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. Itexplores celebrated cities of art, one of Europe's prime Nature Reserves and awealth of tucked-away rural hamlets along the route, rewarding our daily rideswith authentic regional dishes back on board. From the glory of Venice, thelagoon leads us to colourful Chioggia. Next up, the natural wonders of the PoDelta, 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.
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 Venice!
Today you will discover the city and its surroundings by bike. In the morning you will visit the wonderful historical centre of the "Serenissima" in Venice with a guide. After that, you can take the city alone or discover the islands of the lagoon.
This is the most enchanting day of the whole tour as you cycle through the two long islands that separate the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. From the Lido, one of the most impressive beach resorts of the Adriatic and seat of the International Film Festival, you cycle south to Malamocco. The small town was the first seat of the Doge's of the Republic of Venice. A short boat trip takes you to the island of Pellestrina with its picturesque fishermen's cottages. You can reach the ship not far away from Chioggia, a lively and colorful Fishing port.
You leave Pellestrina and Chioggia, the so-called "little Venice" in the south, along the Po-Brondolo and across the mouth of the river Adige. After you have explored the extensive flora and fauna of the Podeltas, you will reach the city of Adria, formerly an ancient Greek port.
After a short cruise in the morning, we cycle through nature in the direction of Ferrara, which is famous for its numerous cycle paths and the wide distribution who bought two-wheelers the name "City of Cyclists". You will be historical centre with its mighty ring of walls be enchanted. In the afternoon a short bus transfer will take you to Zelo, where the Ship is waiting for you.
After a few kilometres of cycling you will reach Bergantino, where you will find the "Museum des Visit the merry-go-rounds and the Volkstheater" and enjoy a tasting in a cheese dairy. You cycle along the Po river to Ostiglia, a small town with medieval castle ruins, and then to Governolo. Here you can find the Italy's largest river basin. Afterwards you leave the river Po and reach finally with a wonderful boat trip Mantua in the late afternoon.
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.
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.
7 overnights in cabins with shower/toilet/air-condition in the booked cabin category
Full board: 7 x breakfast, 6 x small lunch or lunch package for your bike tour,7 x 3-course dinner
Welcome of the captain and welcome drink
Daily cleaning of cabins
change of towels and bed linen if required
Daily bike tour briefing
habour fees
Guided visit in Venice and Mantua
Visit of a cheese factory with tasting of typical Grana Padano
Visit of Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum
Bus transfer Ferrara-Zelo / Ferrara-Adria
Travel Guide, Maps, Roadbook
English speaking tour leader within an international group
Second tour leader with a minimum of 25 people
Infos
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
Unguarded parking spaces free of charge near the harbour
Guarded parking space also near the harbour approx. € 8,-/day. reservation under info@albergobianchi.com in advance necessary.
Number of participants:
min. none, guranteed departures
Accommodation
MS Vita Pugna
The slightly simple equipped ship for a maximum of 20 guests is equipped with a sun deck and an air-conditioned living room.
MS Vita Pugna
The boat Vita Pugna is equipped with: - 10 Standard Twin cabins (including one accommodating up to 3 guests) of 7/8 m2. All cabins are air-conditioned and are equipped with comfortable low twin beds and en-suite facilities. They also offer the convenience of attractive, traditional portholes, which can be opened for fresh air. Bed size is 1.90/2 m x 0.75/0.80 m. There is a spacious air-conditioned lounge/restaurant with 5 tables, accommodating up to 23 guests.
Contact & booking
Do you still have questions about the tour? We are happy to help and look forward to your inquiry.