Discover a captivating tapestry of charming valleys and enchanting cities, juxtaposed with awe-inspiring mountain landscapes and the iconic Grand Canal. Your cycling odyssey from South Tyrol to the Adriatic Sea promises an unparalleled journey. Guided by the motto "Experience and Enjoy," this route beckons you to embrace every moment.
Meander through exquisite vineyards and picturesque cultural hubs, where the past and present seamlessly intertwine. Amidst this enchanting journey, indulge in well-deserved breaks that come alive with the culinary wonders of the region. Savour a glass of robust red wine, indulge in tantalizing antipasti, and relish the authentic Italian masterpiece that is tiramisu. These culinary interludes add an extra layer of delight to your adventure, making each stop an unforgettable experience.
For enthusiasts of both fun and culture, there's a delightful reason to rejoice: a bike excursion through the mesmerizing lagoon city awaits, fulfilling every desire of your heart. Setting off from Bolzano, the vibrant capital of South Tyrol, your journey unfolds over rolling hills, traversing culturally rich cities and breathtaking landscapes.
Along this captivating route, indulge in brief detours and well-deserved pauses in enchanting locales such as Trento, Riva on Lake Garda, Verona, Vicenza, and Abano. With each pedal, your ultimate destination remains steadfast in your mind: the awe-inspiring Venice, the majestic lagoon city, greets you after a remarkable seven-day adventure.
And the experience doesn't end there. The splendour of St. Mark's Square, a gondola glide along the Grand Canal, and the city's unparalleled charm seamlessly weave together, culminating in a flawlessly perfect journey.
The highlights of the cycling holiday at a glance
Boat trip on Lake Garda: Enjoy the roaring waves and the pleasantly breezy sea breeze on board. From Riva, you can give your body a rest. You cross Lake Garda by boat to Desenzano or Sirmione, from where the next leg continues to Verona.
Casa di Giulietta: Romeo and Juliet are probably the most famous lovers in literature. In Verona, you can experience the charming old town with its winding streets and be inspired by Shakespeare's play "Casa di Giulietta".
Venice: If you had to describe the lagoon city in three words, it would be: beauty, charm, and history. What can you expect in the floating city? St Mark's Basilica, Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace and much more!
Worth knowing about the Bolzano to Venice cycle tour
You will spend eight days on the bike in the direction of Venice. The difficulty of the whole cycle tour is easy and ideal for pleasure cyclists. The program covers between 45 and 70 kilometres per day. You control the rolling hills and flat bike paths with your left hand, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Information meeting and issuance of the rental bicycles. The capital of South Tyrol invites you for a lovely walk through the city. The famous shopping street, vegetable market and Waltherplatz will bring you into the first Italian atmosphere. Or visit the archaeological museum and see the oldest human (ice) mummy ever found in Europe.
Leaving Bolzano, you will cycle along the banks of the River Eisack. You will soon reach the Adige and via a wonderful route you will cycle through beautiful fruit orchards to Salorno where the German-speaking South Tyrol ends. Your tour continues through the vineyards of the powerful red wine "Teroldego" to the picturesque old town of Trento.
First, the route continues along the Adige towards Rovereto. From here it goes west towards Lake Garda. In Mori, you must stop for the well-known pistachio ice cream of Gelateria Bologna. After a short climb you can enjoy the beautiful view over the Northern Garda Lake in Nago. This is followed by an intoxicating descent to the shores of Torbole and on to Riva. From here it continues very relaxed by boat across the whole lake to Desenzano or Sirmione.
A beautiful landscape characterizes today's cycling stage. Everything that tastes is grown by the roadside: sparkling white wines, juicy peaches, sweet melons and even kiwis accompany you through a slightly hilly terrain to Verona, a city full of attractions (Festival Arena, House of Juliet, old city wall) .
A flat start to the day and then through the hills of the "Monti Berici", the excursion area of ​​Vicenza, with a beautiful view over the city. If you want to shorten this longer stage, you can also bridge the first part by train to San Bonifacio. In the old town of Vicenza you can still feel the spirit of Palladio, the famous architect of the Middle Ages.
You will see numerous Venetian villas when you leave Vicenza, such as the Villa Rotonda. Along the Bacchiglione, the route leads to Abano Terme, one of Italy's most famous spas. Padua, the city of St. Anthony and the Scholars, is easily accessible by bus from Abano Terme. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the thermal baths. For culture lovers it is possible, for a fee, to spend the night in Padua. (When choosing Charme hotels, this overnight stay is included!)
With a light breeze at your back you cycle towards the Adriatic Sea. The landscape is characterized by extensive meadows and fields. The final destination is on the mainland before Venice with excellent bus links to the lagoon city. At the end of this trip, a drink on or around the famous St. Mark's Square should of course not be missed!
This tour can also be combined with the Adige cycle route from Innsbruck to Bolzano or can be extended with the tour from Venice to Florence.
Route information
The route is flat to slightly hilly; some effort at Monti Berici. The first two stages are mainly on cycle paths, south and east of Lake Garda, mostly on farm roads and service roads. Due to the lack of cycle paths, cycling on fairly busy roads is unavoidable in some parts. Paved roads almost everywhere.
7 nights in the chosen category, including breakfast
Boat trip Lake Garda including bike
1x Pistachio ice cream on the way to Lake Garda
1x small Grappa tasting in Venice
Personal welcome meeting (German, English)
Luggage transfer(s)
Travel folder 1 x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, luggage labels)
Own signage on the route
GPS data available on request
Service Hotline
Not included
Tourist tax, if applicable, to be paid locally
(Optional) Return transfer by minibus to Bolzano every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, costs per person €85,- (bring your own bike for €29,-), reservation required.
Arrival information
Train: Bolzano Station
Airport: Verona, Venice or Treviso
Parking: Garage approx. €70 per week in Category A or € per week in Category B, to be paid on-site, no reservation possible. Free, unguarded parking outside the city centre
Departure: Good train connection from Venice to Bolzano