ON THE ROAD OF THE ANCIENT ROMANS: THE VIA CLAUDIA AUGUSTA

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1 ON THE ROAD OF THE ANCIENT ROMANS: THE VIA CLAUDIA AUGUSTA Mantova Ostiglia Vigasio Veronaa Veneto, Lombardia 5 days/4 nights Easy itinerary (mix bicycle + bus) entirely on plain along the Via Claudia Augusta from Mantua to Verona, passing through the Ostiglia area. It is dedicated to the first part of the ancient consular romanic street, discovering local typical plates: in particular the famous risotto alla pilota. Total length: 107 km. 20 km on Eurovelo8 route In 3 and 4*hotels - guided tour- without portage Self- guided tour on request

2 Day 1 Mantova Arrival in the afternoon in Mantova with your own vehicles. Dinner in hotel and presentation of the program. Overnight. Day 2 Mantova - Ostiglia Length: 33 Km Travel time: about 4 hours (stops and tours not included) Technical notes: route partly on embankment roads and partly on paved bike path with streches on dirt roads In the morning, meet the guide in Piazza Sordello and visit the Museum Complex of Palazzo Ducale, the former residence of the Gonzaga family. Free time for lunch in town. After collecting the bikes, we take the path that runs along the lakes and we head to the Regional Nature Reserve Vallazza ; on our way we pass by the French-Habsburg Fort of Pietole and the Archaeological Park of Forcello, where an Etruscan settlement was found. We reach then Governolo where we can admire the hydraulic works conceived by Gabriele Bertazzolo (17th century). We proceed to the bike lane EuroVelo 8 that runs along the Po in the direction of Sustinente and Serravalle Po to get to Ostiglia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Day 3 Ostiglia - Castel d Ario - Erbè - Vigasio Length: 37 Km Travel time: 4 hours (stops and tours not included) Technical notes: route mostly on low traffic roads

3 Time for breakfast. We start from Ostiglia, where we can visit the Park of the Paludi di Ostiglia (Ostiglia Marshes), the island Isola Boschina and the Shrine of Our Lady of La Comuna, and heading towards the river Tione, we get to Villimpenta, a small town dominated by the Scaligeri castle and surrounded by vast expanses of rice fields. Then we reach Castel d Ario, which is also a typical production area of Mantuan rice. Typical lunch in Castel d Ario. We continue to pedal on the road Claudia Augusta and, passing through the towns of Terre di Masino and Sorgà, we get first to Erbè, where we can stop to visit the Park of the Due Tioni, and then to Vigasio. Dinner and overnight in Vigasio. Day 4 Vigasio - Villafranca - Sommacampagna - Verona Length: 37 Km Travel time: 4 hours (stops and tours not included) Technical notes: route mostly on low traffic roads After breakfast, we leave from Vigasio and take the bike path to reach Villafranca, an ancient fortress owned in medieval time by the Scaligeri family, where we can admire the medieval castle and the Serraglio. We then continue to Povegliano Veronese and Custoza of Sommacampagna, especially known for the Risorgimento battles fought in this town. Free time for lunch in Custoza. The route takes the direction of Sommacampagna, a small town of medieval origin where the Romanesque Church (Pieve) di Sant Andrea still stands. Last stop is the magnificent UNESCO heritage city of Verona, first an important Roman settlement and then a relevant medieval center. Do not miss the Roman amphitheater Arena or the Romanesque Basilica of San Zeno, Piazza delle Erbe and the balcony of Romeo and Juliet, which owes its fame to Shakespeare s play. Dinner and overnight in Verona. Day 5 Verona - Mantova Return to the starting point according to schedule by bus with bicycles transportation. This program is subject to change if necessary

4 What you need to know Period: from April to October. Dates subject to availability of accommodation at the time of booking. Difficulty: Easy. Cycling tourists of all ages, families of adults and/or with children and animals. Where the holiday begins: 1st day in Mantova. Where the holiday ends: 4TH day in Verona before pm. The rental bikes must be restituted during opening hours. Access: Our territory is easy to reach from the nearest north Italian airports (Milan, Verona, Bergamo, Bologna, Venice, Treviso, Parma) with connections by trains and/or bus. That is why itineraries could be accessible by tourists from all over the world. Accommodation: in 3 and 4 stars hotels in double or multiple rooms with private bathroom Meals: the stay is in half board. On request it is possible to have only B&B. Bike rental: the rental is not included. You can either bring your own bike or rent bicycles there. This service is to book in advance, when you register. Formal documents: identity card or valid passport PRICES: - Min. 15 pax. 455,00 - Min. 10 pax. 515,00 - Min. 8 pax. 560,00 Rates include: - Cycling touring guide for the whole period - Touristic guide for park and historical centre visits - Accommodation in hotels/hostel/holiday farms in double or multiple rooms with half board - Typical lunch in Casteldario - Insurance Rates not include: - Bike and helmet rent - Luggages transport - Lunches and beverages - Vistor s stay tax to pay by accommodations - Tips, personal extras and all not indicated in rates include Supplements: - Bike rent. 75,00 for 5 days Bikes 7 speed, 28 inches, resistant rubbers, luggage rack or basket

5 Technical support services on request and with supplement: - bicycle and helmet rental - children and/or animal trailer - baggage transportation - means of transport for participants assistance - transfers from airports roundtrip by car, minibus and bus depending on the number of participants - passages by boat or ferries persons + bicycles - booking of airplane tickets, train tickets, bus, etc. for departure/arrival of the tourists assistance also in foreign language c/o airports, stations etc. Self guided tour rates on request starting from 290,00 per person in B&B Prices are indicatives and may change according to accommodation availability, number of people and seasonality. Packages could be bought on the websites: requests could be reached via e mail at the following addresses: info@ontheroadtravel.it; antonella@ontheroadtravel.it; All packages can be personalized according the specific needs of the costumer.