Bolzano to Verona: Orchards, Mountains & Timeless Culture

Day 1: Bolzano

Arrive in Bolzano, a meeting point of Italian and Austrian culture in the heart of the Dolomites. After your information session and bike fitting, explore the old town’s arcaded streets, Renaissance squares, and open-air markets. Visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology to see Ötzi the Iceman, or relax in a café with a view of the surrounding mountains.

Overnight in Bolzano.

Day 2: Bolzano – Ora
19 miles/30 km

Cycle the South Tyrolean Wine Road, a historic route lined with vineyards first planted by the Romans. Pass medieval castles and fortified manors before stopping in Appiano, a village with over 20 wine estates. Continue to Lake Caldaro, known for warm waters and a microclimate that attracts rare bird species. End the day in Ora, where wine cellars and small piazzas reflect centuries of agricultural tradition.

Overnight in Ora.

Day 3: Ora – Trento
28 miles/45 km

Ride through the Adige Valley, with the river guiding you past apple orchards and into Salurn, the southern gateway of South Tyrol. Here, the German language fades and Italian culture takes over, a transition marked by the 16th-century Salurner Klause gate. Continue to Trento, once a key city of the Council of Trent, with its fresco-covered buildings, lively Piazza Duomo, and well-preserved Renaissance palaces.

Overnight in Trento.

Day 4: Trento – Lake Garda South
31 miles/50 km + boat trip

Follow the Adige River to Rovereto, known for its role in World War I and its contemporary art museum. In Mori, try the locally famous pistachio gelato or fresh juice from Gelateria Bologna. After a short climb, descend to Torbole, a historic fishing village now popular with windsurfers, and continue to Riva del Garda. From here, board a boat and cross the entire length of Lake Garda, passing steep cliffs, olive groves, and colorful harbor towns.

Overnight in Lake Garda South.

Day 5: Lake Garda South – Verona
31 miles/50 km

Our recommendation today is to take a stroll through the historic centers of Desenzano and Sirmione, after which, you'll enjoy cycling the gently rolling hills towards Verona. You'll catch your first glimpse of the festival city, the romantic setting for two plays by the world's most famous playwright, William Shakespeare, including the tragedy Romeo and Juliet and the lighter comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona. This city of lustrous legacies was also the birthplace of Isotta Nogarola, the first alleged female humanist who played one of the most significant roles in the Italian Renaissance. Sensational sightseeing spots abound, from Piazza Bra, Porta Borsari and Piazza dei Signori e Arche Scaligere, to the Bra Molinari, Duomo, and Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, with an unmissable literary moment at the Casa di Giulietta (Romeo and Juliet balcony)!

Overnight in Verona.

Day 6: Verona – Mantua – Verona
41 miles/65 km + train trip

Ride past Verona’s ancient walls and along the Mincio River to Mantua, a Renaissance jewel surrounded by three artificial lakes. Once the seat of the Gonzaga family, it boasts treasures like the Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te. Stroll along its arcaded streets before returning to Verona by train for a final evening in the city.

Overnight in Verona.

Day 7: Departure from Verona

Depart Verona or connect with the Innsbruck to Bolzano tour for a longer cycling adventure through the Alps and northern Italy.