Prosecco Hills Self-Guided Bike Tour

This morning savor your first exquisite breakfast at Villa Cipriani and get ready for a fantastic tour through the rolling hills of Prosecco, where the cultivation of vines is almost a religion. The breathtaking panorama of the snow-covered Alps will provide a stunning backdrop to today's ride. After crossing the Piave River, you will notice how the Prosecco vineyards dominate on the surrounding steep hillsides. The riding terrain becomes hilly, with short but steep ascents, yet the panoramas will make all your efforts worthwhile. If you feel like adding some elevation gain, we recommend taking the avid option through the village of Rolle, a picturesque spot that is not to be missed. Your experience in the Prosecco hills will not be complete until you sip a glass of this beloved sparkling wine while enjoying spectacular views of the vine-covered hills! The opportunity is offered by the many wineries scattered through the hills in Valdobbiadene, as you pass by on your ride. For lunch and dinner today, make good use of our hand-selected recommendations available in your Ride with GPS app as you explore this incredible region.

Today, you'll have the opportunity to ride along tranquil country roads to Bassano del Grappa, a gem that lies at the foothills of the Monte Grappa massif from which it takes its name. Take a stroll through its vibrant city center before crossing the bridge, called the “Ponte Vecchio”, the best-known monument in town. Originally designed by the visionary designer Andrea Palladio in 1569, this bridge is made entirely of wood and is considered an engineering masterpiece hard to replicate even with today’s technology. If you want to mingle with the locals, pay a visit to the most ancient distillery called Nardini and order a round of mezzo e mezzo which is the house specialty. Next, we suggest you visit the medieval walled town of Marostica, characterized by a lower and an upper castle connected by walls that flow down the hillside. Follow your route all the way to the piazza, the hub of life in Marostica, which boasts a gigantic chessboard at its center. Every other September, locals dress in period costume and perform a human chess game as living pawns in the town square. Soak in the atmosphere of the medieval times as you savor a creamy gelato at the caffè centrale before cycling back to Asolo!

No matter which ride you select today, it will be the ride of a lifetime! You may opt for a loop through the Montello hills, pedalling on quiet secondary roads with evocative ties to the Great War, offering an extensive network of interconnected cycling paths called prese which provide endless options with varying slopes. Alternatively, the very avid riders should not miss the ascent to Monte Grappa, a famous climb in the Pre-Alps and a wonderland for cyclists, offering ten paved routes to the summit, one of which is considered one of the most beautiful and challenging climbs in Italy. The challenge ends at a huge Memorial monument where many soldiers were buried; this is why the Italians consider this mountain sacred. On a clear day, from the summit you will see the lagoon of Venice in the south and the sharp summits of the Dolomites to the north. Once back at the hotel, take some time to relax or perhaps take a stroll to the city center. Tonight choose to celebrate with an exquisite dinner among the enchanting colors and scents of Villa Cipriani's wonderful garden or opt for a meal in town at your leisure. Raise a glass of Prosecco and toast to an amazing self-guided bike tour through a truly magical region of Italy.

It's time to say goodbye to the Prosecco hills. However, before packing your bags for the trip, take the opportunity of one last early morning spin to Possagno to pay homage to a world-famous destination. At the feet of Monte Grappa, rising high above the town, lies an authentic treasure. The majestic Temple of Canova is a fusion of the Greek Parthenon in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome. Back in Asolo, your Trek Travel host will meet you at the hotel at 11:00 AM to take your bike and say farewell before you continue your travels.