The cabins are available from 17.00 p.m. The meeting with the guide and crew is scheduled at 18:30 before dinner.
Overnight place: Venice
Already bookable for 2024!
This bike tour offers a unique opportunity to discover Northern Italy by bike along the Po River, the longest Italian river. After a day fully at your disposal to discover the magic of Venice, start cycling in the Venetian Lagoon where Chioggia is located, famous for its fish market. The route then meanders along the natural course of the river and enters largely unspoiled rural areas, such as the Po Delta Nature Reserve with its rich flora and fauna. During the tour you will also get to know important cities such as Ferrara, the "city of cyclists" or the ancient port city of Adria, which gave its name to the Adriatic Sea. At the end of the tour you will reach the beautiful Renaissance city of Mantua, where numerous artists left their works of art thanks to the Gonzaga family.
Important: Own bicycles are not allowed on board.
After strolling off the beaten path with your guide, have the day at leisure to enjoy the city at your own pace. The Serenissima ruled much of the Mediterranean (and beyond) for centuries as both a military force and a cultural beacon, and her discoverers made it as far as China and Newfoundland.
Overnight place: Venice
You start with a visit to a historic glassblowing workshop on the island of Murano, where a demonstration shows you the centuries-old art of glassblowing. This is the most magical day of the whole tour as you cycle through the two long islands separating the Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. From the Lido, one of the most suggestive beach resorts on the Adriatic and seat of the international Filmfestivals, cycle south to Malamocco. The small town was the first seat of the Doges of the Republic of Venice. A short boat ride takes you to the island of Pellestrina with its picturesque fishermen's cottages. You will reach the ship not far from Chioggia, a lively and colorful fishing port.
Overnight place: Pellestrina Island
You will leave Pellestrina and then Chioggia, the so-called "little Venice" heading south along the Po-Brondolo and over the mouth of the Adige. After cycling through the rich wildlife of the Po Delta, you will reach the town of Adria, formerly an ancient Greek port.
Overnight place: Adria
After a short boat trip in the morning, you will cycle through nature in the direction of Ferrara, which has earned the name "city of cyclists" because of the numerous cycle paths and the widespread use of two-wheelers. You will definitely be enchanted by the beautiful historic center with its mighty walls. In the afternoon, a short bus transfer will take you to Zelo, where the ship will be waiting for you.
Overnight place: Zelo
After a few kilometers by bike you will reach Bergantino, where you can visit the "Museum of the Carousel and the Popular Theater" and enjoy a tasting in a cheese dairy. You cycle along the Po to Ostiglia, a small town with medieval castle ruins, and then to Governolo. Here is the largest river basin in Italy. Afterwards you leave the river Po and finally reach Mantua with a wonderful late afternoon cruise.
Overnight place: mantua
A day dedicated to discovering this cultural gem and its three picturesque "lakes".
In the late afternoon you will be accompanied through the city by a guide: from the Piazza Sordello with its magnificent cathedral and the Palazzo Ducale you will go through the old town to the Piazza delle Erbe. Here you will admire the Bell Tower, the Rotonda di S. Lorenzo (the oldest church in the city) and the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, a jewel of Renaissance art and architecture. You'll also learn why Mantua, once a city-state of the Gonzaga family, is now referred to by many as "Italy's Sleeping Beauty." (Changes in the program are possible)
Departure after breakfast.
- 7 nights including breakfast
- Self-prepared packed lunches
- 6 dinner
- welcome drink
- Coffee and tea on board
- Towels and sheets + courtesy set
- Cleaning of the cabin once in the middle of the week and change of towels bike helmet (to reserve in advance)
- App with maps, route description, sights and GPS data
- Digital tour information
- English speaking tour guide within an international group
- Second tour guide for a minimum of 22 people
- City tour of Mantua
- Visit to a cheese factory with tasting of the typical Grana Padano
- Visit to the Museum of the Carousel and the People's Theater
- Visit to a historic glass blowing workshop on the island of Murano
- Some short tours
- port fees
- Bus transfer Ferrara-Zelo / Ferrara-Adriatic
Not included in the price:
1 dinner, drinks on board, museums and general extras, public transport ticket for Venice and the Lagoon (we recommend an ACTV 48-hour ticket, €35), City of Venice entrance fee: expected to come into effect in summer 2023 (approx. €18-30 to be paid on the spot), tips, anything not listed under “services”.
