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 - 20s & Beyond
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 family's journey. Savor exquisite meals, regional wines and cozy inns and be welcomed like family.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels*
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
- Bike 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 you 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 | Ride 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 | Bike 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
- Apr
Available to book
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Activity Level: 1-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Daily Route Options
What's 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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