Day
One: Arrival
Saturday: Arrival at Venice Marco Polo airport. Complimentary transport
in the morning. Introductions and welcome to everyone. Bassano Del Grappa is a town with a
rich history, located on the banks of the river Brenta, north west of Vicenza. Destroyed
in both World Wars, the town centre has retained its historical appearance. The famous old
bridge, the Ponte Vecchio was faithfully reconstructed to designs by Palladio. Our Hotel
base for the duration of your stay, is located near Bassano Del Grappa. Situated in
a cool river valley, with one of the regions preferred cycling roads directly in front,
your lodging affords panoramic views of Mount Grappa, towering above. In the
evenings the rocky outcrop is aglow with a golden reddish hue.Day Two: Partenza!
Sunday: After breakfast, intermediate and advanced riders may
choose to join a fast ride with our friends from a local Italian club. The others
will adventure up the beautiful river valley to get acquainted with one of the areas most
popular cycling trails. In the late afternoon, we'll bring you to Bassano to join in the
Italian custom of passegiata where everyone strolls about the piazzas to see and
be seen. After an aperitif at an open air cafe, we'll have dinner at an agritourismo, a
working farm.
Day Three: Medieval Masterpieces
Monday: We'll ride east through rolling terrain through vineyards which
produce Prosecco, Veneto's light, sparkling white wine. Local fans of the wine like to say
that Prosecco's ancestor was the Pucinum wine, much praised by the chroniclers of
Ancient Rome as it was the preferred wine of the Empress Livia! We visit Follina's
beautifully restored medieval abbey.
Day Four: Asiago
Tuesday: Ride the foothills on a long but gentle climb to the
Alpine town of Asiago at 3,000 feet above sea level. Our vehicle support is
available if you want skip any or all of the climbing. You'll enjoy wonderful Asiago
cheese, both fresh and aged, made from milk produced by the happy cows you'll have passed
on your way in. Enjoy a scenic and exhilarating descent back into the valley.
Day Five: Exploring Venice, Verona or Vicenza -
your choice
Wednesday: Rest day. Choose a day trip on your own to Venice; Verona,
city of Romeo and Juliet; or Vicenza, city of neoclassical Palladian architecture. Enjoy
the treasures that abound!
Day Six: Italian Reminiscence
Thursday: Morning visit to Bassano's open air market, featuring
everything from delectable breads and focaccia, local cheeses, the finest grades of olive
oils and other local specialties. After lunch we'll ride to Asolo, a picturesque medieval
hilltown, considered to be one of the most reminiscent destinations in all of Italy. The
beautiful villas, skillfully restored, the gardens abundant with Mediterranean plants and
flowers, the landscape so spectacular in it's natural setting, are the essence of Asolo's
magical atmosphere.
Day Seven: Traguardo!
Friday: We’ll leave in the van, heading toward the Dolomites, to
do a combined shopping & cultural excursion. The Sportful factory outlet has excellent
quality bike clothing and sport wear at fabulously discounted prices. We leave our
purchases in the van and do a scenic, rolling ride that takes us to Cessiomaggiore, dubbed
the ‘paese di ciclismo’ - the town of
cycling. Where else would you find the intersections of Fausto Coppi and Gino
Bartali? We visit Signor Sergio sanVido’s
(cyclist, frame builder and collector) private collection of bicycles, featuring over 150
bicycles, jerseys, books, photos and other momentos of past and present champions.
Day Eight: Arrivederci!
Saturday: Transport to Venice Marco Polo airport in the morning to drop
off departing guests. Extended stay, self led rides and travel suggestions all available
for guests who choose to remain in the region for a longer period.
Additional Notes
Breakfasts are extended continental, featuring excellent coffee, hot chocolate, fruit
juice, fresh fruit, yogurt, a variety of cereals, home made pastries, jams and fruit
preserves.
Dinners are 3 course meals in the Italian dining out manner, featuring wonderful local and
in-season ingredients, including: a first course of pasta, risotto or soup made with local
white asparagus spears or wild porcini mushrooms; a fish or meat course with vegetarian
alternatives followed by salad or cooked vegetables. Abundance of delectable breads,
and your choice of excellent local red (Cabernet or Merlot) or white (Pinot Bianco or
Prosecco) and mineral water. A picnic lunch may be substituted if we are at a notably
picturesque lunch spot! |
