Dutch owned and operated barge "Vita Pugna" is now in Italy! The Vita Pugna is a comfort barge with two lower beds per cabin and air conditioning. Bike/ Barge holidays in Holland have become very popular in the past 20 years. 2009 will be the first year this tour will be offered in Italy. From Mantova to Ferrara and Venice, or reverse, 8-days. Departures: Every Saturday from March 28th to October 24th, 2009. Departures will alternate, one week from Mantova and the following one from Venice, with the first one from Mantova.
The tour is entirely on flat terrain and the daily cycling stages vary from 28km to 55km. Much of the pedaling is along rivers and canals on tarmac cycle paths or roads with a low volume of car traffic. It is envisaged that the boat will sail some of the way during breakfast or evening meal to make getting out of the towns easier or to shorten the stages. During the weeks in which departures are from Venice to Mantova, the “daily program” needs to be read in reverse order. This tour can be done guided or self-guided, for the same price. Passengers may elect to ride the barge all day if they wish.
The itinerary winds its way along the Mincio and the Po, penetrating into rural areas of the Italian countryside that are still uncontaminated, and ends in the warm embrace of the Venetian Lagoon. This territory has been reclaimed from the marshes for many centuries now and is framed by green pine-woods, which offer protection for numerous species of animals. The work of man overlaps nature in a constant game of roles: reclaimed land alternates with natural canals, fishermen’s huts are camouflaged in the reeds, and bridges formed of boats reduce the distances between strips of sand.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Mantova. Bicycles are available from 11a.m. at the boat, which is moored at Porto Catena, just a short walk from the center.
Day 2: Mantova–Castelguglielmo(38km).
The boat takes us to Governolo, stronghold of the Mincio Pirates: here, you take our bikes and start our ride. We cycle towards San Benedetto Po, home of an ancient monastery. We continue following the Po as far as Revere, summer residence of the Gonzaga dynasty. The last stretch of road brings us to the harbor of Ostiglia on the Fissero/ Bianco canal, where you board the boat. A short stretch of navigation brings us to Castelguglielmo, where you will moor for the night (overnight in Revere if the level of the Po is suitable).
Day 3: Castelguglielmo–Ferrara–Adria (55km).
Departure for Ferrara: the historic center is still surrounded by the old city walls. The great number of cycle paths and the widespread use of bikes have earned Ferrara the name of “the city of bicycles”. At the end of the day, on board Vita Pugna, you
reach Adria: the pearl of the Polesine, an ancient Greek port, famous for trading amber coming from the Baltic, which gave its name to the sea it faced (overnight in Ferrara if the level of the Po is suitable).
Day 4 Adria–Porto Levante (48km).
We go deep into the maze of the Delta, an uncontaminated paradise between the marshes and lagoons of the Po, pedaling in the heart of nature. The destination today is Porto Levante, a small marine village of ancient traditions.
Day 5: Porto Levante–Chioggia(34km).
The Vita Pugna leaves us on the other bank of the Po di Levante. We are approaching Albarella, suspended between water and land, as you pedal between the Delta and the mouth of the River Adige. From Cavanella d’Adige, the farthermost border between the provinces of Rovigo and Venice, you then follow the Po-Brondolo Waterway, which links the river to the Venetian lagoon. We will stay overnight in “Little Venice” and a visit to the fish market at dawn is an absolute "must".
Day 6: Chioggia–Venice (28km).
The Vita Pugna brings us to the Oasis of Ca’ Roman, a sandy islet surrounded by pine-woods. Pedaling along the lagoon, you reach Pellestrina: from here, you ride on the new cycle path as far as the ferry landing stage. A short boat ride takes us back up the Lido, along the ‘Murazzi’, with a stop in Malamocco, the ancient harbor. Overnight in the Venetian lagoon.
Day 7: Venice–Riviera del Brenta–Venice (45 km).
After a wonderful awakening with a view on the lagoon, you will head towards Padova riding along the Brenta canal. This is a very famous area thanks to its wonderful Venetian villas. We will then go back to Venice, for the last overnight stay.
Day 8: Venice.
After breakfast and the customary goodbyes, free time for individual visits of Venice, or return home.
Notes: Chartering possibility: It is possible to charter the whole boat, during the months of March and October, at a net price of $ 17,900 USD per week.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices 2009:
- $1325 per person in a double cabin on comfort barge,
- $100 discount per person is booked and paid in full by Dec. 15, 2008
- $800 supplement for a single cabin,
- 55 euro bike rental (to be paid directly on board),
- Price for a 3rd person in a triple cabin: $1060.
Price Includes:
- 7 overnights on board barge with breakfast,
- Packed lunches and dinners (meal drinks provided except alcoholic beverages which may be purchased),
- Luggage transport,
- Sheets and towels,
- Information pack and the assistance of a tour leader,
- Tour leader, road book and info packet.
Price Excludes:
- Bicycle rental,
- Helmet rental,
- Tickets for public transport to and from barge dock location, museums not specified above and other not specified above extras,
- Bicycle Rentals (55 euro) are extra and to be paid on board. Helmets may also be rented.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Bicycle Touring
Barging
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