Compare Dolomites, Lake Garda & Venice Ride by Exodus Travels vs Adventures Online: Discover the Cotswolds, Oxford & Stratford by Road Scholar
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 3 days |
| Price From | $ 2,805 | $ 349 |
| Price Per Day | $ 351 | $ 116 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | All breakfasts are included on this trip. For breakfast you can expect a continental-style buffet including cold meats, eggs, cheese, breads, pastries, jam, tea and coffee. For lunch and dinner, our leader can recommend his favourite restaurants based on your budget and preferences. As you would expect from a holiday in Italy, the standard of food and drink throughout the tour is extremely high and varied as we head from the mountains to the coast. Expect plenty of pizza and pasta dishes but also lots of seafood options on restaurant menus too. This trip passes through several wine-producing regions; if possible, we will stop at one or two during the week. |
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| Description |
Few landscapes in Europe match the beauty of the jagged limestone Dolomites. The route starts with incredible views of Trentino’s dramatic mountains, cycling on relatively easy roads and tracks along the Adige River. On reaching the northern shore of Lake Garda, the views of one of the most famous Italian lakes is unforgettable. A ferry cruise on the lake gives us the opportunity to take in these wonderful vistas before continuing the ride through the beautiful cities of Verona, Padova and finally the canals and waterways of Venice.Spectacular riding from the stunning Dolomites to Venice |
Take an inspired journey into the “heart of England,” as you explore the Cotswolds, Oxford and Stratford during this online learning adventure, live from England! |
Day 1 Start Trento
The trip starts in Trento, a city nestled in the Adige River Valley in the Trentino-Alto Adige province. A cosmopolitan hub and centre for industry, education, science and finance, Trento is one of the most prosperous cities in Italy with an atmospheric historic centre of well-preserved Medieval and Renaissance buildings. After check-in, there may be time to go into town before our evening meal and trip briefing.
Day 2 Morning train to Bolzano, capital city of the South Tyrol. Cycle on quiet roads following the Adige River back to Trento
After breakfast, we take a 40-minute train ride to Bolzano, the capital city of the South Tyrol surrounded by powerful peaks. We can familiarise ourselves with the bikes on a short tour around the historic centre. From here, we will cycle south along the Adige River, following quiet undulating roads, with an overall ascent of approximately 985ft (300m). Cycling through orchards and vineyards, we pass Lake Caldaro and the lovely villages of Ora, Egna and Salorno. This area is well known for producing wine, accounting for three-quarters of the output in South Tyrol. We arrive back in Trento in the late afternoon and spend a second night at our central hotel.
Day 3 Continue riding along the river to Lake Garda. A 3hr ferry cruise takes us to the south shore of the lake
We continue along the Adige until we reach Rovereto and Mori. From here, we head west towards the northern shores of Lake Garda. After some short ascents, we cycle down to Torbole and then onto the elegant resort of Riva del Garda, which has plenty of bars and restaurants along the lake shore and a lovely beach. Later in the afternoon, we take the ferry to the southern end of the lake, leaving Trentino and heading towards the Veneto region. A lake cruise allows us to enjoy the splendid landscape and relax before we reach our final destination of the day, Desenzano, where we take a short walk from the ferry port to reach our hotel for the night.
Day 4 From Lake Garda, we cycle to Verona, made famous by Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Cycling mainly on quiet roads and cycle paths today, we make our way to Verona, which, is arguably the most beautiful city in Veneto. The arena is one of the many Roman monuments we can discover there, while other places of interest are the Basilica San Zeno and, of course, Juliet's house and balcony. In the evening briefing, the tour guide will discuss tomorrow's route and there will be a group vote on which of the two options to take.
Day 5 Cycle to Vicenza, riding through vineyards
Today's route depends on what was decided in last night's group vote. The more challenging route through the Colli Berici covers 47mi (75km) with a total ascent of 2,190ft (667m). It also has a 3mi (5km) climb, the longest of the tour, but you are rewarded with scenic views. The easier route runs along the foot of the Colli Berici, covering 46mi (74km) but with a lower total ascent (1,375ft/419m). Either way, our destination for the day is Vicenza. The old city centre is a jewel of Renaissance architecture: private palaces, public buildings and the basilica are testaments to the work of Andrea Palladio, one of the most renowned architects in Italy. A visit to the best ice cream parlour in Vicenza is a great reward after today's ride.