Travel prices 2024
| Price in € per person * | main deck |
|---|---|
| 2 bed cabin | €1200 |
| 2-berth cabin superior | €1450 |
| 1 bed cabin | €1550 |
| 2-bed cabin for single use | €2200 |
Seasonal prices
From 20.04.2024/27.04.2024 to XNUMX
- €550,00 surcharge in the main deck
From 29.06.2024/17.08.2024 to XNUMX
- €550,00 surcharge in the main deck
From 04.05.2024/22.06.2024 to XNUMX
- €700,00 surcharge in the main deck
From 19.10.2024/26.10.2024 to XNUMX
- €700,00 surcharge in the main deck
From 24.08.2024/12.10.2024 to XNUMX
- €850,00 surcharge in the main deck
Rental bikes
- Touring bike - €110,00
- E-bike - €270,00
Additional Services
- Special diet (gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan food) - €50,00
book here
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travel code
- ITA 10
Bike and boat: Venice - Mantua
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Duration
- 8 days
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Overnight stays
- 7 nights
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Overnight stays
- about 190 km
Saturday see calendar
| Price in € per person * 2024 | main deck |
|---|---|
| 2 bed cabin | From €1200 |
| 2-berth cabin superior | From €1450 |
| 1 bed cabin | From €1550 |
| 2-bed cabin for single use | From €2200 |
Attention: This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Book now Price calculatorAirplane: Mantua and Venice are very well connected to many airports in northern Italy: Venice (VCE), Treviso (TSF), Verona (VRN), Bergamo (BGY), Milano Malpensa (MXP), Milano Linate (LIN)
Car/Rail: Mantua is on the A22 motorway and is connected to Verona by frequent trains. (Journey time: approx. 45 min.) Venice lies on the A4 motorway and on one of the most important railway lines in Italy. Return trip Venice-Mantua (or vice versa) by train on your own account, approx. 2,5 hours
AVE MARIA
The ship Ave Maria is equipped as follows:
- 4 superior twin cabins (3 can be triple or quadruple cabins with
bunk beds), upper deck, approx. 11 m2;
- 10 standard twin cabins (3 can be triple cabins with bunk beds
be), lower deck, approx. 11 m2;
- 3 bunk bed cabins (each can be used as a single cabin), lower deck,
approx. 7,5 m2.
Each cabin has large windows (in the superior cabins you can see them
partly open), low beds, shower/toilet, air conditioning and locker. The
Bed size is 2 x 0,80 m. Almost every double bed can be separated into 2 single beds
.
The air-conditioned living room (11 x 7,5) consists of two parts: the restaurant
(up to 33 seats) and the lounge (up to 28 seats).
Additional functions:
2 sundecks
Storage area for bicycles (approx. 40 bicycles hung up)
Free Wi-Fi in the common areas
55" flat screen in the lounge for videos
Hair dryer available upon request
Self-service coffee and tea machine
|  |  |  |
| deck plan | single cabin | double cabin | Bathroom |
 |  |  | |
| Restaurant | Bicycles on board | View from the panorama deck |
program changes
Usually they follow the Fissero/Bianco canals that flow parallel to the Po river, connecting Mantua to the Adriatic Sea. Due to organizational reasons, because of the weather conditions or according to the regulations of the local authorities, some changes in the itinerary of the tour may occur before and/or during the holiday. High and low tide, as well as logistical obstacles such as (unforeseeable) maintenance work over bridges or locks can change the daily routes or piers and may even require a bus transfer. The decision is made solely by the captain.
We reserve the right to make changes for meteorological and nautical reasons!
