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View of Venice

Mantua – Venice, MS Vita Pugna

Northern Italy and the magic of Venice

8 Days / 7 Nights
Easy
View of Venice

Blending nature, culture and fine cuisine, this leisurely bike and barge tour along the waterways of the River Po offers more than just a taster of Northern Italy. It explores celebrated cities of art, one of Europe's prime Nature Reserves and a wealth of tucked-away rural hamlets along the route, rewarding our daily rides with authentic regional dishes back on board of the MS Vita Pugna. From the glory of Venice, the lagoon leads us to colourful Chioggia. Next up, the natural wonders of the Po Delta, famed for its birdlife. Then Adria, once a key Roman port, and onwards to Ferrara and Mantua – once major city states crowned by the Italian Renaissance.

Itinerary at a glance

We welcome you aboard your new home-from-home from 4.30 p.m. onwards, and then regroup for the introductory briefing – at 6.30 – with your tour leader, skipper and crew, along with a first refreshing aperitivo. After dinner we can stroll into town and savour the historic centre at its most evocative: Benvenuti a Mantova!

A day dedicated to the discovery of this little visited cultural gem, its three picturesque "lakes" formed by the Mincio, and its surrounding countryside – once a City State ruled by the Gonzaga family and now considered by many as Italy’s "Sleeping Beauty". This afternoon we meet our Mantuan guide for a walking tour of the historic centre, and enjoy the rest of the day in town, at our own leisure.

After breakfast, we set sail from the "lakes" of Mantua and cruise through the lush wetlands that lead to Governolo Lock, where Mantua's River Mincio flows into the Po. Here, we saddle up and follow the broad sweeps of the levee towards Ostiglia, renowned for its medieval fortress and fierce fighting in 1945, as the Allies drove Hitler's forces back. Next: Bergantino, home of the distinctive Museum of Fairground Rides and its collection of street organs, all expertly restored (and thunderous!). This village is also in the heartland of Grana Padano – the arch-rival of Parmesan – and a visit to the local cheese factory, sampling some well seasoned Grana, is de rigueur.We catch up with our barge in Zelo, a sleepy village on the Canal Bianco, the waterway which runs parallel to the Po.

This morning we cross the Po and ride southwards through a patchwork of farmland, orchards and hamlets, as far as Ferrara. Under its ruling family, the Este, this city state attracted architects, artists and scholars for centuries, pioneering town planning principles that have been emulated worldwide ever since. To this day, Ferrara University ranks among the best, and the town is dubbed the ''Cycling Capital of Italy". A private bus and trailer then take us back to our floating hotel in Adria, an ancient Roman port once washed by the sea which bears its name. Adria is also renowned for its Etruscan and Greek heritage. An after-dinner passeggiata into town for a well-earned grappa or gelato is in order.

After a short cruise, we cycle into the delta of the life-giving Po. This unique wetland is the prime reserve in Europe for herons and home to a sizeable colony of flamingos. Weather permitting, as we continue towards Chioggia, we can also enjoy a break at a fine-sand beach nearby for a dip in the Adriatic – not forgetting a hot savoury piadina! Chioggia is also known as "Little Venice", a colourful fishing hub. The overnight takes palce on the Island Pellestrina, just in front of Chioggia.

Venice beckons, but first another world altogether: Pellestrina, the first of two islands we traverse today – a humble and tranquil fishing backwater, picturesque as ever with its cottages, boats and nets. A short island-hop by ferry lands us on the Lido. Fashionable in high society ever since the Belle Époque, the Lido di Venezia is now home to the International Venice Film Festival and its galaxy of stars. After rejoining our barge, an unrushed cruise in front of St Mark’s square takes us to our final destination. After dinner we can savour Venice at night, now free of the crowds and at her most romantic: Benvenuti a Venezia!

After breakfast – and perhaps following a wander off the beaten track with your tour leader – we all meet up with our Venetian guide for a tour through the historic centre. Christened La Serenissima ("The Most Serene"), the Venetian Republic held sway over much of the Mediterranean (and beyond) for centuries – both as a military power and a beacon of culture, her explorers reaching as far as China and Newfoundland. After your guided tour, you have the afternoon free to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Departure after breakfast.

Route information

Easy

This cycling tour is largely along the flats of the Po plains, and the daily
stages vary from 25 to 55 km – mostly on tarmac cycle paths along rivers and canals, or quiet country roads.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Program according to itinerary from Mantua to Venice
  • 7 nights in outside cabins in the booked cabin category
  • 1 welcome drink
  • Full meals (7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch, 6x coffee and tea, 6x dinner)
  • On board tour guide incl. daily tour briefing
  • 1x cabin cleaning, change of bed linen and towels
  • 1 route book per cabin
  • All harbour, lock and bridge fees
  • Guided city tou in Mantua
  • Visit of a cheese factory with tasting of typical Grana Padano 
  • Visit of Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum
  • Visit of a historic glass factory on Murano island
  • Bus transfer Ferrara-Zelo / Ferrara-Adriatic Sea
  • GPS-data

Optional

  • Helmet included, reservation necessary

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Unguarded parking spaces free of charge near the harbour
  • Guarded parking space also near the harbour, reservation under info@albergobianchi.com in advance necessary.

Things to note

  • Minimum number of participants: 12 persons
  • It is not possible to take your own bikes on board due to the lack of space on deck. 
  • Further important information according to the package travel law and additional information about your bike and boat trip can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Program according to itinerary from Mantua to Venice
  • 7 nights in outside cabins in the booked cabin category
  • 1 welcome drink
  • Full meals (7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch, 6x coffee and tea, 6x dinner)
  • On board tour guide incl. daily tour briefing
  • 1x cabin cleaning, change of bed linen and towels
  • Digital travel documents, app incl. GPS data, route description and maps 
  • All harbour, lock and bridge fees
  • Guided city tou in Mantua
  • Visit of a cheese factory with tasting of typical Grana Padano 
  • Visit of Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum
  • Visit of a historic glass factory on Murano island
  • Bus transfer Ferrara-Zelo / Ferrara-Adriatic Sea

Optional

  • Helmet included, reservation necessary

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Unguarded parking spaces free of charge near the harbour
  • Guarded parking space also near the harbour, reservation under info@albergobianchi.com in advance necessary.

Things to note

  • Minimum number of participants: 12 persons
  • It is not possible to take your own bikes on board due to the lack of space on deck. 
  • Further important information according to the package travel law and additional information about your bike and boat trip can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

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Melanie Spitzwieser

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Melanie Spitzwieser
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