Bolzano – Mantua – Venice Cycling Adventure!
Pinch Me! An Adventure Beyond Imagination
From the magical landscape of Bolzano to the mystique of Venice
Our Bolzano – Mantova – Venice cycling adventure
As we were sipping our cappuccinos on the deck of the Vita Pugna, our floating home away from home for the past week, our eyes were glued to the distinct Venetian skyline, inching closer and closer to St. Mark’s Square. St. Marks Campanile loomed at a distance, and we eventually came close enough to see tourists in their natural habitat, scrambling to capture the perfect selfie. A truly 'pinch-me' moment for me. I've traveled extensively and experienced many unforgettable moments in my lifetime, and this one ranks among the very best.
Venice was the final destination of our bike tour through northern Italy. I figured that whoever had drawn this cycling route had planned a crescendo of awesome sites to eventually culminate in the glory of Venice.
My assumption was right on! The entire eleven days of our cycling tour were at times filled with jaw-dropping beauty and fascinating experiences. Our adventure began with a three-day self-guided tour where we cycled through the heart of the mighty Dolomites. Blessed with sun-shiny days and flat paved cycle paths, we rode along the Adige River through picturesque orchards and vineyards, to eventually ascend to Passo di San Giovanni, where we were gifted with an incredibly stunning view of Lake Garda. Our initial three days, guided by a most impressive and precise GPS (I can still hear those chimes telling me I was off course) provided countless lasting memories.
We rode into Mantua (Mantova) on our third day and were welcomed aboard the Vita Pugna, our floating hotel for the next seven days. Our tour leader, Hugo, along with the skipper and his crew, greeted us warmly as we settled into our new quarters. We met our eighteen new cycling companions over a refreshing aperitivo on the deck of our new home, as Hugo and the crew gave us a rundown of the week that lay ahead. After a delicious dinner – it's amazing what can be prepared in the small galley kitchen of a boat – we were taken on a stroll through Mantua to savor the historic center.
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The next six days were pure bliss as we cycled along the Po River, passing through a patchwork of farmlands, orchards, and hamlets. We stopped at various points of interest, including Bergantino, a village at the heart of Grana Padano production, the arch-rival of Parmesan. A visit to a local cheese factory was one of the highlights of our tour. We enjoyed samples of Grana Padano, paired with local wines, while comfortably seated under the shade of a tree in the Italian countryside. Life was indeed good.
As we progressed through the Po Delta Reserve, the excitement among my fellow cyclists was palpable. This journey had truly been a bonding experience, fostering a deep sense of trust and emotional support among us. Over the past days, we had faced challenges, celebrated achievements, and created shared memories that united us. We could almost smell the waters of the Adriatic Sea, which would lead us to our destination - Venice.
After navigating the picturesque and tranquil fishing backwaters, with their humble cottages, boats, and nets, we turned a corner and there it was, the vast and wild Adriatic Sea.
The sudden rain and wind enhanced the awe-inspiring scene before us. We continued our journey along the breakwater, battling headwinds and pounding rain. Soaked to the bone, the adverse conditions made me forget the numbness in my bum and the stiffness in my leg joints. The sound of the crashing waves fueled my excitement, reminiscent of a movie soundtrack as a warring faction march through the gates of a conquered city. We had reached the Adriatic Sea. Venice beckoned, and we were ready to answer its call.
This would be my third time in Venice, my first visit being over 50 years ago. The city impressed me then, as much as an 18-year-old backpacking kid could be impressed by its historical grandeur and cultural richness. I was eager to see how the city of canals had changed, if at all. As expected, it had. More people and certainly more expensive than I remembered it back in the backpacking days. But none of that mattered; we were in Venice! This mystical city’s decaying elegance was still there, creating a sense of nostalgia and the passage of time. Landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge still offered glimpses into a rich historical tapestry, just as they did half a century ago. But this time around, accompanied by my wife of over 40 years and half a century of accumulated wisdom, I could appreciate the city's surreal and romantic aura even more.
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Venice was for sure the perfect cherry on top of our awesome cycling sundae. This was our second bike & barge experience, and both trips had all the ingredients for the perfect active vacation: thrills and spills (mostly controlled), breathtaking scenery that made us forget our bum numbness, physical challenges that turned us into temporary athletes, enriching cultural experiences, comfortable accommodations and food so good we almost forgave ourselves for that extra dessert, and plenty of chances to bond with fellow adventurers and locals who didn't mind our helmet hair. Simply said, at times, it was a truly ‘pinch me’, almost surreal adventure beyond imagination!
 | Toasting to our success (with cappuccinos of course) Raymond Lemoine |
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