Discover Italy's Art Cities, Cycling from Venice to Florence
Casual self-guided - 7 day
A revamped version of one of our most popular tours in Italy! On this new itinerary, you will discover how art and history, stunning scenery and landscapes, charming towns and cities, and of course great food, can make a cycling holiday in the "Bel Paese" so special. Starting in charming Chioggia on the southern edge of the Venetian lagoon (think mini-Venice, sans the masses), through the natural beauty of the Po River Delta and the bridges of Comacchio, on to fabulous Ravenna, the Renaissance capital of Florence, and many little gems in between, this tour features five days of gentle pedaling in the heart of Italian culture and cuisine. Along the way you'll cross three distinct regions of Italy (Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, all in one week!), crossing vineyards, farms, fruit plantations and olive groves, and plenty of charming towns and cities.
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Day 1
Welcome to Chioggia and the Venetian lagoon
Highlights: Canals and colorful alleys of "mini-Venice"
Welcome to Chioggia and the Venetian Lagoon! After meeting our staff in the early afternoon, take a walk and explore charming Chioggia, admiring the canals, bridges and the lively pedestrian main street. You may even take a test ride along one of the islands in the lagoon, crossing over on the local ferry boat.
Daily distance: optional ride of 17 km (11 miles), or cycle as much as you desire today.
Accommodation: Hotel Domus Clugiae, or similar. -
Day 2
Pedal the Po River Delta
Highlights: Chioggia, bicycle quiet roads, sleep in a country farm estate
We leave the Venetian lagoon today towards the Po River Delta. Enjoy cycling on levee roads and birdwatching. Grab some picnic supplies from the local grocery store or stop at a cafe for lunch today. Those who want extra mileage can enjoy a great ride into the delta this afternoon. Our destination tonight is a lovely country farm bed and breakfast.
Daily distance: 58 km (36 miles)
Elevation gain: + 235 m (771 ft)
Po Delta extra loop ride: 43 km (27 miles), with + 157 m ( ft) elevation gain.
Accommodation: Agriturismo Forzello, or similar. -
Day 3
Cycle to Comacchio
Highlights: Little Venice and the Tre Ponti; Roman maritime museum
Pedal through an old hunting forest that belonged to the powerful Este family. You'll also have the chance to visit the impressive Pomposa Abbey on the way. Our destination is a small lagoon town which was more important than Venice in the 700 and 800s, and still shows its old splendor. Comacchio also houses a fabulous museum showcasing a dug-up Roman boat and its cargo, shown in a magnificent display. Built on 13 islands, this town is now landlocked but surrounded by the Po River and fresh water wetlands.
Distance: 80 km (50 miles)
Elevation gain: 230 m (754 ft)
Accommodation: B&B Al Ponticello, or similar. -
Day 4
Comacchio to Ravenna
Highlights: Lush wetlands and bird viewing; Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna
Continue south along the Valley of Comacchio towards Ravenna, the last capital of the Western Roman Empire and home to more early Christian mosaics than any other city in Western Europe. You can walk to Dante's Tomb and the mosaics in San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. Make sure to also stroll this fabulous city - our hotel is walking distance from all the city sights.
Daily distance: 53 km (33 m)
Elevation gain: 110 m (360 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Centrale Byron, or similar. -
Day 5
Ravenna to Faenza
Highlights: Sant'Apollinare in Classe mosaics; Countryside cycling; Faenza Int. Ceramics Museum and Renaissance square
As you exit Ravenna this morning, we recommend visiting a Byzantine masterpiece: Sant'Apollinare in Classe. You will cross the plains and fruit plantations before arriving in Faenza. Your hotel is an elegant restored convent just a few blocks from the central square of this regional market center and famous ceramics town. Enjoy the bustle in the market square and the main "piazza" which is always full of bicycle riders of all ages (the square is one of the loveliest in Italy!). Faenza is world-renowned for its hand decorated ceramics, and we recommend visiting the International Ceramics Museum as well the local artists' studios , specialized in this colorful pottery.
Daily mileage: 52 km (32 miles)
Elevation gain: 158 m (518 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria, or similar. -
Day 6
Over the Apennines to Florence
Highlights: Brisighella, one of the loveliest hamlets in Italy; Bike (or train) over the Apennines; Renaissance Florence
Today you'll cycle out of Faenza to Brisighella, through fruit farms and olive orchards, with the Apennine mountains in plain view. You may also choose to skip cycling today and take a lovely train ride from the Faenza train station, up and over the Apennines to Florence.
A 15 km bike ride away, the medieval village of Brisighella (officially on the list of "The Loveliest Hamlets in Italy"), is a picturesque town worth the stop (on your bike, or by train). After exploring its alleys and piazzas (or even a walk up to the fortification perched on a hill above the town), continue on to Florence cycling over the mountains through Borgo San Lorenzo. You may choose to stop cycling here and catch the train to Florence (with bikes aboard the train with you), or cycle all the way into Florence for the complete crossing of the Apennines. Three wonderful options to cross over the mountains from Emilia-Romagna and end your adventure in Tuscany!
