Along the Po river  

from source to Pavia

   If you like the charming scenery of Alps and the spectacle of nature, if you wish to hear its sounds, to observe animals living in their own environment, to perceive the harmony of colours, to plunge into a green world, we’ll take you to discover the secrets of some of the most beautiful parks in Piedmont, the first region in Italy to create protected areas. It is possible to prolongue this itinerary up to Ferrara, wonderful example of Reinassance town.

Program:

1st day individual arrival to Saluzzo or Turin; we recommend the arrival to Turin, with transfer by train to Saluzzo
2nd day Saluzzo – source of Po (by private minibus); downhills by bike up to Saluzzo (about 40 km ); in case of snow (from March to May) alternatve tour around Saluzzo
3rd day Saluzzo-Cavour-Racconigi (about 50 km )
4th day Racconigi- possible deviation to the castle of Stupinigi-Torino (about 45/55 km)
5th day Torino-Chivasso-Fontanetto Po or Cescentino (about 55 km )
6th day Fontanetto Po/Crescentino-Casale Monferrato-Valenza Po (about 60 km )
7th day Valenza Po-Pavia (about 65 km )
8th day Pavia, return by train to Turin or by private minibus to Saluzzo. End of the tour or additional night.

Other possibilities:
1) 8 days/7 nights with 2 night in Turin and without source
2) 7 days/6 nights without source  
3) 9 days/8 nights with 2 night in Turin  

Level

 Easy; some dirt patches in fairly good conditions

RATES

Baggage transfer from hotel to hotel, insurance 24h/24, emergency call numbers, bed and breakfast (individual) / half board (group) accommodation in three star hotels or “agriturismi” (farmhouses with en suite bathroom), detailed route/tour information (maps, plans, brochures; for individual tours detailed route description in english or german); for group tours: support vehicle and english or french speaking guide

Not included

Transfer from origin to starting point and return; for individual tours meals ad beverages ; entrance fees to churches, museums and so on; tips and all the other personal expenses; everything not included at the item “the rate includes” 

from Pavia to Ferrara

A tour in the heart of the Po Valley sometimes along the river, sometimes crossing beatiful towns. You start from Pavia, rich and smart, famous all over Italy because of its Certosa, Carthusian monastery in Renaissance style; then you reach Piacenza, with its interesting historical centre, Cremona, the town of lute makers, Parma, renowed for the very good cuisine, (don’t miss the cheese called "parmigiano" and the Parma ham). The fifth day you are in Mantova, ancient seat of the noble family Gonzaga who commissioned wonderful pictures and frescos to Andrea Mantegna and other Renaissance artists. The last stop will be in Ferrara, a sort of work of art belonging to Fifteenth Century, full of cycle tracks and urban cyclists.

Program

1st day: individual arrival to Pavia
2nd day: Pavia - Piacenza km 59
3rd day: Piacenza - Cremona km 50
4th day: Cremona - Parma km 67
5th day: Parma - Mantova km 68
6th day: Mantova - Carbonara di Po km 56
7th day: Carbonara di Po - Ferrara km 49
8th day: Ferrara, end of the tour

Level

 Easy; some dirt patches in fairly good conditions

Rates

Baggage transfer from hotel to hotel, insurance 24h/24, emergency call numbers, bed and breakfast (individual) / half board (group) accommodation in three star hotels or “agriturismi” (farmhouses with en suite bathroom), detailed route/tour information (maps, plans, brochures; for individual tours detailed route description in english or german); for group tours: support vehicle and english, french speaking guides

Not included

Transfer from origin to starting point and return; for individual tours meals ad beverages ; entrance fees to churches, museums and so on; tips and all the other personal expenses; everything not included at the item “the rate includes”

from Ferrara to Delta

The third itinerary along the Po starts from Ferrara. In the history of this town the water has a huge importance, not only for the presence of the river, but also for the network of canals surrounding the country. From the extraordinary ramparts surrounding the town, used by cyclists as a cycle track, it will be possible to appreciate the famous “addizione erculea”, spendid example of Reinassance city planning. In the following days you will find yourself in the peculiar habitat of the delta of the river Po, among the typical “casoni” (fishing houses), the ponds crowded with herons and other aquatic birds, the old fishing boats; in front of you, the charming sight of the lagoon. After two nights spent in ancient Italian “villas”, grandly restored, in an magical atmosphere, in the last two days you are going to cycle near the open sea through the extraordinary pine woods around Ravenna, our final destination where we recommend to visit the world famous Byzantine Mosaics.  

Program:

1st day: individual arrival to Ferrara
2nd day: the Destra Po: Ferrara - Taglio di Po   about 64 km
3rd day: the laguna veneta: Taglio di Po – Chioggia  about 52 km ; possibly additional night in Venezia
4st day: Po di Venezia & le valli: Chioggia – Porto Levante  about 47  km
5st day: Po di Goro & boat bridges : Porto Levante - Goro  about 55 km
6st day : the abbey and the sea: Porto Levante - Pomposa - Comacchio - Lido di Spina ab. 46 km
7st day: the “Valli di Comacchio”: Lido di Spina - Ravenna   about  45 km
8st day: Ravenna, end of the tour after breakfast

Other possibilities:
Individaul tour of 3 or 4 days only in the Delta Po
Group tour in Easter 2006 from 15 to 17 April, guide speaking english, tour with italian people

Level

Easy, always flat; some dirt roads  in good conditions. We recommend a mountain bike or a city bike with good tyres.

 Rates

Baggage transfer from hotel to hotel, insurance 24h/24, emergency call numbers, bed and breakfast (individual) / half board (group) accommodation in three star hotels or “agriturismi” (farmhouses with en suite bathroom), detailed route/tour information (maps, plans, brochures; for individual tours detailed route description in english or german); for group tours: support vehicle and english, french speaking guides

Not Included

Transfer from origin to starting point and return; for individual tours meals ad beverages ; entrance fees to churches, museums and so on; tips and all the other personal expenses; everything not included at the item “the rate includes”