Please note: You can only take part in this trip if you are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19!
As of Oct 2022, subject to change.
Feel save, book flexible: FREE rebooking up to 6 weeks prior arrival to any alternative date in 2021 - applies to bookings between May 01 and June 15 2021 , the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.
This bike tour offers the unique opportunity to discover northern Italy by bike along the Po River. After a day fully at your disposal to capture the magic of Venice, you will start cycling in the Venetian lagoon, with Chioggia and its fish market. Then the route winds along the natural course of the river and dips into largely unspoiled rural areas, such as the Natural Reserve of the Po Delta with its extensive flora and fauna. During the tour you will also get to know imposing 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 thanks to the Gonzaga family numerous artists left their works of art.
Our Tip: Book early, those bike & boat trips fill up fast! The program of this trip is also possible in the opposite direction.
The tour runs continuously through the lowlands and the daily distance varies between a distance of 25 and 55 km. Most of the cycling route runs along rivers and canals on asphalt bike paths or roads with little traffic. In order to make the exit from the cities more comfortable or also to shorten the stages, partial sections - mostly in the morning during breakfast - are covered by boat.
Individual arrival. The cabins are available from 5 pm. The meeting with the tour leader and the crew is scheduled at dinner-time, at 06:30 pm.
In the morning you discover the capital of the ancient "Serenissima Republic of Venice" with a guide which held sway over much of the Mediterranean (and beyond) for centuries. Afterwards you have a lot of time to soak up its timeless beauty or explore the islands.
Leaving Venice behind after a gentle cruise in front of St Mark’s square, our first stop will be on Murano island, where we will visit a historic glass factory, with a glassblowing demonstration by a master artisan. Then our cycling adventure starts on the Lido, the first of two islands we traverse today. Fashionable in high society ever since the Belle Époque, the Lido di Venezia is now home to the International Venice Film Festival and its galaxy of stars. A short island-hop by ferry takes us into another world: Pellestrina, where we ride past the picturesque cottages and boats of this humble fishing backwater. We rejoin our barge just in front of Chioggia – a bustling and colourful fishing hub known as “Little Venice”
A morning stroll through the fish market is recommended and, time allowing, a visit up the millennial clock tower – the oldest in the world – for some breathtaking views. Our cycling resumes southbound, into the delta of the imposing Po. This unique wetland park is the prime reserve in Europe for herons and home to a colony of flamingos. You stay overnight in Adria, an ancient Greek port once close to the shores of the sea which bears its name, also renowned for its Etruscan and Roman heritage.
After a short cruise you saddle your bikes and, following the Po through farmland and hamlets, you reach Ferrara. Under its overlords, the Este family, this ancient City State attracted influential architects and artists for centuries. A private bus takes you back to your floating hotel in Zelo, a sleepy village on the Canal Bianco, the waterway which runs parallel to the Po.
Back on our bikes, you reach the village of Bergantino where you visit the charming Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum. Following the river through Ostiglia (famed for its medieval fortress and floating mill) and on to Governolo Lock. Once a vital staging post for local navigation, this is where the River Mincio flows into the Po, creating the largest inland basin in Italy. Leaving the Po behind, you reach Mantua through a magnificent navigation in the afternoon.
An entire day dedicated to the discovery of this little visited cultural gem, its three picturesque "lakes" formed by the Mincio, and its surrounding countryside – once a City State ruled by the Gonzaga family. In the afternoon a local guide will lead you through the most known highlights of the town. Aboard a motorboat you will then have the possibility to drive through the Mincio Nationalpark.
Individual departure after breakfast until 09:00 am or extension.
Normally you follow the canals Fissero/Bianco, which flow parallel to the river Po, connecting Mantova with the Adriatic Sea. For organizational reasons, because of the weather conditions or according to the regulations of the local authorities, some changes in the itinerary may occur before and/or during the vacation. High and low water, as well as logistical obstacles, such as (unpredictable) maintenance works over bridges or locks can change the daily routes or landing points and may even require a bus transfer may be required. The decision is made solely by the captain.
