Cabins are available to guests from 17.00:18.30 PM. The tour guide will meet at : PM before dinner. Mantua is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Italy, where numerous world-renowned artists have left their works of art.
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.
A day dedicated to discovering this cultural gem and its three picturesque "lakes." In the late afternoon, you'll be accompanied by a guide through the city: from Piazza Sordello, with its magnificent cathedral and the Palazzo Ducale, you'll walk through the old town to Piazza delle Erbe. Here, you'll admire the bell tower, the Rotonda di S. Lorenzo (the oldest church in the city), and the Cathedral of St. Andrew, a jewel of Renaissance art and architecture. You'll also learn why Mantua, once a city-state of the Gonzaga family, is now called by many the "Sleeping Beauty of Italy." Dinner in Mantua is not included.
The boat will take you to Governolo, the fortress of the Mincio river pirates, where the largest river basin in Italy is located. This was built to better regulate the river water. Here you will take your bikes and cycle along the Po to the town of Ostiglia with its medieval castle ruins. You will then visit the "Museum of the Carousel and Popular Theatre" in Bergantino and enjoy a tasting in a cheese factory. After another stretch along the Canal Bianco you will reach the small and beautiful village of Zelo, where the boat will be anchored for the night.
After breakfast, you cycle south through farmland, orchards and hamlets to Ferrara. The beautiful center with its mighty city walls will surely enchant you. A short bus transfer then takes you to Adria. This city was an old Greek port, known for the trade in Baltic amber.
The boat disembarks in Porto Viro. From here, you'll cycle through the labyrinth of the Po Delta, an unspoiled paradise nestled between the waters and lagoons of the Po River. You'll then follow the Po-Brondolo waterway, which connects you to the Venetian lagoon. In Chioggia, you'll take a short boat ride to the island of Pellestrina.
This is the most exciting day of the tour, as you'll cycle along the charming little island of Pellestrina, with its picturesque fishermen's cottages, which separates the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. After a short boat ride, you'll reach the Lido with its stone dams known as "murazzi." One stage of the route takes you to Malamocco, an ancient harbor. You'll also visit a historic glassblowing factory on the island of Murano, where a demonstration of the centuries-old art of glassblowing will be held. After the final ride across from St. Mark's Square, the boat will reach the pier for the overnight stay.
After an off-the-beaten-track stroll with your guide, you'll have the day free to enjoy the city at your own pace. The Serenissima ruled much of the Mediterranean (and beyond) for centuries, both as a military force and a beacon of culture, and its explorers reached as far as China and Newfoundland.
Departure after breakfast and individual journey home.
- 7 nights in outside cabins with shower/WC in the booked cabin category
- Full board: 7 x breakfast, 6 x self-prepared packed lunches, afternoon snack, 6 x 3-course dinners (dinner on day 2 not included in the tour price)
- Program according to itinerary from Mantua to Venice
- welcome drink
- Coffee and tea on board
- towels and bedding + courtesy set
- Cleaning of the cabin once a week and change of towels
- Cycling helmet (to be reserved 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
- Tasting of grappa and spirits in a typical distillery
- Some short tours
- port fees
Bus transfer Ferrara-Zelo / Ferrara-Adriatic
Not included in the price:
1 dinner (2nd day) • Drinks on board • Ticket for public transport in Venice and the lagoon (we recommend an ACTV 48-hour ticket, €35) • Access fee for the old town of Venice (to be defined) • Gratuities
Basic price in € per person
Get a price quote now: Go to the price calculator
| bunk bed cabin | Under deck |
|---|---|
| 17.10.2026 - 24.10.2026 | 1.790,00 € |
| 2 bed cabin | Under deck | upper deck |
|---|---|---|
| 17.10.2026 - 24.10.2026 | 1.990,00 € | 2.240,00 € |
| 1 bed cabin | Under deck |
|---|---|
| 17.10.2026 - 24.10.2026 | 2.390,00 € |
| 2-bed cabin for single use | Under deck |
|---|---|
| 17.10.2026 - 24.10.2026 | 3.280,00 € |
Rental bikes
| 27-speed unisex rental bike with freewheel | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 110,00 € |
| electric rental bike | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 290,00 € |
Additional Services
| Dietary preferences (gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan) | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 70,00 € |
| Rental helmet (limited number, can only be reserved in advance) | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 0,00 € |
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Reisecode
- ITA 10 U
Bike & Boat: Mantua to Venice
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Duration
- 8 days
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Overnight stays
- 7 nights
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Overnight stays
- about 185 km
Saturdays, between 21.03. and 17.10.26, see booking calendar
| Basic price in € per person * 2026 | Under deck | upper deck |
|---|---|---|
| bunk bed cabin | From €1090 | - |
| 2 bed cabin | From €1290 | From €1540 |
| 1 bed cabin | From €1690 | - |
| 2-bed cabin for single use | From €2580 | - |
Attention: This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
By plane
Mantua is connected to the following airports: Verona: 45 km, Venice: 120 km, Treviso: 130 km, Bergamo: 150 km, Milan: 180 km.
