Bolzano to Mantova - Self Guided 4 Days / 3 Nights
Add extra option to cycle Bolzano to Mantova - Self Guided 4 Days / 3 Nights
Combine an inn-to-inn style journey from Bolzano to join your Bike & Barge trip in Mantova. Cycle through the mountains past the rolling vineyards of Trentino and along the valley of the Adige River. Beautiful Lake Garda awaits where you cross to the southern shore by boat to join one of Italy’s best cycle paths to Mantova.
You can choose between the superior barge Ave Maria, or the standard barge Vita Pugna. You can choose to cycle with the guide and group, or do your own exploring, with maps provided.
Your JourneyDay 1 Mantova: The cabins are available from 4.30 p.m. The boat is moored at Porto Catena, just a short walk from the city centre. The meeting with the tour leader and the crew is scheduled for dinner-time, at 6.30 p.m. Day 2 Mantova: Mantova is one of the most beautiful towns in Northern Italy. The entire day is dedicated to the discovery of this wonderful city, where many famous artists have left their masterpieces, thanks to the patronage of the famous Gonzaga family. Cycling Approximately 35 kms. Day 3 Mantova – Governolo – Zelo: The boat takes you to Governolo which is the stronghold of the Mincio Pirates. Here is the biggest dam in Italy, built to control the flow of the Mincio River. From here you follow the River Po until you reach the village of Ostiglia, with the ruins of a medieval fortress. Here you can visit the Carousel and Folk Show museum in Bergantino, and enjoy a cheese tasting at a local cheese factory. After a ride along the ‘Canal Bianco” you will reach Zelo, where the barge will moor for the night. Day 4 Zelo–Ferrara–Adria: After breakfast you cycle to Ferrara, where your guide will show you around this wonderful town, and let you discover the historical centre, that is still surrounded by the old city walls. From Ferrara a short bus transfer will take you to Adria, an ancient Greek port, famous for trading amber from the Baltic. Cycling Approximately: 50km by bike + 60km by bus Day 5 Adria – Porto Viro - Chioggia: The boat will take you to Porto Viro, where you start your cycle into the maze of the Po Delta. You will be suspended between water and land, as you will pedal between the Po Delta and the mouth of the River Adige. Then you follow the Po-Brondolo waterway, which links the river to the Venetian lagoon. You will stay overnight in Chioggia, known as “the little Venice” Cycling Approximately: 40 km Day 6 Chioggia - Venice: A visit to the fish market at dawn is an absolute “must”! The boat then brings you to the nature reserve of Ca’ Roman. Pedalling along the lagoon, you reach Pellestrina: from here, riding on the cycle path you reach the ferry landing. A short ferry-boat ride takes you to Lido island, along beside the “Murazzi” breakwater, with a stop in Malamocco. After the final short ride you reach again the barge for the overnight stay. Cycling Approximately 30km Day 7 Venice: Today you have the whole day to discover the magnificent historical centre of Venice or its surrounding islands. Day 8 Tour ends Venice: After breakfast your tour finishes. If you want to stay on in Venice, it is possible to request extra nights. TerrainThe tour is entirely on flat ground and the daily cycling stages vary from 30 km to 50 km. Much of the pedaling is along rivers and canals on tarmac cycle paths or roads with a low volume of car traffic. It is envisaged that the boat will sail some of the way during breakfast or evening meal to make getting out of the towns easier or to shorten the stages. |
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