Cycling Northern Italy: Dolomites to Venice, Slovenia to Croatia - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bolzano

Welcome to Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol! Depending upon your arrival time, check into your hotel and set out to explore your surroundings. Located along the Isarco River, Bolzano acts as a crossroads between the Mediterranean and central Europe. 

Day 2: Cycle to Trento

After breakfast, you'll gear up and start today's ride along the Adige River cycle path. You'll bike through orchards and vineyards of this renowned wine route, breaking up the trip with a stop at the halfway point of Salorno, the linguistic border between Germany and Italy. There is the option to take the train at any given point to shorten the stage.

Distance: 40-44 miles (65-70 km)

Day 3: Cycle to Riva del Garda - Ferry to Desenzano & Transfer to Peschiera

Following the cycle path, you'll continue along the Adige River to Rovereto, famous for its museum of modern and contemporary art. After a short ascent to Passo San Giovanni, you will pause long enough to refuel and enjoy the superb view over Garda Lake and the little town of Torbole. Next, you'll ride to Riva del Garda on the northwest point of the lake to ferry cross to Desenzano, from where you'll then transfer to your hotel in Peschiera del Garda. 

Distance: 31 miles (50 km)

Day 4: Cycle to Verona

After crossing the hilly landscape surrounding the Garda Lake, you will meet up with the Adige river again and continue to follow it to Verona, one of the most important and beautiful cities in the Veneto region. After settling into your accommodation, be sure to find your way to the Roman Arena, the Church of San Zeno, and of course, Juliet’s house.

Distance: 22-37 miles (35-60 km)

Day 5: Cycle to Vicenza

Today you'll cycle the countryside at the foot of the Lessinia Mountains, amid vineyards until you reach the medieval Soave Castle. From here, you'll set out to the Fortress of the Bishops in Brendola for sweeping views of the unique Berici Hills and today's final destination, Vicenza. The old city center is characterized by beautiful private palaces and public buildings designed by Andrea Palladio, the famous 16th-century architect.

Note, it's possible to shorten today's stage by taking the train in San Bonifacio.

Distance: 22-43.5 miles (35-70 km)

Day 6: Cycle to Galzignano Terme

Leaving Vicenza behind, you'll ride along the cycle path of the Bacchiglione river stopping to take in the Palladian architect masterpiece, Villa Almerico Capra Valmarana (commonly referred to as La Rotonda) and the Tiepolo frescoes at Villa Valmarana ai Nani. From here, you'll carry on past the hamlet of Montegalda, heading toward the Euganean Hills, where you will have the chance to rest weary muscles in a luxury spa resort in Padua, the largest European thermal district.

Distance: 31 miles (50 km)

Day 7: Cycle to Mestre - Explore Venice

Along the cycle path of the Battaglia Canal, you will pass through Padua, home to one of the oldest Italian (and European) universities and rich in art and history. From here, along the Piovego Canal, you will reach Stra and then follow the Brenta Canal, overlooked by the countryside villas of the ancient Venetian nobility (Villa Pisani, Villa Malcontenta, Villa Widmann) until you reach Mestre, a small industrial town on Venice's mainland. 

It's important to note that while in Venice, it is forbidden to ride your bike and even push it by hand (apart from Piazzale Roma and the Santa Lucia train station). 

Distance: 34 miles (55 km)

Day 8: Ferry & waterbus to Punta Sabbioni - Cycle to Jesolo or Caorle

From your lodgings, you'll bike the short distance to catch a ferry and then transfer to a vaporetto (a water bus) to Punta Sabbioni. Along the way, you'll cruise through Venice's famous Grand Canal, passing in front of Piazza San Marco. Upon your arrival in Punta Sabbioni, you'll switch back to your bikes and continue along the coast stopping periodically to take a refreshing dip in the sea as you work your way to Jesolo or Caorle.

Distance: 25-40 miles (40-65 km)

Day 9: Cycle through Valle da Pesca to Portogruaro

Today's stage takes you away from the Adriatic and north toward the Julian Alps through the Valli da Pesca or "Fishing Valley"— large stretches of lagoons enclosed by earthen dikes for fish farming. Enjoy the unique landscape dotted with traditional casoni (a house used for fishing) as you pedal your way to the town of Portogruaro and into the former sovereign state and Republic of Venice known as La Serenissima (from the 7th to 18th centuries). Find your way to your hotel noting the traces of its past with Portogruaro's impressive palazzi (palaces).

Distance: 25-37 miles (40-60 km)

Day 10: Optional train to Latisana - Cycle to Aquileia or Palmanova

Depending on energy levels, there is the option to take a train from Portogruaro to Latisana reducing today's ride by 12 miles (20 km). Whether you board a train or not, you will spend time cycling from the region of Veneto to Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region in northeastern Italy that borders Austria, Slovenia, and the Adriatic. Enjoy the scenery as you ride by historic canals, over rivers, and past Roman towns until you reach either the ancient Roman city of Aquileia or the star fort city of Palmanova so named for its encompassing 16th-century defensive walls built in the shape of a star.

Distance: 37-44 miles (60-70 km)

Day 11: Cycle to Monafalcone - Optional train to Trieste

Set out this morning for Monafalcone where you can choose to board a train the rest of the way to Trieste in the far reaches of Italy. En route, there will be plenty of opportunities to stop for cultural exploration at noteworthy attractions, like at Duino to check out its castles, Sistiana for its stunning bay, and Miramare for its striking 19th-century white castle at the water's edge.

Distance: 31-44 miles (50-70 km)

Day 12: Cycle to Portorož, Slovenia

This morning you'll ride into Slovenia in no time along cycle paths through charming holiday resort towns like Koper and Piran, two towns once under Venetian rule, and then finally arriving in Portorož, renowned for its spa and baths.

Distance: 28 miles (45 km)

Day 13: Cycle to Poreč, Croatia

Today's stage takes you first through the Salina Nature Reserve and the salt pans of Sečovlje, a settlement close to the Croatian border. From here, cycle further south, into Croatia, along the coast of the Istrian Peninsula until you reach the historic resort town of Poreč. Spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure, taking in the sights, like the UNESCO-protected Euphrasian Basilica complex known for its intricate Byzantine mosaics.

Distance: 34 miles (55 km)

Day 14: Depart

Spend your last morning in Poreč relaxing on the beach or picking up a souvenir or two before you depart for your onward journey.