Italy Bike & Boat: Mantova to Venice

Italy Bike & Boat: Mantova to Venice - Ave Maria

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.9 Read 14 reviews

Two nights on-board in Venice, that most romantic of cities
Exploring Venice, Ferrara and Mantova, jewels of the Italian Renaissance
The tranquillity and birdlife of the Po Delta Nature Reserve
Authentic regional cuisine, both simple and refined
Easy cycling on flat cycle paths and quiet country lanes

Experience Venice, Mantova and Ferrara, each a jewel of the Italian Renaissance, on an easy going bike and boat cruise from Mantova to Venice. Cruising from Venice through the Po Delta Reserve you will experience the tranquillity, nature, beauty and birdlife of Northern Italy in a unique way. Your adventure begins in the “undiscovered” city of Mantova (Mantua). The Gonzaga family ensured that this medieval and renaissance city remains one of the artistic, cultural and musical hubs of northern Italy. On day three you jump on your bikes, alternating between bike and boat as we make our way to Venice. En route you will discover Ferrara, a beautiful city, half mediaeval, half Renaissance and the Po Delta Nature Reserve. A UNESCO World Heritage site made up of vast wetlands, woodlands and forests, which is home to over 300 species of birds including the pink flamingos at the Salina di Comacchio, the old salt works. Our final day of biking takes us island hopping from Chioggia, a bustling and colourful fishing harbour known as little Venice, through the Venice lagoon to Venice. Your adventure ends with two nights on-board in Venice. You will explore Venice with a local guide who will help you discover Venice, a city of timeless beauty. Take in St Mark’s Basilica, the Grand Canal, the Torre del Orologio, the Bridge of Sighs or just relax with a cappuccino and watch the world float by. Trips depart every Saturday from Mantova on either the Ave Maria, a premium boat with a capacity of 40 guests or Vita Pugna, a traditional Dutch barge that sleeps 21 guests. Our floating hotels are feature fantastic food, comfortable cabins, great service and large public spaces. You can choose to cycle either with a guide as part of the group or on a self-guided basis with the help of our detailed route books. Your bike and boat trip includes 7 nights on-board in ensuite double/twin cabins on a full board basis, bike hire, guided or self guided cycling and guided tours of Venice and Mantova.

Read All

What To Expect

The perfect introduction to cycling in Italy. Ideally suited to beginners this bike and boat cycle route follows flat cycle paths and quiet roads. Great boats, wonderful food and fabulous cities and sights along the way.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Bike and Boat | A combination of cycling and cruising or sailing, your overnight accommodation will be on boat or barge style accommodation.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Multi-Generational, Mixed Abilities, First Timers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie Adventures

Inspiration:

Grade & Terrain

This trip is graded easy. The cycling is on flat tarmac cycle paths along rivers and canals or quiet country roads. Daily distances vary between 30 and 55 km. The boat is moored at night and typically sets sail after breakfast, meeting up with the bikes in the afternoon. Some parts of the itinerary are undertaken by boat, for example to allow easier access onto cycling paths, or simply to enjoy the cruise through the Venice lagoon.

Navigation

The program has been planned to feature navigation along the Fissero-Bianco canal, which runs parallel to the Po and connects Mantova to the Adriatic Sea. Issues with high and low water, as well as logistic obstacles can modify some of the daily stretches or overnight stays. These decisions are taken by the boat’s captain.

Guided or Self-Guided: You can choose to bike either on a self-guided or guided basis at no extra charge. The detailed directions and maps supplied with your info-pack offer you the option of either cycling independently or with the rest of the group, following the Tour Leader. When booking this bike and boat tour, please specify your chosen option (i.e. Guided or Self-guided).

Accommodation Information

You will spend each night on the boat in your very comfortable cabin. Your boat is always docked at night and only sails during the day.

