Cycling Holidays - Bike & Barge: Venice to Mantova

Bike & Barge: Venice to Mantova

Italy

From £1,049 P/P

Blending nature, culture and fine cuisine, this leisurely bike and barge tour along the waterways of the River Po offers more than just a taste of Northern Italy.

Explore celebrated cities of art, one of Europe's prime Nature Reserves and a wealth of tucked-away rural hamlets along the route, with authentic regional dishes back on board after the daily rides.

From the glory of Venice, the lagoon leads us to colourful Chioggia. Next up, the natural wonders of the Po Delta, famed for its birdlife. Visit Adria, once a key Roman port, and onwards to Ferrara and Mantua, major city states of the Italian Renaissance.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Venice (Embarkation)

We welcome you aboard your new home-from-home from 4.30 p.m. onwards, and then regroup for the introductory briefing – at 6.30 – with your tour leader, skipper and crew, along with a first refreshing aperitivo. After dinner we can savour Venice at night, now free of the crowds and at her most romantic: Benvenuti a Venezia.

Day 2: Venice

After breakfast – and perhaps following a wander off the beaten track with your tour leader – we all meet up with our Venetian guide for a tour through the historic centre. Christened La Serenissima ("The Most Serene"), the Venetian Republic held sway over much of the Mediterranean (and beyond) for centuries – both as a military power and a beacon of culture, her explorers reaching as far as China and Newfoundland. After your guided tour, you have the afternoon free to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Day 3: Venice – Pellestrina island (30 km)

Leaving Venice behind after a gentle cruise in front of St Mark’s square, 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".

Day 4: Pellestrina island – Po Delta Nature Reserve – Adria (40 km)

We open the day with a stroll through Chioggia, followed perhaps by a visit up the millennial clock tower – the oldest in the world – for some breathtaking views. Weather permitting, we can also bask in the sun at a fine-sand beach nearby: a dip in the Adriatic, a hot savoury piadina – and you are well and truly local! Then onwards into the delta of the life-giving Po. This unique wetland is the prime reserve in Europe for herons and home to a colony of flamingos. We moor for the night in Adria, a key Roman port, once washed by the waters of the sea which bears its name. Adria is also renowned for its Etruscan and Greek heritage. An after-dinner passeggiata into town for a well-earned grappa or gelato is in order.

Day 5: Adria – Ferrara – Zelo (35 km by bike + 35 km by bus)

After a short cruise we saddle our bikes and, following the Po through farmland and hamlets, we reach Ferrara. Under its ruling family, the Este, this city state attracted architects, artists and scholars for centuries, pioneering town planning principles that have been emulated worldwide ever since. To this day, Ferrara University ranks among the best, and the town is dubbed the ''Cycling Capital of Italy". A private bus and trailer take us back to our floating hotel in Zelo, a sleepy village on the Canal Bianco, the waterway which runs parallel to the Po.

Day 6: Zelo to Mantova (31 miles / 50 km)

This morning we head for the village of Bergantino, home of the distinctive Museum of Fairground Rides and its collection of street organs, all expertly restored (and thunderous!). But first things first: we are in the heartland of Grana Padano – the arch-rival of Parmesan – and after visiting the local cheese factory, we enjoy a degustazione of sharp and seasoned Grana, washed down with a glass of Valpolicella. After our customary picnic lunch, we leave Bergantino and follow the river to Ostiglia, famed for its medieval fortress and the fierce fighting that took place here in 1945, as the Allies and partisans drove Hitler's forces back. We ride on and rejoin our barge at Governolo Lock, where Mantua's River Mincio flows into the Po. Veering north, we cruise through the lush wetlands that finally emerge into the glorious "lakes" of Mantua.

Day 7: Mantova Loop Tour (25 miles / 40 km)

A 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 and now considered by many as Italy’s "Sleeping Beauty". This afternoon we meet our Mantuan guide for a walking tour of the historic centre, and enjoy the rest of the day in town, at our own leisure.

Day 8: Return Home

After breakfast transfer to your chosen departure point or stay on for more nights in Mantova, Verona, Venice or even moving on to Lake Garda.

Route Overview

This cycling tour is largely along the flats of the Po plains, and the daily stages vary from 25 to 55 km, mostly on tarmac cycle paths along rivers and canals or on quiet country roads.

The boat is moored at night and typically sets sail after breakfast, meeting up with the bikes in the afternoon.

Some parts of the itinerary are undertaken by boat, to allow easier access onto cycling paths or simply to enjoy the cruise.

