From the Dolomites to Venice

 From the Dolomites to Venice From the mountain tops of the Alps, through towns of artistic interest and Palladian Villas 13 > 20 June – 18 > 25 July – 5 > 13 September 2015 The itinerary stretches from the Dolomites to the sea down to the Lagoon of Venice. Along tour way historic towns and fantastic Villas. This tour crosses the Veneto from north to south: it starts from the high mountain tops of the Dolomites and reaches the sea. It follows two very important rivers, River Piave and River Brenta as well as a resurgence river, the River Sile. Our way runs among very different environments, from the Dolomites, a Unesco world heritage site, to the hills with prestigious vineyards, till the rich countryside; from the lagoon of Venice to the sandy beaches of the Adriatic Coast. Here and there we can find the typical Villas of the Veneto and classical buildings that enrich a suggestive landscape that is overlooked by many towns full of history and art. Our final aim is Venice, one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. A bus transfer will take us from Belluno to Cortina D’Ampezzo: to begin with the best view ever. This little town known as “the Pearl of the Dolomites”, is surrounded by the high mountain tops of the Alps of Cadore. From here we start the Long Dolomites’ Way, a beautiful cycling path that follows an old railway. After a short ride we’ll quickly reach Pieve di Cadore birthplace of Tiziano, famous painter of Venice during the XV century. Once the cycling path ends we’ll follow another road as fascinating as the previous one, the old Statale 51 of Alemania which was a very important way of communication between Italy and the countries on the other side of the Alps. Today it is almost free from traffic since a quicker road has replaced it. We will go down this narrow and deep valley and then cycle along the River Piave down to Termine di Cadore where we’ll get a bus reaching Belluno, in order to avoid the last busy length. We'll go through the Piave Valley, which widens towards the plain. We will pass through Meg to reach Feltre, one of the farthest north towns of the Republic of Venice and then we’ll reach the Valsugana. From there we’ll follow the River Brenta. We will have our break in Villa Angarano which is definitely worth a visit and where we will try one of the best produce of this land: wine. Shortly after the excellent wine tasting we will reach Bassano del Grappa crossing its famous wooden bridge. Our way continues towards the plain. After a quick stop in Asolo, a very nice town, we will reach Castelfranco Veneto, birthplace of IVX century famous painter Giorgione. We will visit Villa Emo, a Palladian Villa part of the Unesco Word Heritage, we will also manage to give a quick look to Villa Corner della Regina before reaching Treviso, wonderful walled town with its distinctive canals. Following the quiet flow of the River Sile we will get to the Lagoon of Venice. We will follow its borders down to Cavallino. We will spend the night in a typical locanda at the doorway of the Lagoon, a place of peace, quiet, characteristic boats called barene and birds flying all the time, giving to this wonderful place a magic touch. On the last day of our tour, after leaving our bikes behind, we will get a boat to reach Venice which welcomes us offering the magnificent view of San Marco Square and the Palazzo Ducale. Venice, a unique and incomparable town, doesn’t allow us to run our bikes: 400 bridges and steps will get us walking to discover its beauty and get lost in it. For those who wish, it is possible to extend the stay in Venice. Highlights Unesco World Heritage Sites: The Dolomites, Villa Anganaro, Villa Emo, Venice and the Lagoon. Italy’s most beautiful villages: Asolo Touring Club Italiano Orange Flag: Mel, Asolo. Blue Flag Beaches 2014: Lido di Venezia – Cavallino – Treporti. Registration deadline: 2 months before departure Duration: 8 days, 7 nights, 6 biking days Difficulty: beginners When: 13 > 20 June – 18 > 25 July – 5 > 13 September 2015 Where: Italy > Veneto Tour description: This is a sixth day tour that starts in Belluno and finishes in Venezia. The bike trail starts off in Cimabanche. It is partly a bike path and partly it goes on b-­‐roads with low car traffic. Some short sections of the itinerary develop on medium car traffic roads. The road bank is asphalt or we will be pedalling on nice dirt roads. Just once we’ll find a bumpy road. The path is flat with some gentle up and down hills. Close to the mountains there will be some gentle uphill. Visits: two Villas of the Veneto: Villa Angarano with wine tasting, and visit of Villa Emo of Verdelago (both Unesco World Heritage Palladian Villas). 2015-Tour From the Dolomites to Venice
pag 1 di 3 PROGRAM Day 1 Individual arrival in Belluno. We will meet for dinner at the Park Hotel Villa Carpenada for dinner at 19.00. Night in Belluno – Park Hotel Villa Carpenada **** Day 2 Cimabanche – Cortina d’Ampezzo > Termine di Cadore – Belluno – about 65 km Departure time 8.30, bus transfer to Cimabanche, bikes on agency van. After visiting the town we’ll start of bike tour – downhill with some short up hills. Bus transfer from Termine di Cadore to Belluno Belluno – Park Hotel Villa Carpenada **** Day 3 Belluno > Feltre – about 45 km Departure time 9.00 -­‐ Flat path with some short up hills or ups and downs. Feltre – Hotel Doriguzzi *** Day 4 Feltre > Bassano del Grappa – about 57 km Departure time 9.00 -­‐ Flat path with some ups and downs. Bassano del Grappa – Hotel Belvedere **** Day 5 Bassano del Grappa > Castelfranco Veneto – about 37 km Departure time 9.00 -­‐ Flat path with some ups and downs. Castelfranco Veneto – Hotel Alla Torre **** Day 6 Castelfranco Veneto > Treviso – about 47 km Departure time 9.00 -­‐ Flat path Treviso – Hotel Carlton **** Day 7 Treviso > Cavallino – about 66 km Departure time 8.30 -­‐ Flat path Cavallino – Locanda Alle Porte 1632 and one more accommodation. Day 8 Departure time 8:30, taxi transfer from Cavallino