Your Cycling Holidays in Veneto

Venice and Mantua | Bike and Boat

Day 1

Arrive at Venice.

Transfer by minibus or taxi 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 transferring you direct from Mantua to Verona by minibus or taxi.

Your Cycling Holidays in Veneto

Venice and Mantua | Bike and Boat

• Ave Maria

  4-star

  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.

  

  

  

  
• Vita Pugna

  3-star

  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.

  

  

  

Your Cycling Holidays in Veneto

Venice and Mantua | Bike and Boat

Dates and Prices

Single Supplement: £45 per night

Ave Maria Superior Cabin: £20 per night

Ave Maria Bunk Bed Cabin (2 sharing) Reduction: £14 per night

Triple Reduction: £34 per night

Ebike Supplement: £105 per week

Helmet: £15 per person

Your Cycling Holidays in Veneto

Venice and Mantua | Bike and Boat

Your Cycling Holidays in Veneto

Venice and Mantua | Bike and Boat