Best Villages in Umbria
Posted: 01/12/23
There are many ways you can describe the region of Umbria : beautiful, historic, lush, verdant, mysterious. The list goes on.
Read moreA weeks cruise from the narrow streets and waterways canals of the floating city to the Po delta, weaving through fishing villages, all the way to the art and opera of Mantua.
Our boats are equipped with everything you need for a fabulous holiday: comfortable ensuite cabins, sizeable living areas, a restaurant and sundecks. Think of it as a floating hotel, fully crewed with a skipper and catering staff. You’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast each morning, and be sent off with a delicious packed lunch. Later, after a glorious day’s cycling, you can return to the boat for a tasty evening meal served with wine.
We love
Strolling through the backstreets of Venice, island hopping from Lido di Venezia to Pellestrina and the magnificent scenery of Delta del Po.
To find out more about cycling Venice and Mantua, call our cycle experts today.
What's included
Day 1
Arrive at Venice.
Head to where you’ll board your boat and be equipped with your bicycle.
Day 2
Free Day Venice.
This morning, you’re free to explore the magical city of Venice and its surrounding islands. Your tour leader is on hand to guide you should you wish, or you can simply lose yourself in the narrow streets and markets; perhaps hop on a gondola, or sip espresso as you wander around St Mark’s Square.
Day 3
From Venice to Chioggia | Distance 19 miles (30km)
Today you embark on your Bike & Boat adventure, cruising gently out of Venice to the Lido, the first of two islands you’ll visit. Fashionable with the artists and aristocrats of the Belle Époque, the Lido di Venezia is home to the International Venice Film Festival. You’ll then island-hop over to Pellestrina, where you cycle towards a nature reserve, weaving through fishing villages. From here you’ll then hop back on board your barge and cruise over to Chioggia.
Day 4
From Chioggia to Adria | Distance 25 miles (40km)
After a morning stroll through the bustling and colourful harbour and fish market, we suggest visiting Chioggia’s millennial clock tower - the oldest in the world - for wonderful views across the town. Back on the bike, you head south into the imposing delta of the Po and the wetlands, home to heron and flamingos. Finally you’ll reach Adria, an ancient Greek port.
Day 5
From Adria to Zelo | Distance 22 miles (35km) + 35km by bus
After a short cruise it’s time to get back on the saddle, following the Po through farmland and little hamlets, until reaching Ferrara. This ancient city once attracted many influential architects and artists and the effects of this are still very much in evidence. At this point you’ll board a bus back to the barge in the sleepy village of Zelo on the Canal Bianco, a waterway running parallel to the Po.
Day 6
From Zelo to Mantua | Distance 31 miles (50km)
Start the day with a brief ride to the village of Bergantino, where you can visit the Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum. You’ll then follow the river through Ostiglia (famous for its medieval fortress and floating mill), on to Governolo Lock. This is where the River Mincio flows into the Po, creating the largest inland basin in Italy. Cycling through magnificent scenery, you’ll reach Mantua in the afternoon.
Day 7
Round Tour Mantua | Distance 24 miles (40km)
Boasting three beautiful lakes formed by the River Mincio, exquisite countryside and a vibrant town brimming with culture, Mantua is a little-visited gem. As well as the serene natural surroundings, there’s plenty to see and do - you can immerse yourself for the afternoon in the town’s operatic history, renaissance art and archaeological artefacts.
Day 8
We say “arrivederci” before you head off.
Modern, bright and spacious, the Ave Maria was designed by a well-known team of Italian architects and launched in 2011. Ave Maria has capacity for 40 guests across en suite cabins; 4 superior twins/doubles (2 can accommodate 4 guests adding 2 bunk beds), 10 standard twins/doubles (3 can accommodate 3 guests adding 1 bunk bed) and 3 bunkbed cabins (also available as single cabins). There is a delightful restaurant for up to 33 guests, a spacious lounge area with a hot drinks machine, 2 wonderful sundecks and free Wifi on board.
The Vita Pugna is a wonderfully romantic Dutch barge that was sailed over from Amsterdam to the waters of the River Po. Vita Pugna has capacity for 21 guests across en suite cabins; 10 twins (1 available for up to 3 people). There is a lovely air-conditioned lounge and restaurant, seating up to 23 guests. Sit upon the lovely sundeck whilst taking in the beautiful surroundings. Free Wifi is also available on board.
