Mountains and Sea: Salzburg to Grado Bike Tour

Today you will arrive in the festival city of Salzburg, known worldwide as the birthplace of none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself! Winding alleyways and historic squares invite you to take a stroll and languorous cafés entice you to sample genuine Austrian café-specialities.

After checking into your hotel, take some time to explore this city’s wealth of medieval and baroque buildings.

Today will mark the beginning of the cycling portion of your tour, taking you out of the cultured city of Salzburg and into the countryside. You will cycle along the banks of the River Salzach to reach the ancient Celtic settlement of Hallein, which prospered due to salt mines in the area.

Afterward, you will pass the Golling Waterfall and continue on to St Johann, where you will be able to take in the impressive architecture of the Pongau Cathedral.

Day 3 of the tour will take you through Schwarzach and the Gasteiner Valley, where you will enjoy beautiful views of the picturesque landscape along the route. After a tough uphill climb to the Ausgleichsbecken, you will cycle along a portion of the Klamm Tunnel before continuing on to the resort town of Bad Gastein.

After making your way to Böckstein, you will take a brief train ride to Mallnitz, which is located on the other side of the Alps. From here, a short downhill ride will bring you to your hotel for the evening.

Today you will cycle along the winding River Möll, making your way through impressive mountain landscapes that offer amazing views. After travelling through the “sunny south” of Austria, you will eventually arrive in Spittal an der Drau, which was an important junction for pilgrims in the Middle Ages. Here, you can visit the Renaissance Porcia Palace, which was built in the 16th Century and is often referred to as ‘the most beautiful Renaissance building north of the Alps’. After cycling a bit further you will arrive in the charming town of Villach

Day 5 of the tour will see you bypass the ascent to Tarvis by train, before hopping back in the saddle for a leisurely downhill ride through the Kanaltal Valley. During this ride you will enjoy the beauty of the Friulian alpine region with its intact, unspoilt nature and extensive forests.

You finish today’s ride in one of the most picturesque villages located at the foothills of the Julian Alps.

At the southern exit of the Kanaltal Valley is one of the most beautiful historic villages of the Friulian-Julian-Veneto. The focal point of the village of Gemona del Friuli is the majestic cathedral Santa Maria Assunta, which will certainly blow you away! En route to Udine, you will come across the first vineyards along the cycle route. Once you arrive in town, you will feel and experience “la dolce vita” over a coffee enjoyed on the piazza or during a stroll through the alleyways whilst marveling at the late Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

Feel the warm breeze of the sirocco! Today you will cycle through vast reed scenery and along canals towards the Gulf of Venice. In the Roman city of Aquileia, the so-called “second Rome”, you can take a break from cycling before reaching the end destination of your holiday. One of the most popular Adriatic beach resorts, the historic little fishing town of Grado, will not only excite you with the extensive sandy beach, but also with its historic harbour and narrow alleyways lined with lovely restaurants.

After enjoying one final breakfast in your hotel, you will pack your things and bid farewell to Grado for an individual departure.