Itinerary

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart US/Fly overnight to Pisa

Depart from the U.S. for Italy. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Arrive in Pisa/Begin your Trip Extension

You arrive at the airport in Pisa, Italy, where a VBT representative meets you and helps you transfer (approximately 1 hour) to your centrally located hotel in Portovenere. The transfer company offers an optional detour to Pisa, at your expenses, to see the famous leaning tower. At the hotel, you receive a City Information Package to help guide your independent stay in this unique city. The rest of the day is free to discover and dine on your own.

Day 1 of AIR PACKAGE Depart US/Fly overnight to Pisa

Depart from the U.S. for Italy. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 3 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Portovenere - Cinque Terre

Today, explore the ancient village of Portovenere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Cinque Terre. Discover the colorful fishermen's houses on the harbor, and walk though the stone arch of the main street to St. Peter and San Lorenzo Church.
Ferry across the short stretch of sea to Palmaria Island, to walk the trails or find a beach for a swim in the blue waters. Or maybe discover the Tuscan walled city of Lucca. The options are many!

Day 2 of AIR PACKAGE Arrive in Portovenere - Cinque Terre

You arrive at the airport in Pisa, Italy, where a VBT representative meets you and helps you transfer (approximately 1 hour) to your centrally located hotel in Portovenere. The transfer company offers an optional detour to Pisa, at your expenses, to see the famous leaning tower. At the hotel, you receive a City Information Package to help guide your independent stay in this unique city. The rest of the day is free to discover and dine on your own.

Please note: If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 1 p.m. You may store your luggage with the Reception Desk.

Please note: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you fly in earlier than the scheduled program dates, transportation from the airport will be at your own expense.

You have the rest of the day free to discover picturesque Portovenere, stroll along the main cobblestone street to the ancient castle and church of Saint Peter, and dine on your own at one of the cozy restaurants on the harbor.

Day 4 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent Exploration of Portovenere/Begin Main Tour

Continue your exploration of the region. A 20-minute ride takes you to Riomaggiore, the first of the Cinque Terre (or five towns), where you can walk the popular, scenic and easy Via dell'Amore path cut on the cliffs. In Manarola, continue sightseeing at your own pace and as you wish -- by train, by ferry or on foot on the steep trails. You can cover more area and continue further east by train to Portofino to discover the beauty of the coast and bays.

Day 1 of BIKE TOUR Meet Trip Leaders/Warm-up ride/Welcome reception

VBT No-Air Package guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at 2 p.m. in the lobby of our first hotel (Hotel Locanda del Lupo, Via Garibaldi 64, SORAGNA (PR), Phone - +39 0524 597100).

To get to the hotel, take a train to Parma or Fidenza, then a taxi to Soragna. A taxi is about 40 – 50 Euros/$60 - $75 USD. If your arrival at the hotel is scheduled later than 2 p.m., or if you are delayed, please contact the hotel, to advise of the delay, and the staff will pass your message along to your VBT Trip Leaders. In the event of delays or other problems with your arrival, please see page 3 of “For Travel-Related Emergencies.” VBT highly recommends flying to Italy at least one day before the tour begins. This allows you to rest and recover from jet lag before you begin sightseeing and cycling.

VBT Air Package and Pre-Extension guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at 12:00 noon in the main lobby; they will be wearing VBT staff garments.

Please plan to eat lunch before you meet your tour leaders. From Portovenere, a private motorcoach will take guests to Soragna. The transfer will last less than two hours and will make a short stop on the way. It is exclusively reserved for VBT Air Package and Pre-Extension guests.

Early this afternoon we settle in our historical inn, Locanda del Lupo in Soragna. This inn was built in the 18th century by the Princes Meli Lupi, whose descendant still lives in the nearby palace. The inn is decorated with antique furniture and paintings from the 17th-century Italian School, stone fireplaces, a pendulum clock and old copperware. You will be captivated by the elegance and hospitality of this hotel, run by the family Dioni.

