At the southern most tip of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, lies the cultural hub of Peschiera del Garda. A city contained within the walls of a formidable fortress, it is completely surrounded by water and steeped in rich history, providing the perfect base from where this cycling holiday ventures out daily into the many virtues of its surrounding cities, towns and landscapes.

With cycling excursions on all but one of your days, picturesque towns and thriving cities alike have been carefully hand picked to give you an intriguing and diverse insight into the history of this infamous region. From Desenzano – with stunning views of the Alps and a series of interconnected piazze at the heart of the city – to Verona – One of Italy’s most beautiful cities and setting for Shakespeare’s most famous love story, Romeo and Juliet – there’s culture by the bucket load as you explore a region known for its impeccable cycle routes.

Pedalling your way through bounteous fruit plantations and lavish vineyards, alongside rushing rivers and down Italy’s most famous cycle paths, this cycling holiday provides a chance to behold nature at its finest, whilst witnessing just some of Italy’s outstanding architectural achievements of which this region lays claim.

Day 1: Arrival in Peschiera del Garda

Arriving in Peschiera, you certainly won’t be disappointed by the views. Stroll around the town’s 16th century island fortress for an insight into a time when Austria controlled the region. Having explored the local history, relax in one of the towns many outdoor bars over a chilled glass of Lugana, a delicious local white wine.

Day 2: Peschiera round tour: 40km

Your first outing sees you head for the historic town of Solferino, the site where a united Italy was born after the famous battle that ended the Second War of Independence. A picturesque route takes you through luscious fruit plantations and the vineyards of the Lugana white wine, a fresh and fruity still wine made from the famous Trebbiano grape.

Day 3: Peschiera del Garda – Desenzano del Garda: 45km

Cycling westwards and just south of the Lake’s southern edge, today you’ll ride to Desenzano. A hotspot for the Veneto elite, in the afternoon you’ll be taken on a magical tour of the sweet Morianic hills. For those of you looking for a more relaxing way to spend your time, the city centre is interconnected by a series of thriving piazze, the perfect place to while away the hours before heading back to Peschiera by train for your overnight stay.

Day 4: Garda round tour: ferry plus 35km

Today you’ll get a ferry ride from Peschiera to Garda, the town which gave this captivating lake its name. From Garda you will cycle among the hills and hamlets that surround the lake on the south east coast towards Bardolino, a village famous for the red wine it produces. After a stop off for a bit to eat washed down with a glass of local red, you continue south admiring the lake to your right, all the way back to Peschiera. 

Day 5: Peschiera del Garda – Verona round tour: 45km

Pedalling hard in anticipation, today you’ll cycle to the beautiful city of Verona. A UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, it’s no wonder Shakespeare chose it as the setting for his most famous love story, Romeo and Juliet. Amongst the unbelievable architecture lie the Roman Arena, the sensational Church of San Zeno and, of course, Juliet’s House, all of which are highly recommended but by no means all of what Verona has to offer. Transfer by train takes you back to Peschiera for your overnight stay.

Day 6: Peschiera del Garda – Borghetto/Custoza round tour: 45km

Today’s stage runs along a route widely regarded as Italy’s most famous cycle path. From Lake Garda you head south through the Regional Nature Park of the river Mincio until you reach Borghetto, widely considered to be one of the “most beautiful hamlets in Italy”. From here you can visit Valeggio, famous for tortellini and the Sigurta Park. After a quick stop here you will wind through the hills to Custoza, a battle ground during the Third Italian War of Independence in 1866, and now more cheerfully famed for the Bianco di Custoza wine. Let’s just call today’s trip the ‘scenic route’.

Day 7: Peschiera del Garda – Departure

Today brings with it the end of your tour. However, it is possible to book extra nights in Peschiera or extend your tour by combining it with one of the following: Venice – Mantua or Mantua – Venice. Buon viaggio!