Cycling holidays: the most beautiful itineraries in Italy and Europe • Outdoorstip

Not everyone knows that the 3 June we celebrate the World Day of the Bicycle. This is an anniversary new, approved fromthe UN in 2018, to support the importance of green mobility and the benefits that arise from the use of the bicycle as a means of transport and in leisure time. Cycling not only helps to disconnect from the daily routine and to keep in exercise: but it helps to reduce the number of cars in circulation and the pollution of our cities.

For this reason, we have decided to recommend a maximum of 8 paths really beautiful, ideal for those who want to experience an imaginative holiday on two wheels. Some are easily reached by train, thanks to the travel tips tour operator as Omio noticed towards this type of holiday for health and sports.

Here are the bike routes for every type of cyclist, from the less skilled to the more skilled passing for those who prefer the panoramic bike or the waterfront, or for those who love to ride with the whole family.

Easy Path: Path Drava
Family: Weser
Long-distance: the Danube
Panoramic: Munich-Venice
Expert level: Claudio Augusta
Stages: the Loire à Vélo
Waterfront: Méditerranée à vélo
Bike + boat: the Netherlands

Easy path: the Path of the Drava

The Path of the Drava is one of the most famous streets by bike, as well as one of the most simple. The almost total absence of gradients, in fact, makes it suitable for any cyclist, regardless of experience. This can be also perfect for families. The route begins in Italy, in south Tyrol, between the eastern Alps of the Val Pusteria , then continue for approx 443 km, crossing the border ofAustria, of Slovenia and of Croatia.

The town is starting Toblach, in the Bolzano province, a town nestled between the Dolomites, where you can admire the panorama of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. From here, proceed towards Lienz, a beautiful town in the austrian mountains. Along the way we recommend a stop in Sillian, to visit the huge playground Wichtelpark (The Park of the gnomes), the Galitzenklamm (Gorges of Galicia, not far from Lienz, austria), and go through the Punbrugge, the characteristic wooden bridge of the ‘700, in the locality of Pazendorf. From Lienz you can then continue to Varaždin, the Croatian city by the baroque style, and the end of the route, passing through the city of Maribor, the “Turin slovenian” nestled among the hills and wine and the river Drava.

Path length: 443 km
Official site: the cycle Path of the River
Useful information: Who decides to stop in Lienz can easily start from here to Italy, taking advantage of the rail links that allow you to climb aboard by bicycle.

Path family: the Weser cycle Path

Of trails to explore on two wheels – and that lend themselves to family holidays – there are many. Which can knock, however, the Weser cycle Path, which runs along one of the most fairy-tale in the world, the famous Street of the fairy Tales? Simple: none. Definitely not for a child. And even for the germans, that in 2018 have chosen you as the cycle track preferred. This distance of 150 km will allow you to ride in places where they were born some of the most famous fairy tales and meet, along the way, various characters created by the brothers Grimm. Hansel and Gretel, snow white, puss in Boots, and, of course, the pied Piper of Hameln, the town where ends the tour.

From the Münden, a typical German town, heading towards Kassel, place of birth of the Brothers Grimm, where there is a museum dedicated. Then it’s on to Bad Karlshafen, where you can relax in the warm thermal waters of the city and, along the way, make a stop in Oberweser-Oldesheim and Gilselwerder: house, respectively, of the puss in Boots and snow white and the seven dwarfs. From here, the other two stages of the obligation are Höxter and Hamlein: ready to meet Hansel and Gretel and make you enchanted by the music of the pied piper of hamelin?

However – unless you are also you children never grown up – we also recommend some of the stages in “adult”. The first is the monastery of Corveyis near Höxter: a former benedictine abbey, founded in the carolingian period, and declared the site protected by theUNESCO. Then Holzmindem, also called the city of the perfumes, where to each historic place is associated with a different aroma.

Length of route: 150 km.

