Independent arrival in Innsbruck and dinner on your own tonight. Innsbruck is now known primarily as a winter ski resort, but it was important as a key spot along the Brenner Pass for millennia, controlling the transport and communications link between the north and the south, and the easiest route across the Alps. It became the capital of the Tyrol in the 15th century and grew into a wealthy and powerful city, with a castle, a university and beautiful churches. Stay the night in one of the oldest hotels in Europe, the beautifully restored Golden Adler (or similar). Overnight Innsbruck. Hotel included. Dinner not included.

We have a 1.5 hour shuttle this morning from Austria into the Italian countryside to start our first ride. We begin in Glorenza, a perfectly preserved fortified town from the Middle Ages whose walls, towers and gates remain intact. We head out on the bike path and make our way gradually to Merano, an elegant spa-town which once attracted the élite of the Austrian Empire. Along the way we pass acres of apple orchards and other fruits being grown in the verdant valley. The Ride: 63 kms on mostly paved trail, almost all flat (shorter rides can be arranged, or test your mettle on the world-famous Passo dello Stelvio). We stay the night at the Hotel Aurora (or similar) with views out over the river. Overnight Merano. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

We head south today along another bike path that follows the Adige River. The orchards give way to vineyards and we eventually make our way onto the “strada del vino” (the “wine route”) that rises above the valley below. Our destination is the charming wine village of Caldaro, which produces Trentino-Alto Adige's finest reds. We spend two nights at the Goldener Stern (or similar) a lovely hotel with a pool and a spa located right in the heart of the old town. Meet up again at 7 for a sampling of local wines followed by dinner at a cozy restaurant that specializes in barbecued and grilled meats. The Ride: 60 km. Overnight Caldaro. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

We drop back down into the valley this morning for a visit of the beautiful Tyrolean city of Bolzano. Since the 1300's the region was part of Hapsburg territory before being ceded to Italy in 1919 after the break-up of the Hapsburg Empire after World War I. Enjoy a walk in the old city center or visit the Archaeology museum, featuring Ötzi, the remarkably intact 5,000-year-old mummy discovered twenty years ago in the Alpine ice. The ride back takes you through a sea of leafy vineyards to your hotel, where you'll have time to enjoy a massage in the hotel spa if you so choose. Overnight Caldaro. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

A lovely ride takes us to the beautiful and historical city of Trento, which has been blessed with a wealth of historical treasures, from an astounding cathedral (where the Council of Trent met in the 16th century to spearhead the Counter-Reformation), to an imposing and perfectly preserved castle, to the ruins of the Roman city lying directly under the squares and alleyways of the Renaissance city above. Walk through the city this afternoon and then stop for a drink in the splendid main square followed by a special dinner at one of the city's best restaurants. The Ride: 56 kms. We stay the night at the Hotel America (or similar) located in Trento's old town. Overnight Trento. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Take some time this morning to visit Trento’s marvelous castle before heading out mid-morning for our ride. We bike along the Adige River to Rovereto, whose surrounding mountains were heavily fought over during World War I. A former railway track leads us through a pass and eventually opens up high above the blue waters of Lake Garda. Enjoy the only true “flying downhill” of the trip as you descend to the shores of Italy’s largest lake. Tonight is a “Free Night” so you are free to dine as you like. The Ride: 50 km. Our hotel is at the Hotel Oasi & Spa (or similar) on the shores of Lake Garda. Overnight Lake Garda. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.

Bike along the shores of the lake this morning and rub elbows with the local cyclists out on their daily ride. We stop for lunch in the historic town of Garda, which has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Stroll the medieval streets and enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood before heading out again. After another hour's ride we drop the bikes and get a van transfer to the amazing city of Verona. It was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site for the architecture of its city center, which grew up over 2,000 years around a nearly intact Roman amphitheater. It’s also the city where Romeo and Juliet “lived” in Shakespeare’s drama (you can even visit the famous balcony and ask Romeo wherefore art he is). Enjoy a final dinner together at one of the city's finest restaurants. The Ride: 65 km. We stay the night at the Hotel Scalzi (or similar) a beautifully renovated 19th century palazzo that is now a stylish boutique hotel in the center of the old town. Overnight Verona. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.  

The trip ends after breakfast this morning in Verona, which is well connected with the rest of Italy by train. Breakfast included.

Although this is a mountainous area, we have devised routes which follow easy bike paths along the rivers and old railroad lines in the valleys. We ride between 50 – 70 km a day, with optional extensions as well as van support, which allows you to ride as much (or as little!) as you like. If you would rather have a more challenging trip, that is also possible as we will be surrounded by mountains most of the week. There are even some famous climbs that are right on the route (like the Passo Stelvio and the Passo Mendola). Please contact us for more details.