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. The tour begins with a few days of rolling terrain in preparation of our arrival to the South Tyrol area where you'll have the opportunity to bicycle the 4 passes of the Sella Massif. You will also enjoy a wonderful wine tasting, a visit to a unique bicycle museum, and the amazing Palladian Villa, Villa Barbaro. If you love being in the mountains, this is the bicycle tour for you.
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Highlights: The Lido of Venice, dinner at a trattoria
Welcome to Venezia! You really should try and come a day or two early to explore this unique city before we begin our bike ride to the Dolomites. Meet this afternoon at our hotel on the Lido of Venice where we'll fit your bicycles. Tonight after our introductory aperitif we will walk to dinner together in a small trattoria on the Lido.
After a leisurely breakfast, we will catch a ferry north to the Lido di Cavallino and ride along this long sandbar. You'll follow the River Sile as you cycle around the Venetian Lagoon heading north to Treviso.
DAY 3: Cycling from Treviso to just outside Valdobbiadene
Highlights: Palladian villa, Prosecco wine tasting this evening
Today you'll head north out of the plains and toward the foothills of the Alps. Along the way stop to visit the Villa Barbaro, Andrea Palladio's architectural masterpiece, and though it is typically closed to the public it will be open for our visit. The day's ride ends near Valdobbiadene, home of Prosecco, one of Italy's finest sparkling wines which you'll sample tonight.
Highlights: Foothills of the alps; visit a unique bicycle museum
The landscapes are changing quickly now as the mountains grow closer with each pedal stroke. Relax and spin your way through farmlands and small villages. There is a wonderful bicycle museum in Cesiomaggiore that is worth a stop.
Highlights: Train ride into Italian Alps, great bike path into Cortina with a picture perfect landscape
Begin the day with a shuttle into the Dolomites, after that it's a scenic ride to Cortina along an old railroad grade that is now a bike path. Have lunch in town, or take the cable car and picnic in the mountains before heading back to town. The hotel tonight is located in the heart of Cortina.
Highlights: Spectacular Alpine scenery, Passo Tre Croci, Lake Misurina
Passo tre Croci awaits! Today you'll climb your first (of six, or seven!) passes in the Dolomites. Delight in great views of Mount Cristallo, and stop for a snack on the shores of Lake Misurina and delight in a tranquil moment to gaze at views of the Dolomites reflected in the crystalline waters. From the lake you have the option to climb Le Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or enjoy a downhill ride back to Cortina.
Highlights: Spectacular Alpine scenery, cable car ride for lunch on top of the Dolomites
Another day another pass! You'll take on Passo Falzarego this morning - a beautiful ride featuring heart-stopping views. At the top of the pass take a cable car ride further up the mountain for a picnic lunch, or head downhill to a restaurant in town.
Highlights: One of bicycling's classic rides, the historic four passes surrounding Sella Massif
This morning you have the opportunity to pedal the classic Sella Massif on the Dolomite High Road. This 53 km loop features 6,500 feet of climbing over 4 famous passes and has been a regular feature of the Giro d'Italia.
Highlights: Brunico, Alpine villages, special farewell dinner
The Badia Valley is home to small alpine villages and views that extend to the Austrian Alps in the north. Our destination is the charming alpine town of Brunico. If the day doesn't feel complete without climbing a pass there is no need to worry. You can take the challenging ride to the top of Stalle Pass and the border of Austria. Otherwise, spend the afternoon exploring the narrow streets and the perched castle overlooking Brunico. Tonight we'll have a festive final dinner to celebrate our ride.
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!
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed. As you make your plans refer to the Getting To and Away sent to you in your booking confirmation email it provides meeting times and the starting and ending hotels and shuttle information when applicable.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights. Please refer to the Getting To and Away sheet you received in your Reservation Confirmation Email.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Deposit Payment Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail you have received for detailed instructions.
6 Weeks–2 Weeks Prior to Departure
Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Suggested Reading and Movie List which you'll find on the country page linked from the www.experienceplus.com/travelinfo page.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle
Rolling hills
Hilly
Very hilly
Mountainous
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