La Bella Vita is a beautiful 20-passenger hotel barge sailing between iconic Venice and the captivating Renaissance city of Mantua. A cruise aboard this stylish passenger vessel is ideal for travelers who want to witness the beauty of Italian waterways away from the rush of crowds.
This elegant 140-foot ship boasts a long history on the waterways of Italy. Constructed in 1960, La Bella Vita spent 50 years as a cargo barge before European Waterways got a hold of her in 2010 and transformed her into a luxury hotel barge fit for cruises on Venetian Lagoon, River Po, and Canal Bianco. The vessel features comfortable common areas, air-conditioning, and modern Italian interiors.
Travel to authentic Italian villages and iconic monuments, stately palaces and Renaissance masterpieces, idyllic lagoons and lush gardens—a journey where you’ll discover why the boat is named La Bella Vita or “the beautiful life.”
105 sq. ft. twin/double stateroom including en suite facilities. Private bathroom, shower, wardrobe, small tables, desk and a chair. Located at the Lower Deck
Junior Suite
110 sq. ft. twin/double junior suites including en suite facilities. Private bathroom, shower, wardrobe, small tables, single couch, desk and a chair. Located at the Upper Deck
Deckplan
Staterooms & Suites
The fully air-conditioned accommodations aboard the hotel barge La Bella Vita are comfortable and well-appointed. Guests can take their pick between two Junior Suites on the Upper Deck and eight Staterooms on the Lower Deck.
While the suites offer a little more space than the staterooms, all feature ensuite facilities, a closet, and a hairdryer. Staterooms are fitted with windows, while suites have double doors opening to a charming French balcony.
Amenities
Public spaces aboard La Bella Vita barge are brightly colored and spacious, with plush furniture that keeps passengers hanging out for hours at a time.
Lounge Bar: Head to the warmly designed and inviting bar, the perfect spot for mingling with fellow passengers and enjoying a glass of wine.
Dining Room: Savor well-prepared meals at the spacious dining area featuring comfy chairs and an expansive table. The room is lovely for enjoying the regional cuisine and fine Italian wines served aboard the canal barge. Louver doors open to spectacular views of the Italian waterways outside.
Sun Deck: Travelers who want to spend time outside beyond the shore excursions can chill out on the sun deck. With a large canopy, comfortable loungers, and a table for alfresco meals, it’s a laidback spot to watch the delightful Italian scenery drift by.
Navigating delightful waterways in Italy, La Bella Vita travels the Venice to Mantua route to pass by the region’s most beautiful landscapes and historic cities. Private charters of the La Bella Vita barge are also available.
Enjoy cruising through stunning waters on the way to the Po Valley, passing by idyllic lagoon islands. Fantastic tours are included in the itinerary, as La Bella Vita docks at Ferrara, Chioggia, and Mantua. Guests can also indulge in wine tasting, local cuisine, and sightseeing, or take one of the bicycles on board for a quick ride on picturesque towns.
Ship Specifications
Year built: 1960
Class: Hotel barge
Length: 140 feet
Speed: 10 kn
Decks: 2
Passengers: 20
Crew: 7
About European Waterways
Based in England, the European Waterways tour company has been creating hotel barge cruises for over 35 years. The company builds luxury cruise ships out of old cruise liners, developing an impressive fleet that consists of gems like Anjodi, L’Impressionniste, La Nouvelle Etoile, Renaissance, and Shannon Princess. Each one is built to accommodate only six to 20 passengers, promising a relaxing and intimate cruise experience on Europe’s most spectacular waterways.
European Waterways’ smaller ships favor sailing narrow channels and shallower docks, giving passengers a chance to delight in small yet scenic areas. Cruise destinations include Bordeaux, Luxembourg, and Scotland.
Reach out to our Adventure Life travel experts for an upcoming La Bella Vita Italy cruise or for comparisons to other European barges that ply the waterways of Italy.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
1 day ago
Answered our questions
Michael Schneck
2 days ago
Adventure Life seems to be an honest company and has been quite helpful in the planning process. Good about answering questions.
Chris Dralle
1 week ago
Wonderful personal attention to detail and very helpful suggestions by experienced travel experts
John K
1 week ago
Franny has been such an amazing help with all my trip planning. This is our 3rd trip to plan with her and she is always so willing to assist and find the best deals for my family and friends.
Suzanne Turbyfill
2 weeks ago
Our advisor at Adventure Life, Mary Curry, was knowledgable and quick to respond with answers to any questions we had. She made our booking efficiently and set up a time for us to make a secure payment through her directly. We’ve used Adventure Life repeatedly and would definitely recommend it.
