Compare Venetian Villas and Vineyards Cycling by Exodus Travels vs Paris to Geneva, Milan and Rome Tour by Discovery Nomads
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
4.5 | Great
|
| Duration | 9 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 2,540 | $ 1,868 |
| Price Per Day | $ 282 | $ 187 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Small group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included | 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). |
Complimentary breakfasts in some hotels |
| Description |
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.Our undiscovered corner of Veneto, just 60 minutes (but a world away) from bustling Venice, is the perfect setting for a relaxed cycling holiday. |
Take a trip through France, Switzerland and Italy, explore the unique cultures, try a different gourmet cuisine, see the stunning architecture of the cities and admire the breathtaking scenery of Grand Canal in Venice. |
Day 1 Arrive at Cortela
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)
Day 2 Cortela to Galzignano
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)
Day 3 At Galzignano
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)
Day 4 Galzignano to Teolo
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)
Day 5 At Teolo
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)
Day 6 Teolo to Villaganzerla
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)
Day 7 At Villaganzerla
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)
Day 8 Villaganzerla to Cortela
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)
Day 9 Leave Cortela
The tour ends in Cortela.
Day 1-3 Paris
Today you will explore fascinating Paris and check this beautiful city from the Eiffel Tower and in the evening you will have free time to explore the nightlife of the city. On the next day you will have sightseeing tour around Paris and visit Louvre museum.
Hotel: Novotel Paris or similar.
Day 3 Geneva
In the morning you will travel by train to Switzerland. Discover this small city of Geneva that lies at the southern tip of expansive Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains, the city has views of dramatic Mont Blanc.
Day 4-6 Milan
In the morning you will travel to Milan and have a guided tour to the beautiful Duomo Cathedral. Enjoy shopping on Via Montenapoleone and in the evening go to the opera of La Scala (please purchase tickets in advance).
Hotel: Starhotels Anderson or similar.
Day 6-8 Venice
You will have a guided tour to the Doge's Palace. Additionally visit the Accademia Gallery and Basilica di San Marco, take a vaporeto to Murano and Burano, gondola ride along Venice canals or visit Guggenheim gallery.
Hotel: LaGare Venezia MGallery by Sofitel or similar.
Day 8-10 Rome
Explore the history of Rome on a walking tour, see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Piazza Navona. On the next day you'll have an excursion to Vatican and visit the Colosseum. And do not miss the amazing Italian food, wine and nightlife.
Hotel: UNA Hotel Rome or similar.
