Austria to Lake Garda and Verona

Arrive into Innsbruck at your leisure and check into your hotel in the city centre. Innsbruck is compact and easy to explore on foot, so if you arrive with time you can wander the medieval Altstadt, see the famous Golden Roof and take in the dramatic views of Nordkette mountain range that flank the city. There are plenty of cafés and wine bars where you can sample Tyrolean specialities such as speck and dumplings or try a regional apple strudel.

This first evening is intentionally relaxed. You will meet your group, your tour leader and the local support team for an orientation meeting where the week ahead will be explained, daily routes, luggage transfer, bike briefings and any safety notes. This is the moment to confirm bike set-ups, try any rental e-bike if required and ask questions about luggage, train options and tailoring shorter or longer routes. A welcome dinner together gives you a chance to get to know fellow riders and to enjoy a leisurely introduction to alpine cuisine. Pack light for tomorrow but bring layers, alpine weather can change quickly even in summer.

Your cycling holiday begins with a short minivan transfer to the Brenner Pass, 1,372 metres above sea level. For centuries, this has been one of the most important routes linking the North Sea to the Italian peninsula, and since 1919 it has marked the border between Austria and Italy. From here, follow the Isarco Valley bike path through pretty villages and green meadows until you reach Vipiteno, a town of Roman origin and capital of the valley. Vipiteno is also known for its cooperative dairy, which produces milk, butter, and yogurt of exceptional quality.

Before reaching today’s destination, Bressanone, it is worth making a short detour to Neustift Abbey. Founded in 1142 by Bishop Hartmann, this Augustinian monastery grew into a major cultural and spiritual centre of the Tyrol. Its architecture blends Romanesque and Baroque elements, and its winery is one of the oldest still in operation today. If time allows, pause to explore and perhaps sample a glass of its wine.

Bressanone, considered the oldest city in the Tyrol, combines mountain landscapes with historic streets, creating a balance of culture, nature, and sport. Before you set off, take a moment to admire the Baroque cathedral and its Romanesque cloister, decorated with medieval frescoes.

On the ride, stop at the Sabiona Monastery, perched above the town of Klausen. Known as the spiritual heart of the Tyrol, it is one of the oldest Christian sites in the Alpine region. From here, continue along the valley to Bolzano, where cobbled streets, colourful houses, and a lively town centre await. A historic crossroads between the Mediterranean and Central Europe, Bolzano today is a vibrant city where tradition and innovation sit comfortably side by side.

Set out along the Adige River bike path, passing through the renowned vineyards of the South Tyrolean Wine Road, one of the oldest wine routes in Italy. Covering more than 10,000 acres of vineyards, this route produces both internationally acclaimed wines and local grape varieties. You can choose between a hilly option that takes you past Lake Kaltern or the flatter path that follows the river. Whichever you decide, the ride ends in Trento, where frescoed palaces line the streets of the old town. Guarding the city is Buonconsiglio Castle, dating back to the 13th century, from which you can enjoy sweeping views across Trento and the valley below.

Shorten the stage: You can shorten the ride by taking the train to Trento from Ora, Egna, Salorno, or Mezzocorona. Trains also run from Grumo-San Michele all’Adige (Malè–Trento line).

Continue along the Adige to Rovereto, a lively town best known for its MART Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. From here, leave the valley behind and climb gently to Passo di San Giovanni before enjoying a thrilling descent with panoramic views of Lake Garda and the town of Torbole. At Riva del Garda, board the ferry for a scenic four-and-a-half-hour journey across Italy’s largest lake, arriving at Peschiera on the southern shore.

This morning you leave Peschiera and start a gentle ride across the rolling, vineyard-dotted countryside that surrounds the southern Garda basin. The route alternates between quiet country lanes and riverside paths as you reconnect with the Adige. The riding is generally easy, with some short undulations through agricultural land and classic Veneto villages where you can pause for cicchetti and coffee.

As you approach Verona the scenery becomes increasingly historic: Roman architecture, fortified bridges and long-established villas line the final kilometres. Entering Verona requires care, some sections pass through busier roads and urban approaches, so the guide will advise on the safest line into the city. Once in Verona, lock your bikes and step into a different tempo: the Roman Arena dominates the piazza and is the living stage for opera in summer, while Juliet’s House and the Basilica of San Zeno invite exploration of the city’s layered history. This is a day for soaking up culture after a week of varied riding. Breakfast included.