Alpe Adria: Salzburg to Grado without the Tauern Tunnel

Day 1: Arrival in Salzburg
You will arrive individually at your first hotel in Salzburg. A cycling holiday could hardly start more attractively than in Mozart's city, whose splendid old town is full of baroque monuments. Take a few Mozartkugeln with you for the ride to the sea.

Day 2: Salzburg – Bischofshofen/St. Johann (60 km, +495 m / −360 m)
With the Hohensalzburg fortress in view you leave the city, the mountains already visible in the distance. The first stretch runs beside the Salzach. Along the way you pass Hellbrunn castle, the former summer residence of the Salzburg archbishops, whose trick fountains have delighted visitors for over four hundred years. On the Tauern cycle path the ride continues towards Hallein, known for its crooked houses and above all for its white gold: salt. The Golling waterfall is another stop on the route.

Day 3: Bischofshofen/St. Johann – Villach (40 km + transfer, +75 m / −120 m)
Today's stage starts towards Schwarzach. From Schwarzach a shuttle bus takes you to Spittal an der Drau. Back in the saddle, you ride the last stretch of the stage along the Drava cycle path to Villach.

Day 4: Villach – Tarvisio/Camporosso (40 km, +290 m / −750 m)
Following the Gail you leave Villach behind and, shortly after, Austria for Italy. In the border triangle between Italy, Austria and Slovenia lies the Val Canale, whose main town is Tarvisio. Austrians, Slovenes, Friulians and Italians have lived here side by side for centuries, as this is where the three great European language families meet. Tarvisio is both one of the most important mountain resorts in Friuli Venezia Giulia and a well-known winter destination. Continuing up the Val Canale you ride through the Friulian Alps, with their unspoilt nature and vast intact forests. If you prefer, you can take the train to Tarvisio or Ugovizza — the ticket is not included — and shorten part of the stage.

Day 5: Tarvisio – Venzone (56 km, +320 m / −830 m)
Tarvisio, a small town ringed by broad valleys and forests, modern in appearance but with an old soul and rich traditions, is the start of today's ride. Continuing through the Val Canale you take in the beauty of the Friulian alpine country from the saddle, with its unspoilt nature and wide forests.

Day 6: Venzone – Udine (57 km, +180 m / −310 m)
Gemona del Friuli, at the southern end of the Val Canale and at the foot of the Julian Alps, is considered one of the loveliest historic villages in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Vine-covered hills line the route and invite you to taste the local wine. Udine, marked by Venetian influence, is a calm and peaceful city: over a coffee in the square or on a walk through the old town you can take in its imposing late Gothic and Renaissance buildings.

Day 7: Udine – Grado (58 km, +10 m / −115 m)
Carried by the Sirocco you ride through reed beds and canals to Grado, a historic fishing town and one of the best-known resorts on the Adriatic. Along the way lie Palmanova, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the extensive excavations of the ancient city of Aquileia.

Day 8: Departure
Your tour ends after breakfast. You may choose to extend your stay on the Adriatic coast.