The Veneto region of Italy is one of Europe’s treasures troves, boasting lovely biking between charming cities including Parma, Mantua and Verona. Each of these towns is filled with art, monuments and great restaurants (hey, it’s Italy), and arriving by bike after a day pedaling along river-side paths and fertile farmland is simply divine.
Location
Parma
Parma, Italy
Day 1+2+3
Sabbioneta
Sabbioneta, Sabbioneta, Province of Mantua, Italy
Day 4
Mantova
Mantova, Italy
Day 5+6
S. Pietro in Cariano
San Pietro in Cariano, VR, Italy
Day 7+8
What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP
7 nights lodging
All breakfasts and 1 dinner
Luggage transfers
Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
Detailed route instructions and maps
Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager
Area manager available on call throughout the tour
Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits
Particulars
EVENT DATES
Can start any date between March and November
Custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
Custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
TOTAL DAYS
8 days / 7 nights, with 7 days of cycling
ARRIVE / DEPART
Parma / Verona
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate
TERRAIN
COST
Classic Accommodation: US $2,625
Single Supplement: US $660
Luxe Accommodation: US $3,125
Single Supplement: US $780
Bike Rentals
Hybrid or Racing Bikes: US$320
E-Bikes: US$560
E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Getting There
Our trip starts in Parma and can be reached from Milan, Venice, or Bologna by train.
1
Day 1
Start your trip from Parma, the riverside city synonymous with fine food – Parma ham, Parmesan cheese & Lambrusco wines. Parma was recently awarded a Unesco Creative City for Gastronomy (the first city in Italy to receive this honor). But in addition to gastronomy, there is much else on offer – this compact city has a wealth of artistic, theatrical, musical and historical interests.
Optional ride: 50 km; 200 m gain*
2
Day 2
Ride from Parma to the Taro River, stopping at the Museum of Tomato (Musei del Cibo), where you can take an interesting tour followed by lunch. From here, make your way to Tabiano Castello, a remarkable castle from the 10th and 11th centuries – you can visit the castle before dinner. The hotel here boasts its own restaurant L‘Antico Caseificio in the former dairy and cheese factory.
Ride Distance: 48 km; 470 m gain*
3
Day 3
Today’s ride passes through two beautiful villages of Soragna and Fontanellato. There will be an opportunity to visit an organic farm for a cheese making demonstration and tasting before the ride back to your hotel. There is an option on this evening for a cooking course (additional fee).
Ride Distance: 58 km; 365 m gain*
4
Day 4
Ride from Tabiano to Sabbioneta you cross from Emilia-Romagna to Lombardy, crossing the enigmatic Po River at Cassalmaggiore, a small village with museums (and restaurants) to choose from. In the Unesco World Heritage Site of Sabbioneta, visit the Teatro all’Antica (one of the first purpose-built theatres in the world) and enjoy the ambience of this charming town.
Ride Distance: 75 km; 200 m gain*
5
Day 5
Afterwards, follow the Oglio and Po Rivers to the charming village of Mantua, the UNESCO World Heritage site of the day. Stay at Casa Poli, a lovely hotel in the center, steps to restaurants and cafes.
Ride Distance: 50 km; 130 m gain or 60 km; 175 m gain*
6
Day 6
Your route today winds through the Parco del Mincio following the Mincio River Valley. Have lunch in the lakeside village of Peschiera del Garda and then continue to the Valpolicella wine region, where the Luxe option stays at the fabulous 5-star Relais & Chateaux property Villa Cordevigo; the Classic hotel option is a wine makers inn nearby.
Ride Distance: 62 km; 425 m gain (to Cordevigo)*
7
Day 7
Start the day with an easy sweep downhill towards Bardonlino and then a flat ride towards Garda. There is a hilly option into the hills above Lake Garda, where splendid views reward your effort (and a great lunch spot near the town of San Zeno di Montagna).
Ride Distance: 41 km ; 325 m gain or 56 km; 730 m gain*
8
Day 8
Depart – You can reach Verona train station by taxi from the hotel.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
Classic
Hotel Savoy, Parma
This 4-star hotel is located in the center of Parma, close to the Regio Theatre and a multitude of the most renowned restaurants and boutiques. There are 28 rooms, designed in a contemporary style. We book superior rooms here.
Antico Borgo di Tabiano Castello
This unique hotel sits inside an ancient settlement in the green hills of Parma. The Castle’s original fortress is now a hotel with two restaurants, one in the original dairy and cheese factory. There are two wellness centers, two swimming pools and large grounds to enjoy. * Classic room category
Hotel Giulia Gonzaga, Sabbioneta
This is the most charming hotel in the Unesco city of Sabbioneta to stay in. 91% of guests on TA rate it as ‘excellent or very good’; it’s a modest/casual hotel with bags of charm, a friendly and attentive staff and you can’t beat the Renaissance village it is in. Enough said.
Casa Poli, Mantova
This 4-star hotel property offers a pleasant, sophisticated environment, tastefully designed and furnished down to the finest detail. Boasting a location in the center of Mantova means the artistic and architectural treasures are close by.
Dimora Del Bugiardo, S. Pietro in Cariano
Countryside accommodation with peaceful garden and shaded veranda terrace overlooking Valpolicella vineyards. Air conditioned rustic-chic bedrooms are roomy with original stone walls and smart furnishings. The restaurant serves local wines and Italian dishes.
Luxe
Grand Hotel de la Ville, Parma
This contemporary-chic 5-star hotel has a gourmet restaurant attached and is within walking distance of the historic center. There is a hip bar and comfortable lounges.
Antico Borgo di Tabiano Castello
This unique hotel sits inside an ancient settlement in the green hills of Parma. The Castle’s original fortress is now a hotel with two restaurants, one in the original dairy and cheese factory. There are two wellness centers, two swimming pools and large grounds to enjoy.
Hotel Giulia Gonzaga, Sabbioneta
This is the most charming hotel in the Unesco city of Sabbioneta to stay in. 91% of guests on TA rate it as ‘excellent or very good’; it’s a modest/casual hotel with bags of charm, a friendly and attentive staff and you can’t beat the Renaissance village it is in. Enough said.
Casa Poli, Mantova
This 4-star hotel property offers a pleasant, sophisticated environment, tastefully designed and furnished down to the finest detail. Boasting a location in the center of Mantova means the artistic and architectural treasures are close by.
Villa Cordevigo, Verona
This Relais & Chateaux property is an 18th century villa, historically the residence of noble families which over the course of the centuries have wrought wonderfully artistic changes to the sumptuous rooms of the villa, adding frescoes and works of art. After an ambitious restoration project which has maintained the nature and soul of the villa, this beautiful place has turned into one of Italy’s most magical hotels, full of charm, art and history. Member, Relais & Chateaux.
Trip Reviews
“We had a fabulous trip! The weather was perfect and the scenery never censed to be breathtaking. The bike routes were challenging in terms of hills but very pleasant because of the lack of traffic and the never-ending views. The accommodations were all good and got progressively better as we went. Same for the meals. It was an unforgettable trip.”
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