Cycle through South Tyrol to Lake Garda

You make your own way to Bolzano, where the journey begins. Bolzano, or Bozen as the city is called in German, is a center for both tourism and trade. The city is bilingual and has long formed the border between the Mediterranean region and Central Europe. Here both Italian and German history and culture meet. While you prepare for tomorrow's adventure, you can take the opportunity to explore the old town center.

Accommodation in Bolzano

We drive you up to the Resia Pass, at 1500 meters above sea level, and there you begin today's cycling stage. The majestic cycle path takes you past Lake Resia and the monastery Montemaria near Silandro. Abbazia di Monte Maria, or Kloster Marienberg as it is called in German, is located 1340 meters above sea level, and the white, castle-like monastery was built in the 12th century. On the ground floor there is a museum where you can learn more about the monastery's history.

Accommodation in Silandro or its surroundings

The tour continues along the Adige river, and goes through fruit orchards and past beautiful landmarks, such as the impressive castle Schloss Dornsberg, or Castel Taranto in Italian. The castle is a medieval fortress that was built in the early 13th century. In the afternoon you arrive at the beautiful city of Merano/Meran. Here almost exactly 50 percent of the population speaks German and 50 percent Italian. Merano is known as the city where the musical Chess takes place.

Accommodation in Merano

Today you cycle on cycle paths and smaller roads, until you reach the confluence of the rivers Isarco and Adige. Along the way you have the chance to admire Europe's largest apple cultivation and in Lana you can even visit an apple museum. The climate in the area is favorable for apple cultivation – it rains enough here, while the area has 300 sunny days a year, and the temperature difference between night and day is good. All this leads to high sugar production in the apples.

In Bolzano, a perfect meeting between Italian and Austrian, we recommend a visit to the exciting Ötzi museum (the iceman).

Accommodation in Bolzano or its surroundings

Today the path goes along the Adige river, alongside fruit orchards and apple cultivations, vineyards and through the villages of Ora, Egna and Salorno. An alternative is to choose the variant via the small but fantastically beautiful Lake Caldaro surrounded by mountains and wine cultivations and with a beautiful old village just above. A bit more hilly but in return you can then shorten today's stage by train if you want.

Along the riverbank you then cycle towards Trento. Trento was originally a Celtic city, but became Roman around 100 BC. Today the city has just over 100,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the Trentino-Alto Adige region. There is the possibility to shorten today's distance by taking the train from one of the many stations along the way.

Accommodation in Trento

It's time for the week's last cycling day! The Adige river takes you to Rovereto, a city with 36,000 inhabitants, which is known for its art museum, with modern and contemporary art. After a bit of uphill to Passo di San Giovanni, you will be able to enjoy a beautiful view over Lake Garda, before you start your well-deserved descent down to the palm trees by Lake Garda's shoreline.

Accommodation at Lake Garda

Free day at Lake Garda, a unique place where mountain traditions meet Mediterranean warmth. The perfect place to end your cycling trip, you can unwind with a dip in the lake or stroll along the small promenades at the lake's northern tip. Don't miss a visit to Riva del Garda, an enchanting town that climbs up the barren cliffs. You can also take the ferry to charming Limone sul Garda or Malcesine.

Accommodation at Lake Garda

Now it's time to say "Arrivederci" – goodbye, to Italy and the surroundings you've traveled through this past week. You eat a final Italian breakfast at the hotel before it's time for departure. Perhaps you have muscle soreness after a week of cycling, but it's hopefully worth it, and you get to return home with new, wonderful memories and experiences in your luggage.