

Bike and Boat in Italy: From Mantua to Venice
Highlights of Italian Renaissance
Mantua – Zelo – Adria – Venice
- Full board included!
- Daily routes ●●○○○
- Altitude profile ●○○○○
- Bike & Boat: MS Vita Pugna & MS Ave Maria
days
8
km / day avg.
40
The fertile, flat landscape along Northern Italy’s Po plain is a veritable paradise for a bike and boat holiday in Italy. Unique natural scenery awaits beside the cycle paths between Mantua and Venice. Not only Venice – La Serenissima, but all the other towns in this region have been centres for culture, art and architecture for centuries. Mantua is a proper gem, while great food, delicious wine and impressive Renaissance buildings await in Bergantino and Chioggia, also known as little Venice. Venice itself is the subject of many a dream. And how better to enter this city of canals and bridges than by ship.
The starting point will either be Mantua or Venice. Available dates will be displayed in the booking form.
Itinerary
- Booking codes
MS Vita Pugna
Mantua – Venice: IT-ABSMV-08G
Venice – Mantua: IT-ABSVV-08G
MS Ave Maria
Mantua – Venice: IT-ABSMA-08G
Venice – Mantua: IT-ABSVA-08G - Start / Destination
Mantua / Venice - Duration
8 days, 7 nights - Length
approx. 195 km
Daily routes ●●○○○
between 30 and 50 km, Ø 40 km
Altitude profile ●○○○○

Your cruisers MS Vita Pugna and MS Ave Maria
The authentic Dutch river cruise ship has been on an exciting journey: The MS Vita Pugna sailed along the Rhine, the Danube, the Black Sea and the Adriatic to reach Venice and the Po River Cycle Path. A number of modifications and renovations have made it the ideal companion for this bike and boat cruise in Italy. The atmosphere on this welcoming cruise ship is always relaxed, as it can only accommodate a modest number of guests.
This former freighter MS Ave Maria was recently converted into a placid, modern river cruise ship which caters to all the wishes of a bike and ship holidaymaker. On one of the two sun decks or in the Italian-style lounge you will while out relaxing and enjoyable evenings. In the restaurant, you’ll be looked after with Italian delicacies, while the countryside slowly passes by the windows. La dolce vita!
Show more Show lessDay 1: Individual arrival in Mantua
The town was founded by the Etruscans and gained particularly in significance in the 16th century. You will be entranced by the historic quarter of the town, which is still hardly frequented by tourists. Particularly worth of a visit are the Palazzo Ducale and the round Roman church of San Lorenzo. Your boat is at anchor in Porto Catena. You can board from 16.30 onwards. Enjoy the first evening of your holiday!
Day 2: Round trip Mantua, approx. 35 km
Today you can explore Mantua and the surrounding area by bike. A large number of very impressive buildings feature in the historic quarter. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It was here to which the unhappy Romeo was banished in Shakespeare’s tragedy. The surrounding region is fertile, flat and pleasant to cycle.
Day 3: Mantua – Governolo (by boat), Governolo – Zelo, approx. 50 km
The boat takes you to the Mincio fortress, where the Tyrolean freedom fighter, Andreas Hofer, was executed by the French. Next, you cycle along the river via San Benedetto, which has an important Benedictine monastery, and, via Revere to Ostiglia. In Bergantino you can enjoy tasting cheese and visiting the Museum of Carousel and the local theatre. Next the route takes you to Zelo, where your boat awaits you.
Day 4: Zelo – Ferrara, approx. 50 km, Ferrara – Adria (bus transfer)
In the morning, you’ll cycle towards Ferrara. Copious amounts of cycle paths and the locals’ utter reverence for cycling have led to this town being called town of cyclists. Ferrara as a whole is a UNESCO world heritage site und presents itself in a 14th century style. From here, you’ll get on a coach for the short stretch to Adria, a small town important enough to give the large sea its name.
Day 5: Adria – Porto Viro (by boat), Porto Viro – Chioggia, approx. 40 km, Chioggia – Pellestrina Island (by boat)
Today’s itinerary features nature from start to finish. Initially, the ship will take you to Porto Viro. Today’s cycling route leads through the labyrinthine Po delta, an untouched paradise between lagoons and other stretches of water. Flamingos and herons feel at home here. Chioggia – or little Venice – is today’s cycle destination, located on the southern tip of the Venetian lagoon. By boat it is a short hop onto the Island of Pellestrina.
Day 6: Pellestrina Island – Lido – Venice, approx. 30 km
Pellestrina island is sandy and covered in pine trees. It is only a few hundred metres wide and well known for its mussel fishing. New cycle paths have been created here and are great to ride along. As you approach Lido, the town of Venice will be in sight. In between you take two boats to finally arrive on the opposite site of St. Mark's Square, where your boat is acnhoring for the night.
Day 7: Stay in Venice
Today is yours to spend as you wish. After getting up, you can either visit the wonderful historic Serenissima centre, or explore the islands in the lagoon. Use a two-day ticket that enables you to travel on all the ferries and other public means of transport in Venice. The Piazzo San Marco, the Canale Grande and the wonderful Rialto bridge are all must sees!
Day 8: Individual departure
After breakfast, your bike and boat tour in northern Italy comes to an end.
Show more Show lessDates / prices / services
Services
- 7 overnight stays on board
- Full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x lunch package, 7 x dinner)
- Coffee and tea
- Daily cleaning of cabins
- Bed linen and towels supplied
- Rental helmet
- All harbour fees
- Guided tour in Venice and Mantua
- Entrance cheese dairy with cheese tasting
- Entrance museum Carrousel and Theater
- Visit of a historic glass factory on Murano island
- Bus transfer Ferrara – Adria
- Daily Routing discussion, guided cycling tours
- Cycle route description with maps (1 x per cabin)
- 7 day Service Hotline
Child reduction on basic price
|
||
---|---|---|
discount-icon discount-icon-football |
From 0 to 17 years |
-300 € |
MS Vita Pugna
- 10 outward-facing cabins, approx. 7 – 8 m²
- Facilities: showers / WC, A/C
- Windows can be opened
- Ground-level beds (i. e. no bunk beds)
- It is possible to use the 2-bed cabins as single cabins
Boat facts
- 1 passenger deck
- Maximum occupancy: 21 passengers
- Length: 36 metres
- width: 5.4 metres
- Facilities: sun deck, lounge, WiFi (subject to availability)
- Tour operator languages: German, English
- Crew languages: English
If you have food intolerances or need a special diet, please contact us before your booking.
Show more Show lessServices
- 7 overnight stays on board
- Full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x lunch package, 7 x dinner)
- Coffee and tea
- Daily cleaning of cabins
- Bed linen and towels supplied
- Rental helmet
- All harbour fees
- Guided tour in Venice and Mantua
- Entrance cheese dairy with cheese tasting
- Entrance museum Carrousel and Theater
- Visit of a historic glass factory on Murano island
- Bus transfer Ferrara – Adria
- Daily Routing discussion, guided cycling tours
- Cycle route description with maps (1 x per cabin)
- 7 day Service Hotline
Child reduction on basic price
|
||
---|---|---|
discount-icon discount-icon-football |
From 0 to 17 years |
-300 € |
MS Ave Maria
- 17 outward-facing cabins
- Facilities: showers / WC, A/C, windows
- Main deck: windows can be opened
- Lower deck: windows cannot be opened
- Main deck – Superior cabins: 2 ground-level beds (i. e. no bunk beds), approx. 11 m²
- Lower deck – standard 2-bed cabin: 2 ground-level beds (i. e. no bunk beds), approx. 11 m²
- Lower deck – bunk bed cabins: approx. 7.5 m²
- Single cabins – lower deck bunk bed cabins for single occupancy
- Three- / four bed cabins: Superior or standard cabins partly expandable with bunk beds
Boat facts
- Built in 1970
- Refurbished in 2011
- 2 passenger decks: main deck | lower deck
- Maximum occupancy: 40 passengers
- Length: 41 metres
- width: 7.5 metres
- Facilities: 2 sun decks, restaurant, lounge, WiFi (subject to availability), hairdryers on request
- Tour operator languages: German, English
- Crew languages: English
If you have food intolerances or need a special diet, please contact us before your booking.
Show more Show lessAdditional Services
All prices per person
|
MS Vita Pugna
|
MS Ave Maria
|
---|---|---|
Additional fee single cabin |
350 € |
300 € |
Supplement superior cabin |
140 € |
|
Extra night in a double room, B&B, Mantua |
49 € |
49 € |
Extra night in a double room, B&B, Mestre, Venedig |
69 € |
69 € |
Extra night in a single room, B&B, Mantua |
79 € |
79 € |
Extra night in a single room, B&B, Mestre, Venedig |
119 € |
119 € |
Discount bunk bed |
-200 € |
Rental Bikes
Rental Bikes


