Barging – Italy
CAD $TBA
7 Days / 6 Nights
These waterways were once the ancient trade routes used by the Romans and the early Mediterranean settlers before them, and cruises around Italy are perfect for gaining a real insight into the many cultures - including Roman, Etruscan, Istrian, Byzantine and of course Renaissance - which have influenced the arts, architecture and history of the region over many centuries.
Itinerary
| Day | Destination | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Venice
|
EMBARKATION
Cruise by some of Venice’s most famous monuments |
| 2 | Venice
San Pietro in Volta |
Guided walking tour to Castello District
Cruise to Pellestrina, which separates the Venetian lagoon and Adriatic Sea |
| 3 | San Pietro in Volta
Taglio di Po |
Tour Chiggia’s canals in a traditional, locally-built boat
Dinner ashore in a private stately home by the river |
| 4 | Taglio di Po
Bosaro |
Cruise to Adria, an ancient Etruscan town
Tour Renaissance gardens and wine cellars and enjoy a private tasting |
| 5 | Bosaro
Governolo |
Guided tour of the Renaissance city of Ferrara
Cruise past villages and farmsteads to Governolo |
| 6 | Governolo
Mantua |
Visit Mantua, home to the poet Virgil, and artists Mantegna and Donatello
Farewell dinner on board |
| 7 | Mantua | DISEMBARK |
VENICE
Guests are met at the Hotel Laguna Palace in Mestre or Piazzale Roma in Venice and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to La Bella Vita for a Prosecco welcome. An afternoon cruise takes us along the Giudecca Canal past some of Venice’s most famous monuments: the Chiesa del Redentore, the impressive Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and the Punta della Dogana to our mooring outside the Naval Museum. Then time for a stroll to St Mark’s Square and a brief tour of the Doge’s Palace before dinner on board.
Note: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
VENICE / SAN PIETRO IN VOLTA
Guided walking tour to Castello District, perhaps discovering some hidden parts of the city of Venice: the gardens of the Biennale Exhibition of Modern Arts, Palladio’s Church of San Pietro in Castello, the Naval Museum with a model of the Bucintoro (Doge’s Boat) and the Pavilion of Gondolas housing Peggy Guggenheim’s own vessel. Late afternoon cruise to Pellestrina which separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea, along the Canal of the Orphans passing lagoon islands with their ancient monasteries, painted fishing boats and tiny churches. Time perhaps for a walk or cycle ride along the 18th century Istrian sea wall. Dinner on board.
Note: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
SAN PIETRO IN VOLTA / TAGLIO DI PO
After breakfast, we cruise to Chioggia, city of Goldoni’s plays. Here we visit the 18th century Church of San Domenico set on its own island, to see Carpaccio’s St Paul, his last recorded painting and other works of art by Tintoretto and Bassano. We also admire the Piazzetta Vigo and visit the colourful fish market. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy a short tour of Chioggia’s pretty canals in a traditional locally-built boat, before re-joining La Bella Vita at the Po Delta. Passing through a nature reserve with flamingos and occasional heron, snipe and other wildfowl, we travel upriver to Taglio di Po for dinner ashore hosted by the owners at the beautiful 17thC Villa Ca’Zen, a private stately home by the river where Lord Byron courted the Countess Giuccioli and wrote some of his best poetry.
Note: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
TAGLIO DI PO / BOSARO
This morning we join the Bianco canal and cruise to Adria, an ancient Etruscan town where we visit the Archaeological Museum. After lunch on board, we drive to the Bagnoli Estate to tour the Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of the 17thC Villa Widmann Borletti to enjoy a private tasting of their renowned estate-grown vintages. This winery has been supplying Venetian society for centuries. Afterwards, we rejoin la Bella Vita at Bosaro. Dinner on board.
Note: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
BOSARO / GOVERNOLO
Morning excursion with a guided tour of the Renaissance city of Ferrara, including the Schifanoia Palace, renowned for its fabulous 15thC frescoes. We also admire the exterior of the Estense Castle and its moat and visit the magnificent cathedral with its façade of sculpted images described as an illustrated Bible. Return to the hotel barge moored in Zelo for an afternoon canal cruise past villages and farmsteads to Governoloolo and dinner on board.
Note: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
GOVERNOLO / MANTUA
Our final cruise has a dramatic approach to Mantua, home of the poet Virgil, artists Mantegna and Donatello and a captivating lakeside setting. Mantua displays extraordinary neo-classical and baroque architecture, portrayed in the 14thC Ducal Palace housing some 15 gardens and courtyards, a museum, basilica and theatre. The intricate frescoes, Gallery of Mirrors and exquisite Rivers Room and 12,000 paintings and sculptures all create a Grand Finale to our Italian Renaissance adventure. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Note: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
MANTUA
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the Hotel Laguna Palace in Mestre or Piazzale Roma in Venice.
Note: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
Dates & Prices
| Sailing Season | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Value Season (March, April, July, August, October) | Stateroom* From $5,390 |
| Value Season (March, April, July, August, October) | Suite* From $6,470 |
| Regular Season (April, May, June, July, September, October) | Stateroom* From $6,010 |
| Regular Season (April, May, June, July, September, October) | Suite* From $7,150 |
* Price per person based on double occupancy. Due to the dynamic nature of availability and pricing, please click here to contact us directly for sailing schedule and full pricing |
Featured Inclusions
Comfortable accommodation in air-conditioned
Gourmet meals prepared by the onboard chef, fine wines and an open bar
Daily escorted excursions to places of interest and private wine tastings in air-conditioned minibuses
Local transfers e.g. to and from Paris
Bicycles and on most hotel barges, an on-deck spa pool
Attentive service from an experienced crew
Ship Information
La Bella Vita
La Bella Vita is a stylish twenty-passenger vessel offering comfortable, fully air-conditioned accommodation. She has two upper deck junior suites and eight lower deck staterooms, all offering en suite facilities, and a bright, spacious dining room and bar area where delicious Italian specialities will be served. Louvre doors open to the side to give a perfect view. Above, there is a huge sun deck with comfortable loungers to relax on with a drink and a good book, or just watch the world go by.