Later, our VBT Trip Leaders will hold a safety and bike-fitting session, followed by a warm-up ride along the quiet country roads of the Po River Valley to Fontanellato, famous for its 15th-century castle surrounded by a moat.

Tonight, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception on the hotel patio. You'll enjoy home-made crostini con salsiccia, along with Parmesan cheese wedges and white Malvasia wine, both produced locally. Dinner this evening, enhanced by silverware and fine china, is at the hotel restaurant.

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Roncole and Busseto

After breakfast we ride to Roncole and Busseto, where composer Giuseppe Verdi was born and lived.

In Roncole you can stop to visit his birthplace (now a museum, closed on Mondays), and see the organ in the Church of San Michele where he trained himself as a young boy.

Further along our ride, in Busseto, we stop at the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi, certainly not a favorite venue of Verdi's, but rather named on his behalf. Here we are introduced to Verdi, and get a sense of his significance in the history of opera and in Italy.

We are riding in farmland today. At today's included lunch we'll taste some of the regions bounty. Our leaders prepare our picnic along the banks of the Po.

Back in Soragna, we may have time to explore and relax. A visit to the Rocca Meli Lupi de Soragna is highly recommended. The simple exterior defies the grandness found inside. Perhaps you will spot the present Prince Diofebo returning from a bike ride. Dinner tonight is on our own with some nice options within an easy stroll of the inn.

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR Cycle on bike paths to Colorno/Visit Sabbioneta

After breakfast, we visit the nearby Parmesan cheese factory, where we learn the natural method of maturation of this famous cheese, originally created in this province 700 years ago. We'll observe a casara (dairy maid) at work, learn about the moulds and stamps, and marvel at row upon row of cheeses aging quietly on shelves.

At the end of this mouth-watering visit, we'll taste delicious samples of vecchio (aged 18 to 24 months) and stravecchio (aged 24 to 36 months). The factory shops sell vacuum-sealed Parmesan cheese wedges and a wide selection of cured meats typical of the region, including Culatello, strollini and salame felino.

For most of today, we'll follow bike paths along the Taro and Po rivers. In Colorno, we stop by the imposing ducal palace Reggia di Colorno, and discover why it is also known as the “Italian Versailles.”

The palace passed from one aristocratic family to another, finally become the home of Phillip of Borbone, who engaged the French architect Alexandre Petitot to redesign the complex to mirror the Palace of Versailles, in honor of his French wife Luisa Elisabetta.

Adjacent to the palace are its beautiful French gardens, the perfect setting for a picnic.. Options for lunch on your own include shopping the local outdoor market and casual restaurants along the town square.

Early this afternoon a short optional ride and shuttle will take us to Sabbioneta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is completely surrounded by high medieval walls. We'll join a local guide for an overview of its unique architecture and layout. This historic gem is known as the “ideal town” of the 16th century thanks to its intact Renaissance street network.

Later, we arrive at Villa dei Tigli, where a landscaped garden and large swimming pool lure us into relaxation. We dine at the inn's fine restaurant for dinner.

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR - DISCOVERY DAY! Cycle along the Mincio River to Mantua, UNESCO HERITAGE SITE

After breakfast, we set out on quiet country roads then follow a scenic and peaceful bike path along the Mincio River, its canals, and Mantua's three artificial lakes created in the 12th century. Our path leads us into the city center of Mantua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and city of Romeo's exile in Shakespeare's timeless play. After lunch on your own, we visit the ducal palace and its amazing Wedding Chamber frescoes by Andrea Mantegna.

You may recognize a very famous fresco representing an opening of the sky in the ceiling, a sort of prototype of trompe-l'oeil.

Accompany our guide on a more detailed walking tour, if you want to learn more about the history of the town, or browse the inviting fashion boutiques and cafés, or bike back to our hotel. Perhaps you'll indulge in the typical torta sbrisolona (a crumbly cake) or pumpkin-filled tortellini.

Dinner tonight is at the hotel where we taste a house specialies.

