To Venice, Con Gusto. A leisurely, gustatory journey through the Po Valley TO VENICE, CON GUSTO 2018 ITINERARY OUTLINE CLASSICO. Trip Essence / Page 2

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1 To Venice, Con Gusto A leisurely, gustatory journey through the Po Valley This bicycling adventure travels along a delicious route across three regions, ending in the romantic and famous Venice. Appetites will be treated to irresistible as we cycle from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mantova along the Po River in Lombardy. We continue in the Emilia Romagna region visiting the cyclist-friendly and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ferrara. The tour will end in the Veneto region, the perfect place for a final celebration after a full immersion in northern Italian culture, history and culinary experience. ITINERARY OUTLINE Trip Essence / Page 2 Daily Itinerary / Page 3-4 Arrival & Departure / Page 5 Bike Information / Page 5 Terms & Conditions / Page 6 Reserve Your Space! / Page 6 Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 1

2 TRIP ESSENCE Unparalleled cycling along Venetian lagoons Tranquil riding on level terrain along the Po River Discover Mantova, Ferrara and Venice, UNESCO World Heritage Sites Spectacular fish dinner in Venezia Explore the unspoiled wilds of Parco del Mincio on a fun boat ride Strolls through lively fruit and vegetable markets WHAT S INCLUDED Use of a carbon road bike (see page 7 for details) Service of local, professional guides throughout the program Ciclismo jersey and water bottle All accommodations All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 4 dinners Ravioli di zucca (pumpkin ravioli) cooking demo Cycling clinics Walking tours of Venice and Ferrara with a local guide TRIP DETAILS 2018 Trip Dates May 8-13 Jun 5-10 Sep Ability Level Easy Summary of Daily Distances Day 1: 9 miles Day 2: 40 miles Day 3: 41/47 miles Day 4: 43 miles Day 5: 13 miles Day 6: Arrivederci! Optional extra loops available Trip Price $3,995 Single Supplement: $600 Have something else in mind? Itinerary available as a private tour or... Create a custom itinerary with help from our experienced travel consultants! Contact Us info@ciclismoclassico.com Wine tasting at Il Brindisi, the oldest enoteca in the world Shuttle at the end of the tour We all came together as strangers, some beginners and some experts. We ve been guided by the best through foreign lands, restaurants, and wines. We will leave as one family. And for that, we are very grateful. - Marty S. Asheville, NC Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 2

3 DAY 1 MANTOVA WARM-UP RIDE Daily Mileage - 14 miles Riding Terrain - Flat Hotel - Hotel Casa Poli Location: Mantova Duration: 2 Nights Welcome to Italy! Today we gather in the southeast of Lombardy in Mantova, a UNESCO World Heritage Site bordered on its north by three lakes that the Mincio River forms as it winds its way to the Po. Meet at our hotel at 1 pm for introductions and a quick spin we ll have an intro lunch at Osteria dell Oca. The relatively flat terrain is ideal for today s warm-up ride. Tonight, we ll have dinner at Grifone Bianco in Mantova s historical square. In Mantova, Hotel Casa Poli pairs a relaxing family atmosphere with professional hospitality. An elegant atmosphere, minimalist design and quality services all make for a luxurious stay in the heart of Mantova. Meals - L, D DAY 2 MANTOVA LOOP ALONG THE MINCIO RIVER Daily Mileage - 40 miles Riding Terrain - Flat Today we ll follow the course of the Mincio, a river which descends from Lake Garda, on a delightful loop that includes Borghetto, a fascinating fortified village considered one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy. Today you re allowed some time to visit the main landmarks in town, like Palazzo Te, Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga, the Ducal Palace and the main cathedral right before our ravioli di zucca cooking demo at Ochina Bianca restaurant. We ll have dinner there, too. Hotel - See Day 1 Meals - B, D DAY 3 FERRARA Daily Mileage - 41/47 miles Riding Terrain - Flat and rolling Hotel - Hotel Annunziata Location: Ferrara Duration: 1 Night Website: annunziata.it/en/ Meals - B, D Today we ll start with a 3-hour boat ride from the lake in Mantova to Mincio River, merging into Po River. We ll keep biking eastward through the lovely Po Valley, one of Italy s major geographical sites and the area where Napoleon declared his Kingdom of Italy. Our destination is Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the centers of Italian Renaissance history. Biking is one of the main modes of transport; its streets are closed to car traffic. Ferrara, with its uniquely well-preserved walls, is home to the stupendous monuments dating back between the 13 th -15 th centuries: the House of Este, the Lion s Tower, della Quercia s Madonna of the Pomegranate, Rossetti s Renaissance Palace of Diamonds, the poet Ariosto s house, and many more! In the evening, we ll have a wine tasting in the historical enoteca Il Brindisi before dinner at Osteria del Ghetto. The 4-star Hotel Annunziata is a stone s throw away from the famous Estense Castle of Ferrara and offers amazing views of this very historic landmark. It also has stylish comfortable rooms for its guests. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 3