* Option 1: end your cycling in Faenza (leave the bikes at hotel), and catch the train to Florence (with your luggage at hand) from the Faenza train station, a short walk from the hotel. The train ticket to Florence is included in tour package price.
* Options 2 and 3: cycle to Borgo San Lorenzo (72 km / 44 miles with 1298 m / 4260 ft elevation gain), or to Florence hotel (104 km / 64 miles with 1785 m / 5850 ft elevation gain): if cycling to Borgo San Lorenzo, get on the train to Florence with your bike; or, cycle all the way to Florence hotel. In both cases, Cycle Europe will transfer your luggage to the Florence hotel, and provide detailed instructions for how to get there. The fee for this optional ride is €195 per person, plus 1 additional bike hire day (includes bike pickup and luggage transfer to Florence hotel, minimum 2 people).
Accommodation: Hotel Vasari, or similar. -
Day 7
Tour ends in Florence
Highlights: The grand Florence; Arrivederci!
After breakfast in the hotel, you're on your own and ready to explore Florence - visit Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and the other masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery - or simply stroll the grand lanes and lovely alleys of this fabulous city. We will provide plenty of suggestions for exploring.
PLEASE NOTE : The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.
| Includes | Includes: 6 nights in 2-,3- and 4-star hotels and B&Bs of similar quality; all breakfasts; access to smartphone app with preloaded tracks and digital roadbook; luggage transfers; train tickets from Faenza to Florence Santa Maria Novella train station. Not Included: Travel to and from the tour start and end; bicycle rental (see Prices tab); GPS device; entrance to museums or other activities; city hotel tax (€2 to 5 per night per person, to be paid locally by traveler); Any meals or beverages not indicated as included. Solo Traveler and Private Group departures available: please inquire. Lodging Upgrades: room upgrades are available in some hotels - please inquire for prices and availability Extra nights are available upon request: please inquire for prices - In Chioggia (Grand Hotel Italia) or Venice (central 3-star hotel) - Alternative 2-star hotel or B&B also available Chioggia - In Florence, 4- and 3-star hotels available. Extra meals and activities (please inquire for price and availability): Day 2 – Dinner near Agriturismo Day 4 – Guided visit of Ravenna (approx. 3 hours) Day 4 – Dinner in Ravenna Day 5 – Dinner in Faenza Day 6 - Olive Oil Tasting in Brisighella Day 8 - Guided visit of Florence - Cooking classes available in various tour locations! Organized by Le Cesarine, experts in Italian culinary experiences. You will be hosted by a local at their home - your "Cesarina" - in a class that lasts about three hours, during which you will help the Cesarina prepare three courses. In the fourth and final hour, you will enjoy the meal (lunch or dinner) which you prepared during the class. The price of €120 per person includes water and one bottle of house wine for every 3 people. Min 2 participants - supplement of €75 for solo travelers. ________________________________________ Navigation and roadbook: On our CASUAL lineup of tours, detailed daily tour information and route navigation are provided through our "digital roadbook", delivered to tour participants via the Ride With GPS app, which is accessed free on a smartphone - daily maps, elevation profiles, routes and ride descriptions; schedules and hotel itinerary; cultural and sightseeing information, visit suggestions; emergency numbers and more, all stored in one organized, easy to use app. Downloading the app content also allows for offline mode navigation. Participants can also upload the routes to their own GPS device, and even print the detailed route notes before leaving home For more information on our navigation options, as well as the smartphone app, please read our blog: What's it like to navigate on our self-guided tours?. GPS devices with pre-loaded routes are also available for rent - please inquire. ________________________________________ Luggage transfers are included in your package. The luggage is normally collected from 09.30 at the reception of the hotel and is delivered at the following hotel by 15.30. Every piece of luggage must be marked with a visible luggage tag. Please make sure yours have correct tags. If your luggage is not ready by the time the driver comes to collect it, you may have to pay a local taxi for the service. Please consider that the luggage is not insured during the transport. You need to have your own insurance. Do not leave valuables or fragile items in your luggage. Normally, the luggage transport service cannot be used by participants to skip the cycling stage. In case you need help to skip the cycling stage, please contact our emergency number and we will arrange it for you. PLEASE NOTE : The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included. Tour code: itbs3995 |
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| Countries | Italy |
| Begin/End | Venice - Chioggia / Florence |
