Italy: Bike and Barge Tour - Venice to Mantua

Day 1  We meet at 6:30pm onboard our boat, the Ave Maria, docked in the Venetian lagoon. Our home away from home holds 24 guests. Most rooms have two beds and its own bathroom. After introductions to the crew and an orientation, we’ll enjoy our first dinner together on the barge. 0 miles.

Day 2  Today is the day to explore the Island of Venice at a slower walking pace with our guides.  It was once the capital of the ancient Serenissima Republic of Venice and ruled over much of the Mediterranean. Today it’s one of the most romantic cities in the world, and an easy one to get lost in. You can spend the afternoon exploring this unique place on your own before returning to the barge for dinner together. 0 miles.

Day 3  We cruise out of Venice together, passing St. Mark’s Square, with our first stop on Murano Island, where we will watch a master glass blower create the art that this island is famous for. Our next island hop is to Lido, home of the Venice Film Festival, mansions and luxury hotels. Then it’s on to Pellestrina Island. The island’s bike path will take us past beautiful beaches and sand dunes, fishing boats and cottages. We rejoin the barge in front of Chioggia, a bustling fishing hub also known as “Little Venice.” 14 miles. (+383’/-389’)

Day 4  We’ll start our day with a stroll through Chioggia, followed by a visit to an historic clock tower. If weather permits, we will ride a bit to bask in the sun of a nearby beach, taking a dip in the Adriatic. Then we hop on our bicycles to explore the Po Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Po Delta is a protected area and one of the most biodiverse in Europe. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the 300 species of birds here, such as ibis, grebes, herons, and pink flamingoes. We’ll overnight in the town of Adria, which was once connected to the Adriatic Sea and an ancient Greek port. A local museum highlights the town’s Etruscan, Roman and Venetian heritage. 27 miles. (+454’/-458’)

Day 5  After a short cruise in the morning, we’ll start cycling along the river to Ferrara, the bicycling capital of Italy. Bikes are everywhere. The town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still has 500-year-old walls surrounding it, which have been transformed into a beautiful linear park. You can’t miss the 14^th century moated medieval castle in the very center of town. Then we’ll shuttle to our overnight in Zelo on the Canale Bianco. 24 miles. (+386’/-363’)

Day 6  We’ll begin our day with a short cruise and then a bike ride to the town of Bergantino and the National Museum of Carousels and Entertainment. Its fascinating collection not only documents the history of amusement parks but also explores the human need for escape and entertainment. After a cheese tasting of the local Grana Padano, we’ll follow the Po River through the charming small riverside towns of Ostiglia and Libiola. The Po is the longest river in Italy and winds its way from its source in the Alps to the Adriatic Sea. Once in Governolo, we’ll follow the Mincio River until we reach Mantua and the finish of our cycling. Dinner is on your own. 28 miles. (+401’/-378’)

Day 7  We’ll spend the day discovering the gem that is Mantua, first on our bikes and then with a guided walking tour. Once a city-state ruled by the Gonzaga family, its center-city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beautiful Renaissance architecture. We’ll explore the narrow alleys and lanes that wind through the lively town center. We’ll also explore the three man-made lakes built centuries ago that surround the city like a moat. We’ll return to our barge for our last dinner together. 20 miles. (+365’/-365’)

Day 8  We say our good-byes after breakfast this morning. You are free to travel the short distance to the Mantua train station for your return home. Ciao! 0 miles.