Tour Highlights
- Sip wine with Gianni, our friend and local winemaker, in the cellar at his family farmhouse
- Ride an idyllic bike path into the heart of Renaissance Mantua to explore the frescoed palaces and cobbled streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site
- Breeze across beautiful Lake Garda on a sunset boat ride
- Spend two nights at the unforgettable Byblos Art Hotel, strategically situated between the fascinating city of Verona and the Amarone wine-producing region of the Valpolicella
- Visit the Lessini Mountains where historic WWI trenches contrast with peaceful views over the Valpolicella
Eat
Gnocchi, pumpkin tortelli and bigoli pasta, risotto, Asiago cheese, polenta, and sbrisolona (a traditional dessert made from semolina and almonds)
Drink
World-renowned local wines like Amarone, Ripasso, Bardolino, Valpolicella, and Prosecco
As featured in:
Itinerary
Print Itinerary- Day 1
Welcome to the Veneto
Your guides will meet you in Verona, and then we’re off to our hotel in the heart of the Custoza wine region. Check in, enjoy a light lunch, and get fitted on your bike in preparation for our first ride. We’ll pedal on a bike path that follows the banks of the Mincio River to the fairytale village of Borghetto, where we’ll stop for some gelato or a photo in front of the iconic medieval bridge. Continue riding to our friend Gianni’s family farmhouse for an introduction to the wines of Northern Italy. Tonight, we’ll taste the Veneto’s best pumpkin tortelli (hand-stuffed pasta served in broth or melted butter) on the riverside terrace of our favorite local restaurant.
Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Borghetto sul Mincio, Oliosi, Santa Lucia
Accomplished: 18 miles / 30 km, elevation gain: 879 feet / 268 meters
Longer Option: 26 miles / 42 km, elevation gain: 958 feet / 292 meters
Accommodations: Corte Guastalla - Day 2
Renaissance Mantua
Wake to the peace and quiet of the Veronese countryside and head to breakfast. Today, we follow the winding course of the river through this famously fertile land to reach Mantua, home to one of Italy’s greatest concentrations of Renaissance art. Explore the Renaissance architecture of the town before enjoying lunch at our favorite osteria off the main square. After lunch, opt to complete the ride back to the hotel or take a lift in the van. Tonight, our larger-than-life friends Manuela and Alberto show us true Italian hospitality as we make pasta and share Italian cocktails at a cooking class that feels more like a dinner party.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Mantua, Goito, Falzoni
Accomplished: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 492 feet / 150 meters
Longer Option: 53 miles / 86 km, elevation gain: 1,256 feet / 383 meters
Accommodations: Corte Guastalla - Day 3
Lake Garda
Today we’ll ride upriver through the heart of the Bardolino wine region along an idyllic ridge lined with olives and vineyards that overlooks Lake Garda. Visit our friend Pietro at the beautiful La Cà winery for a tasting of their Bardolino wines and lunch on their gorgeous patio. Then, ride down to the town of Bardolino and check into our lakeside hotel. Take a swim in the lake, explore the cobbled streets, visit the hotel’s pastry shop, or relax at the spa. This evening, we’ll take in the sublime alpine views as we explore the lake by boat before dinner at the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Bardolino, Garda, Custoza
Accomplished: 25 miles / 40 km, elevation gain: 1,046 feet / 319 meters
Shorter Option: 20 miles / 32 km, elevation gain: 928 feet / 283 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Regina Adelaide - Day 4
Valpolicella and Verona
This morning we’ll head into the wine-producing region of the Valpolicella. Opt for a challenging morning climb or start the ride high above Lake Garda—our route follows small farm roads with ever-changing views of the lake. We’ll cross the Adige River and enter a landscape devoted to vineyards: only cypress-lined lanes, stone walls, and the occasional sleepy village interrupt the sea of vines. Stop for lunch at a chic winery and restaurant, then continue on to the exotic Byblos Art Hotel. Relax and explore this unique property, or spend your free night in Verona, a short transfer away. If the opera is in town, you’ll have the option to purchase tickets and enjoy a performance at Verona’s Roman amphitheater or spend some time exploring the city before heading back to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Lake Garda, Cavaion, San Pietro
Accomplished: 26 miles / 42 km, elevation gain: 1,689 feet / 515 meters
Shorter Option: 21 miles / 34 km, elevation gain: 1,233 feet / 376 meters
Accommodations: Byblos Art Hotel or Villa del Quar - Day 5
The Lessini Mountains
Today we’ll enjoy a scenic drive up into the Lessini Mountains for a short walk through the mountain pastures to visit some historic WWI trenches. The panoramic views of the Dolomites and valleys above Verona are worth the trip alone! Afterward, we’ll hop on our bikes for a long, gradual descent along the ridgelines of the Valpolicella. Enjoy a glass of Amarone with the winemaker himself at a picnic lunch before pedaling through the vineyards and back to Byblos. Tonight, after an aperitivo, we’ll bid farewell to this beautiful region with dinner at our favorite trattoria.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Lessini Mountains, Sant’Anna d’Alfaedo, Fumane
Accomplished: 29 miles / 47 km, elevation gain: 771 feet / 235 meters
Longer Option: 58 miles / 93 km, elevation gain: 6,537 feet / 1,993 meters
Accommodations: Byblos Art Hotel or Villa del Quar - Day 6
Goodbye to the Veneto
If you would like to ride this morning, you can do a final loop through the surrounding vineyards. Your guides will then transfer you to the Verona train station to say goodbye as you head on to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Verona
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
Arrival Details
Airport City: Milan or Venice, Italy Pick-Up Location: Porta Nuova Train Station in Verona Pick-Up Time: 11:00 am
Departure Details
Airport City: Milan or Venice, Italy Drop-Off Location: Porta Nuova Train Station in Verona Drop-Off Time: 12:00 pm
Dates + Availability
Inclusions + Details
Accommodations
- Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
- Luggage transfers
Meals
- Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
- 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
- Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal
Activities
- Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
- Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
- Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
Gear
- Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
- Bike helmet
- Complimentary DuVine gear, including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
- GPS in most destinations
Support
- Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
- Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
- Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
- Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
