Po River by Bike + Boat from Venice

Italian treasures between Venice and Mantua

Itinerary

Route

The tour runs continuously through the lowlands and the daily distance varies between 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 and to also shorten the stages, partial sections are covered by boat, mostly in the morning during breakfast.

Individual arrival. The cabins are available from 5 pm. The meeting with the tour leader and the crew is scheduled before dinner-time at 06:30 pm.

In the morning, a tour guide will take you on a tour of the wonderful historic center of the “Serenissima.” Afterward, you can explore the city on your own or visit the islands of the lagoon. Dinner is not included today, be sure to try one of Venice’s excellent restaurants!

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 village. 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.

You’ll cycle through the countryside toward Ferrara, a city that has earned the nickname “City of Cyclists” thanks to its numerous bike paths and the widespread use of bicycles. You’re sure to be enchanted by the beautiful historic center with its imposing city walls. In the afternoon, a short bus transfer will take you to Zelo, where the ship is already waiting for you.

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 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.

Boat service is available year-round on the 135-kilometer Fissero-Tartaro-Canalbianco-Po di Levante waterway, which runs parallel to the Po River. For organizational reasons, due to weather conditions, or in accordance with local authorities’ regulations, some changes to the tour itinerary may occur before and/or during your vacation. High and low water levels, as well as logistical obstacles such as (unforeseeable) maintenance work on bridges or locks, may alter the daily routes or landing points and may even require a bus transfer. The decision is made solely by the captain.

Services

  • 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

  • Bus transfer Ferrara-Adria/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

  • Tasting of grappa and spirits in a typical distillery

  • Some short walking tours

  • App with maps, route descriptions, sights and GPS data, digital tour information (we recommend taking a power bank and cell phone holder with you to ensure smooth use of the app)

  • Helmet hire with bike rental (by prior arrangement)

  • English-speaking tour guide within an international group (if you choose the guided tour, the bike tours are accompanied by the tour guide)

  • Daily tour briefing for all guests

Our tip: Get your eSIM for a low-priced holiday-data package here

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

Season / Period
Type
S1   20.03. - 27.03.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S3   03.04. - 10.04.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S3   17.04. - 24.04.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S4   01.05. - 08.05.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S4   15.05. - 22.05.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S4   29.05. - 05.06.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S3   12.06. - 19.06.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S3   26.06. - 03.07.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S2   10.07. - 17.07.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S2   24.07. - 31.07.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S2   07.08. - 14.08.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S2   21.08. - 28.08.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S5   04.09. - 11.09.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S5   18.09. - 25.09.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S5   02.10. - 09.10.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI
S3   16.10. - 23.10.27
MV AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI

Extras

Price 3rd person in cabin (no age restriction, valid on both ships, fix price)
Season S1 1030
Season S2 1430
Season S3 1730
Season S4 1930
Season S5 2030
   
Bicycle and equipment
27-speed bike 120
E-bike 290
Rental helmet (reservation needed!) included
Tagalong on request
Child trailor on request
   
Special dietary*
vegan, lactose free or gluten free (to be announced at booking) 70
*we cannot guarantee to fully avoid any cross contamination with allergenes
 
Extra nights
Mantova 3* (dbl/sgl) on request
Mestre 3* (dbl/sgl) on request
Mestre 4* (dbl/sgl) on request
Venice 3* (dbl/sgl) on request
Verona 4* (dbl/sgl) on request

Best - Price - Guarantee

If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!

All prices per person in EUR

Ship

Welcome on board!

Your vessel for this tour will be one of our modernized, eco-friendly ships AVE MARIA ITALIA or AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI.


AVE MARIA PORTEGRANDI

Ship details Vita Pugna

The “Ave Maria Portegrandi” is an elegant, state-of-the-art river cruise ship built in Italy and designed for the less-traveled waterways between Mantua, Venice, and Grado. It combines technological innovation with environmental awareness. On board are a panoramic saloon, a sun deck, and 12 cabins for approximately 24 guests. >>more


AVE MARIA ITALIA

Ship details Ave Maria

The Ave Maria Italia is an environmentally sustainable vessel, as energy is conserved on board, wastewater is treated, and the ship’s navigation causes no damage to the riverbanks. It accommodates approximately 31 guests in 17 cabins, is fully air-conditioned, and features a dining room with large panoramic windows and a spacious sun deck. >>more

Bicycle

Important information: Own bikes are not allowed on board!


 

Bicycles inclusive panniers

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:

  • 27-speed hybrid bikes
  • 9-speed E-bikes

The rental bikes are equipped with a spacious waterproof side bag, lock, handlebar bag or card holder. Each room receives a repair kit.


E-bikes | Electric bikes | Pedelcs

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.

Useful

Arrival - Parking - Departure

Arrival by plane

Airport: Venice (VCE), Verona (VRN)

From Verona Airport, take the shuttle bus to Verona Porta Nuova train station, which runs approximately every 20 minutes. (Travel time: approx. 20 min, price approx. €6,-) Continue by train to Venezia Santa Lucia; frequent direct connections are available. (Travel time: approx. 70–130 min, price approx. €8-23,- depending on train type) - Infos at Trenitalia


Arrival by car

Parking: near Venice/Mestre, parking lot approx. € 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


Arrival by train

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


Venice Water Taxi

Available from Venice Airport/Venice Train Station or from Piazzale Roma to Giudecca Island. Price approx. €120, max. 5 people

Advance booking via Trasbagagli or Venice Transfer


Transfer

Individual return trip from Mantua to Venice by train, approx. 3 hours, price approx. €8–25 per person, transfer in Verona.


Participants

Minimum: 12 guests


Additional information

This tour offers the chance to choose if pedalling alone (taking advantage of a very detailed cycle-app) or with the whole group, following the tour leader. When booking the tour you need to specify which option is chosen (i.e. if guided or self guided).

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 € 35,-).

Entrance fee for the historic center of Venice (€ 5-10/day per person; only on selected days and from 8:30 am to 4 pm)

Videos

Travel stories

5,4 of 6 Stars | 3
We thought the barge Ave Maria was great, well appointed/designed. We thought the crew on board were so warm, friendly and very professional. We also thought the food was fantastic. The daily organization was excellent...O.B. 09/17
5,5 25.07.2019 | Jonathan L. Po River by Bike + Boat from Venice

Enjoyed the tour

1. Boat Air Condition did not work for about 3 days. This was very unpleasent to say the least. A cabin with no window that can be open made the situation and sleeping very dificult. 2. Wi Fi on board was poor [Very narrow band] and was on from 07:00-23:00 ...
  • Overall satisfaction 5
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 5
  • Pre-Tour information 5
  • Accomodation 5
  • Board 5
  • Route description 5
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 6
  • Bicycle + equipment 6
  • Price-performance ratio 6
more
load more travel stories

    Navigation

    My wishlist

    Forgot password

    You will receive your new password via email.
    Agency menu
    Agency-No.
    Agency
    Encashment