The longer route: the cycle Path of the Danube

This is certainly the route most famous and popular in Europe, is also ideal for those travelling with children. The Danube bicycle Path is a real must for lovers of cycling holidays. This route follows the banks of the Danube, from its source in Germany until the city of Constanta, on the Black Sea, for well-2897 km, crossing half of Europe. In addition to the main road, from here start different alternative paths: as one of the 3 “B”, which runs through the capital, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade. Other things not to be missed are certainly the Wachau Valleyin Austria, renowned for its wines, the fantastic castle of Schloss Schönbühel – fortress dating back to the beginning of the TWELFTH century – and the picturesque delta of the riveris the ideal destination for those who love unspoiled landscapes and bird watching. Here, in fact, the Danube river flows into the salty waters of the Black Sea , giving life to approximately 5700 square km of canals, marshes, islands and lakes, surrounded by trees.

Those who are travelling with children, select the route from Linz to Vienna, easy to navigate and full of activities reserved to the family. As the interactive museum of electronic art in Linz, austria – ideal for teenagers – or the hill of the Pöstlingberg, a destination that will blow the little ones. Climbing to the top of a hill to the edge of the charming tram, in fact, you can visit the Caves of the Gnomes, and the zoological garden. Besides enjoying the beautiful panorama of the city below.

Path length: 2897 km
Web site: the cycle Path of the Danube
Useful information: of course, being one of the paths longer by bike, the advice is to choose first the is to take. On the official website of the Bike lane, for example, were divided in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary and the Far East (Croatia, Serbia, and Romania).

Scenic route: the path Monaco-Venice

From the mountains to the lagoon, the Path Monaco-Venice is the perfect itinerary to immerse yourself in nature and discover the landscapes of three countries and five different regions. The path along approximately 560 km, is divided along 3,000 meters of altitude, in an itinerary that can be divided in to stages – also referred to as chapters. From the bavarian Alps, along the lakes, to pass through the Tyrol, the south Tyrol, the Dolomites and the venetian lagoon, direct to the Adriatic sea.

Pedaling you can discover small city full of charm, such as the German Bad Toelz, the austrian Schwaz or the homegrown Bressanone and Treviso. Or the vibrant metropolis of Munich, Innsbruck and Venice. If you love nature, don’t miss the natural wonders you will encounter during the journey. An example of that? The lakes of Tegernse, and the Achensee , and to the Holy Cross. Or the dam Sylvanstein in Bavaria, and the wild river Isar. A special mention, of course, it is up to our Dolomites that surround the Val Cadore and have been declared world heritage by theUNESCO.

Path length: 560 km
Official website: Path Monaco-Venice
Useful information: The bike is suitable for any type of athletic preparation and on the route you can take advantage of rail services.

Path expert: the Path to via Claudio Augusta

Cycling along the alpine passes, to challenge the gradients along the first trade route beyond the alps of the Roman Empire. Those who want to embark on an adventure unique in its kind, can not miss this route. The Path Via Claudio Augusta, in fact, has a very ancient history. Its construction was completed in 47 d.C., during the reign ofthe emperor Claudius Augustus , and after 60 years of work. Here you can dive among the magical landscapes, idyllic villages and experience the culinary delights and wineries of the area.

From Germany, from the beautiful Donauwörth, on the Danube. Then you go down to the elegant city of Augusta and from here, proceed towards Italy, crossing the austrian Tyrol. Along the path you expect of the stops not to be missed. The first is the Resia Lake, from whose waters mark the steeple of a church submerged. Other places to admire are the fortified village of Glorenza (Vinschgau), Merano (Italian citizen from the austrian charm) Trento and the Castello del Buonconsiglio , and even the castles of Beseno and of Sabbionara d’avio. At the height of Trento, the path divides into two branches: you can choose to follow the course of river Adige (direct to Ostiglia), or access to, in the Valsugana valley, towards Venice.

Path length: 750 km
Official site: the cycle Path, Via Claudio Augusta
Useful information: It is a process that is certainly more suitable for experienced cyclists: while some traits have a minimum slope (and, therefore, are easily passable by anyone) in some places the road comes to a grade of 12% and requires a bit of experience in mtb. To report the challenging stretch of the Step of Fern, in the austrian Tyrol.

