Italy: Dolomites Biking & E-Biking Adventure

DAY 1

We meet in Venice (doesn’t that sound romantic?) and shuttle two hours north to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy’s most famous ski town and the host of the 1956 Winter Olympics (we bike right past the ski jump, still standing). You have time for lunch while we fit the group on their bicycles, then head out for an introductory, mostly downhill ride on a combination of paved and gravel bike paths to San Vito di Cadore, another cute mountain town. There is always time to enjoy a quick Italian-style espresso for extra energy, and then you can ride your bike up to Cortina (or you can choose to ride in the van). We’ll toast to the beginning of a fun week with an aperitif, and share our first northern Italian meal tonight.  If the crisp mountain air hasn't made you want to crawl under your down comforter, perhaps you'll have energy to explore the pedestrian-friendly town tonight. Biking Distance: 12 or 25 kilometers

DAY 2

If you have ever dreamt about cycling over a high mountain pass, today is your day! You can choose to take the “short route” up through the mountains past Lake Misurina and then back down. Our destination for either route is San Candido, a small and picturesque ski town in the valley below. We begin our ride today with a 13-kilometer climb on a bike path up the pass to Cime Bianche (white peak). As an alternative, you can ride in the van to the top of the pass, but it is nicely pitched and a good "doable" challenge for most, so we’ll encourage you to do it! From the top, it is almost all downhill through conifer forests and past alpine lakes, with mountain views to the left and right. En route you’ll have the opportunity to stop for lunch, visit a beautiful forested cemetery (this area was the stage for many battles in WWI) and catch a quick glimpse of the famous Tres Cime (“three peaks” that are distinctively shaped) right from the trail.  Biking Distance: 34 or 38 kilometers

DAY 3

Today’s destination? Austria! San Candido is only about eight kilometers from the border and we’ll quickly make our way on the Drava River bike path, following the river downstream through the town of Abfaltersbach and then to the medieval town of Lienz, Austria, to enjoy a typical Austrian mountain town for lunch. You can choose to ride the path back all or part of the way back to San Candido, or hop on a local train with your bike. Tonight’s dinner at the hotel is a multi-course affair with an amazing variety of dishes. Biking Distance: 41, 44, 68 or 90 kilometers

DAY 4

Today we head west on the “Ciclabile della Pusteria” bike path. We start out heading slightly uphill through the valley, with beautiful alpine meadows and mountain views on either side, to the town of Dobbiaco, where you can visit Latteria Tre Cime Mondolatte, a local cheese factory. Our lunch stop is in the town of Brunico. Here the grade changes from ascent to descent with a long pull down into Bressanone following the river. En route you can stop off to discover the Loden wool museum, Varenna Lake, and Novacella Abbey. Bressanone is the cultural center of the valley, a typical half Italian – half Austrian town with a beautiful old center worth wandering about. Tonight we have an Austrian-style buffet for dinner, and an excellent list of local wines from which to choose. Biking Distance: 37, 61 and 83 kilometers

DAY 5

Today’s ride parallels the Isarco River, with views of fruit orchards and many vineyards on the slopes of the valley. This is a mostly flat ride on a bike path through a steep-walled canyon that opens up into the main agricultural valley of the region, and we follow the river all the way to Bolzano, the capital and largest city of the province of South Tyrol. The “Rosengarten” – one of the most well-known mountains in the Dolomites – can be seen glowing pink at sunset from the old town center and is something to behold. This afternoon and evening is free to do as you like.  We recommend a visit to the small and fascinating Ötzi museum (Ötzi is the famous ice man frozen in death over 5000 years ago and found in the nearby mountains) and the cute Bozner Brewery. There are dozens of great restaurants to choose from for dinner tonight.  Biking Distance: 44, 59 or 69 kilometers

DAY 6

We’ll ride on the Via Claudia Augusta road, a Roman Imperial way that has been converted to a bike path. We are heading northwest from Bolzano up another gradual scenic valley and straight towards the heart of another group of high mountains. Our lunchtime destination is one of the most beautiful towns in the region, Merano, with its stunning historic center, spas, and nearby wineries where you’ll have the option to stop and taste the local vino. If you get back from your ride early, you can visit the tasting rooms of local wineries, or take the cable car up to San Genesio for a view of the peaks and the entire valley spread out below. We return to Bolzano for our final evening meal, a fancy farewell dinner at our hotel. Biking Distance: 33 or 75 kilometers

DAY 7

Our final morning ride is a beautiful out-and-back on the bike path along the river and through the main Adige valley, an enormous fruit- and wine-producing region. Once we get to the sleepy town of Bronzòlo we’ll grab an espresso, turn around and pedal back to the hotel, arriving in time for a shower before checking out. You are then free to catch a train to your next destination, possibly back to Venice or to the major airports in nearby Milan or Innsbruck. Biking Distance: 27 kilometers