The Sun Route by bike from Verona to Bologna
The wonders of Northern Italy by bike: lakes, vineyards, olive groves and charming towns
Highlights
UNESCO sites: Verona, Mantova and the porticoes of Bologna
Tasty Italian cuisine
The charms of Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake
The rolling countryside of vineyards, olive groves and pine forests
The EuroVélo 7 cycle route
Discover 3 regions of Northern Italy: Veneto, Lombardy and Emilia Romagna
EuroVelo 7, the Sun Route from Verona to Bologna
This bike tour between Verona and Bologna takes you through the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Veneto, Lombardy and Emilia Romagna. This 8-day, 7-night adventure combines the charm of northern Italian landscapes, cultural immersion and a sporting dimension, with routes that are slightly hilly but accessible to all. More than 80% of the route between Verona and Bologna is on EuroVélo 7. On a European scale, it connects the North Cape in Norway to the island of Malta, along a route of over 7,000 kilometers.
This cycling tour invites you to discover three of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Verona, famous for its medieval old town, its arenas and the backdrop to Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Mantova, a pretty Renaissance town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another popular stopover. And Bologna, capital of Emilia Romagna, nicknamed the Red City because of the color of its brick buildings. Its historic center is splendid, with its famous Piazza Maggiore, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, its palaces, porticoes and San Petronio basilica.
Between these sublime cities, the northern Italian countryside unfurls rolling landscapes carpeted with vineyards, olive groves and pine forests. A feast for the senses! Magnificent lakes such as Lake Garda, Italy’s largest, dot the region, offering refreshing swims along the way. You cycle along several waterways on cycle paths accessible to all levels of cyclist. You can also cycle along the fertile Po valley, Italy’s longest river.
The reputation of Italian gastronomy is well established. Savory or sweet, there are many dishes waiting to delight your taste buds during your cycling vacation in Northern Italy. Local specialties include escalope bolognese, tortellini in brodo (pasta stuffed with meat), Parma ham, mortadella, parmesan, nutmeg and pike dishes with Garde sauce. Sweet tooths will succumb to Zuppa inglese, literally English soup, a dessert made with custard and sponge cake soaked in liqueurs such as Alkermès, rosolio or rum.
The discovery of these local specialities allows you to combine the pleasure of sport with that of food, making your cycling trip between Veneto, Lombardy and Emilia Romagna an adventure rich in flavours!
Leisure FROM VERONA TO PESCHIERA DEL GARDA 52km 370m 
The Custoza region is charming and authentic. The route starts in Verona and takes you along roads lined with elegant cypress trees, surrounded by vineyards and small hills. Then you pedal up to the hill of Custoza, dominated by a tall obelisk, built to
to commemorate the soldiers who died here during the wars of Italian independence. The road then leads to Borghetto sul Mincio, a real fairytale village, with its water mills, castle and fortified bridge. Be sure to try the local speciality, tortellini. Finally, follow the Mincio cycle path to Peschiera del Garda.
From PESCHIERA DEL GARDA to MANTOVA 47km
You follow the peaceful cycle path along the emerald-green Mincio river. Borghetto sul Mincio, with its mills, fine residences and medieval castle, is the perfect place to take your first break. At the end of the stage, you reach Mantova, a charming medieval town surrounded by three lakes. The finish between Lago Superiore and Lago di Mezzo is breathtaking, even more so in summer when the lotus flowers bloom.
From MANTOVA to OSTIGLIA 42km
Departing from Mantua, you’ll soon find yourself deep in the bucolic countryside. Between canals and cultivated fields, you pedal along the Mincio River. Past the village of Governolo, you follow the Po, Italy’s longest river.
The stage ends in Ostiglia, a quiet village on the banks of the Po.
From OSTIGLIA to MIRANDOLA 48km
Crossing the bridge over the Po, you reach the town of Revere, where you can admire the Ducal Palace and its tower. You leave the Po and descend the winding course of the Secchia.
At Concordia sulla Secchia, you can still see the wounds caused by the 2012 earthquake. Mirandola is the birthplace of Giovanni Pico dei Conti della Mirandola, a 15th-century Italian philosopher.
The town has preserved its original octagonal layout and welcomes you with its large square and beautiful medieval castle. Overnight in Mirandola
From MIRANDOLA to SAN GIOVANNI IN PERSICETO 41km
At the start of the stage, you follow an old railroad line. The route takes you to San Felice sul Panaro, with its magnificent Rocca Estense (a brick castle with ghibelline battlements).
At the end of the stage, San Giovanni in Persiceto has all the ingredients to charm travellers: pretty little squares, numerous sumptuous wall paintings and an interesting physics museum.
