Peschiera to Mantua

Today we finished our self guided bike ride - this leg from Peschiera (at the bottom of Lake Garda) to Mantua, a UNESCO World Heritage City. The ride was, again, challenging in terms of navigation. Roadworks blocked our track and we had to reroute a couple of times. We stopped at a little village called 'Soave' where there was a bar which served coffee and cake. We arrived at Ave Maria barge at 12.30 (embarking scheduled for 5 pm), so we left our bikes with the Guides and walked into Mantua Old Town. Another fabulous Old Town with a magnificent Cathedral and historic buildings everywhere. We shared a pizza for lunch and then a gelato before returning to the Barge. We relaxed on the top deck until we were able to move into our cabin.
What joy being able to unpack our bags and settle into our cabin, knowing we don't have to pack up for a whole week!! Yay!!
We met the entire crew at the first Briefing, and then everyone introduced themselves. 31 riders from Canada, America & Australia. Everyone waxes lyrical about the joy of biking holidays. One woman from Canberra has done 30 biking holidays. She took up biking 15 years ago after her husband died and it has saved her she says.
Once again, the 2 young Italian Guides are super friendly and welcoming - very similar to our Croatian bike trip Guides.
Tomorrow we ride around Mantua, then have a guided tour of the Old Town. We love these trips - the Guides instruct us, are such good fun, the food is supplied (and it is delicious) and we don't have to pack our bags for another week! Doesn't get any better than this!Les mer