Bike and Barge: Mantova to Venice (MS Ave Maria Italia)

Arrival in Mantua and all on board from 5:00 PM. The boat awaits you in Porto Catena, just a few minutes walk from the historic centre. At 6:30 PM, it is time for the welcome meeting accompanied by a refreshing drink. The on-board staff and tour leader are ready to explain the tour and answer any questions. After dinner, first, walk in the centre of Mantua.

The day is dedicated to the city of Mantua and the surrounding countryside. The view of Mantua surrounded by its “lakes” (actually created by the Mincio River) is a spectacular sight as it looks like a real island, dominated by the Castle of San Giorgio. In the afternoon, a guided tour of Mantua, once ruled by the Gonzaga family, which made it an important political, artistic and cultural centre of the Renaissance, awaits you.

Starting from Piazza Sordello with the majestic Ducal Palace and the Duomo, make your way to Piazza delle Erbe, dominated by the Clock Tower, the Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the city’s oldest church, and the Basilica di Sant’Andrea, a jewel of Renaissance architecture and art. Tonight you decide where to have dinner.

It is time to set sail from Mantua: a stretch of navigation takes you to Governolo, where the Mincio “falls into the Po,” as Dante put it. Start cycling along the Po River and reach Ostiglia, a town of Roman origin on the border between Mantua and Polesine, where the Mondadori publishing house was founded in 1907.

A little magic doesn’t hurt, because, in the small town of Bergantino, you can become a child again: visit the Museum of Amusement Rides and Popular Entertainment. After an excellent tasting of Grana Padano cheese to replenish your strength, you arrive at the small village of Zelo, where you will find your boat ready to welcome you: just over 300 inhabitants, a church and a delightful arched bridge, ideal for an evening of total relaxation on board

This morning we crossed the Po and rode 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

On board to Porto Viro, where you start today’s ride in the maze of the Po delta close to the mouth of the River Adige.

Follow the Po-Brondolo waterway, which links the river with the Venetian Lagoon.

Stay overnight in Chioggia, known as ‘Little Venice’.

Venice awaits, but first we step into an entirely different world: Pellestrina – the first of two islands we’ll visit today. This quiet, unassuming fishing village remains as picturesque as ever, dotted with charming cottages, colourful boats and weathered fishing nets.

A short ferry crossing then brings us to the Lido. A fashionable retreat since the Belle Époque, the Lido di Venezia is now best known as the home of the prestigious Venice Film Festival and its constellation of celebrities.

We’ll also visit the island of Murano, renowned for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition, where a master craftsman will give a live glassblowing demonstration at a historic glass factory.

Returning to our barge, we enjoy a leisurely cruise past the iconic St Mark’s Square en route to our final mooring. After dinner, we can delight in Venice by night – the crowds gone, the city bathed in romance.

Benvenuti a Venezia!

Following a wander off the beaten track with your tour leader, you have the day free to enjoy the city at your own pace. 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.

Breakfast on board and then more time in Venice if you have booked a late flight home. Return to the airport or stay for additional nights in Venice.

Embarkation is scheduled from 5:00 PM in Mantua/Venice. Here you will meet the tour leader and other participants. At 6.30 PM a meeting with the tour leader and the crew is scheduled.

If you arrive before 5:00 PM, you can leave the luggage on board anytime during the day.

Tour programme variations

• The programme has been planned to feature navigation along the Fissero/ Bianco canal, which runs parallel to the Po River and connects Mantua to the Adriatic Sea. Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.
• Issues with high and low water, as well as logistic obstacles such as officially ordered – previously not announced – repair work on locks or bridges can modify some of the daily stretches or overnight stays and may even request a transfer by bus. These decisions are only taken by the barge’s captain.

Travel insurance

• It is advisable to take out an insurance policy against expenses arising from cancellation of the tour package, accidents, luggage (loss and damage), as well as a contract covering expenses in case of repatriation. Insurance policies are not included in the tour package offered by the operator.

About the MS Ave Maria Italia

• En-suite bathroom and shower
• Air conditioning throughout the barge
• WiFi available in common areas
• 17 cabins
• 31 guests in low beds, plus additional guests in bunk beds (on request)

An elegant riverboat with a modern design, it sails between Mantua and Venice, following the Mincio River, the Po River, and its canals to the Venetian Lagoon. It is an environmentally sustainable boat due to energy conservation on board, purification of dark water, and navigation that does not damage the shores. View more details.

Cabins

• 4 upper deck double/twin cabins (11 sq.m) (D)
• 10 lower deck double/twin cabins (11 sq.m) (B, C)
• 3 lower deck single cabins (7.5 sq.m) (A)
• The two single beds can become a double bed, and most double beds can be separated into two single beds
• Possible additional bunk beds in some cabins

Features

• Comfortable low beds (2.00 m x 0.80 m)
• En-suite facilities
• Large windows
• Individually controlled air conditioning
• Safe deposit box
• Under the beds, there is space for luggage storage: H36cm x W112cm x D80cm

Common Areas

• Cosy and bright restaurant hall with large panoramic windows
• Lounge area for relaxation with a wide selection of board games, books, and travel guides, a 55” multimedia screen, and free WiFi
• Sundeck to enjoy sailing and outdoor dining

Arrival: Mantova

Departure: Venice

Nearest arrival airport(s): Verona

Nearest departure airport(s): Venice

We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Mantova by rail. Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request.

Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.