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Day 1 (Saturday): Individual arrival at Mestre.
Individual arrival at Mestre. Your hotel is on the mainland close to Venice with an excellent bus connection into the lagoon city. If you arrive early enough you will have time to explore this magical place before your welcome meeting when you receive your tour information.
Day 2 (Sunday): Mestre to Chioggia/Sottomarina, 22 miles (35km).
 On the cycle path you cross the freedom bridge to Venice. (The Group guided tour includes a guided city tour). Then by ferry to Lido where you continue by bike via Palestrina, with marvellous views over the sea, to Chioggia, a quiet little town reminiscent of the Venetian sea power. Here you will find many typical fish restaurants.
Day 3 (Monday): Chioggia / Sottomarina to Rovigo, 40 miles (65km).
Your ride today is on quiet roads to the River Adige. Then you follow the river through fertile fields, melon plantations and lonely little villages to Rovigo. This charming little town with its alleyways, plazas, comfortable cafés and friendly people is a lovely place to stay overnight.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Rovigo to Ferrara, 28 miles (45km).
Today you start with an easy ride alongside the River Po, winding its way through the fertile plain. Following the riverbank you cycle to the most famous bicycle-town of Italy. Whether young or old, wealthy or poor, the bicycle is the most appreciated mode of transport for the Ferrarese. Ferrara – a renaissance gem in Northern Italy, with castle, cathedral and Jewish quarter, is worth a lengthy visit.
Day 5 (Wednesday): Ferrara to Ravenna, 30 miles (50km) + train.
You will travel by train to Alfonsine and afterwards by bicycle through the Nature Reserve of Po Delta with its unique flora and fauna. Two short ferry crossings (tickets approximately € 2 each payable on spot) bring you to the Adriatic. You cycle along large beaches to Ravenna, the harbour town with a long tradition of arts and culture.
Day 6 (Thursday): Ravenna to Brisighella, 34 miles (55km).
 The foothills of the Apennines change the scenery. But before that you reach Faenza, famous centre of ceramic artisans. Enjoy watching the artists at work painting the ceramics. Only a short distance remains to Brisighella, an idyllic medieval village, where you stay overnight. Guarded by Rocca Veneziana and Torre Orogloggio you can enjoy a restful evening.
Day 7 (Friday): Brisighella to Florence, 22 miles (35km) + train.
The day starts with an amazing train ride through the wild mountains of the Apennines to Borgo San Lorenzo. Then it’s the final section of your cycle tour. Two climbs precede the descent via Fiesole into Florence, historic capital of Tuscany. (Group guided tour includes a city tour).
Day 8 (Saturday): Departure from Florence or extra days.
This tour can be combined with the tours Bolzano to Venice, Pearls of Venice or the Cruise and Cycle tour from Mantova to Venice. |
Freedom Holiday 
Probably the two most famous cities of Italy are at the start and end of this cycle tour of outstanding beauty. In between you cycle through an almost unknown Italy where kiwi, peach, melons, vineyards and sunflowers line the way. With birds singing and friendly fishermen waving from their pole-huts along the canals, you will discover an Italy of small towns and places far off the beaten track where you can enjoy a cappuccino in one of the many little cafés on the piazza while listening to the local’s discussing their sports and politics! 
This tour remains fairly flat until the 5th day. On the 6th day there are three to four easy hills. On 7th day two small climbs followed by a long descent. You cycle on dyke paths, country lanes and minor roads. Only very short distances to be cycled on roads with more traffic. Mostly asphalted surface. This is a cycle tour for everybody whether on an individual self guided basis or as part of a group 