Join Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine as we enjoy a cycling tour through the Veneto, Italy, a diverse region located along the shores of the Adriatic sea and at the foot of the Dolomite mountains. The Venetian Republic, once a world power, is a remarkable reflection of Italian history and style: full of Renaissance art, fine food and wine, history.
Our biking tour follows one of the old trade routes that distributed spices and goods from the east throughout Western Europe, and so has one of the most diverse regional cuisines in all of Italy. We wander through the flat farmlands, by stately 16th and 17th century villas, around volcanic hills and into the foothills of the Pre-Alps. By day we bike gentle routes, in the afternoon learn about foods and the art of cooking and savor parts of the "Italian Dolce Vita" with classic Veneto cuisine, all the while being hosted in opulent villa hotels.
Our seven day/six night Chefs on Bikes adventure:
June 9 - June 15, 2013
July 14 - 20, 2013
$3895 ppdo*
Limited to 8 participants, for a highly personalized experience, and the best access to small local producers.
Click here to learn more about how we design our tours for all levels of cyclists.
Have a small group of 4-12? This trip can be run as a private trip for your group, for the same price. We can customize the rides for the skill and fitness level of your group, from expert climbers to casual tourist riders.
Check out our Chefs on Bikes video, showing some highlights of past tours!
We begin our bike tour along the Brenta River, touring Palladian estates and villas from the Venetian Empire. In the afternoon, the hosts at our villa, the Dal Corso family, shows us how to make gnocchi with fresh scallops. We've also ad the opportunity to learn skills such as sabering the top off of our prosecco bottle.
Our next stop on our bicycle tour is Vicenza, the “City of Palladio”. We will taste wines from local producers in the Euganie Hills and Tocai Rosso wines of the Berici Hills.
Then it is on to Asolo, considered by many to be one of the loveliest towns in Italy. It is a tiny hamlet with an abundance of quaint, winding streets and a graceful piazza overlooking the valley.
On our way we stop in Cittadella, a famous walled city from the 1100's, built by the city of Padova to defend its territory. As we close out our week long bike tour, we head into the foothills and vineyards of the Strada del Prosecco to taste some of the sparkling wine that has made this area so famous.
Biking works up our appetites for some wonderful Northern Italian meals. Kathy will introduce us to many local dishes and specialties. The noble region of the Veneto is home to risotto and polenta, as well as homemade pastas spiced with radicchio, rucola and endive. Seafood lovers will rejoice in the freshly caught frutti di mare prepared in the Venetian tradition.
What are our cooking classes like? Lots of fun!
"Kathy empowers everyone to get involved and know that they are all capable of cooking a gourmet meal. She also promotes the local, sustainable way of shopping and cooking, be it in Italy, or at home. Kathy is personable and makes it fun, there is a lot of laughter and camaraderie that people remember for a long, long time." - NM, Maine.
Some Veneto Favorites
Our tour includes
Limited to 8 participants maximum* Single supplement of $600
To sign up, send us an email. We personally work with each and every guest to answer all questions, and make sure our trip is customized to your abilities and preferences. We're also happy just to chat, and hear how you would like to travel.
Learn More:
Tell us how your group wants to experience Italy and we'll make it happen!
Our owner, expert recreational programmer Vernon McClure was recently named one of "Italy's Best Local Tour Guides" by Dream of Italy. Click here to plan your trip of a lifetime, exploring the best of Italy - outdoors, food and wine - with Vernon and Kathy.
