OVERVIEW
We led this trip in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2022 and received excellent reviews. This first class trip begins in Munich, Germany and ends on the Lido in Venice. After a night in the fun city of Munich, we ride in a deluxe bus with enclosed bicycle trailer through the Alps, to Vinschgau/Val Venosta, the upper part of the Etsch/Adige river valley in northern Tyrolean Italy. This was part of Austria prior to World War I, and German is the still the language. Cycling starts high in the Italian Tyrol at1520 meters (4990 feet). We coast down bike paths and small mountain roads amid vineyards, and below glaciers and snow covered peaks. There are 2 night stays in Malles Venosta, Merano, Riva del Garda and Venice Lido. We ride almost all the way to Lake Garda, the largest of the Italian lakes, on the Adige river bike path. After you reach Lake Garda you hear only Italian spoken. We spend 4 nights in towns along Lake Garda before heading east to Verona, Vicenza and Padua, and then atop a dike and across the lagoon by ferries to the Venice Lido for 2 days of sightseeing in Venice. E-bikes and tandems are welcome and rental bikes are available.

After our scenic bus ride across Austria we begin with a short ride from Austria to our hotel in Mals/Malles Venosta. The next day we ride to Switzerland (this really is on the Italian border with Austria and Switzerland). We cycle down the Etsch/Adige river bike path visiting the medieval walled city of Glurns/Glorenza, called the Italian Rothenburg, on the way to the riverside spa resort of Meran/Merano. We continue cycling on the path to Bolzano and the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, which houses Ötzi, the 5000 year old Iceman of the Alps. After a night in Bolzano we pass by Tramin, the town that gave its name to Gewürtztraminer wine, on the way to the medieval center of Trento. We descend to Lake Garda and spend 4 nights in different resort towns, Riva del Garda, Gardone Riviera and Sirmione. Next we ride to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, followed by Vicenza, with the Palladian Villas of the Veneto in the surrounding area, and Palladio's renowned Teatro Olimpico (Olympic Theater). Verona and Vicenza are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Next we pass through the vineyards of the Euganean Hills to Padua, the oldest city in northern Italy and home of the University of Padua where Galileo lectured, and artists and scientists studied the human body during public dissections in the anatomical theater. We then ride on a dike and finally take 2 ferries across a lagoon to Venice Lido for sightseeing in Venice.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader(s) and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

RIDE RATING
The trip is rated 1A!, Required riding days average 595 feet daily elevation gain over 31.1 miles. However 4 days exceed 35 miles, with 39, 41, 43 & 47 miles. Greatest required elevation gain is 985 feet over 31 miles. Longest distance is 47 miles with 100 feet elevation gain. Numerous optional routes with additional distance and elevation are available. Most cycling is on bike paths or roads with light or moderate traffic, but this tour may encounter heavy traffic on the east side of Lake Garda, and going to and from our hotels in the old city centers of Verona, Vicenza and Padova.

CUE SHEETS, MAPS AND GPS FILES
Electronic versions of detailed route sheets with sightseeing information will be provided, and participants are expected to print their own copies of them. RideWithGPS tracks with maps will also be provided for those who want them, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS or phone app before the trip begins.

WEATHER
In mid-May in the mountains at the beginning of the trip the average daytime temperatures are in the low 60s. Later near the coast the daytime temperatures may reach the 80s. We live in a time of weather extremes, so averages don’t mean much and you should expect the unexpected. Temperatures can range from cool and rainy to warm and dry. Be prepared for cold weather and/or rain.

LODGING, MEALS & HAPPY/SOCIAL HOUR
The accommodations on this trip are in 2 5-star hotels, 7 4-star hotels and 3 3-star hotels. 16 breakfasts and 8 dinners will be provided. Daily route reviews before our group dinners will include a glass of wine, beer, soft drink, juice or water with a small snack. Drinks at dinner are normally extra. We use your Preferences in your Profile to try and accommodate your special medical and dietary needs. In order to provide you with some meal choices we ask hotels to serve two main dishes to each couple. If you receive one dish and prefer the other, you may trade with others. Very few hotels allow a group to order off the menu and some insist on serving only one main dish. Participants are asked not to wear jeans, shorts or t-shirts to group dinners.

LOGISTICS
The trip starts at 5:00 PM on May 15, 2027 in Munich, Germany and ends after breakfast in Venice, Italy on May 31, 2027. The starting location hotel is Hotel Concorde München, Herrnstrasse 38-40, 80539 Munich, Germany. The nearest airport is Munich International Airport, MUC. Transport from MUC to Hotel Concorde München is by tram, bus, Uber or taxi. The finishing location hotel is Hotel Atlanta Augustus, Via Lepanto 15, 30126 Venezia-Lido, Italy. The nearest airport is Venice Marco Polo Airport, VCE. Transport from Venezia-Lido to VCE is by public or private water taxi. Rental bikes are available from BikesPlus and details will be provided to those who are interested. Our van will transport bike boxes from Munich to Venice.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
In addition to the $150 non-refundable BAC Fee the estimated cost is $4200 per person double occupancy at $1.20/Euro. The cost of the trip may change if the exchange rate increases significantly. Included in the cost are 16 nights are 16 breakfasts, 8 dinners, luggage van, daily route review, GPS tracks and cue sheets with sightseeing information. Participants will be provided snacks and one drink during route reviews and can purchase additional drinks if they would like more. The initial deposit is $2100 with an additional payment of $2100 due December 1, 2026. We will have a van driver.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
Singles are welcome and encouraged to find compatible roommates and/or riding partners. The Ride Directors will introduce and assist singles to find roommates, but singles must make their own rooming decision. We do not take solos due to room limitations.

EUROPEAN TRAVEL INFORMATION AND AUTHORIZATION SYSTEM (ETIAS) 
The European Commission’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals, will be fully deployed by April 9, 2026, and ETIAS will be implemented about 6 months later. The ETIAS process will require short-term travelers to apply online (about a 10-minute process), pay a small fee (€7 – roughly $8.12) and then wait up to 96 hours for applications to be approved. The authorization is good for a three-year period or until the traveler’s passport expires – whichever comes first. Airlines will notify passengers of requirements in enough time in advance of their flights to complete the process. BAC will continue to update members as the things change.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPATION RESPONSIBILITY
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

INSURANCE STATEMENT
BAC maintains two insurance policies: a) United States, and b) Foreign (all other countries). Both the U.S. and Foreign policies are considered secondary policies to your personal medical insurance policy. They are subject to a $1000 deductible and may not cover all expenses related to an accident. Copies of the current policies are located under the “Docs” tab on the BAC website.

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. While touring in the U.S, the BAC insurance includes coverage for injuries due to accidents during the bike trip. Members’ personal insurance will need to cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected illness (i.e. treatment for unexpected illnesses, including Covid, are not covered).

While touring internationally, i.e., outside of the U.S., BAC maintains Foreign accident insurance to assist with expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies (including sudden and unexpected sickness), and repatriation. Insurance will apply door-to-door for treatment and travel for a maximum of 90 days overall. Coverage extends to a limited period spanning the published BAC trip dates, allowing for side trips occurring before and after the BAC ride; the limitation period is 7 days before or after the published BAC trip dates. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine.

SIGN-UP
To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. There is an $85.00 domestic ride fee and $150.00 international ride fee. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.