FROM THE DOLOMITES TO VENICE ON THE ROUTE OF THE OLD DOLOMITES RAILWAY TO VENICE

Transcription

1 BICYCLE HOLIDAY FROM THE DOLOMITES TO VENICE ON THE ROUTE OF THE OLD DOLOMITES RAILWAY TO VENICE (approx km; 08 days / 07 nights; self-guided tour) Description From the north east of the Dolomites, you cycle through the Höhlenstein Valley passing by the famous Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks), and onto the Olympic town of Cortina d Ampezzo. Following the old railway track you continue to Pieve di Cadore, the birth town of Titian. After a short transfer through the valley of the ice cream makers, you will reach Ponte nelle Alpi ( Bridge in the Alps ) and then onto Belluno nestling in the Dolomites. The tour takes you on to Bassano del Grappa where the countryside starts to level out. After a short visit to the town of Asolo you carry onto Treviso. Following the River Sile, you finally reach Mestre Venice. Characteristics of the route Easy touring. The first two days you mainly follow the old Dolomites railway track. From the third day, the tour encounters slight ascents and descents on quite side roads through idyllic landscape and typical Italian villages until reaching the plains on the last day. The tour is suitable for children from the age of 14. 1

2 Highlights and places of interest along the route Cycling path along the old Dolomites railway track The Dolomites with a view of the famous Drei Zinnen Three Peaks Cortina d Ampezzo, the pearl of the Dolomites Pieve di Cadore, the birth town of Titian Belluno Feltre Bassano del Grappa Asolo Treviso Lagoon city of Venice A day by day account of the route Day 1: Arrival in Hochpustertal (Niederdorf/Toblach) Individual arrival at the hotel in Hochpustertal. Car park near the hotel is included in the price. Day 2: Hochpustertal Cortina d Ampezzo (approx km) From Niederdorf/Toblach you start on the bike path into the Höhlenstein Valley, past Lake Toblach and the war cemetery. This area was used as the front during the 1st World War. You carry on past Lake Landro (on the left you can see the famous Drei Zinnen ); the cycle path ascends slightly before you get to the border - "Gemärk - Cimabanche" - of the region South Tyrol and the region of the Veneto. From here you cycle down into the valley, which opens up before entering towards the south, before arriving in Cortina. Day 3: Cortina d Ampezzo Belluno (approx. 55 km to the train station of Longarone + transfer to Belluno or approx. 75 km) Today the path is steady going slight downward, for the most part on the old railway track; you will see the Sorapis on the left and located on the right the Fünf Türme - Cinque Torri (Five Towers). You continue on to the south through the Boite Valley towards Pieve/Calalzo. From here the new cycling path takes xou to Longarone. This town was completely rebuilt in 1963 after a landslide filled the dam above the village and caused a flood. From Longarone you can take a transfer to Belluno (included in the price). It is also possible to cycle from Longarone to Belluno. Day 4: Belluno - Feltre (approx. 40 km) From Belluno, the small capital of this province, the tour follows tree lined avenues and hilly landscape until the end of this day in Feltre. During the day you come along small and scenic villages. In the North your see the magnificent southern Dolomites, your accompanist in the first stages. 2

3 Day 5: Feltre Bassano del Grappa (approx. 55 km) The first kilometres you cycle easily before you descend to the Brenta Valley. Where the river Brenta joins the plains, lies the town of Bassano del Grappa. The name of the town comes from Mount Monte Grappa. Upon arrival you can enjoy a well-earned Grappa. There are many places of interest to visit in the town such as San Francesco, the "Museo Civico" (Museum) or the Piazza della Libertà. Day 6: Bassano del Grappa Treviso (approx. 55 km) On leaving the Dolomitic Alps, you occasionally see various villas designed by the renowned architect Palladio. The town of Asolo is ideal for a rest before continuing along to the plains to Treviso, the town of the water striders. Along the canals there are many wonderful houses and shops to admire. This is a centre for Italian fashion. Day 7: Treviso Venice (mainland) (approx. 45 km) Following the River Sile, you cycle towards the Adriatic Sea straight to Venice (mainland) where the impressive Serenissima can be admired. Day 8: Departure Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay. Starting dates 2016; self-guided tour: Arrival every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 30/04/2016 (first available date) to 24/09/2016 (last available date) Minimum number of participants: 2 With a minimum of 5 persons we can organize a start of a tour on every other day (only on request and depending on the availability) Inclusive services; self-guided tour: Accommodation in hotels - 3*** and a 4****star category Breakfast buffet or full breakfast Personal tour information Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel Traintickets from Longarone to Belluno Well planned routes Detailed documents (maps, route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers) Telephone service hotline for during the entire tour Free parking in the Alta Pusteria 3

