Venetian Villas and Vineyards Cycling

Arrive at your friendly agriturismo run by Gabriella and Alessandro, in time for dinner. (Staying at Agriturismo Il Feudo)

Option: 1
The day starts along the canalside path to Este. This delightful mediaeval town with its pastel, arcaded buildings boasts a C14 castle and an altar piece by Tiepolo in its Cathedral. Your next stop is Monselice. You can visit its mediaeval castle (converted into a sumptuous residence for a Venetian noble in the C15). From Monselice you follow the canal past the C19 Villa Italia, before arriving at Sig Ottolitri's friendly, family run hotel just outside Galzignano. (Staying at Belvedere Resort ai Colli)

Option: 2
Today is a fairly short ride that features several scenic climbs and switchback descents through the hills of the national park, the Colli Euganei. After a warm up descending onto the plains to encircle the Monte Lozzo your climbing is rewarded with stunning views from this unique terrain. The medieval village of Arqua Petrarca, one of Italy's prettiest villages, and long ago, home to the poet Francesco Petrarca, is a good stop for refreshments before finishing the day at the spa town of Galzignano Terme. 1011m / 3316ft of ascent on this route.

It's a lovely circular cycle (route notes provided) to Arqua Petrarca, unchanged since the 1370's when Petrarch lived here. Visit his well-preserved house before pedalling off through vineyards to the fabulous Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio, the delightfully manicured C17 Italian gardens here are the best in the region. (Staying at Belvedere Resort ai Colli)

Option: 1
Cycling through swaying vines you reach the charming village of Battaglia where there's time for a spot of wine tasting. You must try the local Serprino, a medium dry frizzante wine often compared to Prosecco, before carrying on through the spa towns of Montegrotto Terme to the pre-Palladian villa at Luvigliano. After admiring the elegant villa you cycle upwards to Teolo, your hotel is an elegant villa perched high above the town. (Staying at Villa Lussana)

Option: 2
Start the day crossing the Paduan plain through the spa towns of Battaglia and Abano, passing the Roman baths in the centre of Motegrotto en route. You skirt the historic and UNESCO city of Padova, home of one of the world's first universities and traditionally a centre for leather shoe manufacturing leaving along the Canale Brentella towards the foothills of the Venetian Pre-Alps the medieval walled citadels of Castelfranco and Cittadella. The only climbing of the day is to your hotel in the pretty hilltop village of Teolo. 493m / 1617ft of ascent on this route.

A former Roman settlement, Teolo's heyday was in the C15 when it became the summer home of Venice's doges escaping the heat on the coast. Many palazzi and formal gardens from the period remain. You could take a walk in the encircling Euganean hills (360 degree views from here) or maybe take the bus into Padua to admire the town's Giotto frescoes. Or, for a longer day out, take the bus/train to Italy's most romantic city, Venice. Enjoy a cappuccino in St Mark's Square, take a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs, admire the opulent gold decor of the Doge's Palace or visit the Peggy Guggenheim Exhibition. The list is endless! *(Staying at Villa Lussana)* Ride Plus option: 98km / 61mi A climb over the hills into the Liona region to join the Strada del Recioto, a trail through the vineyards of the Garganega grape that lead you to the walled town of Soave just outside of Verona. Here as well as exploring this beautiful town you can sample the wines that the town so famously gives its name to. You return crossing the vineyards and olive groves of the Berici hills. 912m / 2992ft of ascent on this route.

Today starts with a 1km climb from the hotel, followed by an exhilarating freewheel down through the Euganean Hills to the mediaeval castle at San Martino. Then, cycling by the Bacchiglione River you reach Cervarese Santa Croce in time for a relaxed lunch in the square. Onwards, it's into wine country once more to reach your charming farm hotel at Villaganzerla where you'll receive a warm welcome from Valfrido and Angelina. There's time for a dip in the pool (typically open June - early September) before dinner. *(Staying at Agriturismo L'Albara)* Option: 2 From Teolo you can cycle along the route of the skateboard and inline skate world championships before descending through vineyards, a stop at the Villa dei Vescovi, one of the region's best-preserved Villas, is highly recommended. After the Praglia Monastery ride out on a loop across the Paduan plain to return to the foothills and Bastia. There are several villages on the route to stop for refreshments. 677m / 2221ft of ascent on this route.

You could laze by the pool but it's a shame to miss out on Vicenza! A cycle path (those feeling lazy can catch the bus) takes you there past the famous Palladian villa, La Rotonda. nicknamed 'Venice of the Terra Firma' for its marvellous architecture, Palladio designed dozens of the city's buildings, from the Basilica Palladiana in the main square to the Teatro Olimpico. There's plenty to explore. *(Staying at Agriturismo L'Albara)* Ride Plus option: 87km / 54mi Today's ride takes you to Palladio's city of Vicenza, traditionally the centre for gold jewellery artisans. The route follows a figure of 8 through the Berici Archaeological and Natural Park where you will ascend and descend several times through vineyards before passing Lake Fimon, a residual feature from the last Ice Age. There is an option on this route of reducing the amount of climbing by turning right at 13.2km to spend more time in Vicenza. Option 1 has 1432m / 4698ft of ascent, option 2 has 770m / 2526ft of ascent and is 3km shorter.

Today's route follows the Strada del Tocai Rosso (the only area outside of Hungary where the red Tocai is grown). The wine road links a string of pretty villages, each with their own Venetian campanile. Then it's out across the plain to reach Vo Vecchio, criss-crossed with canals. The Euganean hills are spread out in front of you as you cycle through the vineyards to Gabriella and Alessandro's farmhouse for your last dinner. *(Staying at Agriturismo II Feudo)* Option: 2 Start the day following the Strada dei Vini along the foothills of the Berician with the possibility of wine tasting stops at the villages of Costozza and Nanto locally well known for using the red Tokay grape originating from Hungary. You then climb over the Berici for a stunning view and descent into the horseshoe valley carved by the Liona river, before heading back across the plains to the Euganei and into the vineyards of Villa Sceriman. A picturesque final wine tasting opportunity before arriving back to your Agriturismo for a well-earned chilled locally produced glass of bubbles! 587m / 1926ft of ascent on this route.

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