Garden Cruise

Venice to Mantua

Enjoy a barge charter aboard the Italian Hotel Barge La Bella Vita. Cruise a variety of charming waterways between Venice and Mantua promising a unique and magical cruising experience. La Bella Vita’s Garden Cruise navigates the Venetian lagoon and Po Delta, taking you to the region’s best gardens.

Sunday, Day 1 – Venice

Guests are met at the Best Western Hotel Bologna in Mestre and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to La Bella Vita for a Prosecco welcome.

Take a late afternoon cruise along the Giudecca Canal past some of Venice’s most famous monuments. You will see the Chiesa del Redentore, the impressive Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, and the Punta della Dogana. Arrive at our mooring outside the Naval Museum, before dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 – Venice to San Pietro in Volta

Morning visit to the lagoon island of Sant Erasmo for a walking tour. This island is full of flower and vegetable fields and has historically been “the Doge’s garden”, supplying the city with its horticultural needs.

Late afternoon cruise to Pellestrina which separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea, along the Canal of the Orphans passing lagoon islands with their ancient monasteries, painted fishing boats and tiny churches. Time perhaps for a walk or cycle ride along the 18th century Istrian Sea wall before dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 – San Pietro in Volta to Taglio di Po

After breakfast, we cruise to Chioggia, city of Goldoni’s plays. We wander through the colouful fish market before heading to the Botanical Gardens of Padua. Founded in 1545, it is the world’s oldest academic botanical garden and a Unesco World Heritage site.

We return to La Bella Vita at Porto Levante to cruise through the Po Delta, spotting flamingos and other wildlife on our way to Taglio di Po. Dinner ashore is hosted by the owners at the beautiful 17th-century Villa Ca’Zen. This private stately home by the river is surrounded by private gardens. Lord Byron courted the Countess Giuccioli and wrote some of his best poetry here.

Wednesday, Day 4 – Taglio di Po to Zelo

This morning we join the Bianco canal and cruise to Adria, an ancient Etruscan town. Following lunch aboard, our journey continues to the Bagnoli Estate for a tour of Villa Widmann Borletti’s 17th-century wine cellars. The tour culminates in a private tasting of their acclaimed estate-grown vintages. This winery has been supplying Venetian society for centuries.

Later we stroll around the Renaissance gardens with its topiary and statues of theatrical characters and view the vineyards and orchards of the estate. Return to La Bella Vita moored at Zelo for dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 – Zelo to Governolo

Morning excursion to the Giardino di Valsanzibio with its tree lined avenues, fishponds, fountains and statues. Created in the 17th century, this estate has ancient trees and an elaborate maze.

Return to the hotel barge moored in Trevenzuolo for an afternoon canal cruise past villages and farmsteads to Governolo and dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 – Governolo to Mantua

Our final cruise has a dramatic approach to Mantua, home of the poet Virgil, artists Mantegna and Donatello and a captivating lakeside setting. Time to soak up some of the city’s extraordinary neo-classical and baroque architecture including the 14th-century Ducal Palace.

This afternoon we visit the Parco Giardino Sigurta in Valeggio sul Mincio. Over 600 hectares in area, the park has vast lawns, a rose garden, a hermitage and a medicinal herb garden among many other features. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 – Mantua

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the Best Western Hotel Bologna in Mestre.

Note: This is a sample itinerary and subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in reverse direction. Some cruises may be on the River Po, depending on the water level.

LA BELLA VITA > ITINERARIES > Garden cruise

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