Historical Verona to Florence

Day 1: Arrive in Verona

Individual arrival in Verona, a city known all over the world for the Arena, where every year important concerts and operas are held. Don’t miss a stroll through the small streets and alley ways of the centre to discover the traces of Romeo and Juliet.

Day 2: Verona – Mantua 61 or 74 km / 38-46 miles, + 100 mt

During the first part of today, you will reach Peschiera del Garda, a pentagonal city located in the southern part of Lake Garda. Its town centre is surrounded by Venetian high walls encircled by water. Heading out of the city, you will ride South following Mincio River, through less known areas meandering through the idyllic countryside. After crossing Borghetto sul Mincio, a peculiar village, born as an islet between the loops of Mincio River, you will reach Mantua, an extremely fascinating city located at the crossing between three lakes and the river Mincio. Mantua has an important cultural centre rich in history and monuments, such as Palazzo Ducale and its Bridal-Chamber painted by Mantegna and Palazzo Te.

Day 3: Mantua – Mirandola 59 km / 36.8 mi

Heading out of Mantua, you will cross the plain to reach San Benedetto Po, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, suspended in time in the silence of the countryside, with oratories, abbeys, small chapels, cheese workshops and agricultural courts scattered around. Here you can also see the old drainage system used by monks to reclaim the lands from the water. After crossing to the opposite bank of Secchia River, you enter Emilia Romagna. Today’s destination is Mirandola, the home town of the humanistic philosopher Pico.

Day 4: Mirandola – Modena 54 km / 33.7 mi

Today you ride through the “bassa modenese”, the expansive flatland countryside outside Modena and around the River Secchia. This area was seriously damaged by the earthquake of 2012 and evident to all is its strong will and hard-working mindset to return to a flourishing recovery. Reaching Modena, leave enough time to explore the city centre: The Cathedral and its famous bell tower Ghirlandina, enlisted as a UNESCO Heritage Site, are well worth a visit. Be tempted by the local cuisine: “tortelli”, cold cuts and “gnocco fritto” is something you don’t want to miss.

Day 5: Modena – Bologna 55 km / 35 mi

Heading out of Modena, you will plunge into the countryside and the fruit orchards: this scenery surrounds you along the cycle path. Toady getting away from all the hustle and bustle of the larger cities to enjoy the ride at peace, away from the noise and the traffic, to reach Bologna, the capital of Emilia Romagna region. Here history and tradition blend perfectly with the chic of the modern-day.  You can stroll in Piazza Maggiore, admire the most ancient buildings dating back to Medieval times, and perceive the cultural atmosphere which animates this beautiful city, always ready to welcome new artistic and cultural styles.

Day 6: Bologna – Vernio (by train) – Florence 41 km / 26 mi, – 250 mt

Today starts with a train ride (about 1 hour) bringing you to the small town of Vernio, on the Bisenzio River, crossing the Appennini mountains and the border between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany. From Vernio, you start to descend towards Florence, cycling through a landscape which appears to be projected by a nature to amaze the senses. Here, country houses, castles, abbeys and even the smallest church, express art in its purest form. You end your tour in Florence, the international capital of arts, where you can visit museums, galleries or you can simply enjoy a stroll along the river Arno, at sunset.

Day 7: Florence

Departure after breakfast.