AVE MARIA
Casual Barge Biking Cruise in Italy
Mantova to Ferrara and Venice
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 frame 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 alternate
Venice Region of Italy
8 day barge and bike cruise
You can book this trip as a bike and barge trip or as a cruise. If you book a bike and barge trip, you can make a bike tour of 20 - 40 km per day, accompanied by an experienced guide.
Itinerary: Mantova - Mantova - Zelo - Castelguglielmo - Ferrara - Adria - Porto Levante - Chioggia - Venice
Highlights: maze of the Delta - marshes and lagoons of the Po / Ferrera - old walled city / Venice - romantic city - Brenta canal - beautiful old Venetian villas
DAY 1 Mantov.
Individual arrival in Mantova, where you board the Ave Maria.
DAY 2 Mantova - Zelo (approx 50 km).
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
harbour of Ostiglia on the Fissero/Bianco canal, where you board the boat. A
short stretch of navigation brings us to Zelo or Castelguglielmo, where you will
moor for the night (overnight in Revere if the level of the Po is suitable).
DAY 3 Zelo - Ferrara - Adria (approx 50 km).
Departure for Ferrara: the historic centre 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 Ave Maria, 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 Viro - Albarella (35/55 km).
We go deep into the maze of the Delta, an uncontaminated paradise between the
marshes and lagoons of the Po, pedalling in the heart of nature. The destination
today is Porto Levante, a small marine village of ancient traditions.
DAY 5
Albarella - Chioggia (approx 40km).
Ave Maria 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".
DAY 6 Chioggia - Venice (approx 30km).
Ave Maria brings us to the Oasis of Ca' Roman, a sandy islet surrounded by
pine-woods. Pedalling along the lagoon, you reach Pellestrina: from here, you
ride as far as the ferry landingstage. A short boat ride takes us back up the
Lido, along the 'Murazzi', with a stop in Malamocco, the ancient harbour.
Overnight in the Venetian lagoon.
DAY 7 Venice Free day.
At your disposal you have a free ticket allowing you to use the boat
transportation network and some suggested itineraries.
DAY 8 Venice. Departure.
Bolzano - Venice Bike / Hotel / Barge
This variation of the classic tour Bolzano - Venice combines the tour "bike and hotel" with the new "bike and boat" one, on board the Ave Maria.Independent, three nights in hotels and seven nights on board the Ave Maria create a spectacular mix,from the mountains to the sea, along the Lake Garda. The first 3 nights are independent of a group - you travel by your self and meet the group on the barge.
For 3 night independent hotel + 7 night barge cruise
DAY 1 Arrival in Bolzano.
The capital city of the South Tyrol is a renowned commercial and tourist centre which looks back on a rich history. The historical centre of Bolzano boasts an enchanting beauty.
DAY 2 Bolzano - Trento (68 km).
Cycling along the lane you follow the Adige beside apple orchards, vineyards and
through the villages of Ora, Egna and Salorno. Along the river banks you ride
towards Trento. This city hides itself in front of the hasty tourist, so take
your time to have a look behind the splendid walls of its painted buildings.
DAY 3 Trento - Peschiera del G. (50 km + ferry).
Still cycling along the Adige you reach Rovereto and Mori. From here you
continue up on a gently rising slope westwards in direction of Lake Garda.
Before leaving for Riva you must absolutely enjoy the sight of the lake from
above! On the ferry boat you travel as far as Peschiera del Garda along the
southern shore of the lake.
DAY 4 Peschiera del Garda - Mantova (45
km).
Today you will cycle following one of the most famous Italian cycle paths, which
runs parallel to the River Mincio. You will pass through the village of
Borghetto, with its mills and Valeggio sul Mincio, famous for the huge botanic
park "Sigurtà". The trip ends in Mantova, where you board the Ave Maria.
DAY 5 Mantova - Zelo (approx 50 km).
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
harbour of Ostiglia on the Fissero/Bianco canal, where you board the boat. A
short stretch of navigation brings us to Zelo or Castelguglielmo, where you will
moor for the night (overnight in Revere if the level of the Po is suitable).
DAY 6 Zelo - Ferrara - Adria (approx 50
km).
Departure for Ferrara: the historic centre 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 Ave Maria, 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 7 Adria - Porto Viro - Albarella (35/55 km).
We go deep into the maze of the Delta, an uncontaminated paradise between the
marshes and lagoons of the Po, pedalling in the heart of nature. The destination
today is Porto Levante, a small marine village of ancient traditions.
DAY 8 Albarella - Chioggia (approx 40km).
Ave Maria 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".
DAY 9 Chioggia - Venice (approx 30km).
VAve Maria brings us to the Oasis of Ca' Roman, a sandy islet surrounded by
pine-woods. Pedalling along the lagoon, you reach Pellestrina: from here, you
ride as far as the ferry landingstage. A short boat ride takes us back up the
Lido, along the 'Murazzi', with a stop in Malamocco, the ancient harbour.
Overnight in the Venetian lagoon.
DAY 10 Venice Free day.
At your disposal you have a free ticket allowing you to use the boat
transportation network and some suggested itineraries.
DAY 11 Venice. Departure.