fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Italy Cruise (La Bella Vita)

Italy Cruise (La Bella Vita)

ITLEW
Call for Price

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

When it comes to river cruises, Italy is a country seemingly designed to host them. Its beautiful canals and rivers pass through diverse landscapes and nature en route, from picturesque lagoon islands with their colourful houses, to wild beach dunes and pine woods with an abundance of birdlife.

These waterways were once the ancient trade routes used by the Romans and the early Mediterranean settlers before them, and cruises around Italy are perfect for gaining a real insight into the many cultures – including Roman, Etruscan, Istrian, Byzantine and of course Renaissance – which have influenced the arts, architecture and history of the region over many centuries.

Throughout the season the 20 passenger La Bella Vita provides Italian river cruises that encompass the romance and architecture of Venice as well as the captivating lakeside setting of the Renaissance city of Mantua. Venice is, of course, the crowning jewel of most Italian river cruises, but Mantua, in the central northern area of the country, has also been (and still is) a hub of art, culture and music for centuries. The route inland takes you along the River Po and the Bianco Canal through the Po Valley.

Delicious seafood, local culinary specialities, fine wines and attentive service complete the experience of this fairytale adventure, and explain the appeal of our boutique Italian river cruises. Luxuriating in a friendly and relaxing boat environment, travellers have an opportunity for a unique perspective on some magnificent Italian cities.

La Bella Vita is the perfect vessel aboard which to embark in one of our cruises around Italy and to immerse yourself in Italian Renaissance culture. When it comes to river cruises, Italy is indeed hard to beat!

Please Note: Golf, Opera, Wine Appreciation Theme Departures Available. Please contact us for more details.

On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.

Trip Name
Italy Cruise (La Bella Vita)
Days
7
Overview
Vessel Type: Hotel Barge / River Boat Length: 140 feet / 42.67 meters Passenger Capacity: 20 A cruise aboard La Bella Vita on the Venetian Lagoon, River Po and Canal Bianco between Venice and the lakeside Renaissance city of Mantua is a truly magical experience. There is the opportunity to enjoy diverse landscapes and nature en route, from colourful lagoon islands to wild beach dunes and pine woods full of birdlife. The itinerary includes fascinating guided tours of Ferrara, Mantua and Chioggia which give a real insight into the many cultures – Renaissance, Roman, Etruscan, Byzantine – that have influenced this region of Italy for centuries. La Bella Vita is a stylish 20 passenger vessel with a typically modern Italian interior, reflected in the use of vibrant colours throughout to create an atmosphere of casual relaxation. There is an inviting bar area in which to enjoy a glass of Prosecco and a spacious dining room with louvre doors that open to give a perfect view as you are served delicious Italian specialities and wines. She has two upper deck junior suites and eight lower deck staterooms, all air-conditioned and with en suite facilities, while above there is a huge sun deck with a large canopy and comfortable loungers to relax on and watch the world drift by.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Venice
Guests are met at the Hotel Laguna Palace in Mestre or Piazzale Roma in Venice** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to La Bella Vita for a Prosecco welcome. An 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 della Salute and the Punta della Dogana to our mooring outside the Naval Museum. Then time for a stroll to St Mark’s Square and a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace before dinner on board.
Day 2 - Day 2 Venice to San Pietro in Volta
Guided walking tour to Castello District, perhaps discovering some hidden parts of the city of Venice: the gardens of the Biennale Exhibition of Modern Arts, Palladio’s Church of San Pietro in Castello and the Venetian Ships Pavilion, an annex of the Naval History Museum Venice, housing vessels of historical importance including ceremonial barges and warships. 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. Dinner on board.
Day 3 - Day 3 San Pietro in Volta to Taglio di Po
After breakfast, we cruise to Chioggia, city of Goldoni’s plays. Here we visit the 18th century Church of San Domenico set on its own island, to see Carpaccio’s St Paul, his last recorded painting and other works of art by Tintoretto and Bassano. We also admire the Piazzetta Vigo and visit the colourful fish market. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy a short tour of Chioggia’s pretty canals in a traditional locally-built boat, before re-joining La Bella Vita. Passing through a nature reserve with flamingos and occasional heron, snipe and other wildfowl, 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.
Day 4 - Day 4 Taglio di Po to Zelo
This morning we join the Bianco canal and cruise to Adria, an ancient Etruscan town where we visit the Archaeological Museum. After lunch on board, we drive to the Bagnoli Estate to tour the Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of the 17thC Villa Widmann Borletti to enjoy a private tasting of their renowned estate-grown vintages. This winery has been supplying Venetian society for centuries. Afterwards, we rejoin La Bella Vita moored at Zelo. Dinner on board.
Day 5 - Day 5 Zelo to Governolo
Morning excursion with a guided tour of the Renaissance city of Ferrara, including the Schifanoia Palace, renowned for its fabulous 15thC frescoes. We also admire the exterior of the Estense Castle and its moat and visit the magnificent cathedral with its façade of sculpted images described as an illustrated Bible. Return to the hotel barge moored in Trevenzuolo for an afternoon canal cruise past villages and farmsteads to Governolo and dinner on board.
Day 6 - 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. 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.
Day 7 - Day 7 Mantua
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the Hotel Laguna Palace in Mestre or Piazzale Roma in Venice.
Day 8 - Please Note:
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • Tour of historic Venice, The Naval Museum and the Pavilion of Gondolas
    • Cruise on the Canal of the Orphans past picturesque lagoon islands
    • Tour of Chioggia with its Roman, Etruscan and Byzantine history
    • Visit to Chioggia’s colourful fish market
    • Dinner ashore at the 17thC stately home Villa Ca’Zen
    • Private visit to the wine cellars of Villa Widmann-Borletti
    • Tour of the Schifanoia Palace in Ferrara
    • Visit Mantua’s Ducal Palace and gardens, or the Doge’s Palace in Venice

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Italy
More of activity:
Mediterranean Cruises