Day 6 Pass the Palladian Villa Rotonda and the rolling hills of Monte Berici as we cycle to Padua
Today we can take in some of the greenest and most stunning views of the Veneto countryside. Leaving Vicenza, we cycle past beautiful Palladian villas and we reach the hillier region of Monti Berici. We continue along the Bacchiglione River, on relatively quiet and flat roads, to the fascinating city of Padua (Padova in Italian), which is known for the Scrovegni Chapel, painted by Giotto, and the Prato della Valle, one of the biggest squares in Europe.
Day 7 To the enchanting city of Venice; sightseeing on foot
This morning, we transfer to Venice by train (approximately 30 minutes). Once in the heart of the Floating City, we can explore the labyrinth of narrow streets, bridges and waterways. We see famous sights including Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge and, of course, Piazza San Marco. After exploring the city, we can enjoy a relaxed evening – speak to your tour leader to organise an optional gondola ride – before returning to our hotel in Padua by train. A dinner is included this evening.
Day 8 End Padua
The trip ends in Padua after breakfast. However, if you would prefer to extend your stay and explore a little more, speak to your sales representative.
Day 1 Welcome, Orientation, Landscape, History, Hike, Characters From the comfort of your own home.
Today’s session will start at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and end at 3:00 p.m. Road Scholars are welcome to join for informal chat at 10:45 a.m.
11.00 a.m. Welcome, Orientation, Introductions. Our Group Leader will greet everyone and provide an overview of the program including Zoom protocols. We’ll then get to know our fellow Road Scholars with group introductions. Lecture. We will learn about the making of a Cotswold landscape, setting the scene from the stone it sits upon, to the millennia of people who have developed it, to the agricultural practices and habitats of today in this historical and thriving area of England. 11:50 a.m. We’ll get to know our fellow Road Scholars with group introductions.
12:15 p.m. Lecture. We’ll learn about the history of the Cotswolds from prehistory to its importance in the influential wool trade. 1:00 p.m. Break. 1:30 p.m. Virtual field trip. We will “explore” the Cotswolds from Chipping Campden to the city of Bath and see some of the fascinating places and beautiful vistas along the route. 2:30 p.m. Lecture. In this lighthearted talk about “puppy dog pies” and “stinking bishops,” we’ll hear some of the region’s fascinating culinary tales and distinctive products. 2:50 p.m. Wrap-up and notes for tomorrow. 3:00 p.m. Today’s session will end.
Day 2 Q&A, Cotswold Characters, Stratford & Shakespeare, Foods From the comfort of your own home.
Today’s session will start at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and end at 2:30 p.m. Road Scholars are welcome to join for informal chat at 10:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m. We’ll have a Q&A session to review yesterday’s material and the topics for today. 11.15 a.m. Lecture. We’ll learn about the pub names, place names and phrases that can be heard and found in and around the Cotswolds. Afterwards, we'll take a look at the people who have been inspired by and shaped by the Cotswolds from Laurie Lee to the Mitford Sisters. 12:30 p.m. Break.
1:00 p.m. Lecture. We’ll examine the relationship between Stratford and Shakespeare, a look at the man and the town. 2:00 p.m. We’ll take a look at food in Shakespeare’s plays. What are they really? 2:25 p.m. Wrap-up and notes for tomorrow. 2:30 p.m. Today’s session will end.
Day 3 Q&A, History of Oxford & Colleges, River Boat Ride, Oddities From the comfort of your own home.
Today’s session will start at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and end at 2:30 p.m. Road Scholars are welcome to join for informal chat at 10:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m. We’ll have a Q&A session to review yesterday’s material and the topics for today. 11:15 a.m. Lecture. We will review a timeline history of the city of Oxford, from the Danes through to the Mini Cooper. 11:45 p.m. Break.
12:15 p.m. Lecture. We focus on the famous Oxford colleges, from the Middle Ages to the present. We will learn how the English-speaking world’s first university was founded, what makes the college system so special, and take a look at some of the beautiful buildings and the famous characters who have inhabited them. 1:15 p.m. Virtual field trip. We will “explore” Oxford and along the River Isis “When Alice Went Under Ground” — following the route of Lewis Carroll and Alice’s boat trip. 2:00 p.m. There are numerous “Oxford oddities.” We’ll find out why students wear a carnation in their lapels and why they have “the bumps.” 2:25 p.m. Wrap-up and farewells. 2:30 p.m. This concludes our program.
