Brenner Pass to Venice Tour Reviews — 1 to 3 of 3

The scenery was incredible

My wife Clara and our daughter Stephanie did this tour in the fall of 2019. Tripsite was once again outstanding in providing service and information and all the GPS files for the bike route. The hotels were all top quality and friendly service with the best ones in Innsbruck and at the hot baths of Padua. I was at first worried about the quality of the bike paths as we have done a dozen or more trips (10 through Tripsite) through the Netherlands and Germany where the paths as excellent. To my and everyone else's surprise the bike paths were well marked and of great condition with a few not-so-great patches here and there but great overall. We made good friends on the trip and we cycled alone and with others on some days and typically had meals with others in the group of 12 or 14 people. The sights are panoramic. I must note that we started on September 5th from Innsbruck at -2 degrees Celsius and snow on the very first day and ended in Venice with +30 Celsius on the last day. What a ride! On the 4th day and with temperatures ranging between 6 to 9 degrees Celsius we started with rain and cycled the entire route in rain getting to Trento absolutely soaked to the bone. So be aware that you should carry rain gear if you plan to do this route late in the summer and early fall. The entire trip was well worth it but I would like to make a recommendation to the organizers. On the 5th day, Trento to Peschiera should be changed to make the overnight at Riva Del Garda for three very valid reasons. First, the ride from Trento to Riva is long and many riders get to Riva almost too late to catch the last ferry to Peschiera. Secondly, the ferry gets to Desenzano in the dark and riding in the darkness is not very safe even for experienced riders. Third reason is that Riva Del Garda is a magnificently beautiful city with many great restaurants and boutiques and sporting events and a swim in the lake after a long ride would be such a treat instead of waiting on the lineup for a ferry. Clara and I have spent a week in Riva and also in Malcesine nearby and can verify that they are great places to stay and enjoy the tasty fresh seafood from the lake. So for safety and better relaxation consideration should be given to these suggestions particularly for the late summer and fall tours when darkness comes so early. Overall 5 stars to everyone and every place and to the young men who fitted every one on their bikes at the start of the trip and the fact that the bikes were of top quality and excellent condition. I know I am a year late to submit this review but have had a very difficult year with respect to my health soon after we came home. I am now well and looking forward to more adventures on the bike paths of Europe and hope to "bump" into you all over there in 2021. Keep the tires on the road and the wind in your back. Happy Holidays to all.

***** STARS ALL THE WAY. Again do not forget your rain gear and bring along a few essential bike tools for the adjustments needed by any rider who uses their bike day and day out for 2 weeks. Also, download an APP on your mobile phone so you can use the GPS files provided and minimize any possibilities of wrong turns. Happy cycling.  SHOW MORE 

We found the signage very poor on this tour especially getting out of Verona.We ended up out in the suburbs for 3 hours and wasted half a day,getting tired and frustrated.Please improve this ,it would make the trip more enjoyable.Green arrows need to be much more frequently placed.Sometimes we got to a T intersection and even with the instruction book had no clue which way to turn.
Bikes were great!
Hotel in Padua was not in a nice area,though close to the station.Did not feel safe at night given all the refugees hanging around outside the hotel
Generally the hotels would be better if they were closer to the town center in each city
Scenery lovely ,some great countryside and villages.Enjoyed the trip but stressed out looking for green arrows that we often could not find.Definitely need GPS.