Day 1 | Tour begins in Chioggia
Welcome to Chioggia and the wonderful Venetian Lagoon. We meet for your full tour briefing this afternoon at our hotel in the center of Chioggia. Our Destination Manager will fit your bicycles and go over route details. Then take the chance for a walk around the center of Chioggia and admire the canals, bridges and main pedestrianised streets. If you arrive early we can suggest a ride along one of the islands in the lagoon.

Day 2 | Pedal the Po River Delta | Distance 36 miles (58km) to 63 miles (101km)
We leave the Venetian lagoon today towards the Po River Delta. Enjoy cycling on levee roads and some super opportunities for bird-watching. Grab some picnic supplies from the local grocery store or stop at a cafe for lunch today. Those who want extra mileage can enjoy a great ride into the delta in the afternoon. Our destination tonight is a small country farm bed and breakfast.

Day 3 | Po River to Comacchio | Distance 46 miles (74km)
It's another day of leisurely riding today. Our destination is a small lagoon town that at one point was more powerful than Venice in the 700 and 800s. The lagoon town of Comacchio has a fabulous museum that showcases a Roman boat and its cargo that was excavated from one of the canals. Built on 13 islands, this town is now landlocked but surrounded by the Po River and fresh water wetlands. Enjoy a small float around the canals with a local fisherman before dinner.

Day 4 | Comacchio to Ravenna | Distance 31 miles (49km)
We pedal along the Comacchio wetlands towards Ravenna, the last capital of the Western Roman Empire and home to more early-Christian mosaics than any other city in Western Europe. You can walk to Dante's tomb and the mosaics of San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia this afternoon, as our hotel is near all the city sights.

Day 5 | Ravenna to Faenza | Distance 32 miles (51km)
Exiting Ravenna, you have the choice to visit another very important Byzantine masterpiece: Sant'Apollinare in Classe. Cross the plains through fruit plantations and arrive to Faenza. Your hotel is a restored convent near the central square of this regional market center and famous ceramics town. Enjoy the bustle in the market square and the main "piazza" which is always full of bicycle riders of all ages. Faenza is world-renowned for its hand decorated ceramics; we recommend a visit to the International Ceramics Museum as well as several of the local artists' studios specialized in this colorful pottery.

Day 6 | Over the Apennines | Distance 9 miles (15km) or 39 miles (63km)
We head into the Apennines today, passing first through the medieval village of Brisighella. Take a break and pick up some snacks for the climb if you feel like it. If you decide you want to train up and over the mountain, feel free to do so.
For those who decide to bicycle, begin climbing (easily at first!) over the Apennines -- remember to look around as you pedal since the scenery changes dramatically as you leave the plains and enter the mountains. Just before we reach the toughest part of our climb there is a very conveniently located train station which allows you a choice in how you reach our destination!
Note:  It’s possible to catch a train either from Brisighella, or from Marradi.

Day 7 | Cycle in to Florence | Distance 26 miles (41km)
There's a small climb this morning to Vetta le Croci, then it's downhill to the old Etruscan city of Fiesole, where you'll enjoy a great view of Florence rising from the valley floor. We recommend waiting until after lunch to ride into town and the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore this capital of Renaissance Italy. You are requested to return the bikes by 5pm this day.

Day 8 | Tour ends in Florence
After a buffet breakfast in the hotel, we say Arrivederci! and you're ready to become a tourist again. You're on your own now, so get out there and visit Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and the other masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery, and more.

E-Bike Supplement: £120 per person 

Premium Titanium Bike Upgrade: £40 per person 

GPS Device Rental: £60pp 

Child prices and solo traveller supplements are available on request. Please speak to our Activities Experts on 020 7471 7760 for more details.