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Borghetto, Lazise on Lake Garda

Today, we follow lovely back roads through Mantua's lower “Rice Route,” where the cultivation of grain thrives. Then, a beautifully scenic bike path leads us north toward Lake Garda and Verona. At the picturesque village of Boschetto (defined one of the 100 quaintest villages of Italy), where we stop for lunch on own, cross the Mincio River over the car-free, brick Visconti Bridge and arrive in historic Valeggio. These low hills south of Verona are blanketed with lush vineyards. You can continue along the gentle rolling slopes of Custoza, famous for the fizzy white Bianco di Custoza wine, all the way to the hotel, or get a van shuttle

Later we reach Villa Quaranta, a 16th-century estate and one of the most enchanting villas in the Valpolicella Classico area now turned into a hotel & restaurant. You might indulge in the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna and massage rooms as the Villa hosts also one of the largest and most modern spas in Italy.
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gym, sauna, massage rooms and a long list of treatments can be enjoyed here and booked previously in the week.

Dinner is served in the villa's Borgo Antico restaurant. The kitchen team includes six chefs, each skilled in his own area. Our tables are elegantly set in one of the beautifully frescoed rooms.

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Verona/Garda Lake

After breakfast, we cycle the country roads and bike paths along the Adige River and into the delightful city of Verona. Be awed by the Roman Arena, site of the annual opera festival from mid-June to the end of August (http://www.arena.it/en-US/HOMEen.html).

The entire city has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a favorite for history buffs and shoppers alike. We've created some options today and offer a mid-afternoon shuttle back to the hotel for those that would prefer to use their time to explore Verona. You may also ride back to the hotel.

You may want to go for a swim on your return to the hotel. In the early evening we share a wine tasting and an introduction to some of local favorites. Then we celebrate our week with a farewell dinner featuring local specialties.

Day 7 of BIKE TOUR Transfer to Bellagio and Lake Como/Free time/VBT No-Air Package ends

VBT No-Air Package guests: your tour ends at the last hotel, after breakfast. You can take a taxi on your own to the Verona train station or airport to continue on to many Italian or European cities. Taxi to Verona train station or Verona airport costs approx. 35 euro/$50 USD and the ride is about 20 minutes.

VBT Air Package guests: After breakfast, transfer by private motor coach to our hotel in Bellagio for your final overnight stay. The transfer will last approximately 3 hours and will make a short stop on the way. It is exclusively reserved for VBT Air Package and Pre-Extension guests. You have the rest of the day to visit or relax on Lake Como.

If you have chosen the independent Post-Trip extension to Bellagio, you remain at this hotel for the three nights. When you arrive today, you receive a city information package that includes maps and recommendations for restaurants and sightseeing in Bellagio and surroundings while you explore on your own. It also describes beautiful walks that you may take in the area.

Day 8 of AIR PACKAGE Depart for U.S.

This morning, transfer to the Milan - Malpensa Airport for your flight back to the U.S. VBT recommends that you check the transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder” the night before your flight. The transfer is prearranged with the reception desk and is prepaid by VBT.

Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

Please note: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Day 1 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Continue your extension in Bellagio

If you have chosen the optional Post-Trip Extension, you have another two days on Lake Como. You might enjoy a stroll to the pure-white Villa Melzi, with its rare and exotic plants. It's not far from your hotel. And consider visiting beautiful Villa Serbelloni, cared for by the Rockefeller Foundation. There are always plenty of antique and craft shops to browse in, too.

Day 2 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Bellagio and Como Lake

Continue the exploration of Bellagio and Como Lake. If you like, you may cross Lake Como to the Italian gardens and museums of Villa Carlotta, and the magnificent, ivy-covered Villa del Balbianello. Or venture further afield to the Madonna del Ghisallo church and the cycling museum, dedicated to the history of the sport.

Day 3 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Depart for the U.S

This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight home. VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” The transfer is prearranged with the reception desk and is prepaid by VBT.

Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

Please note: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Italy: Po River Valley and Lake Garda 2010

Pre and Post Trip Extensions

Pre-Trip Extension

Portovenere & Cinque Terre - 2010 - 2 nights for only $245

Our hotel is located in the coastal village of Portovenere, on the Ligurian Sea. Portovenere is a picturesque fishing village set on the promontory of the “Bay of Poets” opposite the green Palmaria Island. Since the 12th century it has been an example of a perfect blend between nature and architecture, with colorful fishermen’s houses lined along the little harbor and promenade, and terraces carved out upon the steep side of the mountain.
San Peter’s Church, on the far end of the small peninsula, dominates the rocks with its black and white stripes, close to the castle. Portovenere is linked by a scenic 20-minute ferry ride to one of the most popular corners of the Ligurian Riviera, Cinque Terre. This is a paradise between two promontories with five small villages built on the cliff. Riomaggiore is the easternmost village, where the famous Via dell’Amore (an easy 20-minute walk) starts. Carved on a cliff overlooking the sea, it takes you to Manarola. From there, a scenic hike continues high up on the cliffs to the next villages, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. This unique landscape of sea, rugged coastline, stairs of stone, roman-style Churches, little harbors and the warm colors of small houses now comprise a National Park and a Protected Marine Area, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

Available only with the Air Inclusive Package.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $95.

Post-Trip Extension

Bellagio - 2010 - 2 nights for only $245

Bellagio is the gem of Como Lake, famous for its position on the extreme point of the promontory, with the top of the Alps as background.

The beauty of nature is breathtaking here. And this delightful village welcomes guests with its perfectly preserved architectural treasures, surrounded by the blue water of the lake. Villas and manicured gardens still decorate the lower slopes of the green mountains, as it was in the past when famous guests (Presidents Kennedy and Roosevelt, Al Pacino, Clark Gable) came here to relax. Our hotels, Hotel Du Lac and Hotel Excelsior Splendide are in the heart of this charming “Pearl of the Lake,” the perfect spot to enjoy a stroll or a gelato, a few steps from the ferry connecting Bellagio with the other small towns of the lake.

One of most popular sightseeing activities in Bellagio is visiting gardens -- Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni are just a stroll from our hotel, and Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello are across the lake. Scenic, accessible walks connect the most beautiful places of Lake Como. Another popular visit not far from Bellagio is the Madonna del Ghisallo church and a cycling museum dedicated to the champions of cycling and the history of bicycle.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $95.

Accommodations

Hotel Royal Sporting

Recommended by international and national guidebooks for its distinctive hospitality and services, this property belongs to the renowned hotel chain called "Charm and Relax". It offers a swimming pool with purified sea water, large solarium (sun beds and one towel included). The hotel is located right on the sea, a pleasant half-mile walk from the harbor and the ferry to Cinque Terre.

Locanda del Lupo

Originally built in 1783, Locanda Del Lupo has been thoroughly restored and renovated, while preserving the appearance of the original structure. The atmosphere is enriched by authentic, period furniture in a setting both refined and comfortable. Each of the 46 rooms offers stylish décor and all of the modern comforts.

Villa Dei Tigli

Built in the early 1900s, Villa dei Tigli Hotel is a charming property surrounded by centuries-old trees. It offers a restaurant, wellness center, swimming pool and tennis courts.

Hotel Corte Valier

Hotel Corte Valier is a new hotel (opened March 2010) sitting directly on the shores of Lake Garda. The hotel features a bold, modern design with wide-open views of the lake from every room. The Laguna Spa offers a Turkish bath, a Mediterranean sauna, fitness area, and treatment rooms.

Hotel Du Lac

Hotel du Lac is the ideal place to discover the charming atmosphere of the lake. The Hotel is located in the town centre, overlooking the picturesque boat landing, with its bar tables placed under an old portico, a roof terrace with one of the best views of the lake and the top of the mountains. The swimming pool of its sister property Hotel Sporting is available for VBT guests, who can reach it with a complementary short shuttle provided by the hotel.

Rating Level

Easy

This tour offers easy terrain throughout and is ideal for beginning cyclists. Two exciting afternoon rides on easy/moderate terrain offer fun to more avid bikers. Our VBT support shuttle is always available for those who need assistance with hills.