Route: la Loire à vélo

The Valley of the Loire, site of UNESCO among the most loved in the world, it reveals itself as a real must-have for trips on the bike. Even in the family. It is, in fact, one of the routes the most frequented in Europe that allows you to continue along the course of the namesake river (the longest in France) to the discovery of city of art and of the more than 300 castles, which make this region a heritage of inestimable value. For this – given the multitude of places to visit – can be seen as the route to excellence. His bike, the Loire à Vélo covers approximately 900 km and is part of the route Eurovelo 6.

It starts from the small town of Cuffy – near Nevers – continue up to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, a seaside city where the fresh waters of the river Loire meet, salt of the Atlantic Ocean. As a city it is worth visiting the elegant Nantes and Orléans, where he celebrated the epic victory of the French troops – led by Joan of Arc – against the british. Here you can visit the house in which lived the “maid of Orleans” as she was called Joan of Arc during the siege, and a multimedia exhibit dedicated in her honour. With regard to the castles, however, there is really spoilt for choice.

One of the most famous are the gigantic Castle of Chambord, the fortress of Samur, the scenic gardens of the Villandry Castle and the Castle of Chenonceau, whose arches are immersed in the river Cher. Absolutely not to be missed – especially for those who travel with children – the Castle of Amboise and the nearby Castle of Clos-Lucéwhere lived Leonardo da Vincthe last years of his life: here, inside the park, you can find some of the reconstructions (functioning) of his most famous inventions. Another experience not to be missed for the little ones is the Castle of Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire, where you can try archery and mini-catapults, in a field of training for the knights.

Length of route: 900 km
Official site: the Loire à Vélo
Useful information: for those traveling with small children, here are all the activities to visit the Castles of the Loire by having fun.

Path to the sea: Méditerranée à vélo

The Méditerranée à vélo is the perfect path for those who want to immerse themselves in picturesque landscapes with views of the sea. Built to connect Spain and Italy – is part of the route EuroVelo 8 – this feature “the road of the Mediterranean” through 11 countries.

The French section from Nice to Beziers, in particular, is characterized by a unique glimpse. Ride along the bustling Côte d’azur, with a backdrop of the mountain landscape of the Alps, is a truly unforgettable experience. Along the way you will meet the great urban centers – like the beautiful Marseille and Montpellier – but also a city of art: Nîmes, Arles and Avignon, the ancient seat of the Popes. Without forgetting the nature: in addition to the landscapes of sea and mountain, in fact, you can breathe the relaxed atmosphere of Provence , with its lavender fields – or discover beautiful natural parks, including the Calanques – near Marseille and the Camargue.

Route length: 400 km
How to get there: The most convenient way to reach La Méditerranée à vélo is the train, starting from Italy to get to Nice. Same thing for the return: from Béziers (or intermediate steps) you can climb aboard a train to Nice and then do the exchange to Italy.
Information for the bike on the train: In Italy, on board, are admitted free of charge folding bikes or traditional as long as disassembled and placed in bags of a size of less than 80x110x40 cm. On the French trains, however, there are spaces and you can reserve your place by paying 10€ (limited space).

Path bike+boat

As the nation’s best-to turn in the bike, if not the flat Netherlands? The land of wind mills is one of the most popular destinations for holidays of this type thanks to the many cycle paths away from traffic, to the luxuriant nature and the beauty of the landscape. In this case, there is a specific route to recommend: the Netherlands is well served by the slopes in every point of the nation, and it is up to you to decide which one should you opt, the most famous, however, is the Thijsse-route, which has a population of about 40 km. P

et up to go to the discovery of the most beautiful cities, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam or the small and lively Utrecht. Or immerse yourself in nature between the characteristic windmills of Kinderdijk, the medieval castle of Loevestein , or the cheese of Gouda. For the little ones, we suggest a visit to the theme park of Efteling: nestled in the woods, is full of attractions, adrenaline-pumping, but also an area dedicated to fairy tales, northern. It is a Fairtale Forest, a route where you can retrace the stories of Rapuntzel, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, and many others.