Types of rental bikes
- 27-gear derailleur with free wheel
- E-Bike
Fittings
Pannier, bike lock, repair kit, speedometer, handlebar bag, rental helmet (head circumfence 54-61)
NOTE
Transport of own bikes in Venice habour to the main station Vencie-Santa Lucia is very expensive and not recommended.
Show more Show less
Rental Bike
|
|
---|---|
27-gear Rental Bike |
85 € |
E-bike |
220 € |
Brief Information
- Booking codes
MS Vita Pugna
Mantua – Venice: IT-ABSMV-08G
Venice – Mantua: IT-ABSVV-08G
MS Ave Maria
Mantua – Venice: IT-ABSMA-08G
Venice – Mantua: IT-ABSVA-08G - Start / Destination
Mantua / Venice - Duration
8 days, 7 nights - Length
approx. 195 km
Daily routes ●●○○○
between 30 and 50 km, Ø 40 km
Altitude profile ●○○○○ - Route condition
The route follows flatland, mostly along rivers on cycle paths and quiet roads. - Returning to Mantua / Venice
With the train on own initiative, connections every 1 – 2 hours, duration approx. 2.5 hours, 1 change. - Minimum number of participants
All departures are guaranteed, there is no minimum number of participants.
Changes to boat trips due to weather, water levels or technical conditions are possible; we reserve the right to make changes. - Own bikes
If you do not need a rental bike, please indicate in the booking form, whether you arrive with your own bike or your own E-Bike. - Tour operated by
Local cooperation partner - Mobility note
This holiday is suitable to only a limited extent for people with restricted mobility.
Please contact us if you have individual requirements.
