Italian Bicycle Tour

Stra, Italy

We had decided on an Italian bicycle tour of the Veneto, the state surrounding Venice operated by Explore.

Our Italian bicycle tour started in the walled city of Vicenza, a located to the west of Venice. It is Saturday evening and we stroll down to the pedestrian friendly medieval center to find what seems to be the entire city just walking around chatting including children and teenage kids. It was very surreal.

Our first day of the Italian bicycle tour takes us to the walled town of Marositica, established in 1372. The town is best known for its chess game played with costumed live characters including knights in armour played out on the town square every September.

We continue our bicycle touring across the flat landscape to Bassano Del Grappa. The town is famous for the Ponte Vecchio wooden bridge with great views of the nearby mountains and strong drink known as Grappa. We had actually had trouble walking across the famous bridge because there were hordes of people lining the bridge enjoyed a drink a Grappa and chatting.

Another nearby town not to be missed is Asolo which is quaint village located  at the top of a hill which is known as the “city with a hundred horizons.” What you really get is spectacular views across the countryside of some great gardens and villas.

Then our Italian bicycle tour takes us to Venice. Of course you will want to see the major attractions including San Marco square, the Camanile Tower, Basilica di San Marco, Rialto Bridge and nearby islands such as Murano, the island of glass. What is not as well known is that by taking the regular water buses number 82 you can see the entire Grand Canal for a price far less than the famous gondola.

As far as bicycle touring continue along the Lido section of Venice (you need a ferry pass) hopping from island to island until you reach the south end of the lagoon. The next area is Stra where many grand villas are located, many of which are open to the public. Although they are called villas locally I really consider them to be palaces because of the large size.

Padua is one of the most ancient cities in the Veneto and the seat of the one of the oldest unviersities in the country and home of the famous Giotto frescoes at Cappella degli Scrovegni dating from 1303. Here you enter into a sealed room and watch a movie followed by being locked in the chapel with your guide to view the frescoes. This process is to keep the humidity low.

We continued through the wine region back to Vicenza along quiet roads and a bicycle path. This Italian bicycle tour is suitable for beginners and families alike and takes about one week.