Ave Maria

The Ave Maria is a comfortable and classic river cruising with a capacity of 42 passengers across 10 standard double cabins, 4 superior double cabins and 3 single cabins (with bunk beds sized 2,00 x 0,80 m). All cabins enjoy sizeable windows (the ones in the superior double cabins can also be partially opened), comfortable low beds, en-suite facilities, air conditioning, and a safety box. Most of the double beds can be separated into two single beds (on request). The large air-conditioned saloon, expansive sun decks, and complimentary wifi in common areas are just a few more features which make the Ave Maria a favourite amongst our clients.

Single Cabins and Solo Cyclists

Single cabins are available, although a supplement is payable. This trip is available to solo cyclists and is perfect as there are plenty of people to chat with every day.

Meals

This trip is operated on a full board basis (breakfast, dinner and a self-made packed lunch) with all meals included from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8. Coffee, tea and other hot drinks on board are included. Beverages are not included, the boat sells a good selection of wine and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

In Italy, they know a thing or two about pots and pans, and on-board catering is simple but subtle, with a good selection of local wines and excellent service. The Ave Maria and Vita Pugna chefs boast plenty of experience and, in the words of our clients, the food alone is worth the trip.

Here are two sample menus:

1- Linguine with asparagus, rare roast beef with fresh rocket leaves and stuffed tomatoes, Venetian mixed salad, tiramisu.
2- Freshly caught seafood in wine and herbs, seabass meunière with baby potatoes, fennel and orange salad, chocolate and cherry mousse.

Included

7 x Overnight in a comfortable cabin
Full Board
English-speaking tour leader onboard
Guided tour of Venice and Mantova
Bike Rental including helmet
Bus transfer Ferrara to Zelo / Ferrara to Adria
Harbour charges
Detailed information pack, route description and maps
Visit to cheese factory, with tasting of Grana Padano
Local support and 24/7 emergency support from our office

Excluded

Travel to Mantova / from Venice
Personal Expenditure
Ticket for public transportation in Venice and lagoon
Travel Insurance
Tips

Extras

E-Bike Rental
Additional nights

When To Go

Trips start in Venice every Saturday between late March and mid October on alternate boats. Peak season (June-September) does book up well in advance and please contact us as soon as possible so that we can advise on the latest availability.

The boat’s journey will cover 3 Italian regions: Lombardia, Emilia Romagna and Veneto. Generally you will find mild temperatures in spring and autumn, while in summer (July-August) the weather is definitely hotter and humid with refreshing rain showers every now and then. Always make sure to carry plenty of water to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen and a sunhat on hot days.

Getting to the Start

By Air:

Both Venice and Mantova are well served by many airports of Northern Italy: Venice (VCE), Treviso (TSF),Verona (VRN), Bergamo (BGY), Milano Malpensa (MXP), Milano Linate (LIN). Verona is the closest airport to to Mantova so if possible you may wish to consider flying into Verona and out of Venice.

By Railway and Car:

Mantova is situated on the A22 Highway Brennero–Modena, only 50 km south of Verona. By train it is connected very frequently to the railway station of Verona (journey: 45 min.) Venice is situated on the A4 highway and on one of the principal railway lines, which links Venice to the most important Italian cities. The journey Venice–Mantova (or opposite) is covered by train in approx. 2,5 hours.

Your pre-departure information pack has detailed information on how to reach the start/end of the trip including maps, timetables etc. so that you can plan your travel well in advance.

Equipment

Bike Rental: 27-gear Shimano Deore unisex bikes in appropriate frame sizes. They are puncture-proof, fully serviced and equipped with a trip computer, sidebag, water bottle, and padlock. Additionally, Self-guided cyclists are supplied with a map holder/front bag (1 per bike) and a repair kit (1 per couple). It is possible to bring your own bike but due to space and safety restrictions, only a limited number of clients’ bikes can be accepted on board upon request. Helmets are also included in the total cost. Electric bike hire is available at an additional cost.

How fit do I need to be?

How far in advance do I need to book?

What personal equipment do I need?