Discovery Italy

Day 1: OLD MILAN, SFORZESCO CASTLE, BRERA DISTRICT, NAVIGLIO GRANDE
Traditional ice cream tasting
Arrival to Milan, welcome by the Discover Italy Now Tour Leader and transfer to 3* Hotel or B & B in air-conditioned buses. Refreshing welcome drink and free time to begin to immerse yourself in the fascinating atmosphere of Milan.
Late afternoon: Together with your Tour Leader and your bike you start exploring the historical Milan: a guided tour of Piazza del Duomo, the magnificent Gothic-Lombard Cathedral and a visit to its terraces, the Baptistery of San Giovanni alla Fonti and visit of the Archaeological site of the Dome Cathedral. You are going to be told the history of the visited monuments.You continue visiting the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery built in an eclectic style typical of the second half of Milan’s nineteenth century , a dear place to all Milanese people and where can be found designer shops, bars and restaurants. A typical macchiato coffee, a delicious cappuccino and a typical Milanese cake must definitely be tasted during a stop in the Gallery.
You continue then towards the charming old Piazza Mercanti, the symbol of the city, created in medieval times, recalling the past.
Sforzesco Castle and the old Brera district, populated by artists and celebrities, are also on the schedule. You are also going to have an ice cream tasting in a famous old gelateria in Milan.

Evening: Dinner at one of the oldest and charming trattoria in the suggestive atmosphere of the ancient vicolo dei Lavandai along Naviglio Grande. You immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of the old canals of Milan and the wide variety of ancient Lombard cuisine: you can choose among many delicious dishes such as “risotto alla Milanese”, cottoletta, mozzarella, tomato and basil with a glass of Barbera, Garda Cabernet or Franciacorta.

Day 2: MILANO - PESCHIERA DEL GARDA by train (bringing the bike on the train) and by bike afterwards: LAZISE, BARDOLINO, GARDA
Local wines tasting
You travel by train to Peschiera del Garda, the most southern point of Lake Garda, in a pleasant and relaxing color contrast between the intense blue of the beautiful lake and lush green of the countryside and surrounding hills.You start then your biking tour, led by the tour leader, to discover the nature of the lake with its secret life, its art and culture, gastronomy and its finest wines in the delightful scenery of villages and towns along the lake.
You are going to cross beautiful olive groves and vineyards, the colored campaign, beautiful squares, churches and ancient bell towers and breathtaking landscapes
PESCHIERA DEL GARDA – LAZISE 9,5 km by bike
Your adventure on the saddle of your bike continues through small hills and narrow streets with slight ups and downs. You are going to be explained the history of the village visiting the beautiful medieval city walls and Sant’Antonio Castle.
Lunch in a local trattoria.
The bike itinerary continues towards Bardolino, in the heart of a famous wine production area.
LAZISE – BARDOLINO 5, 5 km by bike
A stop in Bardolino, located at the foot of the moraine hills, a guided tour and tasting of exceptional wines from Bardolino hills and culinary delights at the local wine cellar, the company F.lli Zeni.
You also visit the ancient Romanesque church of San Severo, the church of San Zeno, Villa Bottagisio with the beautiful park which occupies the northern part of the Bay of Bardolino and Villa San Martino Guerrieri with a beautiful park overlooking the lake where you are going to find remains of an ancient fort
BARDOLINO – GARDA 3,5 km by bike
Your guided bike tour continues among vineyards, hills and dream views reaching Garda with its famous tip of St. Virgilio considered "one of the most romantic and renowned sites of the lake" that deserves a stop.
A visit to the cloister of the church and the historic center of Garda, are also on the schedule.Dinner in a local trattoria tasting the local delicacies.

