Venice, is the perfect setting for a relaxed cycling holiday. Nestled between the art cities of Padua, home to one of the oldest universities in the whole of Europe, and UNESCO-recognised Vicenza, the region is bursting with Patrician villas – built by Venetian nobles to escape the muggy heat of the city – and ancient castles, although it is surprisingly almost entirely untouched by tourism. Palladio was the most famous Renaissance architect and many of his buildings, including the Villa Rotonda, can be visited on day 7 of this interest-packed itinerary.

We take you across the Venetian plain, past cherry orchards and swaying vine terraces, with the outline of the conical shaped Euganean Hills and imposing Colli Berici acting as a constant backdrop. The cycling is wonderfully gentle, over the flatlands of the plain and the low foothills of the Colli Berici, along peaceful canalside paths, cycle tracks and quiet country roads, passing sumptuous villas and historic towns with wine-tasting opportunities on the way.

En route you’ll stay with some of the friendliest people we’ve ever met. There’s a warm welcome at Gabriella and Alessandro’s Agriturismo il Feudo as you arrive in Cortela and it’s a home away from home at Valfrido and Angelina’s charming Agriturismo near Vicenza.

Highlights

Totally unspoilt, easy cycling off the tourist trail - great for first timers!
Characterful, friendly hotels; great Venetian home cooking
Steeped in history: medieval castles, Palladian villas, Roman roads
Venice, Verona, Padua and Vicenza all within reach on your rest days
Masses of wine-tasting opportunities

Key Information

6 Days cycling
E-bike hire available on request (supplement applies)
Luggage transfers between hotels

Countries visited: Italy

What's Included

All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals
GPS route directions
RideWithGPS navigation app
High Quality Bikes
Luggage transfers between hotels
Arrival & departure transfers (If booked as a flight inclusive package)

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Visas or vaccinations
Arrival & departure transfers (available on request if booked as a land only package)

5 Days of Cycling

Day 2

37 km / 23 miles

Day 3

17 km / 10.6 miles

Day 4

34 km / 21.1 miles

Day 6

38 km / 23.6 miles

Day 7

38 km / 23.6 miles

Day 8

40 km / 24.9 miles

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

C08VN - Venetian Villas and Vineyards Cycling

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Itinerary

Cortela Cortela London London

Arrive at your friendly agriturismo run by Gabriella and Alessandro, in time for dinner.
You stay at the Agriturismo Il Feudo (breakfast and evening meal)

Meals included: Dinner

The day starts along the canalside path to Este. This delightful medieval town with its pastel, arcaded buildings boasts a 14th century castle and an altar piece by Tiepolo in its Cathedral. Your next stop is Monselice. You can visit its mediaeval castle (converted into a sumptuous residence for a Venetian noble in the 15th century). From Monselice you follow the canal past the 19th century Villa Italia, before arriving at Sig Ottolitri’s friendly, family run hotel just outside Galzignano.
You stay at the Sporting Hotel Galzignano (breakfast and evening meal)

Distance covered: 23mi (37km)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

It’s a lovely circular cycle to Arqua Petrarca, unchanged since the 1370’s when Petrarch lived here. Visit his well-preserved house before pedalling off through vineyards to the fabulous Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio, the delightfully manicured 17th century Italian gardens here are the best in the region.
You stay at the Sporting Hotel Galzignano (breakfast and evening meal)

Distance covered: 11mi (17km)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Cycling through swaying vines you reach the charming village of Battaglia where there’s time for a spot of wine tasting. You must try the local Serprino, a medium dry frizzante wine often compared to Prosecco, before carrying on through the spa towns of Montegrotto Terme to the pre-Palladian villa at Luvigliano. After admiring the elegant villa you cycle upwards to the pretty village of Teolo, home for the next 2 nights.
You stay at Villa Lussana (breakfast only)

Distance covered: 21mi (34km)

Meals included: Breakfast

A former Roman settlement, Teolo’s heyday was in the 15th century when it became the summer home of Venice’s doges escaping the heat on the coast. Many palazzi and formal gardens from the period remain. You could take a walk in the encircling Euganean hills (360 degree views from here) or maybe take the bus into Padua to admire the town’s Giotto frescoes. Or, for a longer day out, take the bus/train to Italy’s most romantic city, Venice. Enjoy a cappuccino in St Mark’s Square, take a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs, admire the opulent gold decor of the Doge’s Palace or visit the Peggy Guggenheim Exhibition. The list is endless!
You stay at Villa Lussana (breakfast only)

