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Cycling in the heart of South Tyrol
Impressive scenery, beautiful valleys, comfortable hotels, apple-cake, "schuettel-bread", chestnuts and good wine. On this bike trip you will experience the real "grass roots" of South Tyrol.
Via the scenic areas and tourist attractions, you will be biking through some of the most impressive scenery in Europe.

Self-guided tours and guided group tours
8 days / 7 nights - approx 160 / 360 km
4 days / 3 nights - approx 165 km

TOUR DETAILS:
CULTURAL VERSION
Day 1: Independent arrival in Mals or Burgeis in the Vinschgau.valley
On your arrival we greet you with a drink and brief you with full information about the tour. After this there is time for a stroll through the wonderfully situated small sports-village of Mals. Many famous skiers seen on TV today, were taught at Mals Ski School.

Day 2: Mals - Naturns by bike (approx 35 km)
This leg takes you past the tall, famous, South Tyrolean marble castle of Laas and through Schlanders, the main town of the Vinschgau valley. Through the apricot orchards that nestle along the deep green alpine forest of the Upper Vinschgau, you arrive in the tourist centre Naturns.

Day 3: Naturns - Meran / Lana by bike (approx 30 / 40 km)
Leaving Vinschgau and Naturns you cycle through apple orchards towards the beautiful district of Burggrafenamt and Meran where already Empress Sissi enjoyed going for recreation. Meran is a picturesque health resort, with many tourist attractions and wonderful opportunities for relaxing strolls. Allow the mind to wander and enjoy these unforgettable moments: Even the princess of Monaco and prince Ernst of Hannover spent a few days here in 2001 .

Day 4: Stay in Meran / Lana
A day of rest at the foot of the snow covered alps, in the famous health resort that already in the middle ages was known for its thermal springs and Mediterranean atmosphere. A visit to the newly re-opened botanical gardens of Trautmannsdorf castle with its tourist museum, is a genuine "must" when visiting Meran. Alternatively, a cycle trip through the nearby Passeier-valley to St Leonhard, the birthplace of the South Tyrolean freedom fighter Andreas Hofer, is possible.

Day 5: Meran / Lana - Bozen by bike (approx 30 km)
Soon after leaving town, the quiet of the Etschvalley surrounds you: You cycle along the South Tyrolean "Wine Route", past dams, fruit orchards, and the traditional small restaurants, until the capital Bozen is reached.

Day 6: Bozen - Tramin by bike (approx 30 km)
After seing Oetzi ( a mummy from 5.000 years ago) in Bozen's "Archaeological Museum" the trail follows the Wine Route through an unforgettable landscape of orchards, past the Kalterer Lake to the well known "wine village" Tramin.

Day 7: Tramin - Trento by bike, returning by train (approx 35 km)
This pleasantly easy trail brings you to the tour's southernmost point, the town of Trento, where on the main square you can close this week with a cup of real Italian Cappuccino. You return by rail to Neumarkt next to Tramin, from where a short bike trip takes you back to your hotel in Tramin. Neumarkt was in the past a well-known trading centre, and is today still the business centre of the lower Etsch-valley in South Tyrol.

Day 8: Departure or individual extention of the tour.
Dependant upon your travel arrangements, you have a full day at your disposal for possible relaxation at the Kalterer Lake.

SPORTS VERSION
Day 1: Independent arrival in Mals or Burgeis in Vinschgau.
On your arrival we greet you with a drink and brief you with full information about the tour. After this there is time for a stroll through the wonderfully situated small sports-village of Mals. Many famous skiers seen on TV today, were taught at Mals Ski School.

Day 2: Round-trip by bike through Upper Vinschgau (choice of km length to suit ).
In accordance with the tour arrangements chosen, you are today testing yourself in the beautiful Vinschgau valley. Whether you choose the lake Reschen or the Stilfserjoch, you will have an unforgettable time in a really beautiful area.

Day 3: Mals - Meran / Lana (approx 75 / 85 km).
You are cycling along the famous apricot orchards of Vinschgau, past the marble village of Laas, surrounded by forests, castles and mountains. Shortly before Naturns you will see the "rock castle" Juval, home of Reinhold Messner, the well-known extrem-climber and member of the European Parliament. You will say good-bye to Vinschgau and cycle towards the picturesque town of Meran. You may also stay overnight in the village of Lana close to Meran.

Day 4: Meran / Lana - Passeier- valley. (approx 40 / 60 km).
Following a gently rising road, you are cycling along the riverbed of the Passer river to St. Leonhard in Passeier. After a short rest, you cycle back to the health resort of Meran.

Day 5: Meran / Lana - Tramin (approx 55 km)
You leave the town of Meran via back-roads and are soon surrounded by the peaceful Etsch valley between the Mendelkamm and the Tschoeggelberg. Large fruit orchards and pleasant pick-nick places keep you company along the Etsch, after which you cycle through the Upper Etsch wine-villages of Eppan and Kaltern with their typical Upper Etsch architecture. The emerald-green swimming-lake Kalterersee will offer a wonderful view, and after a further short run along the Wine Road, you reach your hotel in Tramin .

