Heart of Veneto Cycling
Heart of Veneto Cycling
Heart of Veneto Cycling
8 Days Starting and ending in Villaganzerla
Visiting: Villaganzerla, Bastia, Lago di Fimon, Costozza, Province of Vicenza, Venice, Mossano
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C07VN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 6
Physical rating:
Leisurely
Age range:
8 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
It's easy to become enchanted with the idyllic, back-to-nature lifestyle, that doesn't compromise on the comfort and style that genuine Italian country living boasts. The area is excellent for cycling as the valley floor here is criss-crossed with lots of quiet country lanes. We've put together a selection of circular routes of varying lengths, so you can be as active or relaxed as you choose. Further afield, the must-see regional highlights, such as Venice, Vicenza and Padua, can all be reached on a full day out. Or, of course, you can just laze by the pool (typically open June - end Sept only) and soak up the warm Italian sun!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Villaganzerla
Location: Villaganzerla
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo L'Albara
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive at your friendly agriturismo in Villaganzerla where you'll be kitted
out with a bike and go through the various cycling choices available to you
before dinner (time permitting).* (Staying at l'Albara for 7 nights)*
Day 2 : Bastia Market
Location: Bastia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo L'Albara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Sunday is market day (morning only) in Bastia, so we've built in an easy
cycle along quiet country lanes criss-crossing the Paduan plain to get you in
your stride. Stroll around the stalls before heading off to the tiny village
of Lovolo, a charming village square with its ancient lime kiln, for lunch.
Your return route takes you through the delightful hamlet of Monticello as
you wind your way back to Villaganzerla.
Day 3 : Lake Fimon
Location: Lago di Fimon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo L'Albara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today's route takes you along wonderfully tranquil valley lanes and on to
Lake Fimon, a totally undiscovered gem surrounded by shaded woodland. There
are lots of little spots for picnicking by the water's edge, or you can take
lunch at one of the lakeside trattorie. It's a lovely 5km circular cycle
around the lake, before you meander back amidst the green backdrop of lush
valleys and rolling hills to your agriturismo.
Day 4 : Villas And Vineyards
Location: Costozza
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo L'Albara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading north this morning, your first stop is the lovely village of
Costozza, named after the network of caves in the cliffs above, with its
impressive campanile, beautiful villas and extensive formal gardens lined
with statues. Ice cream lovers should call in at the locally renowned
gelateria before looping south and on to Lumignano, famous locally for its
annual pea festival! Your route then follows the Northern Strada as you wind
your way through rows of immaculately tended vineyards, against the rolling
backdrop of the Berici Hills. This is the only area outside Hungary where the
red Tai Rosso grape is grown. Stop off for some tasting, perhaps in
Castegnero or Nanto, with its striking Venetian bell tower, before pedalling
east and back in time for a swim before dinner.
Day 5 : Vicenza And The Villa Rotonda
Location: Province of Vicenza
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo L'Albara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A cycle path (those feeling lazy can catch the bus) takes you to
UNESCO-recognised Vicenza, 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, so
there's plenty to explore. On the way home you can visit the famous Villa
Rotonda and its surrounding gardens.
Day 6 : Free Day Exploring
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo L'Albara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Why not give the bike a rest today and head off to one of the great Italian
cities? Venice, Verona and Padua are all accessible by train from Vicenza
(short bus or cycle ride). If you prefer to avoid the crowds, perhaps take
the bus to Bassano, home to the region's famous grappa and a museum in its
honour.
Day 7 : Southern Strada Dei Vini Berici
Location: Mossano
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo L'Albara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, ride past Villa Pigafetta-Camerini, inhabited by the Camerini family
since 1700, to Mossano and enjoy the stunning panorama of the Venetian plain.
The wine road undulates through the vineyards between the towering Berici
Hills and the Paduan plain, offering wonderful vistas on all sides. Turn back
north towards the idyllic Franciscan monastery of San Pancrazio before a
lovely descent to Ponte di Mossano and a ride along the quiet country lanes
of the Paduan plain back to l'Albara.
Day 8 : Leave Villaganzerla
Location: Villaganzerla
Meals Included: Breakfast
LEAVE VILLAGANZERLA
What's Included
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High quality bikes
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/RideWithGPS/ navigation app
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All continental breakfasts and evening meals
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GPS route directions
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All accommodation
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request -compulsory supplement)
Food
All continental breakfasts and 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).
Accommodation
Your base for the week is the charming AAA nine-room, Agriturismo l'Albara, nestled just outside the tiny village of Villaganzerla, in the heart of the Venetian countryside. Run by the affable Valfrido and Angelina, their daughter, Romina, and son, Federico, this is one of the friendliest places we've encountered. Don't be surprised if you're invited to take part in fruit picking or whisked away to the local grappa distillery just down the road! The bedrooms here are cheerfully decorated with wrought iron bedsteads, brightly coloured throws and polished wooden floors. The dining room is light and airy and serves fresh, regional cuisine according to what's in season. Everything, even the wine, comes from the farm!
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
3-Star
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
8+ age people can go on this tour.
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What is the maximum group size?
6
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.