“La Bella Vita”- Venice and the Italian Renaissance 2020
A very special trip aboard a luxury all-inclusive hotel barge cruising the Venetian Lagoon and the River Po Valley to Mantua and its lakes in Style and Elegance. Discover the Italian Renaissance by visiting Venice, Ferrara, Mantua but also enjoying fabulous landscapes and tasting the Italian Cousine and Wines. The cruise is guaranteed with a minimum of 12 passengers.
Sunday, Day 1 VENICE Guests are met at the designated pick up point in Venice on Sunday and transferred to La Bella Vita. A Prosecco welcome gives you a chance to meet the crew, followed by a late afternoon cruise along the Giudecca Canal where we admire some of the most famous monuments of Venice. Visit to the Doge’s Palace and dinner aboard, followed perhaps by an evening stroll to the magnificent St Mark’s square. We moor overnight in the Riva Sette Martiri by the Naval Museum.
Monday, Day 2 VENICE TO LIDO TO SAN PIETRO IN VOLTA Guided walking tour in Castello District, experiencing the unique atmosphere of this magical city and perhaps discovering some hidden parts of it. Visit of the Palladian Church of St. Peter and of the Naval Museum. After lunch, relax aboard or wander. In the late afternoon we cruise along the Lido to Pellestrina, for a special walk or biketour at sunset. Dinner and overnight aboard.
Tuesday, Day 3 SAN PIETRO IN VOLTA TO TAGLIO DI PO Morning cruise to the very ancient city of Chioggia for a visit to the city centre admiring the Cathedral, Piazzetta Vigo and to the colourful fresh fish market. Transfer to Porto Levante before cruising on the River Po. Passing through a nature reserve with flocks of flamingos and other wildlife, we travel upriver to Taglio di Po for dinner ashore hosted by the owners at the beautiful 17thC Villa Ca’ Zen, a private stately home by the river where Lord Byron courted the Countes Guiccioli and wrote some of his best poetry. Overnight on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 TAGLIO DI PO TO ZELO Morning cruise leaving the Po River and entering the Canal Bianco to Adria for a walk to the city centre and the free visit of the Archeological Museum. After lunch, we visit the magnificient Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of 17thC Villa Widmann-Borletti for a private tasting of their renown estate grown vintages. This winery has been supplying Venetian society for centuries. Return to the barge, navigation to Zelo and … are you ready for a surprise on board?
Thursday, Day 5 ZELO TO GOVERNOLO Morning excursion with guided tour of the Renaissance city of Ferrara, including a view of the 14thC Estense Castle with its moat, drawbridges, marble balconies and we also see the cathedral façade with its sculpted images described as an illustrated Bible. Return to the barge for an afternoon canal cruise past villages and farmsteads from Trevenzuolo to Governolo for dinner and overnight aboard.
Friday, Day 6 GOVERNOLO TO MANTUA Our final cruise takes us to Mantua with its captivating lakeside setting. We will visit the 14th century Ducal Palace housing some 15 gardens, courtyards, a museum, basilica, theatre and some 500 rooms. Free afternoon in the city of the Gonzaga’s Family. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday, Day 7 MANTUA After breakfast passengers disembark for the transfer back to Venice.
The tour can be turned upside down starting from Mantua and arriving in Venice) Request the best quotation for your group
“La Bella Vita” – a Family Cruise in Italy 2020
A very special all-inclusive trip aboard a luxury hotel barge cruising the Venetian Lagoon and the River Po Valley to Mantua and its lakes in style and elegance. Discover Venice, Chioggia, Mantua, enjoy some games, animal and amusement parks, Italian cuisine and wines. The cruise is guaranteed with a minimum of 10 passengers.
Sunday, Day 1- VENICE Guests are met at the designated hotel in Venice on Sunday at 1.30 pm and transferred to La Bella Vita. A Prosecco welcome gives you a chance to meet the crew, followed by a cruise along the Giudecca Canal were we admire some of the most famous monuments of Venice. Vaporetto transfer to the Natural History Museum for the visit. Dinner aboard, followed perhaps by an evening stroll to the magnificent St Mark’s Square. We moor overnight in the Riva Sette Martiri by the Naval Museum.
Monday, Day 2 – VENICE TO SAN PIETRO IN VOLTA We enjoy a “Scavenger Hunt” and the unique atmosphere of this magical city, discovering some hidden parts of it. After lunch, relax aboard or take a stroll before we cruise to Pellestrina, for a special walk or bike tour at sunset eating some original Italian Gelato (icecream). Dinner and overnight aboard.
Tuesday, Day 3 – SAN PIETRO IN VOLTA TO TAGLIODI PO Morning cruise to the ancient city of Chioggia to see the city centre, admiring the Cathedral, Piazzetta Vigo and the colourful fresh fish market. We will also explore Chioggia in a typical small wooden boat, called “Bragosso” on its canals. Transfer to Porto Levante before cruising on the River Po. Passing through a nature reserve with flocks of flamingos and other wildlife, we cruise upriver to Taglio di Po for dinner ashore in a Pizzeria for authentic Italian Pizza. Overnight on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 – TAGLIO DI PO TO ZELO Morning cruise leaving the Po River and entering the Bianco Canal to arrive in Adria. We walk to the city centre and the visit the Archeological Museum. After lunch, we visit Valcorba Animal Park and then the magnificient Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of 17thC Villa Widmann-Borletti for a private tasting of their renowned estate – grown vintages. This winery has been supplying Venetian society for centuries. Return to the barge, and cruise to Zelo. Dinner followed by a “surprise” and overnight on board.
Thursday, Day 5 – ZELO TO GOVERNOLO Our families will spend the whole day in Gardaland Amusement Park, one of the biggest and best theme parks in Europe. Gardaland offers a freefall tower, upside down roller coasters, theme rides, water rides, children’s attractions and various shows including a sea lion show, an ice show and a Broadway show. There is also a 4D cinema and numerous restaurants and snack bars. Lunch is at clients expense but there’s a paket lunch prepared by board chef. Return to the barge at Governolo for dinner and overnight on board.
Friday, Day 6 – GOVERNOLO TO MANTUA Our final cruise takes us to Mantua with its captivating lakeside setting. We visit the 14th century Ducal Palace housing 15 gardens and courtyards, a museum, basilica, theatre and some 500 rooms. Lunch on board and free evening in the city of the Gonzaga’s Family. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 – MANTUA TO VENICE After breakfast, passengers disembark for the transfer back to Venice.
(The tour can be turned upside down starting from Mantua and arriving in Venice) Request the best quotation for your group.
