Cycling Tips for Beginners
Posted: 22/06/22
When you’re just starting out cycling, it can be hard to know what to do or what you’ll need. That’s where Cycling for Softies can come in.
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Your journey so far
Your Cycling Holiday in Veneto
Bike & Boat | Venice & Mantua
A weeks cruise from the narrow streets and waterways canals of the floating city to the Po delta, weaving through fishing villages, all the way to the art and opera of Mantua.
Our boats are equipped with everything you need for a fabulous holiday: comfortable ensuite cabins, sizeable living areas, a restaurant and sundecks. Think of it as a floating hotel, fully crewed with a skipper and catering staff. You’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast each morning, and be sent off with a delicious packed lunch. Later, after a glorious day’s cycling, you can return to the boat for a tasty evening meal served with wine.
We love
Strolling through the backstreets of Venice, island hopping from Lido di Venezia to Pellestrina and the magnificent scenery of Delta del Po.
What's included
- Flights and transfers
- En suite accommodation on the Vita Pugna or Ave Maria
- Full board dining arrangements
- Touring bikes with panniers
- Route maps and instructions
- Local support and friendly crew
- Electric bikes on request
Your Cycling Holidays in Veneto
Bike & Boat | Venice & Mantua
Day 1
Arrive at Venice.
Transfer by minibus or taxi to where you’ll board your boat and be equipped with your bicycle.
Day 2
Free Day Venice.
This morning, you’re free to explore the magical city of Venice and its surrounding islands. Your tour leader is on hand to guide you should you wish, or you can simply lose yourself in the narrow streets and markets; perhaps hop on a gondola, or sip espresso as you wander around St Mark’s Square.
Day 3
From Venice to Chioggia | Distance 19 miles (30km)
Today you embark on your Bike & Boat adventure, cruising gently out of Venice to the Lido, the first of two islands you’ll visit. Fashionable with the artists and aristocrats of the Belle Époque, the Lido di Venezia is home to the International Venice Film Festival. You’ll then island-hop over to Pellestrina, where you cycle towards a nature reserve, weaving through fishing villages. From here you’ll then hop back on board your barge and cruise over to Chioggia.
Day 4
From Chioggia to Adria | Distance 25 miles (40km)
After a morning stroll through the bustling and colourful harbour and fish market, we suggest visiting Chioggia’s millennial clock tower - the oldest in the world - for wonderful views across the town. Back on the bike, you head south into the imposing delta of the Po and the wetlands, home to heron and flamingos. Finally you’ll reach Adria, an ancient Greek port.
Day 5
From Adria to Zelo | Distance 22 miles (35km) + 35km by bus
After a short cruise it’s time to get back on the saddle, following the Po through farmland and little hamlets, until reaching Ferrara. This ancient city once attracted many influential architects and artists and the effects of this are still very much in evidence. At this point you’ll board a bus back to the barge in the sleepy village of Zelo on the Canal Bianco, a waterway running parallel to the Po.
Day 6
From Zelo to Mantua | Distance 31 miles (50km)
Start the day with a brief ride to the village of Bergantino, where you can visit the Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum. You’ll then follow the river through Ostiglia (famous for its medieval fortress and floating mill), on to Governolo Lock. This is where the River Mincio flows into the Po, creating the largest inland basin in Italy. Cycling through magnificent scenery, you’ll reach Mantua in the afternoon.
Day 7
Round Tour Mantua | Distance 24 miles (40km)
Boasting three beautiful lakes formed by the River Mincio, exquisite countryside and a vibrant town brimming with culture, Mantua is a little-visited gem. As well as the serene natural surroundings, there’s plenty to see and do - you can immerse yourself for the afternoon in the town’s operatic history, renaissance art and archaeological artefacts.
Day 8
We say “arrivederci” before transferring you direct from Mantua to Verona by minibus or taxi.
Your Cycling Holidays in Veneto
Bike & Boat | Venice & Mantua
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![Ave Maria]()
![Ave Maria]()
![Ave Maria Twin Cabin]()
![Ave Maria]()
Ave Maria
4-star
Modern, bright and spacious, the Ave Maria was designed by a well-known team of Italian architects and launched in 2011. Ave Maria has capacity for 40 guests across en suite cabins; 4 superior twins/doubles (2 can accommodate 4 guests adding 2 bunk beds), 10 standard twins/doubles (3 can accommodate 3 guests adding 1 bunk bed) and 3 bunkbed cabins (also available as single cabins). There is a delightful restaurant for up to 33 guests, a spacious lounge area with a hot drinks machine, 2 wonderful sundecks and free Wifi on board.