The route consists of easy cycling in mostly flat areas, with only a few short climbs and descents. Little effort is required and the route is suitable for most people.

The tour is also very welcoming for children. If a child does not want to cycle on a particular day, he/she can stay on the boat with one of the parents.

Please ask us for any further details.

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Venice

Route Map (For guidance only): Routes may be subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most of the cycling holidays we offer.

Route Map

Route Profile:

Brief itinerary:	route Profile
Day 3: Venice-Pellestrina (30 km, vertical up 0 m)	Wonderful stage along the thin strip of land that separates the Venice lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. A short path but full of opportunities for pleasant stops. Navigation: - about 90 minutes from Venice (Giudecca Island) to Malamocco; - about 15 minutes by public transportation from Alberoni to Santa Maria del Mare;

Day 4: Pellestrina-Chioggia-Porto Viro-Adria (40 km, vertical up 0 m)	There are no difficult parts in this stage. We recommend to cross the bridges over the rivers Brenta and Adige carrying the bike by hand. Navigation: - about 30 minutes from Pellestrina to Chioggia; - about 90 minutes from Porto Viro to Adria.

Day 5: Adria-Ferrara-Zelo (35 km by bike + 35 km by bus, vertical up 0 m)	This is a very easy stage on quiet roads and cycle tracks. Navigation: about 120 minutes from Adria to Bosaro. Transfer: about 70 minutes by private bus from Ferrara to Zelo.

Day 6: Zelo-Mantua (50 km, vertical up 0 m)	Easy path along calm country roads and sometimes on cycle paths. The only difficulty is represented by 4 km of unpaved road shortly after having left Zelo. Navigation: about 90 minutes from Governolo to Mantua.

Day 7: Mantua round tour (35 km, vertical up 0 m)	A short circuit from the lakes of Mantua which continues in the "Parco del Fiume Mincio".The second part of the stage will follow the canals in which the river Mincio branches out.

Getting There

Getting There

By Air:

We recommend flying to Venice or Trieste airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices.

By Rail:

We recommend using Voyages SNCF for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0800 755 5385 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes can be safely left at the final hotel.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

The Bike & Barge: Venice to Mantova cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- 7 nights accommodation on a full board basis
- Bike hire
- Tour leader on board
- Detailed route notes & cycling maps (1 per room)
- Harbour fees
- Emergency telephone number
Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the bikes

Tough, stable and reliable, specially designed for you to saddle up for several days on the trot. Girolibero 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.

27-gear Unisex Citybike

A low entry unisex frame, ideal for an upright but relaxed riding position. The number of gears varies by destination. In Italy, for instance, standard bikes have 27 gears, while in northern Europe they are generally fitted with 7 gears and a pedal brake (although bikes with more gears and conventional breaks can sometimes be requested).

27-gear Men's Citybike

Citybike with men's frame. The design and number of gears varies from country to country. As with unisex bikes, for example, bikes for our Italian tours have 21/24 gears, while in northern Europe they are usually fitted with 7 gears and a pedal brake (although bikes with more gears and conventional breaks can sometimes be requested).

Electric Bike Upgrades

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on +44 (0) 800 755 5385.

Bosch Active Line

Low-entry frame
Bosch batteries Power Packs of top safety and long life (36 V - 13,4 Ah Capacity - 500 Wh available power).
Bosch motor Active Line, located centrally (250 Watt, engine torque 50 Nm).
Gears: Shimano Deore 9-speed.
Range: approx 90 km (flat terrain, average speed).

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use. We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0800 755 5385 to speak to one of the team.

Ave Maria (Sailing from Venice)

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	April	Saturdays
Season 2:	April \| June \| July \| August \| October	Saturdays
Season 3:	September \| October	Saturdays

Twin Cabin Information:

Sailing Date	Prices per person including bike hire
6th April 2019	£1049
20th April - 24th August 2019	£1379
7th September - 5th October 2019	£1569
19th October 2019	£1379
Single Room Supplement:	£289
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£109

Vita Pugna (Sailing from Venice)

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	April	Saturdays
Season 2:	April \| June \| July \| August \| October	Saturdays
Season 3:	September \| October	Saturdays

Twin Cabin Information:

Sailing Date	Prices per person including bike hire
13th April - 17th August 2019	£1379
31st August - 12th October 2019	£1569
Single Room Supplement:	£289
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£109

Date From	Date To
31 March 2019	20 October 2019

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