Itinerary Expand all Cortela to Cortela Day 1 Arrive at Cortela Arrive at your friendly agriturismo run by Gabriella and Alessandro, in time for dinner. (Staying at Agriturismo Il Feudo) Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Cortela to Galzignano The day starts along the canalside path to Este. This delightful mediaeval town with its pastel, arcaded buildings boasts a C14 castle and an altar piece by Tiepolo in its Cathedral. Your next stop is Monselice. You can visit its mediaeval castle (converted into a sumptuous residence for a Venetian noble in the C15). From Monselice you follow the canal past the C19 Villa Italia, before arriving at Sig Ottolitri's friendly, family run hotel just outside Galzignano. (Staying at Belvedere Resort ai Colli) Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 3 At Galzignano It's a lovely circular cycle (route notes provided) to Arqua Petrarca, unchanged since the 1370's when Petrarch lived here. Visit his well-preserved house before pedalling off through vineyards to the fabulous Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio, the delightfully manicured C17 Italian gardens here are the best in the region. (Staying at Belvedere Resort ai Colli) Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 4 Galzignano to Teolo Cycling through swaying vines you reach the charming village of Battaglia where there's time for a spot of wine tasting. You must try the local Serprino, a medium dry frizzante wine often compared to Prosecco, before carrying on through the spa towns of Montegrotto Terme to the pre-Palladian villa at Luvigliano. After admiring the elegant villa you cycle upwards to Teolo, your hotel is an elegant villa perched high above the town. (Staying at B&B Tito Livio) Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 At Teolo A former Roman settlement, Teolo's heyday was in the C15 when it became the summer home of Venice's doges escaping the heat on the coast. Many palazzi and formal gardens from the period remain. You could take a walk in the encircling Euganean hills (360 degree views from here) or maybe take the bus into Padua to admire the town's Giotto frescoes. Or, for a longer day out, take the bus/train to Italy's most romantic city, Venice. Enjoy a cappuccino in St Mark's Square, take a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs, admire the opulent gold decor of the Doge's Palace or visit the Peggy Guggenheim Exhibition. The list is endless! (Staying at B&B Vito Lovio) Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Teolo to Villaganzerla Option: 1 Today starts with a 1km climb from the hotel, followed by an exhilarating freewheel down through the Euganean Hills to the mediaeval castle at San Martino. Then, cycling by the Bacchiglione River you reach Cervarese Santa Croce in time for a relaxed lunch in the square. Onwards, it's into wine country once more to reach your charming farm hotel at Villaganzerla where you'll receive a warm welcome from Valfrido and Angelina. There's time for a dip in the pool (typically open June - early September) before dinner. (Staying at Agriturismo L'Albara) Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 7 At Villaganzerla You could laze by the pool but it's a shame to miss out on Vicenza! A cycle path (those feeling lazy can catch the bus) takes you there past the famous Palladian villa, La Rotonda. nicknamed 'Venice of the Terra Firma' for its marvellous architecture, Palladio designed dozens of the city's buildings, from the Basilica Palladiana in the main square to the Teatro Olimpico. There's plenty to explore. (Staying at Agriturismo L'Albara) Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 8 Villaganzerla to Cortela Option: 1 Today's route follows the Strada del Tocai Rosso (the only area outside of Hungary where the red Tocai is grown). The wine road links a string of pretty villages, each with their own Venetian campanile. Then it's out across the plain to reach Vo Vecchio, criss-crossed with canals. The Euganean hills are spread out in front of you as you cycle through the vineyards to Gabriella and Alessandro's farmhouse for your last dinner. (Staying at Agriturismo II Feudo) Option: 2 80km / 50mi Start the day following the Strada dei Vini along the foothills of the Berician with the possibility of wine tasting stops at the villages of Costozza and Nanto locally well known for using the red Tokay grape originating from Hungary. You then climb over the Berici for a stunning view and descent into the horseshoe valley carved by the Liona river, before heading back across the plains to the Euganei and into the vineyards of Villa Sceriman. A picturesque final wine tasting opportunity before arriving back to your Agriturismo for a well-earned chilled locally produced glass of bubbles! 587m / 1926ft of ascent on this route. Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 9 Leave Cortela Meals included: Breakfast
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Hotels En route the cuisine is fabulous, home cooked fayre and you'll stay with some of the friendliest people we've ever met. In Teolo you'll stay at Tiziana's lovingly restored Liberty villa, whilst there's a warm welcome at Valfrido and Angelina's charming agriturismo near Vicenza, and at the Ottolitri family's hotel just outside Galzignano.
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