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![Vita Pugna Cabin]()
![Vita Pugna Restaurant]()
![Vita Pugna Cabin]()
Vita Pugna
3-star
The Vita Pugna is a wonderfully romantic Dutch barge that was sailed over from Amsterdam to the waters of the River Po. Vita Pugna has capacity for 21 guests across en suite cabins; 10 twins (1 available for up to 3 people). There is a lovely air-conditioned lounge and restaurant, seating up to 23 guests. Sit upon the lovely sundeck whilst taking in the beautiful surroundings. Free Wifi is also available on board.
Your Cycling Holidays in Veneto
Bike & Boat | Venice & Mantua
|
Package Prices | 2022 (Flights and Transfers Included) |
|||
|
Departure Dates 2022 |
Vita Pugna |
Ave Maria |
|
|
27th March – 3rd April |
£1260 |
£1355 |
|
|
10th April – 21st August |
£1615 |
£1915 |
|
|
28th August – 16th October |
£1745 |
£2175 |
|
|
23rd October |
£1265 |
£1355 |
|
|
Tour Only Prices | 2022 |
|||
|
Departure Dates 2022 |
Vita Pugna |
Ave Maria |
|
|
27th March – 3rd April |
£1060 |
£1135 |
|
|
10th April – 21st August |
£1425 |
£1690 |
|
|
28th August – 16th October |
£1555 |
£1945 |
|
|
23rd October |
£1060 |
£1135 |
|
Departure Day: Every Saturday (Direction of cruise alternates)
Single Supplement: £330
Ave Maria Superior Cabin: £20 per night
Ave Maria Bunk Bed Cabin (2 sharing) Reduction: £14 per night
Triple Reduction: £34 per night
Ebike Supplement: £110 per person
Helmet: £15 per person
Full board includes 7x breakfasts, 6x packed lunches and 7x dinners.
Please note that this tour departs on Saturdays and runs in alternate directions each week. For further information, please speak to one of our team on 020 7471 7750.
|
Package Prices | 2023 (Flights and Transfers Included) |
|||
|
Departure Dates 2023 |
Vita Pugna |
Ave Maria |
|
|
28th March – 4th April |
£1260 |
£1355 |
|
|
11th April – 22nd August |
£1615 |
£1915 |
|
|
29th August – 17th October |
£1745 |
£2175 |
|
|
24th October |
£1265 |
£1355 |
|
|
Tour Only Prices | 2023 |
|||
|
Departure Dates 2023 |
Vita Pugna |
Ave Maria |
|
|
28th March – 4th April |
£1060 |
£1135 |
|
|
11th April – 22nd August |
£1425 |
£1690 |
|
|
29th August – 17th October |
£1555 |
£1945 |
|
|
24th October |
£1060 |
£1135 |
|
Departure Day: Every Saturday (Direction of cruise alternates)
Single Supplement: £330
Ave Maria Superior Cabin: £20 per night
Ave Maria Bunk Bed Cabin (2 sharing) Reduction: £14 per night
Triple Reduction: £34 per night
Ebike Supplement: £110 per person
Helmet: £15 per person
Full board includes 7x breakfasts, 6x packed lunches and 7x dinners.
Please note that this tour departs on Saturdays and runs in alternate directions each week. For further information, please speak to one of our team on 020 7471 7750.
*Where tour pricing is displayed in your local currency, please note this is for indicative purposes and your final holiday will be confirmed and transacted at the time of booking with our team in Pound Sterling.
Your Cycling Holidays in Veneto
Bike & Boat | Venice & Mantua
Your Cycling Holidays in Veneto
Bike & Boat | Venice & Mantua
Tour Summary
Highlights
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Vineyards
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Riverside Cycling
-
Historical Sights
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City Add On
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Arts and Culture
Start planning your holiday today
+1 877 967 9628
+1 877 967 9628
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