Travel Guides: Italy Travel Guide: Overview
In Southern Europe—right in the heart of the Mediterranean—lies a boot-shaped country stuffed to the brim with culture, history and fine cuisine.
Biking
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Dolomites Family Bike Tour - Older Teens & 20s
World-Class Routes in Italy & Austria
A surprise awaits on Italy's rooftop: a network of quiet cycling paths for everyone's taste. From Italy to Austria, pedal amid lush valleys and limestone massifs. Connect with local people whose unique traditions enhance your journey. Savor exquisite meals, regional wines and cozy inns and be welcomed like family.
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels*
FROM:
$4,799 pp dbl occ
($1,000 for sgl occ)
Dolomites Biking map
Italy & Austria
Start/End Bolzano
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Uncover the colorful history, culture and friendly denizens of Italy and Austria's celebrated alpine region
- Ride with your family through storybook villages and green valleys framed by magnificent limestone peaks
- Discover bike paths past meadows strewn with wildflowers and filled with local farmers tending the rich soil
- Feel at home in luxurious family-run hotels and indulge post-ride in some of the finest alpine cuisine
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Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Welcome to South Tyrol, home to a captivating mix of Italian, Austrian and Tyrolean cultures | Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Most residents speak German in this sublime region | Dive into the spectacular Dolomites World Heritage site as you embark on a pleasant riverside ride past orchards, vineyards and castles | Pista ciclabile in Italy, Radweg in Austria—whatever you call it, this bike path is idyllic! | Descend through the Venosta Valley, flanked by the jagged peaks of the Ortles and Ötztal Mountains.
Schenna Hotel Resort
Merano
| Premiere Hotel Admire the stunning mountain views from the expansive sun terrace of this modern chalet-style hotel. (pool, spa)
Day 3
Meadows, woodland and quiet hamlets set the stage for today's ride along the Rienza River | A haven of tranquility, the Aurina Valley greets your family with a few short hills and delights with majestic vistas of the Zillertal range's snow-covered peaks | Soak up the scene of fairy-tale forests, barns and locals hand-cutting their lawns with traditional wooden scythes | Discover wonderful regional wines, including Vernatsch, Lagrein and Gewürztraminer | Taste delectable mountain specialties—polenta, funghi, local cheese, canederli and apple strudel.
Hotel Petrus
Bruncio
| *Casual Plus Hotel A chic minimalist retreat run by three sisters and two generations, this hotel's incredible mountain setting and elegant Swiss pine accents make a stay here feel like a true escape. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
Behold hidden valleys and storybook villages framed by magnificent limestone peaks | Following peaceful cycling routes, make your way through the countryside to Lienz, Austria, a charming cobbled town ringed by jagged spires | Spin along a picture-perfect route through a forested valley nestled among the Alps | Savor the bounty of an alpine picnic in cozy Matrei | Back in Lienz, celebrate an unforgettable week of biking with family over a festive farewell dinner | Ride into the Drava River valley before saying Auf Wiedersehen to South Tyrol.
Grand Hotel Lienz
Lienz
| Premiere Hotel Framed by the Dolomites and Austria's highest peaks, this lavish new hotel epitomizes "sustainable luxury" with its utilization of solar and geothermal energy. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
- 2021
- Jan
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Activity Level: 1-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do. LEARN MORE.
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
NEW! Electric-Assist Bike
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Carbon Bike
Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS. Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package—it’s built for hard-core riders.
$400 rental fee
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Tandem Bike
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Shuttle Time
In order to access the most scenic biking routes and significant points of interest on this trip, strategic shuttles are incorporated into several days of our itinerary. Most will be limited to an hour or so at a time, but on some days you can expect to spend a bit more time in the van. Rest assured that we have planned our itinerary to make the most of our time in this spectacular area. So sit back and relax, knowing that someone else is doing the driving, and enjoy the beauty of the journey.
Air-Conditioning
Grand Hotel Lienz is a Premiere Hotel. While it offers outstanding service and amenities, please note that it is not equipped with air-conditioning. Despite the region's generally temperate climate and cool nights, guestrooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
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