Enjoy fantastic views of Lake Garda as you explore the region around this famous lake on this self-guided cycling holiday. Visit Castle Buonconsiglio, Cavalgese di Riviera and the cities of of Trento, Verona, Brescia, and Mantua where you can soak up the art and culture.
Relax by the banks of the emerald lake or cool off in its refreshing waters and in the evening enjoy a glass of wine or two, as this is one of the most famous Italian wine growing regions.
Day 1: Arrival in Sirmione/Desenzano
Tour information and bike fitting. We recommend taking a stroll through the old town.
Day 2: Trip to Trento approx. 50 km + Boat Excursion
The day starts with a transfer by minibus to Trento (old town with cathedral, castle Buonconsiglio). Then, you will follow the river Adige to Rovereto. From here, you will cycle westwards in the direction of Lake Garda. In Mori you will try the world famous pistachio ice-cream in the Gelateria Bologna. After a short climb, you will cycle downhill towards the lake in Torbole and further to Riva. From here, a boat will then take you down the entire length of the lake and back to Sirmione or Desenzano.
Day 3: Trip to Verona approx. 55 km
A minibus or train will take you to Verona. The city of Romeo and Juliet with its Renaissance palaces, the Roman arena and many cosy places invite you to stay for a stroll. Over gently rolling hills, past cypress trees and vineyards, the tour will take you back to the southern shore of the lake – for Goethe the lake was “a delicious spectacle”, for the Roman poet Catull “a shining star”.
Day 4: Trip to Mantua approx. 65 km
Beautiful trails will lead you along the river Mincio southwards to Mantua. The thousand-year-old town of the royal Gonzaga family impresses its visitors with its art and beauty. The Castello S. Giorgio and the Palazzo Ducale, the Piazza Sordello with the house of Rigoletto, the cathedral, the Piazza Broletto with the old city hall, the Piazza Erbe with the courthouse palace, the clock tower, the rotunda of San Lorenzo, and the Basilica of St. Andrew are worth seeing. The train will take you back to your hotel.
Day 5: Trip into the History of Italy approx. 50 km
Today, you will follow lonely roads, through vineyards, peach orchards and kiwi plantations to Solferino – the place, where Garibaldi united Italy in the famous “Battle of Solferino”. On your way back to Lake Garda, you will cycle through the area where the delicious wines of Lugana are grown.
Day 6: Trip to Brescia approx. 60 km
Today, you will ride your bicycle along the lake shore towards Cavalgese di Riviera and get some unforgettable views of Lake Garda. Then, you will follow the Naviglio Grande Bresciano (canal with bike path) to Brescia – a city of Roman origin with many more places of interest. The train will take you back to Sirmione.
Day 7: Departure or extension of the trip
The route is flat to slightly hilly. You will cycle on bike trails, side roads, and sometimes on country lanes. Only short sections have to be cycled on roads with more traffic, especially when entering or leaving cities.
Total distance cycled: 280 km
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
Starting point of the tour : Sirmione or Desenzano
We recommend flying to Milan region airports to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
By train:
Hotel Lido International: Arrival at Desenzano del Garda, the train station is approx. 1,5 km away from the Hotel Lido International. Taxi fare approx. € 8,-.
Hotels Blu Lake and Suisse: Arrival at Desenzano del Garda, the train station is approx. 8 km away from Sirmione. Taxi fare approx. € 26,-. The journey from the train station to Sirmione is also possible by bus – line SAIA Verona/Brescia, costs approx. € 5,- / person.
By plane:
Bergamo Orio al Serio: The airport is about 15-20 minutes away from Bergamo station. A taxi costs about € 30,- or take bus no. 1, which costs € 7,-/person. Info: www.atb.bergamo.it . Continue by train to Desenzano del Garda. Journey takes 1,5 hours (costs € 8,- - € 20,-/person).
Milano Linate: There is the Star Fly airport bus that goes every 30 minutes to the main station (Milano Centrale). It costs € 10,-/person and takes 25 minutes. Taxi to the station costs € 20,-. Continue by train to Desenzano del Garda. Journey takes about 1,5 hours (costs about € 8,- - € 20,-/person).
Milano Malpensa. There is a shuttle bus Milano Centrale station every 20 minutes from the airport (costs approx.. € 10,- per person, takes about 1 hour). The train “Malpensa Express” departs every 30 minutes to Northern train station Nord-Cadorna Milano (takes approx.. 40 minutes). You can find further information at www.ferrovienord.it/webmxp (costs approx. € 12,- per person). Taxis can be found outside the arrival halls in terminals 1 and 2 (cost to train station approx.. € 80,-). Continue by train to Desenzano del Garda station, takes approx.. 1,5 hours (cost approx.. € 8,- - € 20,-/person).
Verona – Catullo. Take the ATV bus (http://www.atv.verona.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/EN/IDPagina/1 ) from the airport to the train station Verona Porta Nuova (Cost approx. € 8,- / person, journey time approx. 15 minutes). By train to Desenzano (cost approx. € 10,-, journey time approx. 20 mins).
Venice – Marco Polo. By shuttle bus (ATVO – http://www.atvo.it/it-venice-airport.html ) from the airport to the train station Mestre (cost approx. € 6,–/person, journey time approx. 30 minutes). Continue by train to Desenzano (cost approx. € 10,- to € 20,-/person, depending on class and connection, journey time approx. 1.5 hour).
Treviso – Canova Airport. By shuttle bus (ATVO - http://www.atvo.it/it-treviso-airport.html ) from the airport to the train station Mestre (Cost approx. € 10,- / person, journey time approx. 1 hour). Continue by train to Desenzano (cost approx. € 10,- to € 20,-/person depending on class and connection, journey time approx. 1.5 hours).
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Lake Garda - One Hotel cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
Not Included
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Men's Bike (Colour may vary)
Electric Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
For 2020, there is an additional bike rental option available for a supplement. The PLUS hybrid bike now available on most cycling holidays is sportier with higher quality brakes (Magura HS 11) and better specification gears (Shimano Deore XT). The riding position is designed to have a slightly sportier sitting posture and a high quality Suntour suspension fork gives smooth riding on most surfaces. All accessories are compatible with the new PLUS bike rental option.
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gears
7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
The hotel list below is subject to change and should be used as a guide. We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival. | |
Lake Garda - One Hotel | Sample Hotel List |
Sirmione | Hotel Suisse |
SIRMIONE | Hotel Blu Lake |
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 05.04. – 25.04.2021 | 27.09. – 11.10.2021 | Sundays and Tuesdays |
Season 2: | 26.04. – 30.05.2021 | 06.09. – 26.09.2021 | Sundays and Tuesdays |
Season 3: | 31.05. – 05.09.2021 | Sundays and Tuesdays |
Season | Prices per person excluding bike hire |
Season 1: | £725 |
Season 2: | £775 |
Season 3: | £870 |
Single Room Supplement: | £325 |
Bike Rental: | £80 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £180 |
Rental Bike PLUS: | £125 |
Season | Prices per person excluding bike hire |
Season 1: | £595 |
Season 2: | £650 |
Season 3: | £745 |
Single Room Supplement: | £300 |
Bike Rental: | £80 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £180 |
Rental Bike PLUS: | £125 |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
28 March 2021 | 10 October 2021 |