Medieval Mantova to Romantic Verona

Lakes, rivers & vines of northern Italy
 
This self-guided hotel-to-hotel cycling holiday, with luggage transfers, is a treat for Renaissance lovers. The magnificent art and architecture inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Your journey takes in picturesque Lake Garda and the beautiful Sigurtà Gardens (tickets included).
Medieval Mantova to Romantic Verona. 6 nights
Medieval Mantova to Romantic Verona. 6 nights
 

Holiday information

 

A cycling holiday in northern Italy

Cycling right up to Verona’s atmospheric Roman Arena via the iconic, red-brick Scaligero Bridge is just one of many highlights on our journey on two wheels through Lombardy and the Veneto.
Mantova, where your journey begins, is a Renaissance gem. Surrounded by lakes on three sides, the city has hardly changed since the days it sheltered Shakespeare's love-struck hero Romeo, following his exile from Verona. You’ll be equally enchanted by your second stop, Valeggio, whose medieval houses jut out into the river, and your day exploring the magnificent Sigurtà Gardens will be one to remember. 
Let’s not forget the cycling itself, which reveals a wonderful variety of scenery as you journey along the picturesque banks of the River Mincio, around the southern shores of graceful Lake Garda, and through vineyards framed by the pre-Alps to reach Verona.
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 5 8 13 17 22 26 29 28 24 18 11 6
    mm 52 50 61 67 85 86 62 88 64 82 79 53
  • Arrival in Mantova
    Night 1: at Casa Poli or Rechigi Hotel (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of cycling.
  • Out-and-back route from Mantova: 29km
    To help you warm up for the coming days, we suggest a pleasant out-and-back lakeside cycle to the west of Mantova. Passing through the Mincio Nature Reserve and the picturesque village of Grazie, your target is  Rivalta, a small river port from where you can enjoy a short boat excursion.

    Alternatively, you way wish to spend today in Mantova – a compact city that was once ruled over by the powerful Gonzaga family. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its Renaissance architecture, Mantova can easily be explored on foot, so spend your day visiting artistic treasures such as the frescoed Palazzo Ducale (closed Mondays) and Palazzo Te, as well as the 11th-century Rotunda church, then take a boat ride (pay locally) across the lake to see how, from this perspective, the elegant, red-roofed city seemingly floats on the water.
    Out-and-back route from Mantova: 29km
    Take a boat ride to gain a different perspective of Mantova
  • Mantova to Borghetto: 35km
    Leaving Mantova, you skirt its lakes and then turn north through the nature reserve bordering the gently flowing River Mincio. Keep your eyes peeled for herons, egrets and white storks as you cycle. Your target, located due east of Solferino, site of the battle in 1859 which led to the creation of the Red Cross, is Valeggio sul Mincio. This charming village is built beside the river, and some houses jut right into the water. You stay at the Hotel Faccioli in the neighbouring district of Borghetto for two nights.
    Mantova to Borghetto: 35km
    Pause for lunch
  • Circular route from Borghetto: 25km
    While it is tempting simply to potter around the village on your day here, we highly recommend cycling to nearby Sigurtà, an extensive country park referred to as a ‘temple of nature’ due to its extraordinary variety of flowering plants and trees (tickets included). Take your time to pedal along the cycle trail within the estate, where you’ll find plenty of inviting spots for a leisurely picnic, then head out into the Custoza vineyards before looping back to Borghetto.
    Circular route from Borghetto: 25km
    Sigurtà Gardens
  • Borghetto to Verona: 48km
    The River Mincio accompanies you north once more to its source at Peschiera, a bustling town with impressive Venetian fortifications on the shores of Lake Garda. After pausing to explore, you follow a lakeside trail before heading eastwards through vineyards and orchards to join a canal path for the final leg into the very heart of Romeo and Juliet’s city. Arrival at the Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra brings a real sense of achievement. You spend your final two nights in the Hotel Indigo Verona.
    Borghetto to Verona: 48km
    Pass along the shores of Lake Garda
  • Day in Verona
    We include a City Card giving a variety of free entrances and discounts, so you can follow in the star-crossed lovers' footsteps to explore the wealth of Roman monuments – not to mention the wide array of pavement cafés and osterie (wine bars) – which lend this romantic city such charm.
    Take your time to explore charming Verona
 

Accommodation

Your accommodation is as diverse as the settings: a stylish city hotel, a small country hotel, and an Art Nouveau-style hotel in Verona.

