Italy 2026-27

This is a taster for our 2026 and 2027 Italy tours. The tour itinerary is still in development so some details may change before we are open for bookings.

What makes this trip special?

Fall in love with the Alpine cosiness and Mediterranean lightness. The constant panorama of the fascinating, partly snow-covered mountains will inspire you. Enjoy rolling through the seemingly endless vineyards and extensive orchards.
Enjoy the soups, dumplings and gnocchi variations, spicy cheese and aromatic sausages. Sample Vernatsch, Lagrein, Gewürztraminer and other wines in the pretty wine towns.
The first magnificent view of the sparkling Lake Garda will take your breath away. Goethe found his dream place on Lake Garda, which he recommended to his fellow countrymen as the epitome of "Italian beauty".
Explore the winding canals and historic architecture of Venice offering a unique glimpse into a city that feels suspended in time.
A selection of fantastic hotels are scattered throughout the tour providing that extra bit of history and comfort on your cycling journey.

Dates

SEPTEMBER 2026
APRIL 2027

EXACT Dates COMING SOON

Enquire NOW

Gallery

Escorted
Self-Guided

This will be an escorted self-guided experience where your luggage will be transferred each day and it will be up to us as a group to navigate our way along the route.

The group will be escorted by Jason Williams from Pedal Pedal and our regular European ride leader and multi-linguist, Sinean Callery.

We will have a dedicated 8 seat support vehicle that will tail the group and provide backup to anyone not up for the ride or for non-riding partners.

Itinerary

What better place to start an Italian cycling adventure than Austria. We start here so we can access the northern backdoor of the Dolomites and cycle the entire length down to the flatlands.
Nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Innsbruck offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Surrounded by towering peaks, this charming city is known for its stunning architecture, including the iconic Golden Roof and the stunning Imperial Palace.
Arrive during the course of the day at our starting hotel. The tour officially starts with a group meeting at 6pm followed by an included group dinner.
We start our journey on the former River Inn towpath, at the foot of Martinswand and through little villages and market towns to Stams, known for its Cistercian Stams Abbey, founded in 1273. We overnight in Imst, still in Austria, famous for its many springs.
Continuing along the River Inn, pass the monastery Zams to Landeck. From here we’ll skip a section and hop on the bus to Nauders, just 5km from the Italian border. Back on the bikes it is an uphill ride to the mountain pass Reschenpass, crossing the border, before the downhill begins. We ride via Lake Reschensee, famous for the steeple of a submerged 14th-century church, to overnight in Mals.
Today will begin with a ride to Glurns, the smallest town in South Tyrol, famous for its perfectly preserved town walls and three picturesque gate towers. Pass the Montani ruins, through Schlanders, down to Merano. You will come across some pretty castles (mountaineer Reinhold Messner’s castle Juval). Take a break to enjoy the spectacular views of the impressive mountain massif Ortlermassiv and the mountain pass Stilfserjoch.
There is plenty to do with a day in Meran. Make a day ride (40km) into the Passeier Valley to the Sandwirt Inn, the birthplace of the local freedom fighter Andreas Hofer, who was executed after fighting the occupation by Napeleon’s troops.
Hike on the famous Tappeiner Trail with sweeping views of the town below, the Merano Valley Basin and down into the Adige Valley.
Or stay around town and enjoy the best of South Tyrol’s cuisine, wine, and hospitality.
Leave Merano after breakfast and cycle through numerous orchards and vineyards on the South Tyrolean Wine Road. Visit Lana, one of the most ancient fruit-growing villages in the area and witness the elaborately carved Schnatterpeck Altar. Admire the many fortresses, castles, and ruins such as Hocheppan on your way to Lake Caldaro See.
Cycle along the river Adige on a beautiful bike path that is rich with orchards to Salorno, where the German speaking part of South Tyrol ends and afterwards to the historic centre of Trento accompanied by the vineyards of “Teroldego” vines.
Cycle on bike paths along the river Adige via the old Tyrolean border town of Rovereto to Mori. From here, the route leads westward to Lake Garda. In Mori try the world-famous pistachio ice-cream in the Gelateria Bologna or a freshly squeezed fruit juice. After a short climb onto Passo S. Giovanni (150 metres), you will head down to the lake to Riva.
The afternoon will be spent relaxing on a 4 hour cruise travelling the length of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. Lake Garda marks the southern extent of the European Alps with high mountains to the north of the lake and the flatlands to the south. We overnight at the southern end of the lake.
Despite being out of the Dolomites it's partly flat, partly hilly to Verona, a city full of sights with the festival arena, House of Juliet, and old city walls a few of the highlights.
A day in Verona is yours to enjoy. A city of history and romance, it features ancient architecture and vibrant culture. Key highlights include the Arena di Verona, a well-preserved Roman amphitheater hosting operas and concerts, and the bustling Piazza delle Erbe, with its historic market. Explore Juliet's House, famous for its Shakespearean balcony. The Castelvecchio Museum, in a medieval castle, showcases significant sculptures and paintings. A walk along the Adige River offers scenic views, and the nearby Torricelle hills provide hiking with panoramic vistas.
Cycle on flat roads then through the hills of the "Monti Berici," the excursion area of Vicenza, with beautiful views over the city. In the old town of Vicenza, you can still feel the spirit of Palladio, the famous architect of the Middle Ages.
Numerous Venetian villas are located on the exit of Vicenza, such as Villa Rotonda. Along the Bacchiglione, the road leads to Abano Terme, one of Italy's famous spas where we relax for the night.
The main route today is the antique river course of Bacchiglione, once used by cargo ships, the so-called "burci".
Overnight in Chioggia, a quiet little town, reminiscent of the Venetian maritime supremacy which invites you to stay and enjoy yourself in one of its typical fish restaurants.
The final day of riding starts with a ride via Pellestrina, with a marvelous view over the sea. From Lido take a ferry over to Venice, one of the world’s most famous destinations. The journey ends with a ride on the bike path over the Liberty Bridge to Mestre.
We stay in Mestre, the main town across the water from Venice. Stay on to explore more of the lagoons of Venice. The tour ends after breakfast.