Evening: Accommodation in 3* Hotel, B & B or Farm house

Day 3: GARDA – TORRI DEL BENACO 7,5 km by bike
The morning starts early continuing the bike tour along a lake basin which suddenly becomes narrow, reaching a minimum width of two kilometers, with no more hilly shores but mountainous... almost as a Nordic fjord landscape.
In its mild climate you are going to visit the Scaligero Castle and the Clock Tower,
After a stop and a refreshment, the bike tour continues towards Malcesine.
TORRI DEL BENACO – MALCESINE 21 km by bike
Through a path all to enjoy, including slightly mountainous areas, country roads, charming old villages you arrive at Malcesine.Lunch in trattoria.Once in Malcesine, you are going to leave your bike and take the cable car and in 10-15 minutes and you reach the summit of Monte Baldo, at 1800 m where is possible to observe the stunning views of Lake Garda from the top.
Here you can immerse yourself in the "Garden of Europe" as it is often called, for the coexistence of many different natural environments and admire the beautiful Lake Garda, the Alps, the Po Valley and the majestic Dolomites.
The flora is rich in species reported as rare and as well as the fauna with the presence of many species of birds: melodious warbler, Sardinian warbler, whitethroat, shrike, black bunting and many other.

Evening: Accommodation in Host Farm. Dinner with typical products of the lake.

Day 4: MALCESINE – RIVA DEL GARDA 18 km by bike
Wine tasting and local gastronomic products
After a rich breakfast, you continue your bike tour to the top of the lake, very close to the Dolomites, crossing rolling hills, vineyards and beautiful views of Lake Garda.After a stop at the Restaurant – “Osteria L’Anzolim” in a corner of Piazza III Novembre, and a lunch with local specialties of mixed grilled fish accompanied by a Pinot Grigio from Trentino and a delicious Crème Brulee as a desert, you walk to “Cantina Frantoio Agraria Riva del Garda” for wine tasting.Later, together with the tour leader, you continue biking to discover the old town of Riva.
Piazza III Novembre is surrounded by '300 century arcades, with the fourteenth century Palace Hall and the Town Hall from the '400.
You will enjoy a wonderful panoramic view on the terrace on top of Apponale Tower, the symbol of Riva, 34 meters high. A steep wooden staircase leads you down below the bells and the view over the rooftops of Riva is really wonderful.A visit of “La Rocca”, the twelfth century fortress on the lake and the Church Inviolata built in baroque style, are also on the schedule
Refreshments at “Osteria Panesalame” where a glass of local wine is going to be accompanied by slices of good salami and local different cheeses.
Late afternoon: your choice: if there is some time left, the tour continues towards Tenno Lake (6 km north) and then Ledro Lake (5 km to the west) or evening of relaxation at the Spa du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort

Evening: Dinner at Restaurant “Cafè Binario” and walk along the beach.
Accommodation in B & B

Day 5: RIVA DEL GARDA – LIMONE SUL GARDA 55 km by bike
You now head southerly along the famous West Gardesana, an attractive spectacular path with many galleries. A wild journey, during which you can admire the powerful amazing views over Lake Garda.
In these areas is still prevalent a Mediterranean landscape. The century-old olive groves, the characteristic lemon groves, oranges, mandarins and the typical Mediterranean vegetation with agaves and oleanders, palms and cypress trees dominate the landscape of Limone sul Garda.An ancient town with a nice corners, Limone sul Garda is highly attended by tourists.
Walks in the old village are also on the schedule.Lunch in a restaurant
LIMONE SUL GARDA – GARGNANO 18 km by bike
Continuing south the environment gradually softens, the lake turns widen, the scenarios are less mountainous and more and more hilly
GARGNANO – GARDONE RIVIERA 12 km by bike
Refreshments and walk along the lake

Evening: Accommodation and dinner at 3* Hotel Du Lac a Gardone Riviera

Day 6: GARDONE RIVIERA – SALO’ 4 km by bike
The morning starts with an easy bike tour towards Salò, an ancient town characterized by a lush Mediterranean vegetation.
You visit the gothic Cathedral and hear everything about its history.
After refreshments you continue to Desenzano

Day 7: DESENZANO – SIRMIONE 9 km by bike
You restart on a flat road that runs along the whole lake to the village of Colombare, where you turn left and bike along a driveway to get to the Castle of Sirmione.
You visit the Castle and the Catullo Caves and continue on the bridge until you get to the entrance of Sirmione.
You continue with a slight ups and downs until you get at Sirmione Spa.Lunch by the lake and the day continues under the sign of well-being and body & mind treatments at Sirmione Spa
SIRMIONE – PESCHIERA DEL GARDA 11 km by bike
Your journey continues to the original point of departure

Evening: Dinner by the lake and accommodation in 3* Hotel, B&B or Farm house
End of your unforgettable biking journey and the program