Meals included: Breakfast

Today starts with a 1km climb from the hotel, followed by an exhilarating freewheel down through the Euganean Hills to the mediaeval castle at San Martino. Then, cycling by the Bacchiglione River you reach Cervarese Santa Croce in time for a relaxed lunch in the square. Onwards, it’s into wine country once more to reach your charming farm hotel at Villaganzerla where you’ll receive a warm welcome from Valfrido and Angelina. There’s time for a dip in the pool (typically open June – early September) before dinner.
You stay at the Agriturismo L’Albara (breakfast and evening meal)

Distance covered: 24mi (38km)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

You could laze by the pool but it’s a shame to miss out on Vicenza! A cycle path (those feeling lazy can catch the bus) takes you there past the famous Palladian villa, La Rotonda. nicknamed ‘Venice of the Terra Firma’ for its marvellous architecture, Palladio designed dozens of the city’s buildings, from the Basilica Palladiana in the main square to the Teatro Olimpico. There’s plenty to explore.
You stay at the Agriturismo L’Albara (breakfast and evening meal)

Distance covered: 24mi (38km)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today’s route follows the Strada del Tocai Rosso (the only area outside of Hungary where the red Tocai is grown). The wine road links a string of pretty villages, each with their own Venetian campanile. Then it’s out across the plain to reach Vo Vecchio, criss-crossed with canals. The Euganean hills are spread out in front of you as you cycle through the vineyards to Gabriella and Alessandro’s farmhouse for your last dinner.
You stay at the Agriturismo II Feudo (breakfast and evening meal)

Distance covered: 25mi (40km)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

The tour ends in Cortela.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Cycling Conditions

Classification: Self-Guided
Activity Level: 1 (Leisurely)
Average daily distance on move on days: 34km (21.5 miles).
No. of days cycling: 6
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies.

Joining Instructions

Prices include our standard flights/transfers

British Airways Gatwick to Venice Marco Polo 07:30/10:50 then rail Venice Mestre to Montegrotto 13:53/14:17 and transfer to hotel 35 minutes. Return: Transfer to station 35 minutes then rail Montegrotto to Venice Mestre 13:35/14:07 then British Airways Venice Marco Polo to Gatwick 17:25/18:35.

Business/club/first class seats are available on request.

Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Cortela
Location end: Cortela

Transfer Details

Standard transfers
If making a flight inclusive booking standard transfers are included from Montegrotto train station at 14:17 and back to Montegrotto train station at 13:35.

Vaccinations and Health

Italy

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

Food & Drink

All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals included.

The Veneto ranks as one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the country. You will see fields of maize and barley everywhere. It is also a big area for fruit; expect to eat cherries, peaches, melons, plums, pears, strawberries and apples. The cuisine varies from the coast up into the mountains and reflects the region’s mixed cultural past. Nearer to Austria in the mountains, you get a more Tyrolean cuisine with dishes such as apple strudel creeping onto the menu, whereas towards the coast, you will find a lighter cuisine with lots of fish dishes.

Three typical dishes you are likely to find throughout the region are baccalà (air-dried salted cod soaked and cooked to a creamy consistency in garlic, parsley and olive oil), carpaccio (now seen on menus throughout Italy and even internationally, this is thin slices of very rare beef sprinkled with lemon juice and garnished with parmesan cheese, mushrooms or even white truffles according to the season and the restaurant) and polenta (made from maize, this is served as an accompaniment to meat or fish).

Weather

In Veneto and the surrounding areas the temperatures are cool/mild in spring and autumn and warm/humid in summer, with potential summer storms. You can find more information on the weather in Veneto on www.arpa.veneto.it.

Weather Charts

TRIP

C08VN - Venetian Villas and Vineyards Cycling

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Hotels

En route the cuisine is fabulous, home cooked fayre and you’ll stay with some of the friendliest people we’ve ever met. In Teolo you’ll stay at Mauro’s lovingly restored Liberty villa, whilst there’s a warm welcome at Valfrido and Angelina’s charming agriturismo near Vicenza.