On arrival into Verona airport you will be met by your Skedaddle team for the approx. 20 minute transfer to our accommodation in town.

Depending on flight times, there will hopefully be time to explore this fascinating city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the home of Romeo and Juliet.

In the afternoon, bikes will be fitted and tested for the week’s cycling. Your local guide team will brief you on the rides ahead, before going out for dinner in a local trattoria.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 460 Metres Approx.

We begin our adventure with a gentle roll out of Verona, following our guide west into the peaceful plains towards the Valpolicella hills. The route starts out gently, taking us along scenic river towpaths and quiet tracks through farmland and open countryside, a perfect introduction to the days ahead.

A mid-morning coffee stop in the riverside town of Pescantina gives us a chance to refuel and soak up the relaxed local atmosphere.

From here, we start to climb gradually into the hills between the Adige river and Lake Garda. With our guide on hand for support and local insight, we navigate a mix of gravel paths, disused railway lines, and quiet lanes, passing beneath a striking aqueduct as we enter Valpolicella’s renowned wine country.

The views open up as we reach the hamlet of Affi, before enjoying a fun descent through woodland trails that brings us down to Bardolino, a lively lakeside town and a great spot for a quick break before the final stretch.

We finish the day with a relaxed ride south along the lakeshore, rolling into the historic town of Peschiera del Garda. Passing through the impressive Venetian fortress walls, we arrive at our hotel where we can freshen up and unwind. There’ll be time to stretch our legs before enjoying a well-earned aperitivo and dinner by the water, the perfect reward after a scenic first day in the saddle.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 265 Metres Approx.

Leaving Peschiera del Garda, we’ll soon join a quiet cycle path that hugs the Lombardy side of the River Mincio. With our guide leading the way, we’ll enjoy some smooth and steady riding as we follow the river south, reaching the charming hilltop town of Monzambano.

From here, a gentle gravel track leads us onward to Borghetto sul Mincio, a picture-perfect hamlet often named among Italy’s most beautiful villages. With its ancient watermills and riverside cafés, it’s the perfect place for a coffee stop and a moment to soak in the peaceful surroundings together.

Leaving Borghetto, we’ll continue on well-maintained gravel paths alongside the Virgilio Canal, with open countryside stretching out around us. Before long, we rejoin the Mincio at Goito and ride into the heart of the Parco Regionale del Mincio, a rich wetland reserve that’s a haven for birdlife. We’ll keep an eye out for cattle egrets, herons, and ibis, now frequent visitors to the area.

As we approach Mantova, the landscape shifts once again. We’ll follow the route around the city’s unique artificial lakes, created in the 12th century as part of Mantova’s historic defences, with gravel and grassy singletrack paths giving us stunning views of the skyline across the water. It’s a picture-perfect approach to one of Italy’s most underrated Renaissance treasures.

After checking into our hotel, we’ll have time to explore Mantova’s elegant streets and grand piazzas on foot. Together, we can visit landmarks like the impressive Duomo, the awe-inspiring Basilica di Sant’Andrea, or the perfectly round Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the city’s oldest church. As the sun begins to set, we’ll join locals for a well-earned aperitivo in the Piazza delle Erbe, surrounded by medieval towers and frescoed palaces.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 265 Metres Approx.

Leaving the elegant streets of Mantova behind, we’ll head east this morning, rejoining the cycle paths that skirt the city’s historic lakes. A short stretch of singletrack sets the tone, before the trail leads us back into the peaceful surroundings of the Parco Regionale del Mincio. With wide gravel paths and smooth double track, the riding here is easy-going and scenic, with open countryside unfolding on either side.

As we continue, the surface gradually shifts back to tarmac, and before long we arrive in the riverside village of Governolo, where the Mincio meets the mighty River Po, Italy’s longest river, despite its short name. We’ll stop for a well-earned coffee and pastry in the small town of Ostiglia, where there’s the option to explore the golena, the Po’s wild floodplain, where winding gravel roads take us through a wild and open landscape.

From Ostiglia, a short stretch of main road leads us to a quiet canal, where grassy tracks and gravel trails guide us deeper into rural Veneto. We might even spot coypus, shy, semi-aquatic creatures that resemble small beavers, grazing lazily or scurrying across the path.