FROM SAN GIOVANNI IN PERSICETO TO BOLOGNA 36km
You continue southwards along greenways and winding roads through rolling countryside. You reach “red” Bologna, nicknamed for the color of its buildings.
Bologna is a rich city with a thousand porticoes, dizzying towers, grandiose squares and delicious cuisine.
BOLOGNA
End of your stay in Italy after breakfast.
Have a safe trip back!
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 1050€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Quote on request | Contact us
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Quote on request | Contact us
Price includes
- Accommodation: 7 nights in a Double room
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 24/7
- Application fee
- The routes described on the following media:
- Tracking app
- Route maps (pdf)
- A descriptive road book (pdf)
- Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip
Price does not include
- bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, tours and other personal expenses
- City taxes
A “homemade” trip organized by a local partner specializing in Northern Italy:
- Routes selected with the Abicyclette Voyages team for their tourist and cycling interest, fully marked out and kept out of traffic.
- Accommodation selected for the quality of its welcome, atmosphere, services and gastronomy.
- Flexible organization that adapts to your needs and desires: you leave on the date you want! We check accommodation availability to ensure your departure.
Local support:
- A personalized welcome in French or English at the start of your stay
- 7/7 telephone assistance from 8.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. from the ABICYCLETTE VOYAGES team.
- Local telephone assistance 7 days a week from 8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
- Luggage transfer service
A simplified route tracking:
- A trekking app with all your itineraries
- A digital roadbook with all useful addresses and tourist information, maps and a km-by-km tour description.
And also:
- Comfortable bike rentals, ideal for this itinerary.
- The option of taking out a cancellation & multi-risk insurance covering you in the event of a problem or unforeseen event
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Our rentals include a "breakage and theft guarantee" for peace of mind when travelling. Information and details from your advisor.
Touring bike“Velo de ville” brand touring bike. Supplied equipment per bike – helmet |  |
Touring E-Bike“Vélo de ville” brand e-bike. Supplied equipment per bike – helmet |  |
Children's BikeCannondale children’s bike (24″ or 26″ wheels) Supplied equipment per bike – helmet – lock |  |
Getting here
Departure city : VERONA
Coming by car
- at 10h from PARIS
- at 12h from BORDEAUX
- at 6h from LYON
Coming by train
- Verona Train Station - More than 12h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Verona Airport
Arrival city : BOLOGNE
Coming by car
- at 12h from PARIS
- at 12h from BORDEAUX
- at 7h from LYON
Coming by train
- Bologna train station - 9h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Bologna Airport
*Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
How to get back to the starting point
- By train from Verona to Bologna in 1h00 (hotline)
- Return by car in 1h45 to your starting point
- Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
- 18 to 30-speed transmission
- 26- to 29-inch wheels
- Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
- Disc brakes recommended
- 2 bottle cages
- Bell
- Front and rear lighting
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
- 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
- Suitable cycling clothing:
- bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
- Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
- Breathable windbreaker
- Thermal or fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
- 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
- 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
- Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
- Padded bib (chamois)
- High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
- Neck warmer and cap
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads
Other
- A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
- Street clothes
- 1 pair of evening shoes
- Fleece jacket for the evening
- Toiletry bag
- Telephone and charger
Terms of payment and cancellation
The full terms and conditions of sale are available here: https://www.abicyclette-voyages.com/conditions-generales-de-vente/
Booking and payment
- Departure more than 30 days before your booking: payment of a deposit of 30%, excluding insurance, at the time of booking. If you have taken out travel insurance, it must be paid in full at the time of booking to guarantee its validity.
- Departure within 30 days of your booking: payment of the total cost of your stay. Or payment of the balance of the holiday if you have already paid a deposit.
Cancellation of the Contract
You may cancel the Contract at any time before the start of the Tour, subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Any total or partial cancellation will incur the following costs per participant:
| Cancellation period | Fees |
| From the date of Booking to 60 days or more before departure or the 1st day of the programme | 5% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 100 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Between 59 and 30 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 10% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 120 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer
|
| Between 29 and 10 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 30% of the total amount of the Tour (including options) a minimum of 150 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Entre 9 à 7 jours avant le départ ou le 1er jour du programme | 45% du montant total du Voyage (options incluses) |
| Between 9 and 7 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 75% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| Less than 3 days to the day of departure or the 1st day of the programme | 100% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| No show on day of departure or 1st day of programme |
Duration 8 days and 7 nights
Level Leisure
Departure date From April 6th to October 26th
Destination EuroVelo 7
Italy
See detailed prices
Personalized service 
Fit
VERONA
Arrive in Verona and check into your hotel.
Spend the rest of the day discovering the charms of Verona, a UNESCO-listed city and one of Italy’s most charming.
Meeting with our local guide
Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.