to Punta Sabbioni. From there we will embark to Venice. After the ferry everyone will continue to your destination. Luggage and bikes will be handed in Mestre. For those who wish to stay in Venice and extend their trip accommodation and prices will be available upon request. PRICES AND CONDITIONS Number of participants Minimum 12 – maximum 22. Price € 1.235 in a Double room € 1.455 in a Single room € 1.205 in a Triple room € 1.035 for children under 12, in a room with 2 adults. The price includes • 7 nights with breakfast in a four stars (5 nights) and a three stars (2 nights) hotels *. • 5 three-­‐course-­‐dinners with typical local recipes, one drink (1/4 liter wine or 300 cl beer), tap water and bread are included. • 5 picnic with includes breads, cheeses and “salumi” (charcuterie / cured meats), fruit, sweet and ½ liter water. • 3 tour guides (2 on the bike – 1 on the agency van) > 2 guides for groups from 12 to 17 people (1 on the bike). • Transfer with bike transportation:  By bus from Belluno to Cimabanche and from Termine di Cadore to Belluno  By minibus to ancient city center of Asolo  By taxi from Cavallino to Punta Sabbioni to get the ferry to Venice • Hotel city tax. • Visits two villas and 1 wine tasting • Agency van, which follows the whole tour in order to guarantee: luggage transport service and assistance during the tour. • Colour tour handbooks’ with historical and artistic information (at the time being available only in Italian). * Hotels are shown in the program, it is however possible, due to force majeure, to change some of them with others of the same or superior category. 2015-Tour From the Dolomites to Venice
pag 2 di 3 The price does not include Transfers from participants’ place of residence to Belluno, bike rental, one lunch, two dinners, insurances (available upon request), tips, all personal needs and everything not specified in this program. Information about the price The fee is calculated on a minimum group of 12 people. With 18 participants the tour will be leaded by 3 members of the staff (2 in case of smaller groups). With less that 12 participants the tour cannot start and fees will be given back as soon as possible. The registration fee is 35 € which is not refundable in case the participant decides not to take part to the tour, once the tour has been confirmed by the Tour Operator. Those who wish to stay in a Double room but do not have a partner to share it with might be asked an additional fee of 150€ if the match with other participants has not been possible. EXTRA SERVICES Bike renting. We can provide excellent quality bikes for the days of the tour for 100€. An excellent quality ebike rental costs € 200. The rental price includes: lock, bottle (will remain to the participant as a gadget), one ortlieb water proof pannier. Bikes are given and handed in on the spot. Tour extension. If you wish you extend your tour upon request we can provide accommodations in Venice or in any other place in Veneto. To visit Venice and its Islands we recommend the Locanda alle Porte 1632 in Cavallino; 10 minutes by bus and you can reach Punta Sabbioni where you can get the ferry to reach Venezia and/or Burano, Murano, Torcello and Lido. Double bed room accommodation costs 78€ in half board, Single bed room accommodation is 100 with the same treatment. Extra nights need to be asked at the moment of booking to ensure hotel availability. Transfer. Upon request we can provide transfers from/to any airport/other places. MORE INFORMATION Documents and visa Id and health insurance card. Booking, substitutions and penalties 200€ are to be paid at the booking. The total amount of the tour needs to be paid once the tour has been confirmed by the Tour Operator. Substitutions are possible at a price of 20 € as long as the substitute fulfils all characteristics of a participant and as long as the agency is informed on time. If a participant cannot take part to the tour these penalties apply: -­‐ from the booking till 46 days prior to departure penalty of 20% -­‐ from 45 days from departure 50% -­‐ 30 days prior to departure 100% Changes to the program Before departure all info will be sent by email such as the names of the guides and other details. The above program may have few changes due to weather conditions or any other organising problem. HOW TO GET THERE The tour starts in Belluno and finishes in Venezia Island. Luggage will be given back in Mestre (very close to Venezia Island). If you arrive by car. We suggest participants to park in Mestre so that the car is available at the end of the tour. From Mestre you can get a train to Belluno. If you travel by train. Belluno is easily reachable by train. From Mestre (near Venezia) you can get a train to Belluno (with one change). If you fly. The airport in this area are Treviso -­‐ Antonio Canova, Venezia -­‐ Marco Polo, Verona -­‐ Valerio Catullo. They are all easily reachable with public transport. From Venezia Island there are shuttles and buses to Mestre Railway Station, from there public transport will get you to any airport. If you are flying from Venice Marco Polo you can also get a boat from Venezia Island to the airport, directly. HOW TO BOOK If you wish to book please contact us: Speaking English – Spanish – French Anna Magrin – [email protected] Speaking German – Portuguese Elisa Zambelli – [email protected] Technical organization: Simonetta Bike Tours | www.simonettabiketours.it Vicoletto Cieco San Carlo, 2 – 37129 Verona – Province of Verona authorization n. 6382/2010 Insurance Allianz Global Assistance n. 186596 – Insurance AMITRAVEL 365 n. 6002002517/R Project sent to the province of Verona on 30/12/2014. The project complies with all the regulations of the International Agreement as for law n. 1084/77 and regulation n. 79/2011. Mandatory notice: the Italian law punishes prostitution and child pornography with imprisonment, even when committed abroad. Law 38/2006, art. 17. 2015-Tour From the Dolomites to Venice
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