4 General information: Classification of the cycle-tour: self-guided tour Duration: 08 days / 07 nights Distance: Approx km Accommodation: Hotels - 3*** or 4****star category Attention: Tourist tax if requested has to be paid on the spot. Starting point: Hochpustertal - Pusteria Valley (Toblach or Niederdorf) Arrival: By car: By car on the Brenner motorway (A22) to Brixen/Bressanone take the exit Franzensfeste, Pustertal then through the Pusteria Valley (SS49) to Niederdorf or Toblach, depending on the location of your hotel or Drive along the Felbertauernstraße to Lienz in Eastern Tyrol (Austria) and then further into Italy through the Pusteria Valley to Toblach or Niederdorf depending on the location of your hotel. By train: Take the train from Innsbruck over the Brenner/Brennero to Franzensfeste. Change trains for the Pusteria Valley/Lienz and get off either at Niederdorf or Toblach depending on the location of your hotel. By plane: Low cost flights are available to Sant Angelo - Antonio Canova airport in Treviso and to the Marco Polo airport in Venice which offer an excellent airport shuttle to and from Mestre / Marghera. Upon request, we even organize transfers from the airport to the starting point of the cycle tour. 4

5 Parking: Free unattended parking facilities included for the duration of the bicycle tour at the hotel of your arrival or at the public parking area. Transfer: Return-transfer by shuttle-bus every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from Venice mainland to Pusteria Valley (Toblach/Niederdorf) at a cost of 59,00 per person, including bicycle (payable in advance); a reservation is necessary as there are limited places. Minimum number of participants: 4 persons. Alternative: Cortina Express: Departure two times a day from Mestre train station and Venice airport to Cortina and Toblach at the cost of approx. 27,00 35,00 per person (It s recommended to reserve tickets in advance). ATVO: from Mestre train station to Cortina at the cost of approx. 13,00 per person Connection to Toblach/Dobbiaco or Niederdorf/Villabassa. Rental bikes: 21-gear women's or men's bicycle 7-gear unisex bicycle with back pedal (on request, limited availability) Electro bike (unisex bike, on request, limited availability) Information material available in: German English 5

6 Bicycle holiday "From the Dolomites to Venice" Prices Prices 2016 self-guided tour Package price per person in a double room with breakfast - arrival date 30/04 and 24/09/ ,00 Package price per person in a double room with breakfast - arrival date on W ednesday and Thursday 662,00 Package price per person in a double room with breakfast 679,00 Single room surcharge per person and w eek 139,00 High season* surcharge per person and w eek 49,00 Additional services Rental bike 75,00 Electro bike 160,00 **Additional nights in Pusteria Valley (Niederdorf/Toblach); Hotel 3***stars Per person and night, double room w ith breakfast from 49,00 Single room surcharge per person and night, with breakfast 12,00 Additional nights in Venice (mainland); Hotel 4****stars Per person and night, double room w ith breakfast 61,00 Single room surcharge per person and night, with breakfast 23,00 * High season: from 25/06/2016 to 10/09/2016 (included) ** Prices for additional nights in Pusteria Valley (Niederdorf/Toblach) during the high season from 25/06/2016 to 10/09/2016 (included) are available on request. 6