Venice to Mantua Bike & Boat – Ave Maria

Let a tour with a local guide set the scene this morning, so you can get the most out of your grand day out exploring this fascinating collection of ‘campi’, ‘calles’ and canals. With over 100 islands, 150 waterways and 400 bridges, it’s a real labyrinth with an architectural wonder around every corner and a carnival of colour at any time of the year. With everything put in context, this capital of the ancient Serenissima Republic of Venice which for centuries ruled the roost right across the Mediterranean, just becomes an even more amazing survivor, justly deserving its designation as an UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure – what will it be? St Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace with a coffee by the Canal Grande? A peek at the Canaletto’s, Veroneses, Titians and De Vinci’s famous ‘Vitruvian Man’ in the Galleria dell ‘accademia? A roam around the Rialto and look at the luxurious living of merchants past at the Riva degli Schiavoni?

Overnight mooring – Venice.

Along the lagoon to Chioggia today, but first a chance to experience Venice from the water with a cruise in front of the Piazza San Marco, out towards island number one – Lido di Venezia.  At Malamocco, take to two wheels  along the 18^th century ‘murazzi’ sea defence built by the ‘Serenissima’ to explore Lido, lined with classically cultured seaside resorts, made fashionable over the years by artists and now a real magnet to the rich, famous and celebrity crowd as the home of the Venice Film Festival. Cycle round to see the beautiful Art Noveau buildings; get a feel for the place where Thomas Mann set his novel classic ‘Death in Venice’ and stop a while by the sandy beaches to take in delicious Venice views – best enjoyed with a well-deserved ‘gelato’, of course!
Beautiful beaches, pine forests and short ferry boat ride to Santa Maria del Mare sees you exploring fortified Pellestrina. Pass little boats and fishermen’s cottages to reach the Cà Roman nature reserve – an area where the expanding delta is a haven for migrating birds, a legacy of the 1911 construction of a coastal protection dam. Meet back with Ave Maria moored on a Pellestrinan quay to cruise onwards to ‘Little Venice’ – the island of Chioggia with its charmingly colourful fishing harbour. With its impressively ancient clock tower ( reputedly the oldest in the world!), it’s the final place on today’s discoveries list, but its fresh fish is bound to be one extra discovery on the dinner menu tonight.

Overnight mooring – Chioggia.

Miles 18  Kms 30

A day of fish and flamingos! This morning Chioggia’s bustling fish market is a must to really get a taste for this part of Italy as you prepare to explore the region of lands reclaimed from the sea. Your encounter with the ‘land of water’, a web of canals great and small, starts along the Laguna del Lusenzo. Cycle through fertile flat lands growing the finest fruit and veg, past pine woods and little villages around these delta plains of the River Po.  Follow the ‘Via delle Valli’ towards Porto Viro, past the fish breeding lagoons of the ‘Valli de Pesca’, home to a colony of flamingos and somewhat unsurprisingly to Europe’s prime place for heron spotting.
From Porto Viro, it’s back on board the barge for a cruise further inland along the Canal Bianco to the ancient one-time port of Adria in the province of Rovigo. The remains of this Roman and Etruscan stronghold now lie beneath a modern city, but its legacy lives on in its connections with the nearby Adria-tic Sea. Don’t miss the old and new cathedrals and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Adria for some fine insight into its rich history.

Overnight mooring – Adria.

Miles 24 Kms 40

Start the day with a breakfast cruise along the Canal Bianco to reach Bosaro where you can jump on your bike to cycle across the River Po, leaving the Veneto region for Emilia Romagna. Heading on along riverside paths through farmland and lovely rural hamlets, discover the rich ‘fruit basket’ of this region, centre of the fruit trade for apricots, peaches and nectarines; kiwis, apples and pears. But an even finer feast awaits in Ferrara, a Renaissance gem whose majestic, broad streets are simply stuffed with palaces. The ancient city state attracted renowned architects, artists and noblemen for centuries and the result is breath-taking.
Don’t miss the stucco and fresco work on the Palazzo Schifanoia; the Casa Romei, perhaps the city’s best-preserved Renaissance building; the National Picture Gallery in Palazzo dei Diamanti; the great moated castle of the Este dynasty built in 1385, plus the outstanding city hall and the 12^th century cathedral façades. Copernicus was a graduate of the university here in 1503 and these days, it’s still at the forefront of encouraging talent with its string of festivals from busking to hot-air ballooning. Enjoy and indulge your senses and perhaps even trying the Salama da Sugo (a sweetly spiced soft salami served almost like haggis with mashed potato!) – there’s no more cycling to be done today unless you really fancy it. A coach transfer (included) takes you back to meet the barge at the sleepy little village of Zelo where you might just want to sit back on deck, gazing out over the waters of the Canal Bianco and reflect on the treasures of the day.

Overnight mooring – Zelo.

Miles 21  Kms 35

An appointment-packed morning of cycling from Zelo which will give you a taste of great things for a start. Sample the one and only ‘Grana Padano’ hard cheese at a factory then push those pedals on to Bergantino, where the museum of carousels will put you in even more of a spin. With its fairground organs and displays, it’s a really colourful and nostalgic experience, but the banks of the River Po are  calling and there are many more enchanting discoveries to be made. Ostiglia has a medieval fortress and ‘floating’ mill and Revere, with its old town centre, is definitely worth the short detour. Meet up with Ave Maria in Governolo, shortly after the River Mincio joins the great Po, and put your feet up in your cabin or relax on deck as she cruises along to the ancient city of Mantua, Romeo’s supposed place of exile, according to Shakespeare’s famous play.

Overnight mooring – Mantua.

Miles 30  Kms 50

Once a city state ruled by the powerful Gongaza dynasty, Mantua is one of Italy’s hidden gems,  a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and water-side city dominated by three lakes formed by the River Mincio.  Take a bike tour today along lake-side routes, through parks and nature reserves to get a glimpse of the ancient forest which once covered the Po Valley. Discover Marmirolo and take a detour to discover Soave, before heading back towards the Porto Catena gateway for a guided tour of Mantua’s magnificent Renaissance treasures around the historic centre. Don’t miss the Piazza Sordello, the Palazzo Ducale, the cage tower (Torre della Gabbia) and cathedral.  If you prefer to enjoy a longer day of beautiful cycling on flat terrain, why not choose a circular two wheeled trip through Mantua to Grazie, home of the Sanctuary of Our Lady Grace, and Rivalta, coming back through the nature reserve of the Mincio Valleys, before joining the guided city tour in the late afternoon.

Overnight mooring – Mantua.

Miles 24  Kms 40

Following your final breakfast on board your floating home, you might choose to spend a little longer exploring the historic buildings of Mantua before setting out on your return or onward journey. Please note that the train fare to Venice (Mestre) is not included in the price of the tour.

Extra nights in hotel accommodation can be booked to allow more time to explore Mantua at your leisure or even enjoy visits up to the magnificent and passionate city of Verona or beautiful Lake Garda.