La Bella Vita Luxury Barge Cruising Venice - Italy Click here for European Waterways Index Page 2017 Specials Click here for 2017 Special Offers Click here for La Bella Vita Barge Specifications Click here for 2017 Cruise Rates

European Waterways La Bella Vita 2017 Season Departure Dates
Departure Dates ( Sunday )	Rates	Cruise Route
March - 26	Value	Venice & The Po Valley
April - 02, 09, 16	Value	Venice & The Po Valley
April - 23, 30	Regular	Venice & The Po Valley
May - 07, 14, 21, 28	Regular	Venice & The Po Valley
June - 04, 11, 18, 25	Regular	Venice & The Po Valley
July - 02, 09,16	Regular	Venice & The Po Valley
July - 23, 30	Value	Venice & The Po Valley
August - 06, 13, 20	Value	Venice & The Po Valley
August - 27	Regular	Venice & The Po Valley
September - 03, 10, 17, 24	Regular	Venice & The Po Valley
October - 01, 08	Regular	Venice & The Po Valley
October - 15, 22, 29	Value	Venice & The Po Valley
Click here for Cruise Highlights & Itinerary

European Waterways - Italy 2017 Rates Rates are shown in European Euros Rates are for six nights on either Per person based on double occupancy per cabin or whole boat charter basis
Accommodation	Value	Regular
Stateroom per person	€3,190	€3,490
Junior Suite per person	€3,850	€4,250
Single Supplement	€1,200	€1,350
Charter 10 passengers Whole Boat	€48,800	€54,300
Charter 12 passengers Whole Boat	€50,700	€56,400
Charter 14 passengers Whole Boat	€52,600	€58,500
Charter 16 passengers Whole Boat	€54,500	€60,600
Charter 18 passengers Whole Boat	€56,400	€62,700
Charter 20 passengers Whole Boat	€58,300	€64,800

Click here for Cruise Terms and Conditions

Price includes:
Local transfers to and from the hotel barge (transfers are between 15 minutes & 2 hours depending on the cruise direction), a luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef, an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 7 crew and use of barge facilities, which include bicycles.

Please note: La Bella Vita usually cruises on the Bianco Canal, however the Italian Waterways Authority occasionally advise that the cruise should operate on the River Po which runs parallel to the Bianco Canal. The Waterways Authority give notice of any changes 1 day prior to sailing, therefore you would be informed on arrival by the Captain should this situation occur. Our excursions would operate as advertised and would not be affected.

Cruise highlights

Cuisine Aboard

CRUISE MAP

Classic Venice Cruise - Venice to Mantua

Sunday, Day 1 - Venice
Guests are met at the designated meeting point on Sunday afternoon and transferred to La Bella Vita for a Prosecco welcome. A late afternoon cruise takes us along the Giudecca Canal past some of Venice’s most famous monuments: the Chiesa del Redentore, the impressive Basilica di Santa Maria Madonna della Salute and the Punta della Dogana to our mooring outside the Naval Museum. Dinner on board, followed perhaps by an evening stroll to St Mark’s Square.

Monday, Day 2 - Venice to San Pietro in Volta
Guided tour to the centre of Venice. We visit the gardens of the Biennale Exhibition of Modern Arts, Palladio’s Church of San Pietro in Castello, the Naval Museum with a model of the Bucintoro (Doge’s Boat) and the Pavilion of Gondolas housing Peggy Guggenheim’s own vessel. Late afternoon cruise to Pellestrina separating the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea, along the Canal of the Orphans passing lagoon islands with their brightly coloured houses, painted fishing boats and tiny churches. We moor in San Pietro in Volta for a Venetian aperitif in a typical local ‘bacaro’. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 - San Pietro in Volta to Taglio Di Po
After a stroll or cycle along the 18thC Istrian sea wall, we cruise to Chioggia, city of Goldoni’s plays. Here we visit the colourful fish market with the chef to choose seafood for our evening meal. We also see the Cathedral and the Piazzetta Vigo before cruising on to the River Po delta. Passing through a nature reserve with flocks of flamingos and other wildlife, we travel upriver to Taglio di Po for dinner ashore hosted by the owners at the beautiful 17thC Villa Ca’Zen, a private stately home by the river where Lord Byron courted the Countess Giuccioli and wrote some of his best poetry.