Day 6: Tramin - Bozen - Tramin (approx 65 km).
Today starts with an uphill section to the approx 250m higher wine village of Girlan. From there it goes downhill to Bozen which is reached via pleasant and comfortable cycle roads. After visiting the historical centre of Bozen (the Cathedral and the Arbours, the Archaeological Museum with the 5000 year old mummy of Oetzi, etc), you continue on the cycle road along the river Etsch to Auer, from where a short run takes you back to Tramin.

Day 7: Tramin - Trento - Tramin by bike (approx 75 km).
Todays run, along the cycle roads of the Etsch goes in southerly direction to Trento , the capital of the Trentino region. Back to Tramin is either by bike along the wine road of South Tyrol, or by rail.

Day 8: Individual departure.

SHORT - TOUR
Day 1: Own arrival in Meran, with arrival before 12.00 am. Cycle tour in the Passeier valley (45 km).
After your arrival at your hotel in Meran, the start-shot goes off: You cycle along a gently rising road, following the river bed of the Passer river, past bulging fruit orchards with a wonderful backdrop of mountains and forests, to St. Leonhard, the birthplace of the famous South Tyrolean freedom fighter Andreas Hofer. The return goes pleasantly downhill, back to the town of Meran.

Day 2: Meran - Tramin (approx 55 km)
Cycling constantly in the direction of the sun, towards the south, through the fertile region of the lower Etsch valley with its plantations of apples, pears, grapes and asparagus, you are approaching your next destination via the Wine Road of South Tyrol, passing the idyllic wine villages of Eppan and Kaltern. In Kaltern a beautiful view of the emerald green lake Kalterersee, the warmest "swimming lake" of South Tyrol, which also is a good place for windsurfing, greets you, after which you soon reach your hotel, located in the beautiful wine area of Tramin.

Day 3: Tramin - Bozen (approx 35 km).
Over gentle hills and through the breath-taking scenery of the lower South Tyrol, you cross the Etsch river. From Auer you cycle on side roads, through the villages of Branzoll and Leifers, to Bozen, the capital of South Tyrol . An evening stroll through the historic centre of Bozen, to the Walther square with the cathedral and the inviting bars and coffee-shops, should conclude the day.

Day 4: Bozen - Meran (approx 30 km).
On this last day of your tour, you leave Bozen and cycle back to Meran. Surrounded by impressive landscapes you enjoy the last
kilometres, while passing the villages of Terlan, Vilpian, Gargazon and Lana, until, at lunch-time, you again reach your starting point, the town of Meran.
Individual departure during the afternoon, to suit yourself.


CHARACTER OF THE TOUR:
Cycle tour along the Etsch river, on side roads with little traffic and cycle roads. Some short up-hill sections, otherwise flat or downhill.

DATES:
Self-guided tour
Arrival every Saturday from march, 30 to september, 28
(for groups of minimum 6 people, arrival is possible any day, by arrangement).

Guided group tour
april, 20 / may, 18 / october, 06

ARRIVAL - PARKING - DEPARTURE:
Unguarded free parking is provided at the start hotel.
Transfer Tramin - Mals, by minibus Saturdays (departure 9.00 am) and Sundays (departure 16.00 pm). Travel-time approx 3 hours: Price Euro 30.- per person, inclusive of bike, payable in advance. Booking is required
Transfer Tramin - Innsbruck by minibus (schedule by enquiry): Travel time approx 3 hours: Price Euro 35.- per person, inclusive of bike
Transfer Landeck - Mals by minibus (schedule by enquiry): Travel time approx 2.5 hours. Price Euro 40.- per person, inclusive of bike.

WHAT`S INCLUDED:
Self-guided tours
Overnight stays in selected middle class hotels or pensions
breakfast
in the case of half-board, the menu for the evening meal will consist of at least three courses
luggage transport from hotel to hotel
well-planned routing
thorough travel-documentation
7- day- service-hotline.
guided group tours

In addition to the above
a professional guide with local knowledge will be provided
an accompanying vehicle for the full tour
evening meals of at least three-courses
sightseeing for Meran and Bozen
wine-tasting

PRICES:
self-guided tour (8 days)
basic price per person in a double room / BB 448.- Euro
singel room surcharge 105.- Euro
half board surcharge 108.- Euro
bike rental 50.- Euro

self-guided short tour (4 days)
basic price per person in a double room / BB 198.- Euro
singel room surcharge 45.- Euro
bike rental 30.- Euro

Guided group tour
basic price per person in a double room / HB 788.- Euro
singel room surcharge 105.- Euro
bike rental 50.- Euro


Please contact us for further informations:
HIKBIK - tour operator
via Bolzano, 78/2 - 39011 Lana - Italy
Tel. +39 0473 550355
Fax +39 0473 554577
Email: info@hikbik.com
 

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