7 nights in cabins with shower/WC
Full board (daily breakfast, 6x self-prepared packed lunches, 6x dinner)
Afternoon snack
Coffee & tea, water dispenser and ice dispenser on board
Welcome drink
Towels and bed linen, 1x cabin cleaning
All port charges
English-speaking cycling tour guide
Bus transfer Ferrara-Adriatic Sea/Ferrara-Zelo
Guided city tour in Mantua
Visit and tasting in a cheese dairy
Sightseeing tour: Museum of the "Carousel and Popular Theater"
Visit to a glass blowing workshop
Some short walking tours
Rental helmet
App with maps, route descriptions, sights and GPS data, digital tour information
If you would like to cycle the tour individually, we recommend that you bring a cell phone holder and power bank to ensure that the tour runs smoothly.
Our tip: Get your eSIM for a low-priced holiday-data package here
| Price 3rd person in cabin (no age restriction) | |
| Vita Pugna S1 | 770 |
| Vita Pugna S2 | 1170 |
| Vita Pugna S3 | 1270 |
| Vita Pugna S4 | 1380 |
| Ave Maria S1 | 950 |
| Ava Maria S2 | 1530 |
| Ave Maria S3 | 1690 |
| Ave Maria S4 | 1850 |
| Bicycle and equipment | |
| 27-speed bike | 110 |
| E-bike | 270 |
| helmet | included |
| Tagalong | on request |
| Child trailor | on request |
| Special dietary* | |
| vegan, lactose free or gluten free (to be announced at booking) | 65 |
| *we cannot guarantee to fully avoid any cross contamination with allergenes | |
| Extra nights | |
| Mantova 3* (dbl/sgl) | on request |
| Mantova 4* (dbl/sgl) | on request |
| Mestre 3* (dbl/sgl) | on request |
| Mestre 4* (dbl/sgl) | on request |
| Venice 3-4* (dbl/sgl) | on request |
Your vessel for this tour will be the VITA PUGNA, or the Ave Maria
The Vita Pugna is a wonderful romantic Dutch barge which we have been sailing since 2008 with after her long voyage from Amsterdam to the Po river. >>more
The Ave Maria is renovated in winter 2010/2011 and is a very comfortable moter vessel. Enjoy the sundecks after a day full of cycling! >>more
Important information: Own bikes are not allowed on board!
The offered bikes are citybikes with an aluminium frame and kitted with responsive brakes and gears. Plus: mudguards, trip computers, comfort gel saddles, flat-palmed grips, Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyres. E-bikes are also available for this tours, while kids’ bikes and accessories are at hand for all family-friendly holidays.
You can choose between the following bikes:
The rental bikes are equipped with a spacious waterproof side bag, lock, handlebar bag or card holder. Each room receives a repair kit.
By popular demand, we have now invested in a considerable number of e-bikes, much favoured by cyclists who love the Great Outdoors, but prefer to let the bike take the strain. E-Bikes are great development and let people of different fitness levels enjoy a ride together.
Airport: Venice (VCE), Verona (VRN)
By bus from VCE: The Fly BUS ATVO shuttle service leaves every 30 min. (transfer approx. 20 min, approx. € 8,-) Further information here
By train: Train connections from airport Venice to Venice centre. Further informations here
Parking: near Venice/Mestre, parking lot approx. EUR 60/week.
Parcheggio Gregory (Piazzale Stazione 23) in front of the railway station, under a closed circuit security surveillance. (Costs approx. € 18-44 per day)
Parecheggio Stazione (Viale Stazione 10) in front of the railway station, under video surveillance. (Costs approx. € 18-44 per day)
Pier: Giudecca Island
Train station: Venice Santa Lucia
Individual return to Venice: by train, approx. 2,5-3 hours., Price approx. € 30-50,-/person, add. information via trenitalia.com
Minimum: 12 guests
Please leave a mobile phone number when booking this tour!
Taxes for add. overnight stays pre-/after the tour to be paid on spot.
When you arrive in Venice, we recommend you to buy a 48 hour-ticket (you can buy it at the ticket office ACTV of the airport Marco Polo or in Piazzale Roma, price is € 30,-).
Happy to advise you:
Luca Napolitano
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