AT A GLANCE | DAY by DAY AGENDA | DINNER IN TRATTORIA | LIVING IN THE CHARME | WHAT INCLUDED
Verona and Garda Lake
The tour will make you discover the different scenarios of the province of Verona, starting on the first day with the climbs on the slope between Monte Baldo and Garda Lake, continuing with the hills of the Valpolicella vineyards, climbing the mountains of Lessinia and concludes the holiday by following the Mincio river to the magnificent city renaissance of Mantua. Every day a different scenario, but all characterized by the beauty of the routes and views.
At a Glance
6 Days | 5 Nights | 5 Rides
Roads type: 50% Gravel – 50% Tarmac
Bike required: Gravel
Daily Itineraries
Every day 2 different itineraries to chose from.
You are free to mix them to create your personal vacation.
Regular itinerary:
RIDER LEVEL: Recreative/Intermediate
Total ride distance, 124 miles (200 km)
Total climbing, 10,200 feet (3.100 m)
Extended itinerary:
RIDER LEVEL: Intermediate/Advanced
Total ride distance, 169 miles (272 km)
Total climbing, 14,300 feet (4.350 m)
Day by Day agenda
Day 1 –Arrival in Italy, welcome and warm-up ride
Arrival in Italy. We pick you up at Verona (VRN) Airport or at the other pickup point previously agreed. Approximately alf hour van transfer to the hotel.
Hotel Check-in and after a light lunch you have two options: few hours to recover from the fatigues of the trip and relax in the hotel’s or setup and test your bike with a short warm-up ride with our guides.
At sunset we go to: LOCANDA RISTORI (Verona)
Welcome dinner in a splendid restaurant in the center of Verona, the beginning of the food and wine tour of traditional Venetian cuisine that we have prepared for you. Overnight in Verona.
Regular: 11 miles – 1,200 feet
Extended: 14 miles – 1,700 feet
Day 2 – Garda Lake, Baldo Mountain
We start from Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, nestled between two mountain banks up to 2000m high. Nervous tour with a mix of paved roads and off-road in the lower part of Verona with splendid views of the lake.
At sunset we go to: TRATTORIA CAPRINI (Valpolicella)
For dinner we move to the hills behind Verona, the hills where the famous Amarone wine is produced. The restaurant that will welcome us is run by young guys who are continuing the tradition with a modern approach. After drinking Amarone and BEWARE OF THE “GRAPPA”. Overnight in Verona.
Regular: 23 miles – 2,260 feet
Extended: 34 miles – 3,250 feet
Day 3 – Valpolicella, around the Amarone vineyards
Today the Valpolicella hills north of Verona are the Amarone area. We start on paths in the middle of the vineyards and then move on to the cherry tree area (there is a fine variety of Verona cherries) and finally arrive high up in the chestnut woods. The tour ends in S.Giorgio, a village where the houses are entirely built in red Verona marble.
At sunset we go to: TRATTORIA AL POMPIERE (Verona)
Aperitif in one of the beautiful squares of Verona and dinner in one of the historic trattorias right in front of Juliet’s palace. We continue with the tasting of regional Venetian dishes (there are many dishes that await you on this holiday) and we will try the sweet wine “Recioto della Valpolicella”, another pride of Veronese oenology.
I REPEAT: BEWARE OF THE GRAPPA Overnight in Verona.
Regular: 25 miles – 2,650 feet
Extended: 31 miles – 3,700 feet
Day 4 – Lessini Mountains, the first offshoots of the Alps
The Lessini mountains are the highest part of the province of Verona, the Alps begin here. The tour is half in the beech, silver fir and black hornbeam forests, and half outside the tree vegetation. They are very beautiful paths with never too demanding slopes, hopefully on a day with sun and windswept clouds.
At sunset we go to: ENOTECA VALPOLICELLA (Valpolicella)
Ritorniamo in Valpolicella, prima saremo ricevuti in una cantina per un wine tasting di vini locali e poi a cena nel posto con più storia della Valpolicella. La specialità locale è il Risotto all’Amarone fatto con la varietà di riso ”vialone nano” che si produce nella pianura veronese.
E’ una varietà di antica provenienza giapponese, con chicco tondo specialmente adatta per I risotti.
Regular: 22 miles – 3,050 feet
Extended: 35 miles – 4,150 feet
Day 5 – Mincio river, the road to Mantua
Last day, a long journey from the end of Lake Garda to the city of Mantua, one of the Italian Renaissance pearls. Flat route that follows the Mincio river which leaves Lake Garda to feed the Po river.
