When one thinks of bicycle vacations, the first image that comes to mind is nature, with landscapes and natural parks to explore, perhaps even mountains or the sea and hills. Have you ever thought that some Italian cities might be the perfect destinations for a bicycle vacation?

Bicycle tourism is becoming increasingly popular, all over Italy cycling paths are increasing, as well as services and accommodations that are bike friendly, a key factor facilitating this type of travel experience. Today we are faced with a great choice and a plethora of projects, such as VENTO, the bike path that follows the Po river from Turin to Venice (and vice versa), the Val Pusteria cycle path in the heart of the Dolomites or, heading a bit further south, the Assisi Spoleto cycle path, which crosses the Umbrian Valley, with all its wonders. These are just some of the most beautiful cycling paths in Italy, but there are many others to discover.

One of the features that makes these bike trips unique is the variety of landscapes that you pass through: hills, mountains, rivers, plains, forests, and cities.

The cities indeed, are the real revelation of bicycle tourism, and even in Italy, the idea that bicycle tourism in the cities is one of the best experiences that can be lived during the journey is taking hold. The reason is very simple:

• Eco-friendly, the bicycle is indeed the greenest mode of transport available

• Economical, it certainly costs less to move around the city by bike rather than taking a bus or taxi

• Healthy, the bike is good for the body and mind (we had already talked about this in the article on the benefits of traveling by bike)

• Stress reducing, because it avoids hours in traffic, long commutes, delays due to traffic and therefore allows you to better enjoy your days.

For these reasons (and for many others that we will explain later), we want to share with you some travel ideas to do bicycle tourism in Italian cities and to share more than a hobby, a more sustainable and slower lifestyle.

Treviso

Treviso, an ancient city surrounded by walls with a historic centre full of history, monasteries and old noble palaces is one of the Italian capitals of bicycling and at least a quarter of its inhabitants use it every day. But the road certainly does not end here, Treviso can be the perfect stop on a broader bicycle touring itinerary that starts across the border, more specifically from Munich, another perfect city to explore by bike, to Venice.

Bologna and Parma

Let's now travel to Emilia, between the cities of Bologna and Parma, where good food and hospitality are never lacking! In Bologna, the passion for two wheels meets the need to avoid traffic: the bike is undoubtedly the best means of transport to discover the true heart of the Emilian capital. But what you perhaps don't know is that from here you can even cycle to Parma, passing through the Emilian countryside and the cities in-between, such as Modena and Reggio Emilia.

Upon arriving in Parma, the first thing that strikes you are the streets full of bicycles: here the bike is truly a way of life.

Trento

There's a reason why the Dolomites are a world heritage site and discovering them by bike is an unforgettable experience.

Trento is one of the smartest cities in the world and it is here that sustainability reaches its highest levels. Discovering Trento by bike is a real pleasure, but what makes it even more interesting is the Adige cycle path that connects it to Merano, passing through orchards and vineyards. Prepare to pedal with taste!

Are you planning to visit a city this fall/winter? Do it sustainably, choose the bicycle! In all the Italian cities we've talked about in this article, you'll find bike rental and bike sharing services that you can trust for a fun zero-emission city tour!