In Mantova we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. Both are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation. Wherever you stay in the city, we recommend an extra night to give yourselves more time to explore.
 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 6 nights: 17 April 2024 - 30 June 2024, 01 September 2024 - 31 October 2024, 15 April 2025 - 30 June 2025 & 01 September 2025 - 31 October 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    17 Apr - 20 May 2024 £1195 £300
    21 May - 19 Jun 2024 £1275 £335
    20 - 24 Jun 2024 £1355 £350
    1 - 30 Sep 2024 £1280 £315
    1 - 25 Oct 2024 £1230 £280
    15 Apr - 20 May 2025 £1245 £315
    21 May - 19 Jun 2025 £1330 £350
    20 - 24 Jun 2025 £1410 £365
    1 - 30 Sep 2025 £1335 £330
    1 - 25 Oct 2025 £1280 £295
    3rd & 4th person discount -£150 to -£155
    Single traveller supplement £150 to £160

    Includes accommodation, meals, bike hire, luggage transfers and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Electric bikes available: add £64pp in 2023 or £70pp in 2024

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices for Mantova and Borghetto include an extra day’s hire of a standard bike. If you are upgrading to an e-bike, add a further £16pp per day in 2023 or £18pp in 2024.
    Casa Poli, Mantova (B&B) Double room Single room
    17 Apr - 30 Jun 2024 £155 £223
    01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £155 £223
    15 Apr - 30 Jun 2025 £165 £236
    01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £165 £236
    Hotel Faccioli, Borghetto (B&B) Double room Single room
    17 Apr - 30 Jun 2024 £101 £119
    01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £101 £119
    15 Apr - 30 Jun 2025 £105 £124
    01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £105 £124
    Hotel Indigo Verona, Verona (B&B) Double room Single room
    17 Apr - 11 Jun 2024 £150 £271
    12 Jun - 30 Jun 2024 £205 £390
    01 Sep - 05 Sep 2024 £205 £390
    06 Sep - 20 Sep 2024 £140 £254
    21 Sep - 27 Sep 2024 £220 £415
    28 Sep - 02 Oct 2024 not available not available
    03 Oct - 04 Oct 2024 £220 £415
    05 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £110 £200
    15 Apr - 11 Jun 2025 £160 £290
    12 Jun - 30 Jun 2025 £215 £410
    01 Sep - 05 Sep 2025 £215 £410
    06 Sep - 20 Sep 2025 £150 £269
    21 Sep - 27 Sep 2025 £230 £435
    28 Sep - 02 Oct 2025 not available not available
    03 Oct - 04 Oct 2025 £230 £435
    05 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £114 £208
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Verona or Bologna
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying into Milan.  To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Bologna (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Aberdeen - Bologna (via Paris) Air France 
    Aberdeen - Verona (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Bologna (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Birmingham - Bologna (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Verona jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Birmingham - Verona (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Bologna Ryanair 
    Bristol - Verona jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Verona jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Bologna Ryanair 
    Edinburgh - Bologna (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Edinburgh - Verona easyJet,  jet2 
    Edinburgh - Verona (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Edinburgh - Verona (via Paris CDG) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Bologna (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Glasgow - Verona TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Humberside - Bologna (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Bologna (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Leeds Bradford - Verona jet2 
    Leeds Bradford - Verona (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Bologna easyJet 
    Gatwick - Verona British Airways,  easyJet,  TUI 
    Gatwick - Verona Wizz Air 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Bologna British Airways 
    Heathrow - Bologna (via Düsseldorf) Eurowings 
    Heathrow - Verona British Airways 
    Heathrow - Verona (via Rome Fiumicino) Alitalia 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Bologna Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Bologna Ryanair 
    Stansted - Verona jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Bologna Ryanair 
    Manchester - Bologna (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Verona easyJet,  jet2,  TUI 
    Manchester - Verona (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Verona (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Verona (via Zurich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Bologna (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Verona TUI 
    Newcastle - Verona (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying into Milan.  To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Bologna

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Bologna Centrale to Mantova (2h15) £15-£16 1600
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    rail Verona Porta Nuova to Bologna Centrale (0h55-1h55) £18-£19 1300

    Connecting travel options - flying via Verona

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Verona Porta Nuova to Mantova (0h45) £9 1700
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    own travel arrangements hotel to Verona airport pay locally flexible
What is included
  • 6 nights
  • 6 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • high-quality bicycle
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • Verona city card
  • tickets for Sigurtà Gardens
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Our cycle supplier will provide you with a hybrid bike with 21 gears; a bottle holder; waterproof map case on handlebars; panniers/ saddlebags; puncture-proof tyres; lock; and a repair kit. Electric bikes are available as an upgrade (see price panel), subject to availability, and must be requested at the time of booking. The bike shop also has a limited number of tandems.
  • While we would always recommend that you take your own well-fitting helmet, they can be hired locally for a small fee. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to hire a helmet.
  • Yes, we will provide GPX tracks for this holiday prior to departure so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. (We also provide maps and our tried-and-tested route notes, which remain the principal means of navigation).
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. On mornings when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation so that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our cycling holidays in Europe page.
  • You are responsible for damage to or loss of the rental bike while it is hired to you. Always be careful to lock it up, ideally to an immovable object, and remove all easy-to-steal accessories whenever you leave it unattended.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Italy, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The principal official language is Italian, though some regions have a second official language, such as South Tyrol, where German is widely spoken. The currency is the Euro. Italian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
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