You are in the green heart of Veneto, at the center of its cycling paths that spread out like a complex network covering a vast territory.
The Euganean Hills cycling ring develops as a circular itinerary along the waterways that embrace the Euganean Hills Natural Park.
Meet the guide and pick up the bicycles. After adjusting the heights, we set off to reach Battaglia Terme, a riverside village and ancient river port on the Euganean Hills, a true open-air museum with curious hydraulic artifacts and Venetian bridges. Just outside the center stands the impressive Castle of Catajo, monumental like a medieval castle but internally frescoed like a Renaissance villa. We continue on flat terrain, along the bank of the Canale di Battaglia, next to the elegant Villa Selvatico that looks down on us with vanity from the top of the Colle di Sant’Elena. The panorama is never the same, and soon we reach the walled city of Monselice. The hill of the castle is an extraordinary example of historical stratification: it features the federician Mastio and the medieval Ezzeliana tower, but what impresses the most are the Renaissance works culminating with the Santuario delle Sette Chiesette and Villa Duodo.
The excursion continues along the slopes of Monte Ricco until we reach the charming Arquà Petrarca, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, a well-preserved medieval town. The settlement exhibits a unique bipolarity: two villages, two churches, and two squares. After the visit, we enjoy the descent and the view of the Laghetto termale della Costa, a UNESCO site, and continue along secondary roads to the Giardini di Valsanzibio.
As the final stop of this experience, we are welcomed with a wine tasting in the cellar. During the tasting session, all the secrets of the wines of the Euganean Hills will be explained to us, a unique territory that alternates volcanic soils with limestone, giving different aromas and scents that can only be found here.