Itinerary is subject to change.

Trail Conditions

In Austria we will ride along cycle paths and little-used farm tracks. The route is mostly flat with only a few small climbs.

Once into Italy we are on a gradual descent all the way to Lake Garda mostly following dedicated bike paths alongside the Adige River.

Once into the flatlands there is, ironically, some climbing but otherwise we ride on mostly flat back roads and dedicated bike paths.

A downloadable navigation app for your mobile is the best way to navigate. We will provide a link to the app before the tour begins. We will also supply detailed route information with step-by-step notes to help with navigation.

Group Size

18-26 people

As an escorted self-guided trip you will be free to travel at your own pace leaving each day at a time that suits you, stopping when you want and controlling how you see the countries we are cycling through. Usually small groups of similarly paced cyclists form and ride together throughout the day so while you are travelling with a large group it never feels like a crowd.

Payment & Pricing

Pricing is coming very soon.

A AU$600 deposit is required to confirm places on the trip.

Deposit Refund Policy
The deposit will only refunded under the following conditions:

If the tour is sold out, we will only refund your deposit if we can find a replacement person for your place on the tour irrespective of how long in advance you cancel.
If the tour is not sold out you can cancel up to 3 months before the start of the tour for a full refund of the deposit.

Final payment will be due 75 days before the start of the tour. We will calculate the AUD price based on the exchange rate at the time of final payment.

Inclusions

Accommodation

The accommodation used on this trip is mainly of a 4 star standard with a few extra special nights included for charm, history, and the chance to stay somewhere unique.

A list of intended hotels will be supplied soon.

The tour accommodation is based on twin sharing. If you are a single traveller you will be matched with another person of your gender to share a twin room. If you would like a single room throughout the trip there will be a single supplement. Note there is limited number of single rooms available for this tour and a single room may not be available.

MEALS

All breakfasts are included at our accommodation.

Lunches are not included allowing you to choose where to eat as you ride. There are plenty of places to choose from and your route information will have some suggestions.

A welcome dinner on the first night and celebration final night dinner are are included. Other dinners will be free for you to choose your own experience. Of course we will be able to offer advice on where to eat.

BIKES

The bikes included in tour price are the premium 27 speed hybrid bikes. Due to the easy nature of this tour the bikes are simple and well suited to the terrain we will encounter.

27 speed Leirad bike with Deore-XT, hydraulic brakes, front suspension

8 speed Eurobike Elektrorad ebike with long range battery, front suspension

Waterproof handlebar bags, panniers, pump and repair kit are included with each bike.

Feel free to bring your own pedals, saddle, and water bottle. You must bring your own helmet.

Ebikes will be available at a surcharge. Ebikes must be reserved well in advance of the tour so please do let us know when you book if you would like to use one.

SUpport

This tour is self-guided trip but still has all the support features of a fully supported bike tour:

Escorts - Jason from Pedal Pedal and our regular European guide, Sinean Callery, will escort the group throughout the trip.

Backup Vehicle - we will have a dedicated 8-seat support vehicle at the back of the group to look after anyone who needs a break from the cycling or for non-cycling partners.

Extras

You must have travel insurance as part of the conditions of travel. Your insurance must cover emergency medical and evacuation.

Ebikes are available at a surcharge (price to be determined).

Voluntary Single Supplement (price to be determined).

You will need to bring your own helmet as they are not supplied locally.

FLIGHTS, STOPOVERS, EXCURSIONS

Our agent partners at HelloWorld Travel in Pakenham are on hand to help with flight bookings, insurance, extra hotel nights, stopovers and anything else that you might need aside from the bike tour. If you would like any help or advice email Lucy at lucy.pakenham@helloworld.com.au.

Questions

If you have any questions about the tour please do let us know.

Phone (Aust): 0437 599 363
Phone (International or WhatsApp): +61 437 599 363

Email: jason@pedalpedal.com.au

Or fill in our enquiries form