From Verona Villafranca Catullo Airport (VRN): Shuttle bus from the airport to Verona Porta Nuova train station (approx. 15 minutes). From there, train to Mantua (approx. 45 minutes).
From Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), take the ATVO shuttle bus or ACTV bus line no. 15 from the airport to Venice Mestre train station (approx. 20/25 minutes). From there, take the train to Mantua, changing at Verona Porta Nuova or Monselice (approx. 2,5/3 hours).
From Trieste Ronchi dei Legionari Airport (TRS): ATVO shuttle bus from the airport to Venezia Mestre train station (approx. 1,5 hours). From there, take the train to Mantua, changing at Verona Porta Nuova or Monselice (approx. 2,5/3 hours).
From Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport: Shuttle bus from the airport to Brescia train station (approx. 1 hour). From there, take the train to Mantua, changing at Piadena (approx. 2/2,5 hours).
From Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP): Take the train from the airport to Milan Central Station (approx. 1 hour). From there, take the train to Mantua (direct or with a change in Verona Porta Nuova, approx. 2/2,5 hours).
By train
Information on timetables and prices can be found on the official Trenitalia website.
General tip for traveling by car
A comprehensive overview of parking lots can be conveniently viewed on the external website www.parkopedia.de.
AVE MARIA
The Ave Maria is a comfortable river cruise ship made in Italy, built with innovative concepts and a focus on aesthetics and comfort in its choice of materials. It is also a small vessel, capable of navigating under low bridges and in the shallow waters typical of Italian waterways. The ship was custom-built from the hull of a floating dredger from the Po River. All of this was achieved in strict compliance with the latest and stricter safety and environmental protection standards. Various measures are implemented on the Ave Maria to reduce its environmental impact. These include energy-efficient operation, wastewater treatment, and a navigational style that minimizes disturbance to the riverbanks.
OVERVIEW • Ship dimensions: 41 m long and 7,5 m wide • Number of cabins: 17 • Capacity: 31 guests in low beds plus additional guests in bunk beds
CABINS Cabin and furniture design allows for maximum space and comfort. 17 cabins • 4 double/twin cabins 11 m² Upper Deck (D) • 10 double/twin cabins 11 m² Lower Deck (B,C) • 3 single cabins 7,5 m² Lower Deck (A)
Features • Comfortable low beds (2,00 m x 0,80 m) • En-suite bathroom • Large windows • Individually controlled air conditioning • Safe • Optional additional bunk beds in some cabins • Storage space under the beds for luggage: H36 cm x W112 cm x D80 cm • Two-prong Schuko sockets (220V - 50Hz, compatible with Europlugs and other plug types)
COMMON AREAS Restaurant and Lounge You can enjoy breakfast and dinner in the cozy and bright restaurant area with large panoramic windows. A lounge area with a wide selection of board games, books and travel guides, a 55" multimedia screen and free Wi-Fi invites you to relax. Both the restaurant and the lounge are air-conditioned. Sun Deck: The sun deck with tables and chairs is the perfect place to enjoy the cruise, dine al fresco and chat with your new travel companions.
deck plan
Single cabin
double cabin
Bathroom
Restaurant
Bicycles on board
View from the panorama deck
For organizational reasons, weather conditions, or local authority regulations, some itinerary changes may occur before and/or during your trip. High and low tides, as well as logistical obstacles such as (unforeseeable) maintenance work on bridges or locks, may alter daily routes or moorings, and may even require a bus transfer. This decision rests solely with the captain.
Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 12 participants.
Bringing your own bicycle is not possible.
On this tour you have the choice of cycling alone with our app or in a group led by the tour guide.
General information
Not included in the price: Cultural development tax, bed tax, arrival and departure, transfers, excursions, entrance and sightseeing fees, city maps, ferry fees, insurance, tips and personal expenses.
This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Maps presented are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect geographical reality.
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