We will pass by several medieval villages, among which Borgetto sul Mincio stands out for its beauty.
At sunset we go to: TRATTORIA I MASENINI (Verona)
I Masenini is our favorite trattoria in Verona, traditional cuisine with a modern approach plus an excellent range of high quality meat dishes. It’s the goodbye dinner, you’ve finished pedaling, who knows what will happen. WE ARE SURE: “GRAPPA” WILL CLAIM VICTIMS
Overnight in Verona.
Regular: 43 miles – 1,020 feet
Extended: 55 miles – 1,450 feet
Day 6 – Greetings and see you soon with us on the Italian roads
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye and start the journey back home.
If you come back home, we will take you to Milan (MPX) airport, or if you plan to stay longer to visit Italy, we will be happy to help you.
We hope to see you soon on one of our tours on the roads of Italy.
Dinner in the great Italian “Trattoria”
Contrary to popular belief, Italy does not have a single gastronomic tradition (Pizza, Pasta, Cannolo) but many traditions closely linked to their territory, which make up a very interesting mosaic. Our goal is to introduce you to it, to immerse you, every evening we take you to the “Great Italian Trattorias” where the Italian culinary heritage is preserved and perpetuated.
On the VERONA & GARDA LAKE Tour we taste the dishes of Veronese cuisine which is characterized by the richness and variety of the products of its land and the wine production; it is of poor and peasant origin and enjoys a vast and diversified territory: fish from Garda Lake, cheeses from Lissinia Mountain, rice from Bassa Veronese and products from Valpolicella (vegetables, sheep). A typical dish of the city of Verona is boiled meat with “pearà” sauce, but “vialone” rice cooked in Amarone wine cannot be missing, or “Polenta” with stockfish Vicenza style. And then many other delights await you.
WVery pleasant atmosphere in this trattoria in the historic center of Verona, located in front of Juliet’s house, among wood paneling and period photos, closely spaced tables and checked tablecloths. The menu is based on local ingredients: meat and pasta, but you can also opt for the excellent selection of Italian cured meats and cheeses, also indulging in the wide choice offered by the wine list.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Grisa hen and mackerel in light “saor” with white polenta.
Pasta or Risotto: Free-range guinea fowl ravioli with its roast base and lemon pee.
Main course: Beef cheek in Amarone wine sauce and braised oxtail with mashed potatoes and late radicchio.
A taste of Valpolicella, Caprini’s cuisine reflects the rich culinary diversity of Verona. Tradition on the table, for four generations they have been creating dishes linked to the history of the area, the flavors are enjoyed in a family environment. Sincere cuisine and a wide choice of Valpolicella wines.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Grilled polenta, sopressa and lardo with our homemade pickled vegetable.
Pasta or Risotto: “Lasagnette” handmade ribbon pasta with wild hare sauce.
Main course: “Polenta” with stockfish vicentina style.
Rolling hills and good wine are just a small part of what makes Valpolicella an incredible area. Valpolicella is a land extraordinarily rich in history, culture, art and nature. This restaurant is located in a 17th century rural house. They serve authentic and original dishes, which celebrate every season, every season a menu to demonstrate the cycle of diversity. Each dish accompanied by the right bottle.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Ricotta cheese from the Verona hills with apple mustard-
Pasta or Risotto: Risotto “vialone nano” with wild aromatic herbs.
Main course: Duck breast cooked in a pan with Recioto sweet wine, served with honey sauce.
A small place in a village on the Mincio river, a hidden restaurant open by reservation only. The main characteristic is the search for good Italian things, a simple traditional cuisine made with exceptional raw materials A cellar worthy of the kitchen.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Rabbit tuna and sardines in saor.
Pasta or Risotto: ”Capunsei» pasta with butter, parsley, onion, garlic, basil, sage and rosemary.
Main course: Terrine of local capon with butter clementine sauce.
A modern inn, where Italian and Venetian cuisine are reinterpreted in a contemporary key, traditional flavors combined with lightness. The menu is created based on seasonality, it is the ingredient that inspires the recipe and not the other way around, this leads to always new and unique proposals. The raw material is valorised starting from traditional recipes reinterpreted in a modern key.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Chicken salad, vegetables and emulsion of its broth.
Pasta or Risotto: Risotto with Amarone wine and Monte Veronese cream cheese.