The ride continues past the sleepy hamlet of Zelo, before we roll into Trecenta, a village with roots dating back to Roman times (named for its distance (Centum Triginta or “130”, from ancient Rimini). Our accommodation sits right on the main square, offering a warm welcome and a well-earned rest.

After checking in and freshening up, we’ll meet up to enjoy the evening together.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 180 Metres Approx.

From Trecenta, we’ll pedal off together into the heart of the Veneto countryside. Quiet backroads will gently lead us toward the town of Badia Polesine, where we’ll loop around its edges before rejoining the broad, steady flow of the Adige river.

Our gravel path follows the river downstream, offering peaceful riding and sweeping views. We’ll keep an eye out for the cable-stayed bridge overhead, soaring 110 metres into the air and stretching over a kilometre long, a dramatic contrast to the calm rural scenes around us.

Continuing along the river, we’ll soon reach the small village of Sant’Urbano, where we leave the Adige behind and begin heading north. The scenery shifts, as a patchwork of canals and waterways guides us through the fertile plains beneath the Colli Euganei hills.

One of these waterways, the Canale Santa Caterina, takes us along part of the Anello delle Città Murate cycle route, a scenic loop connecting the region’s historic walled towns. As we approach Este, we can choose to ride the grassy bank on one side of the canal or stick to the smoother, hard-packed path on the opposite side, either way, we’re closing in on our day’s destination with beautiful views of the hills ahead.

A quiet gravel path leads us under the expressway and gently into the historic town of Este, where we arrive near the castle gardens. The town is dotted with elegant Venetian villas, many inspired by the timeless style of Palladio, the perfect setting for an evening stroll and a taste of Veneto’s rich cultural heritage.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 585 Metres Approx.

Today’s ride will test our legs a little with the biggest climbs of the trip, but don’t worry, the stunning views across the Colli Euganei hills will make every pedal stroke worth it. We set off from Este along a peaceful gravel path beside the Canale Bisatto, heading north into the hills to the village of Baone. Here the first local wines appear, crisp Serprino, fragrant Tai, sun-soaked Garganega, and sweet Moscato, all part of this enchanting wine region.

Winding along quiet country lanes and some fun off-road stretches, we make our way to the hilltop village of Arquà Petrarca, steeped in history and charm. The hills continue to roll as we pass the elegant 15th-century Villa Barbarigo, famed for its stunning gardens, before reaching Galzignano Terme, a great spot to stop for a coffee, pastry, or ice cream.

The route then leads us through peaceful lanes and gravel tracks to Torreglia and the grand Villa dei Vescovi. From there, we circle Monte Ortone on some easy, fun singletrack before leaving the hills behind. Descending into Abano Terme, we’ll feel the change in atmosphere, from sleepy vineyards to bustling spa town, with its chic hotels, lively bars, and tempting restaurants. If we fancy a little afternoon boost, this is our chance to refuel before hopping back in the saddle.

Following a mix of tarmac and gravel, we ride on towards Canale Battaglia and finally into the historic city of Padova. Known for its network of waterways, including the Bacchiglione River and its canals, Padova’s roots stretch back to Roman times, and its ancient streets are waiting to be explored.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 250 Metres Approx.

Our last day on the bike, and a great one to finish on. Leaving Padova, we’ll follow the peaceful Bacchiglione river, winding through riverside parks and gentle embankments. A quick coffee stop in Montegalda gives us just the right boost before we reach Longare, at the foot of the scenic Colli Berici hills.

From Longare, we’ll take a short detour beneath the rocky cliffs, past the elegant Villa Carli, to the charming village of Lumignano. Known for its bisi (peas), it’s the perfect spot for a relaxed lunch in a local trattoria.

After lunch, we return to Longare and pick up the cycle path to Vicenza, where our journey ends with a flourish at the beautiful Basilica Palladiana in the city centre. Vicenza’s UNESCO-listed architecture owes much to Andrea Palladio, whose masterpieces are scattered throughout the city and surrounding countryside.

Once checked in, we’ll freshen up and head out for a final aperitivo. We could try a classic spritz in Piazza dei Signori, then wander to one of the many excellent trattorias for a last delicious dinner. Or perhaps a visit to Piazza delle Erbe, or for something livelier, a drink in one of the bars around Corso Palladio. The night is ours to enjoy and celebrate!

• Meals: Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast we transfer (60 minutes approx) to Verona Airport for onward journeys.