Innsbruck-Venice

Welcome briefing and bike fitting. For the rest of the day, we recommend visiting Innsbruck’s famous old town with its City Tower and its “Golden Roof”.

After breakfast, we will take you up to the Brenner Pass (by train or minibus). From the small border town Brenner you will cycle on a newly extended bike path, mostly along the river Eisack, first to the little village Gossensass and immediately afterwards to Sterzing, the once mighty city of the Fugger. You will continue your tour to Thumberg, to the beautiful Reifenstein Castle, and via Stilfes and Mittenwald to Franzensfeste with its famous fortress. The bike path continues to the beautiful and quiet Lake Varna, to Varna itself and finally to Brixen, today's destination.

You will ride your bike through the Dürer town Klausen along the river Eisack to Waidbruck (view of Castle Trostburg). Here, the valley starts geting narrower and leads into the Bolzano basin. The city where two cultures meet is awaiting its visitors with many attractions (Archaeological Museum with Ötzi, the Iceman – free admission with BrixenCard on day of arrival).

You will mainly cycle along the river Adige and partly through orchards to Salurn where the German speaking South Tyrol ends. From here, you will continue to Trento with its interesting old town.

On this stage you will notice the Adige valley getting narrower and narrower. At the same time the mountain ranges, on which for many centuries impressive castles guarded over one of the most important trade routes, are getting closer and closer. We recommend a visit to Rovereto and the city of Mozart, Ala. Then you will continue your tour on the bike path to Rivalta.

On the seventh day, you will cycle on the well-built bike trail along the river Adige to Verona. There are just a few stops along the way.

Today’s route is initially flat until you cycle through the Monti Berici hills to the excursion area of Vicenza, which provides you with a beautiful view over the city. To make this longer stage a bit shorter, you can also travel the first part by train to San BonifacioIn, the old town of Vicenz. You can feel Palladio's spirit here, the famous architect from the Middle Ages.

As you leave Vicenza you will see numerous Venetian villas such as the Villa Rotonda. The route along the river Bacchiglione leads to Abano Terme, one of the most famous Italian spa towns. From Abano Terme, you can easily travel by bus to Padua, the city of St Anthony and the scholars. There you will have enough time to enjoy the thermal baths. If you are culturally-minded, you can enjoy Padua overnight for an additional charge.

With a light wind behind you most of the time, it’s an easy ride towards the sea.  The landscape is full of meadows and fields. This stage will take you to the mainland before Venice with its excellent bus service into the city of lagoons.

After breakfast, individual return journey or start of your extension.