Main course: Rabbit in “tecia”, dried tomatoes, black olives, toasted polenta.
The “Masenini” were a small group of Carbonari (19th century revolutionaries) who took their name from “Masenar”, which in the Veronese dialect means “to attack the enemy”. The Masenini occupy a special place in the historic center of Verona, a few steps from the Arena, in a quiet clearing of Via Roma, right in front of Castelvecchio. Inside, the large room with a vintage atmosphere, where a modernized traditional cuisine awaits you with a predilection for grilled cuisine
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Smoked trout tartare in a phyllo pastry basket and liquorice reduction.
Pasta or Risotto: Homemade organic purple wheat tagliolini with red radicchio, speck and walnuts.
Main course: Roasted potatoes with pork fillet tips, apple cider vinegar roast sauce, fried onions and cabbage salad.
Living in the Charme
We have selected some beautiful boutique hotel, historical house or vinery house, where you will enjoy to stay in relax after your bike experience.
Most of them have SPA treatment available in a charming exclusive environment.
Our tours involve staying in a single hotel for the entire holiday, to avoid the commitment of transfers and to have more time to immerse yourself in the culture of the area.In case of unavailability of the described accommodation, the same level accommodation will be chosen.
Garda Lake enchants the eyes and nature with its olive trees overlooking the village of Garda in a memorable setting. Whether it is a romantic stay, a family stay, or a sports stay (cycling, climbing or sailing), your days at Cà Barbini Resort will remain in your hearts forever.
Charming boutique hotel located a few steps from Porta Nuova, Piazza Bra and the Arena, Hotel Indigo Verona adds the guarantee of quality, style and comfort to the perfection of a central yet secluded location. The Arya Bar & Mixology and its intriguing proposals, the refined design and the accuracy of our services and hospitality standards: these are the ingredients that will make the experience of the Hotel Indigo Verona – Grand Hotel des Arts unique.
Whats is included
ACCOMODATION
- 5 night in Historical Mansions, 4* Luxury Hotels or Villas located in special places
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Concierge & suggestion service for additional vacation ticketing, booking
TRANSPORT
- Guest pick-up / drop-off in airport or other meeting point
- All-vacation long, guests, bikes and luggage transport
MEALS
- 5 daily breakfasts in hotel
- 5 lunches during the riding time
- 5 social hours aperitivo
- 5 dinners in 5 different GREAT ITALIAN TRATTORIA with the best Italian regional wines
WHEN YOU ARE RIDING YOUR BICYCLE
- 5 riding days, 2 daily itineraries with different grade of effort
- 2 expert local certified guides multilingual will ride with you and support all day
- 1 professional mechanic with support/SAG Van during the tour
- Energy bars and sports drink during pedaling
- Daily bike maintenance and daily laundry service for bike clothing
- GPX daily tours documentation
- Custom Hirides.com cycling kit
WHEN YOU ARE NOT RIDING YOUR BICYCLE
- Professional guides for visits to the tour cities, experts for visits to wineries and support in all not pedaling activities as described in the tour program
- Wine tasting/oil tasting at the producers’ premises. Visits to dairies with demonstration of cheese making, as described in the tour program
BICYCLE
- Rental of professional bicycle (e-bike or muscle) or transport of your beloved bicycle in Italy
PERSONAL INSURANCE
- Civil Liability Insurance and Italian health insurance for non European citizens
What is not included or on-demand
AIRFARE
- Through our partners we can organize the flight for you (ON-DEMAND)
BEFORE AND AFTER VACATION
- Meals, transportation, hotel costs or expenses in the days before and after the tour
HIRIDES.COM STAFF GRATUITIES
- Staff Hirides.com gratuities is not included
TRAVEL PROTECTION
- Travel Protection Plan not included, but heavily suggested
LUGGAGE AND BIKE TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
- Luggage service, before/after tour days (ON-DEMAND)
- Bike transport service, before/after tour days (ON-DEMAND)
ON-DEMAND ACTIVITIES
- Regional cuisine cooking class
- White Truffle tasting
- White Truffle hunting
PERSONAL EXPENSES
- Cost of passport and visas
- Personal expenses while on the vacation
- Personal transportations when not included on the Tour
- Beverages not specifically agree/included
- Additional hotel expenses, mini-bar, wellness treatments
- Optional activities not scheduled by Hirides.com
- All not explicitly declared in the vacation description