From Canals to Alps: The Venice to Munich Ride (SPE26002)

And we are on the way! Yesterday evening we explored Venice a little bit, and this morning we finally got on our bikes and started our e-bike adventure. First we crossed the lagoon on the 2.5-mile bridge which connects Venice to the mainland. Then we crisscrossed through small Italian villages and endless farms and fields. Noale and Castelfranco Veneto were the main stops today - we couldn't pass on the great Italian coffees and lunches. Now we have reached Bassano del Grappa, our beautiful destination.

After a delicious dinner at a “Slow Food” restaurant (thanks, Rebecca) right in the heart of Bassano del Grappa, a glass of Prosecco from Valdobbiadene, and of course a grappa, everyone slept soundly. Breakfast at our boutique hotel was lovingly prepared, and the cappuccino was exceptional. Nothing stands in the way of an exciting day—so helmets on, and let’s go! Wait—first, a quick briefing on the history of Monte Grappa and the region. We wound our way up to Monte Grappa, through many, many hairpin turns—okay, not on our bikes, but in the van. The view and the scenery up there were both fascinating and depressing at the same time. Then we rode along the Brenta River to Lake Levico. What a wonderful day!

Almost 55 miles of cycling were planned for today - on gravel along Lake Levico, a small portion on regular roads and 90% on the famous Etsch-River cycle path. Our first stop was Trento, in front of the historic cathedral San Vigilio. We visited the amazing church, walked through town a little bit and ended our visit with the mandatory Cappuccino. From Trento on we followed the Etsch River, a wonderfully maintained cycle path leads us through endless apple plantations. In the afternoon we reached Bozen/Bolzano, where we visited the famous iceman a.k.a. Frozen Fritz. Now we can enjoy the evening in the lively streets of Bozen, we just have to choose one of the many restaurants for our last dinner in Italy - tomorrow we are off to Austria!

We could easily have spent a few more days at the beautiful Luna Mondschein Hotel and in lively Bolzano. But today we’re continuing along the Eisack River toward Innsbruck, Austria, the capital of Tyrol. Klausen invites us to make our first stop. A peaceful, relaxed atmosphere with beautiful views up to the castle—the perfect spot to enjoy a cappuccino. In Brixen, South Tyrol’s oldest city, we marvel at the cathedral square. Frescoes from the 15th century adorn the church. We keep cycling along the Eisack River, navigate a somewhat challenging detour, and arrive at Franzensfeste. A massive fort and an interesting exhibition about the Brenner Base Tunnel leave us in awe. To ensure we still have time for a city tour in Innsbruck, we load up our bikes and ride over the highest point—the Brenner Pass—into Tyrol’s capital. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Rain last night - but by the time we started our trip for today, it had disappeared. We left Innsbruck along our fourth river of this tour, the Inn. A quick stop in the medieval city of Hall, then we continued to Wattens, the home of the world-famous Swarovski Crystals. We explored the remarkable exhibition and afterwards we loaded our bikes into the van, which would take us up to the Achensee. We followed its clear turquoise water north and finally reached the border to Germany. Here we arrives at river number five, the Isar, and followed it all the way to todays destination, Bad Tölz.

We have to leave the magnificent Hotel Bergeblick in Bad Tölz. Unfortunately, the last day of driving on this beautiful tour has arrived. Shortly after passing Bad Tölz, we turn toward Lake Starnberg, home not only to the largest number of millionaires in Germany but also to the King Ludwig monument. Then we head back to the Isar River and follow it into Bavaria’s capital, which is gearing up for Oktoberfest.