24 Set Weekend on the Delta: cycling down the Po

Holiday code: DELTA

A 4-day weekend in the majestic Po, on a bike and boat tour through the natural beauties of the Delta

 We cycle together to discover the many plants and animals of this beautiful habitat. Our cozy hotel will be our starting point: along the Donzella’s Ring, we explore the territory created by the river and transformed by the locals. The lack of traffic and the rice fields will make this your heaven.  

PROGRAM

First day: arrival in the early afternoon. After the meeting with the guide, we are ready for our first visit: we reach Porto Caleri (Rosolina) by car, where we can walk inside the Litoraneo del Velento Botanical Garden. At the end of the tour, we go back to the hotel for dinner together to get to know each other. If you can only arrive in the evening, we meet at 19:30 at the hotel. 
Second day: After breakfast, we start our first bike excursion through the Donzella’s ring. This route tells the evolution of the Delta, between earth and water. We visit an extraordinary example of industrial archeology, the Regional Museum della Bonifica Ca’ Vendramin: this early ‘900 drainage system used to be essential for the area, as it is below sea level. We continue our itinerary through Po di Gnocca, right up to the boat-bridge between Gorino Sullam and Santa Giulia. We then reach the Oasis of Ca’ Mello, crossing many mussels and clams farms. At last, we cycle back to the hotel via almost-empty roads of the country fields. We relax and have dinner with some typical Delta products.   
Third day: We hop back on our bikes following the branches of the Venetian Po and the Maistra Po, to later reach Via delle Valli and Porto Levante. This extraordinary road runs along the riverbanks and separates the lagoon to the fishing valleys, further embellished by fishing houses, flamingos, and avocets. 
Fourth day: For our last day, we head towards the mouth of the Po, leaving with our bike and going back by boat. We coast the Venetian Po to Pila, the last town along the river, admiring by boat the silent lagoons and reedbeds, to finally end up in the sea. After two and a half hours we disembark in Ca’ Tiepolo at around 13. We then cycle back to the hotel to pack and say goodbye to our companions. 
Important: for bike tours, we recommend using cycling shorts. Program may vary based on weather conditions and opening hours.  

INFO

Holiday code: DELTA 
Accommodation: Albergo Italia in Porto Tolle (RO). Discover the hotel. 
Guide: one of Jonas’ own. 
Individual price: €360
Single room fee: €70 
Includes: accommodation in 3-star hotel, double/triple rooms, half board with dinners in the hotel and packed lunch, bike rental for 2 days, boat tour, guided tours, health, and luggage insurance.  
Does not include: journey, entrance to botanical garden (€2.50), entrance to drainage system museum (€2.00), drinks, city tax, and anything not listed in “includes” section.  

USEFUL INFORMATION 
Daily km: 40-50km 
Intensity: intermediate 
Inclination: 0m 
Path: dirt and asphalt 

HOW TO GET THERE 
By car: from A13 motorway towards Ferrara-Comacchio-Lidi. From A14 motorway take Ravenna exit. Alternatively, DS.S. 306 Romea (Venice-Ravenna), S.S. 16 Adriatica (Ferrara-Rimini), E45 (Roma-Ravenna).  
By train: the closest station is Adria. Here, take the bus to Porto Tolle. If you arrive in Rovigo station, you can take the bus to Porto Tolle. In both cases check _. Suburban service Rovigo: 0425377711. On departure day, which is Sunday, there are no buses from Porto Tolle: those who arrive with public transport can organize themselves with other participants or the guide for a single transport (taxi or other).