Grappa and Prosecco Bike Tour

Cittadella - Bassano - 28 mls - Rolling

Embark on a scenic cycling journey along the picturesque banks of the Brenta River as we leave Cittadella and make our way to one of the most important medieval complexes in Veneto: Marostica. Lying among the foothills that extend between the Astico and Brenta rivers and not far from Vicenza and Bassano del Grappa, this town is enclosed within the ancient walls of its castles and still retains the magic of the past.

Marostica is the "città degli scacchi," the town of chess, and it celebrates its nickname with a unique bi-annual event: a chess match with living pieces. Hundreds of people wear costumes and recreate a local legend where the Lord of Marostica has two noblemen, Rinaldo d'Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara, vie for the hand of Lionora in a chess game like no other. Use your imagination when you're in Piazza degli Scacchi (Chess Square), the site of this spectacle.

After Marostica, a very short ride will take us to Bassano del Grappa. Bassano is a charming and lively town steeped in history. Its medieval town center immerses visitors in a world of artistry: the city streets and squares are adorned with the works of artists like Palladio, Canova, Jacopo Da Ponte, Marinali and Dall'Acqua.

The Civic Museum of Bassano is the oldest in the Veneto region and is worth visiting along with the Loggia dei Potestà. A local guide will take us for a walking tour of Bassano which will include…grappa! Grappa is a strong local spirit made by distilling the leftover skins, pulp, and seeds of grapes after wine making. Of course, we will pay a visit to the iconic Ponte degli Alpini, a hub for locals, to indulge in a nice aperitivo! We’ll spend two nights in Bassano to better experience all it has to offer.

Monte Grappa - 32 mls - Mountains

Bassano del Grappa also played a pivotal role as a crucial logistical base during the First World War, where resistance efforts in Bassano and Monte Grappa were of utmost importance against the Austrians.

The imposing presence of Monte Grappa on the horizon underscores its significance, serving as the backdrop for three intense battles during WWI and remaining strategically vital during WWII.

Climbing Monte Grappa is optional and those wanting to avoid the climb (or part of it) can do so. The ascent up to Mount Grappa is a blend of history and scenic views. Imagine, as you climb, the fierce battles that were fought here 100 years ago.

The Giro d’Italia has traversed these roads since 1930, and cyclists are intimately familiar with this terrain. The climb covers a distance of 27 kilometers (16.5 miles) and involves an elevation gain of 1,500 meters (4,900 feet). The central segment offers about two miles where you can catch your breath when the pitch of the road drops significantly.

Monte Grappa (1775 mt, 5,824 ft), the "Sacred Mountain of the Homeland," is now an important tourist destination and its history is commemorated by the impressive monument built in memory of the tens of thousands of Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers who fell in battle on this mountain. 

Bassano - Prosecco - Follina -  37 or 49 mls - Hilly

On our journey towards the Prosecco region, we'll pedal through undulating hills, passing through Asolo, a charming town perched atop a brief yet steep ascent and recognized as one of Italy's most enchanting hamlets. Asolo will charm you with its picturesque town center and views spanning from the Alps to the Venetian Lagoon.

Within its ancient walls that branch out from the 12th-century fortress, Asolo preserves vestiges of its millennia-old heritage in every nook and cranny. Asolo was a destination for poets and writers, artists and travelers who all found inspiration and harmony here. Among them were the English poet Robert Browning, the actress Eleonora Duse (la Divina), the composer Gian Francesco Malipiero, and the English writer and traveler Freya Stark. 

For lunch, we’ll savor a Venetian culinary tradition: the delicious cicchetti, bite-size snacks, accompanied by a glass of sparkling Prosecco dei Colli Asolani, the excellence of Asolo winemaking.

Next, we'll navigate along meandering and narrow roads, passing cultivated fields as we make our way to the town of Montebelluna, situated on the edge of the Montello Nature Reserve. As we cycle through serene countryside, you'll encounter the elegant Palladian villas that grace our route.

Our journey continues as we cross the Piave River, then make our way north towards Valdobbiadene. Now we are officially in the Prosecco DOCG area, which was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2019.

The Prosecco area is nestled between Venice and the pre-Alps with the Dolomites as the backdrop. At its heart is the Prosecco wine road that runs through endless vineyards from the town of Valdobbiadene in the west, to Conegliano in the east.

Prosecco east - 33 or 38 mls  - Rolling hills

We leave the hotel and start riding east. On the left, the imposing Castel Brando dominates the landscape.

After Tarzo we enter a quiet, rolling road and the vegetation thickens with oak and chestnut trees on both sides. We gain elevation and after a pleasant, steady 2.5-mile climb we reach the highest point of the day – 410 mt (1,345 ft). We regroup at the end of the descent in the town of Vittorio Veneto, an important center on the Meschio River.A cappuccino is well-deserved at this point and we have the perfect spot for it: Lodge Serravallese.

The next climb is an out-and-back to the Grotte del Caglieron (caves). This complex consists of a series of cavities, some crafted by human hands and others shaped by natural forces, around a gorge incised by the Caglieron Stream in the Middle Miocene (from 16 to 10 million years ago).

The second portion of our ride, among vineyards and wineries, is truly breathtaking. Two standout attractions along the route include Rolle, a quaint village distinguished by its characteristic bell tower, and the historic watermill known as "Il mulino della Croda."

We've also arranged for a visit to a local wine producer, offering you a truly unique experience: savoring Prosecco in the very heart of Prosecco country!

We’ll be back in time to pay a visit to the extraordinary Cistercian Abbey with its delightful cloister, monastery, and basilica.

Dinner consists of a menu of Venetian-influenced, seasonal dishes.