Wednesday, Day 4 - Taglio Di Po to Rovigo
Morning cruise leaving the river and entering the Canal Bianco, to Rovigo. After lunch, we visit the magnificent Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of the17thC Villa Widmann Borletti for a private tasting of their renowned estate grown vintages. This winery has been supplying Venetian society for centuries. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 - Rovigo to Trevenzuolo
Morning excursion with guided tour of the Renaissance city of Ferrara, including the14thC Estense Castle with its moat, drawbridges, marble balconies and sumptuous apartments, and the Schifanoia Palace with its fabulous 15thC frescoes. We also see the cathedral façade with its sculpted images described as an Illustrated Bible. Return to the barge for an afternoon canal cruise past villages and farmsteads to Trevenzuolo for dinner on board, accompanied by live piano music.

Friday, Day 6 - Trevenzuolo to Mantua
Our final cruise has a dramatic approach to Mantua, home of the poet Virgil, artists Mantegna and Donatello and captivating lakeside setting. Mantua displays extraordinary neo-classical and baroque architecture, portrayed in the 14thC Ducal Palace housing some 15 gardens and courtyards, a museum, basilica and theatre. The intricate frescoes, Gallery of Mirrors and exquisite Rivers Room and 12,000 paintings and sculptures all create a Grand Finale to our Italian Renaissance adventure. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 - Mantua to Venice
After breakfast, passengers disembark for transfers back to the designated drop off point.

On alternate weeks the cruise is in reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary and subject to change.
 

Classic Venice "Golf" Cruise - Mantua to Venice

Sunday, Day 1 - Mantua
Guests are met at the designated meeting point on Sunday afternoon and transferred to La Bella Vita, moored in front of the Castle of St George in Mantua. A Prosecco welcome gives you a chance to meet the crew followed by an early evening cruise around the lakes surrounding the city. Dinner on board, followed perhaps by an evening stroll through the historic city centre.

Monday, Day 2 - Mantua to Ferrara
Guided tour of Mantua a picturesque medieval town, famous as the home of both the painter Andrea Mantegna and the poet Virgil, but also as a centre of power of the Gonzaga family. After lunch transfer to Verona Golf Club for your first game. Return to the barge moored in Zelo for dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 - Ferrara to Bosaro
Morning cruise to Bosaro. After lunch and we have arranged a guided visit to Ferrara and its imposing Estense Castle. Plenty of time for shopping and a stroll around this delightful town. Late afternoon return to the barge for the dinner aboard

Wednesday, Day 4 - Bosaro to Taglio Di Po
After an early breakfast we transfer to Frassanelle Golf Club. After golf we enjoy lunch in the golf club restaurant. We will transfer after lunch to Adria and for a visit of the very ancient Greek and Etruscan important archaeological museum. Return to the barge and navigate to Taglio di Po for dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 - Taglio Di Po to Chioggia to Venice
This morning we enjoy a wonderful cruise from Taglio di Po to Albarella. After lunch on board we transfer to Albarella Golf Club for a round of golf. After lunch we cruise to Chioggia and visit this beautiful city, famous for Goldoni’s plays. Continue cruising to Alberoni Lido for dinner on board

Friday, Day 6 - Venice
After breakfast enjoy a morning round of golf at Circolo Golf Venezia. Return to the barge for lunch on board followed by our cruise into Venice, the only city built on water. Guided tour and visit to the Palazzo Ducale, which reveals the history of the Republic "La Serenissima". Time for shopping and enjoying the city. Return to the barge for your final elegant Captain Farewell Dinner.

Saturday, Day 7 - Venice
After breakfast, passengers are transferred to the designated drop off point.

On alternate weeks the cruise is in reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary and subject to change.
 

Top of page