After all, even cyclists want to enjoy the wonderful grappa from Bassano del Grappa or the Prosecco in Treviso without any danger.
Not to mention the architectural gems that make cultural stops in many Venetian cities a must for touring cyclists. A classic tour takes about a week from Vicenza via Bassano del Grappa and Treviso to the lagoon city of Venice and back via Chioggia and Padua. If you enjoy culture and culinary delights to the full, you can easily spend three times as long travelling without getting bored.
Character:
You usually cycle on relatively flat, tarmac secondary roads or even on cycle paths and embankments, such as along the River Po. With the exception of the Po cycle path and the Breta Canal, there is usually no signposting for cycle routes.
Best time to travel:
End of April to mid-October
Journey:
Long-distance trains run from Germany via Munich and the Brenner Pass, e.g. to Venice. Other cities, such as Padua and Vicenza, are also relatively easy to reach (don't forget your international cycle map!). http://www.bahn.deCyclist hotline 01805/151415.
Bike shops/rental:
Bicycle provision is guaranteed in the larger towns.
Bike hotels:
There is plenty of accommodation available in the well-known towns such as Vicenza, Bassano, Padua and Chioggia.
Organiser:
Radissimo (http://www.radissimo.de),
DRF Rad & Aktiv (http://www.radreisecenter.de),
Cycling & Travelling Eurocycle (http://www.radreisen.at),
Eurobike (http://www.eurobike.at)
Package holiday:
1 week individual cycle tour from/to Vicenza with 7 x B&B, luggage transport and maps etc. costs from 490 euros, guided cycle tour with half board from 870 euros (Radissimo).
Maps/Literature
Bikeline Radatlas Veneto, cycle tour book and map 1:75,000, 120 p., 12.90 euros. Carta Stradale della Regione Atonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia 1:100,000, Editore Tabacco, available locally. The essentials and interesting facts about the region can be found in the Michael Müller "Veneto", 384 p., 19.90 euros.
Information (general):
Italian National Tourist Board ENIT, Kaiserstr. 65, 60329 Frankfurt/M., Tel. 069/237434, http://www.enit.de . (Further offices in Munich and Berlin).
Internet:
http://www.regione.veneto.it (Tourist information on the Veneto region)
The article from issue 5/2007 is available as a free PDF download.
