Italy's eastern Alps, the Dolomites, are some of the world's most dramatic mountains and they straddle a cultural boundary that gives us the best of Italian and Austrian-German cuisine. Explore this beautiful and unique corner of Italy, while enjoying opportunities for hiking as well as bicycling. While our tour traverses the mountains, the pedaling is comparable to our "Bike Across Italy tours," with a day on the flats, two days in the foothills, and a day in the alpine town of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Day 1: Welcome to Castelfranco Veneto
Highlights: 13th-century Castelfranco Veneto, Welcome Dinner
We meet at our hotel this afternoon in Castelfranco Veneto, for our bike-fitting. The hotel overlooks the main square of this 13th-century walled town. Take your bike out for a spin before we meet for introductions and a special welcome dinner tonight. Distance: Your choice.Day 2: Castelfranco to Valdobbiadene
Highlights: Palladian villa, prosecco wine tasting this evening
We head north toward the foothills of the Alps today. On the way we stop at a bicycle jersey factory where we'll enjoy factory outlet prices on top-notch Italian bicycle jerseys. Then we head on to Villa Barbaro, Andrea Palladio's architectural masterpiece that will be open just for us. Our day ends in Valdobbiadene, home of prosecco, one of Italy's finest sparkling wines. We'll have a wine tasting before dinner together. Distance: 50 km (31 miles).Day 3: Valdobbiadene to Belluno
Highlights: Spectacular rides in the foothills of the alps; visit a unique bicycle museum
We are in the foothills of the Dolomites now, and we'll enjoy a spectacular ride through farmlands and villages to Belluno. On the way, you'll want to visit the wonderful bicycle museum in Cesiomaggiore. We'll suggest some places for dinner on your own this evening. Distance: 68 km (42 miles).Day 4: Belluno to Cortina
Highlights: Train ride into Italian Alps, great bike path into Cortina with a picture perfect landscape
We'll shuttle into the Dolomites by train this morning, then you'll enjoy a scenic ride to Cortina along an old railroad grade that is now a bike path. We recommend lunch in town or a ride up the cable car for a picnic in the mountains before heading back to town and our hotel in the heart of Cortina. Dinner is together tonight. Distance: 36 km (22 miles).Day 5: Cortina to Val Badia
Highlights: Spectacular Alpine scenery, cable car ride for lunch on top of the Dolomites
We climb over Passo Falzarego this morning on a beautiful ride. Once at the top of the pass at your option you can enjoy a cable car ride up the mountain for a picnic lunch. From the pass, it's mostly downhill to our hotel. Dinner together tonight. Distance: 35-47 km (22-29 miles).Day 6: Rest day with optional hike
Highlights: Optional hike in Italy's Alps and lunch with a view
We'll offer a morning hike for those who wish. Or, you can take the cable car up the mountain and meet those on the hike to enjoy a traditional Dolomite lunch at a mountain hut. This afternoon, take a nap, go for a hike, or head back to the hotel and take in the spectacular terrace view. Dinner is on your own tonigh. Distance: Optional, 1-4 hour hike.Day 7: Rest day with optional bike or hike
Highlights: Optional bike ride around the historic four passes surrounding Sella Massif
This morning you can take a hike from the hotel or, since this is a bike tour, we'll recommend pedaling the classic tour of the Sella Massif on the Dolomite High Road often part of the Giro d'Italia! This 67 km loop features 6,500 feet of climbing over 4 famous passes (Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, and Gardena). The support van will assist you, so you can shuttle part way home if you choose. Dinner together. Distance: up to 67 km (42 miles).Day 8: Val Badia to Brunico
Highlights: Brunico, Alpine villages, special farewell dinner
We follow a scenic road to San Lorenzo and through small Alpine villages that overlook the Austrian Alps to the North before reaching Val Pusteria and the charming Alpine town of Brunico. Those who wish can take the extra, challenging ride to the top of the Stalle Pass and the border with Austria. Otherwise, spend your afternoon visiting the characteristic narrow streets of Brunico or check out the castle located on the highest point of town. We'll have a festive final dinner together this evening. Distance: 40 km (25 miles).Day 9: Brunico
Highlights: Farewell to the group and on with your travels
After breakfast together, we'll say good-bye to our Dolomites' cycling adventure. Trains head north to Austria and Munich or south to Milan, Rome, and Venice. Or, stay in the Dolomites and spend a few days hiking, it is well worth it!-
HighlightsItalian and Austrian-German culture and food, Mountain town of Cortina, Hiking and bicycling, Riding the Sella Massif, Spectacular Val Badia, Palladio's masterpiece, Villa Barbaro
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Includes9 days, 8 nights accommodation, 6 dinners with wine, 1 wine-tasting, 1 lunch & all breakfasts
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CountriesItaly
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Begin/EndCastelfranco Veneto/Brunico
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Arrive/DepartVenice/Venice, Innsbruck or Munich
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Total Distance369-381km (229-236miles)
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Daily Distance0-73 km (0-45 miles)
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What to ExpectFlat cycling for a day then rolling hills and some longer climbs in the mountains. Optional Sella Massif ride with four passes in one day on the day of the Sella Ronda. Optional mountain hike.
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Rating
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Notes
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Terms
Please call 1-800-685-4565 or e-mail us for the dates for this tour.
Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.
Map Key
Start
City (on route)
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City (not part of route, provided for reference)[What was your favorite experience?] Riding the Quatro Passo and the day hike in Covara, then relaxing each afternoon in the hotel sauna. The Hotel Col Alto was great. It had excellent facilities, a very friendly, English speaking staff, and a fabulous spa.
David G.
Denver, CO
Denver, CO
Dinners were excellent. Good menu choices for everyone and great restaurants. Breakfasts were also very good and more than I had expected. The addtional tours to the Giessegi factory, Villa Barbaro, the bike museum, and the prosecco wine tasing were gems. I enjoyed the stops and the opportunity to do more than just ride a bike in Italy. The tours were very special activities.
David G.
Denver, CO
Denver, CO
The trip was fabulous. The tour guides fabulous ... Itinerary wonderfully thought out ... One of the most invigorating, beautiful and relaxing vacations ever for us. This trip has made us serious and enthusiastic about doing more. Our guides were tremendous in all ways, helpful, knowledgeable, engaging. We are already planning our next trip. Thanks for providing such a special experience.
Gary G.
Princeton, NJ
Princeton, NJ
Fabulous tour from all aspects. An active tour with outstanding guides. For us it was a perfect family vacation. My teenagers were never bored, and enjoyed the other participants. It was a workout for them and good to be around active adults. They definitely want to do it again. Thank you for an exceptional tour.
Dara & Elaine B.
Boulder, CO
Boulder, CO