| Arrive/Depart | How to get there and away: Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) / Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA) or Florence Airport "Amerigo Vespucci" Starting point: Hotel Domus Clugiae - Chioggia - We recommend flying into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) - To get to Chioggia with public transportation, take the Arriva Veneto n.80 bus from Venezia airport to Campo Marconi in Chioggia (about 90 minutes). From there, it’s a 10-minute walk, or 5-minute taxi ride, to your hotel. Ending point: Hotel Vasari - Via Bernardo Cennini, 11, Firenze - We recommend flying out from Florence airport (FLR), but you can also fly out from Parma (PMF) airport. They're both connected to Florence city center by train Flying out from Venice: - From the hotel, take a taxi: to the airport. Agree on a fare before entering the taxi (about €20/25 plus the cost of the luggage, € 1/piece). Travel time to the airport is about 15/20 minutes, depending on the traffic. - By public transports: you can take a 10-minute walk to the train station (or a taxi, which will cost about €5 plus the cost of the luggage, € 1/piece). From there, you can catch a shuttle bus to the airport. It is a 30-minute trip on the “Vola in Bus” line. It departs every hour from 5 am until midnight (one-way ticket: €6; round trip ticket: €10) Private transfers are available: please inquire for prices and details - Tour arrival - from Venice airport to Chioggia starting hotel - Tour departure - from Florence hotel to Florence airport Long-term parking - You may choose to leave your car in Venice Tronchetto (approx. €20-25 per day) and take public transportation to Chioggia for tour starting point. At tour end in Florence, take train back to Venice parking lot. - Or, choose to leave your car in Chioggia (tour starting point), parking lot there costs approx. €12 per day. At tour end in Florence, take train back to Venice, connect to Chioggia by public transportation. Final arrival and departure instructions along with other detailed pre-travel documents, will be e-mailed prior to your travel, with information specific to your departure (including the actual hotels used on your tour dates, which may vary from the hotels listed above.) * the hotels and prices listed above are for reference only and are subject to change (based on availability and seasonality) |
| Total Distance | 330 km (205 miles) |
| Daily Distance | 15-83 km (9-52 miles) Difficulty description:: Gentle terrain down the Adriatic Coast with more challenging rides as we enter the Apennines. Great for all cyclists. First 5 days are flat, last few days include climbs (with option to take a train over the mountain pass, or cycle! E-bikes also make this tour accessible to everyone! |
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| Terms | Terms & Conditions |
| Dates | Prices | Single Supplement | |||
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| Dates | Available March 1 to October 31, 2022 Starts every Saturday. Other start days available by request (extra fee applies). Please note that starting on certain days of the week will make some visits (such as museums or tastings) impossible. Because most museums in Florence are closed on Mondays, we discourage starting in Chioggia on the previous Monday or Tuesday. There can also be more weekend traffic on the road over the Apennines, so we discourage starting in Chioggia on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. * 2023 price, per person based on double occupancy; minimum 2 participants per departure. Solo traveler departures are also available (only one person on the departure), with a supplemental fee of €475. This fee also includes the cost of the single / double room supplement. Group Discounts for 6 or more participants booking together on the same departure! Please inquire for details through our contact form below. ________________________________________ 2023 Confirmed Departures: May 27 September 30 High-Season supplement (May-June, September and early October): Hotels and/or bikes may be subject to availability, and a supplemental fee of €100 per person may be applied on new departure dates. ________________________________________ Bike Rental options: We offer quality bikes in different styles, all great options for this bike tour. Our bikes are maintained and delivered in optimal working condition. The prices below are per bike for the duration of the tour, including delivery to starting point in Chioggia and collection from ending point in Florence. Bike rental rates • Aluminum hybrid: €90 • Premium Titanium road or hybrid: €120 • E-bike (hybrid with straight handlebar): €180 • Tandem: €210 (priced per bike, for 2 cyclists) • Tag-along or kid trailer: €60 For detailed specs and photos of our bikes, see our website - Bike Rentals Italy. Options for getting to Florence on day 6: • Option 1: End cycling in Faenza, catching a train to Florence with your luggage on hand (train ticket included in tour package price) • Option 2: Cycle to Borgo San Lorenzo or Florence: €195 per person, plus 1 additional bike hire day (includes bike pickup and luggage transfer to Florence hotel, minimum 2 people). Train ticket not included if taking train from Borgo San Lorenzo to Florence ________________________________________ Does crossing Italy from coast to coast sound appealing? On our legendary Bike Across Italy from Venice to Pisa Tour (12 day), you will cntinue from Florence to Pisa, hitting more grand destinations in Tuscany like Vinci and Lucca. ________________________________________ Additional useful information: • Do you have any questions about how our bike tours work? Check out our FAQs page! • Curious about the difference between our Casual and Classic self-guided tours? Check out our introduction blog on Casual Self-Guided Tours. • We offer various tools for navigation - this page details what it's like to navigate on our self-guided tours. • If the self-guided formula isn't right for you, check out this blog introducing the differences between Guided and Self-Guided Tours. |
Prices | €795 per person * |
Single Supplement | €90 fee (in single room), or €145fee (in double room for single use) |
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