Available | Duration | Tour Only | Package
(Flights & Transfers Included) |
Self Drive
(Eurotunnel Included) |
Board Basis |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
25th Mar 2024 to 15th Apr 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,145pp | £1,410pp | Vita Pugna | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
22nd Apr 2024 to 29th Apr 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,540pp | £1,805pp | Vita Pugna | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
6th May 2024 to 24th Jun 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,600pp | £1,865pp | Vita Pugna | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
1st Jul 2024 to 19th Aug 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,540pp | £1,805pp | Vita Pugna | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
26th Aug 2024 to 14th Oct 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,690pp | £1,955pp | Vita Pugna | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
21st Oct 2024 to 21st Oct 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,600pp | £1,865pp | Vita Pugna | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
25th Mar 2024 to 15th Apr 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,215pp | £1,515pp | Ave Maria | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
22nd Apr 2024 to 29th Apr 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,825pp | £2,125pp | Ave Maria | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
6th May 2024 to 24th Jun 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,970pp | £2,270pp | Ave Maria | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
1st Jul 2024 to 19th Aug 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,825pp | £2,115pp | Ave Maria | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
26th Aug 2024 to 14th Oct 2024 | 7 Nights | £2,115pp | £2,415pp | Ave Maria | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) | |
21st Oct 2024 to 21st Oct 2024 | 7 Nights | £1,970pp | £2,270pp | Ave Maria | Half Board (dinner not included on Day 6) |
Departure Day: Every Saturday (Direction of cruise alternates)
Vita Pugna Single Cabin Supplement: £835
Ave Maria Single Cabin Supplement: £335
Ave Maria Double Cabin Single Use Supplement: £925
Ave Maria Superior Cabin Supplement: £40 per night
Ave Maria Bunk Bed Cabin (2 sharing) Reduction: £14 per night
Triple Cabin Reduction: £34 per night
Ebike Supplement: £110 per person
Full board includes 7x breakfasts, 6x packed lunches and 6x dinners.
Please note that this tour departs on Saturdays and runs in alternate directions each week. For further information, please speak to one of our team on 020 7471 7750.
*Where tour pricing is displayed in your local currency, please note this is for indicative purposes and your final holiday will be confirmed and transacted at the time of booking with our team in Pound Sterling.
Posted: 01/12/23
There are many ways you can describe the region of Umbria : beautiful, historic, lush, verdant, mysterious. The list goes on.
Read morePosted: 20/11/23
A country’s landscape has a massive influence on its language, culture and identity. This is very true for Catalonia whose people have g...
Read morePosted: 16/11/23
There are superb cycling destinations in Europe to visit and at Cycling for Softies we want you to discover some fantastic cultures and p...
Read moreBritain's original ski travel agency and tailor-made ski tour operator, Ski Solutions has been arranging ski holidays for over 30 years across Europe and North America. The Ski Solutions team are all skiing experts, and their knowledge and passion for the mountains will ensure you experience a truly memorable ski holiday.
Visit websiteThe ultimate collection of European Cycling Holidays. BSpoke's cycling experts can tailor-make your perfect holiday where you can travel at your own pace or in a group of like-minded individuals. A BSpoke Tour is all about being as restful or as adventurous as you desire.
Visit websiteWilderness Scotland offers an inspiring range of guided and customised adventure holidays, in the most remote and beautiful regions of Scotland. The Wilderness Scotland team know how to create enriching adventure holidays and know the wild places of Scotland better than anyone.
Visit websiteSpecialists in offering a range of adventure holidays, tours and incredible wilderness experiences. Wilderness Ireland take their clients to the most remote and beautiful regions of Ireland, all while staying at the most welcoming accommodations and delivering outstanding customer service.
Visit websiteWilderness England creates incredible journeys into the wild and magical outdoor spaces across Yorkshire, the Lake District, Northumberland, the Cotswolds and the Peak District. Providing inspiring active experiences, immerse yourself in the unique landscapes, history, culture and wildlife on a Wilderness England adventure.
Visit website
Lazy stops in the warm sun in picturesque towns where there is time to relax with a delicious gelato, fresh pastry or a welcome coffee. Another wonderful Cycling for Softies holiday, I had a fabulous time!
Cycling along scenic lanes by the Adriatic coast, stopping for a dip in the warm turquoise sea with lazy stops for delicious gelato, pastries and coffee. Having time off to explore vibrant Venice and taking a ride on a gondola, winding along the historic canals.
Fellow passengers were very good company and the guides and barge crew were absolutely first class. Cooperation and interaction between the crew members was highly commendable.
Arriving in Venice by bike/barge was a truly memorable experience. We also enjoyed an unhurried cycle on quiet roads through nature reserves where we were fortunate to see many flamingos. The food and drink provided on the Ave Maria barge was of extremely high quality with a variety of breakfast on offer and the most delicious 3-course meals each night.