Mantova-Venice

Day 1 Arrival in Mantova
Welcome on board! The cabins are available from 4 PM. The boat is moored at Porto Catena, just a short walk from the city centre. The meeting with the tour leader and the crew is scheduled at dinner time; at 7 PM, Mantova is one of the most beautiful towns in Northern Italy, where a lot of worldwide known artists left their masterpieces, thanks to the famous Gonzaga family.

Day 2 Mantova – Governolo – Zelo, appr. 50 km
The boat takes you to Governolo, stronghold of the Mincio Pirates, where you can find the biggest basin of Italy, built in order to control the Mincio River. Here you will take your bikes and start the ride, keep on following the River Po, until the village of Ostiglia, with the ruins of a medieval fortress. Subsequently you will visit the “Carousel and folk show museum” in Bergantino and enjoy a cheese tasting at a cheese factory. After a ride along the “Canal Bianco” you will finally reach Zelo.

Day 3 Zelo – Ferrara – Adria, appr. 50 km. + 60 km. by bus
After breakfast you will start cycling towards Ferrara. Once you have reached the town, which has earned the name of “city of bicycles” you will be enchanted by the historical centre, still surrounded by the old city walls. From Ferrara a short bus transfer will take you to Adria, an ancient Greek port, famous for trading amber coming from the Baltic region.

Day 4   Adria – Porto Viro – Albarella, appr. 35 or 55 km
The boat will take you to Porto Viro, from where you will start the daily ride into the maze of the Po Delta, an uncontaminated paradise between marshes and lagoons of the Po, pedaling in the heart of nature. The destination is Albarella, a private island of ancient traditions. In case of low water, you will start cycling directly from Adria, for approximately 55 km.

Day 5   Albarella – Chioggia, appr. 40 km
You will be suspended between water and land, as you will pedal between the Po Delta and the mouth of the River Adige. You will then follow the Po-Brondolo waterway, which links the river to the Venetian lagoon. You will stay overnight in Chioggia, known as “little Venice”. A visit to the fish market at dawn is an absolute must!

Day 6   Chioggia – Venice, appr. 30 km
The boat will take you to the Natural reserve of Ca’ Roman, a sandy islet surrounded by pinewoods. Pedaling along the lagoon, you will reach Pellestrina: from here, riding on the cycle path you will reach the ferry landing stage. A short boat ride takes you to Lido island, along the “ Murazzi” with a stop in Malamocco, the ancient harbor of Venice. The overnight is at the Island of Giudecca, not far from St. Mark’s square, with an amazing view over the lagoon.
 
Day 7   Venice
Free day. You have the whole day to discover the magnificent historical centre of the capital of the “Repubblica Serenissima” or its wonderful islands.

Day 8  Venice, departure
Mantova, end of you tour after breakfast.

Your ship, your hotel: Vita Pugna   
After many years as cargo boat Vita Pugna has been totally renewed in the beginning of the 1990s in order to start its new life as floating hotel along the Dutch canals. On board the Vita Pugna you will find the same style and cosy atmosphere of the Bike & Barge cruises in Holland enhanced by the friendly and homely management of the international crew. The typical wooden cabin area and the comfortable air-conditioned living room will welcome the customers for a well-deserved rest after a day on the bike.  
Each cabin (7/8 m2) boasts twin low beds, en-suite facilities and pretty portholes. The cabins can exploit the corridor air conditioning.
 
Your ship, your hotel: Ave Maria    
This Italian boat has been totally rebuilt in order to meet the hightest clients' requests. Only the hull of the original 1970s sand digger sailing along the Po has remained and the boat is brand new. It has been completely designed by a renowned architectural Italian firm. Its shapes, colours and materials have been chosen carefully in order to create a warm, sober and yet sophisticated atmosphere. Each cabin (11 m2) has large windows, comfortable low beds, en-suite facilities and air conditioning.