Our undiscovered corner of Veneto, just 60 minutes (but a world away) from bustling Venice, is the perfect setting for a relaxed cycling holiday. Nestled between the art cities of Padua, home to one of the oldest universities in the whole of Europe, and UNESCO-recognised Vicenza, the region is bursting with Patrician villas - built by Venetian nobles to escape the muggy heat of the city - and ancient castles, although it is surprisingly almost entirely untouched by tourism. Palladio was the most famous Renaissance architect and many of his buildings, including the Villa Rotonda, can be visited on day 7 of this interest-packed itinerary.
We take you across the Venetian plain, past cherry orchards and swaying vine terraces, with the outline of the conical shaped Euganean Hills and imposing Colli Berici acting as a constant backdrop. The cycling is wonderfully gentle, over the flatlands of the plain and the low foothills of the Colli Berici, along peaceful canalside paths, cycle tracks and quiet country roads, passing sumptuous villas and historic towns with wine-tasting opportunities on the way.
En route you'll stay with some of the friendliest people we've ever met. There’s a warm welcome at Gabriella and Alessandro’s Agriturismo il Feudo as you arrive in Cortela and it’s a home away from home at Valfrido and Angelina’s charming Agriturismo near Vicenza.
Day 1: Arrive at CortelaArrive at your friendly agriturismo run by Gabriella and Alessandro, in time for dinner.
You stay at the Agriturismo Il Feudo (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 2: Cortela to GalzignanoThe day starts along the canalside path to Este. This delightful medieval town with its pastel, arcaded buildings boasts a 14th century 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 15th century). From Monselice you follow the canal past the 19th century Villa Italia, before arriving at Sig Ottolitri's friendly, family run hotel just outside Galzignano.
You stay at the Sporting Hotel Galzignano (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 3: At GalzignanoIt's a lovely circular cycle 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 17th century Italian gardens here are the best in the region.
You stay at the Sporting Hotel Galzignano (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 4: Galzignano to TeoloCycling 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 the pretty village of Teolo, home for the next 2 nights.
You stay at Villa Lussana (breakfast only)
Day 5: At TeoloA former Roman settlement, Teolo's heyday was in the 15th century 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!
You stay at Villa Lussana (breakfast only)
Day 6: Teolo to VillaganzerlaToday 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.
You stay at the Agriturismo L'Albara (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 7: At VillaganzerlaYou 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.
You stay at the Agriturismo L'Albara (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 8: Villaganzerla to CortelaToday'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.
You stay at the Agriturismo II Feudo (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 9: Leave CortelaThe tour ends in Cortela.
:strip_metadata()/https%3A%2F%2Ftr2storage.blob.core.windows.net%2Fpaymentlogos%2FPQMDipO7JCPn2yEWc7-3FKskixvtc7iWKY.png)