4 DAY 4 FERRARA TO CHIOGGIA Daily Mileage - 44 miles Riding Terrain - Flat along marshes and farmlands Hotel - Hotel Grande Italia Location: Chioggia Duration: 1 Night Meals - B, L DAY 5 CHIOGGIA TO VENICE Daily Mileage - 13 miles Riding Terrain - Flat Hotel - Grande Albergo Ausonia & Hungaria Location: Lido di Venezia Duration: 1 Night com/ Meals - B, D DAY 6 ARRIVEDERCI! Meals - B We ll start the day at 9 am with a walking tour of Ferrara, which should last about 1.5 hours. One of the highlights today will be a spectacular picnic at Mulino del Po. The ride will end with a 45-minute shuttle from Mesola to Chioggia so we can avoid any traffic. Chioggia is likened to Venice because of it s canals, bridges, and narrow streets and is set on the southern entrance to the Lagoon of Venice. Dinner will be on your own tonight. In the most charming spot of Chioggia, Piazzetta Vigo, stands the 4-star Hotel Grande Italia. Modern comforts, a fitness center and the famous Alle baruffe chiozzotte restaurant make it the ideal spot for leisurely travel. Today we ll have a short bike ride and will take the ferry to allow more time for activities in the afternoon to enjoy Venice, our final destination. The first ferry will be from Chioggia to Pellestrina, where we ll ride over the island. Then we ll take another ferry to Lido, where we ll ride until we reach Venice. We ll then venture to Piazza San Marco for a guided tour of the town. You ll stroll along the maze of waterways and take a unique insider s look at Venice. Our last dinner will be at Osteria Alla Bifora in a very popular campo, Santa Margheria. You re sure to feel like a local there! This 4-star hotel is unique in style and service. Situated on the Venetian island of Lido, it s a 5-minute walk from its private area on the most renowned beach of the island and the central boat terminal with trips to main tourist sites of Venice, such as San Marco Square and the Canal Grande. Comfortable and elegant guest rooms equipped with the latest amenities provide the perfect ambiance for rest and relaxation. Today it ll be time to say arrivederci to Italy. We ll have our final breakfast around 9 am. Our hotel is only a few minute s walk away from the Lido docking area, where you can catch a waterbus to the airport or the train station. Buon viaggio! Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 4

5 ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE GETTING TO Fly to Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP). Take the Autostradale bus to Milano Centrale train station (50 minutes), then the train ( to Mantova (2 hours). Hotel is about 10 minutes away by taxi. For easier return: From within Europe, fly to Venice M. Polo Airport (VCE), take a taxi to Venice Mestre train station (15 minutes), then a train via Verona to Mantova (2 hours). Hotel is about 10 minutes by taxi. DEPARTING FROM From the Lido docking area, you can catch a waterbus to the airport or the train station. Waterbus service (50 minutes, ~15 euro) is provided by Alilaguna ( to the Venice Marco Polo Airport (red line), or to the train station of Venice Santa Lucia (blue line). If you prefer you can also catch a private water taxi (25 minutes, ~80 euro). BIKE INFORMATION Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Bianchi carbon fork, Shimano 105 triple groupset, an adjustable stem, and a wheel set laced with 32 spokes and 25mm tires. Included on all tours. Aluminum Hybrid More relaxed riding at a look-around-you pace, this is our custom-built, highperformance aluminum hybrid bicycles with straight handlebars. We also have a woman-specific frame. Included on all tours. Bianchi Intenso and Vertigo The carbon frame guarantees maximum performance with minimum stress for the riders, thanks to Bianchi s special C2C (Coast to Coast) frame design/ geometry and different material combination. Carbon bikes are equipped with compact crank and 11/32 cassette. Available for $250. Bianchi Intenso or Vertigo with Shimano included on all intermediate and advanced tours at no extra charge. Tandems Cannondale road or hybrid: racing posture with 700c wheels, or a more straight up position and 26 inch wheels. Available for $400. Co-motion Periscope: accommodates smaller team or even children. Available for $400. Honey tandem: light and responsive and perfect for experienced tandem riders. Available for $400. ebikes Available on all easy and athletic beginner tours, some intermediate and advanced tours. Please contact us for more information. Available for $400. OTHER INFORMATION For Flight Reservations Valerie Wilson Travel Call: or ciclismoair@vwti.com Travel Insurance MH Ross Call: Transportation Rome2rio ON THE BIKE Included Ciclismo Classico water bottle Two water bottle holders Map holder on handlebars and Garmin Edge GPS Handlebar bag Tire pump Combination bike lock Gel-padded saddle Choice of pedals Card with your tour leaders mobile phone numbers Garmin Edge GPS Included on all bikes Pedal Options Flat pedals Half-toe pedals (without straps) Toe cage pedals Things to Bring Helmet Optional: clipless pedals with shoes Optional: your own saddle Bike type outside of Europe may vary, please contact us at for more information. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 5

6 INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance Ciclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Information on travel insurance will be sent to you via once trip deposit is received. We recommend MH Ross, but travelers may choose the insurance carrier of their choice. Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to their cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. The purchase of short-term travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Cancellation fees are determined as follows: Days before departure Cancellation fee 121+ days - 50% of the deposit* days - 100% of the deposit* days - 30% of the trip price days - 60% of the trip price 0-30 days - 100% of the trip price *You may transfer your trip deposit to another departure in the same tour season up to 90 days before your original departure with payment of a $100 per person transfer fee. Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification. OR your deposit (currently $600) may be carried forward to the following year as a credit toward the final balance of a tour. At the time of booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Carried-forward credits expire at the end of the year to which they are applied. Alterations to the tour itinerary Sometimes modifications may be made to the itinerary. We will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure or lodging. Any changes to the program are made in the best interest and safety of the group. To review our policies, please visit RESERVE YOUR SPACE! To reserve a space, call Ciclismo Classico at Or, mail your deposit and contact information to: Ciclismo Classico attn: Rosa 30 Marathon St Arlington, MA At the time of registration, a deposit of $600 per person is due, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check, made payable to Ciclismo Classico, along with your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and address. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days before departure payable by check, credit card, wire transfer or money order. All travelers must review and sign a terms and conditions statement and a waiver form. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 6