Cruise the Po River from the canals of Venice to the charming cities of Polesella and Cremona as you visit quaint villages like seaside Chiogga, Porto Viro, and Rovigo with side trips to Vicenza, Verona and Parma as you take in the stunning scenery of northeastern Italy. Explore Venice's hidden canals and palazzo, Ferrara and Ravenna's picture-book cities, or Bologna's art galleries, boutiques, and fresh food markets. The Parco Regionale Veneto del Delta del Po surprises with abundant birdlife and expansive marshlands. Visit ancient vineyards and pear, peach and apple orchards as you venture into Italy's culinary heartland. Explore hilltop villages dating from pre-Roman times, and elegant country houses dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Contact one of our Po River cruise specialists for help selecting the perfect trip to Italy's Po River.

2 Best Po River Cruises for 2025-2026

Private Charter - Venice and Mantua Cruise Aboard La Bella Vita

7 Days from $101,000

Enjoy a 7-day private cruise around Italy on the hotel barge La Bella Vita, which departs from Venice and stops at Pellestrina, Chioggia, Ferrara, Adria, and Governolo before arriving in Mantua. Along the route, sample wines at Bagnoli Estate and Villa Widmann Borletti and visit iconic monuments and bird-filled nature reserves.

Venice and Mantua Cruise

7 Days from $5,490

Departing from Venice aboard the intimate ship La Bella Vita, enjoy a 7-day cruise of Italy, stopping in Pellestrina, Chioggia, the Renaissance city of Ferrara, Adria, Governolo, and ending in Mantua. Along the way, savor the wine at Bagnoli Estate and Villa Widmann Borletti, visit famous monuments, and explore the Naval Museum.

Po River Travel Guide

Italy Overview

This boot-shaped peninsula is a country almost every traveler longs to visit! Ancient history, rich culture, world-renowned cuisine, & iconic landmarks are just a few of the reasons travel to Italy is so appealing. Our brief introduction to the geography, culture & attractions of this popular destination will help prepare you for your own Italy experience!

Best Time to Visit Italy

The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are the best times to travel to Italy for superb weather, lower rates, and fewer crowds. Summers in Italy are also gorgeous, but some may find the heat and crowds overwhelming.

Best Po River Cruise Lines for 2025-2026

CroisiEurope - has a fleet of 55 ships with 2 and 3 decks that accommodate only 16 to 200 passengers. Their size and cutting-edge technology allow them to sail exclusively on certain rivers and to moor in the heart of cities, as close as possible to places of interest. Embark on a comfortable journey on board MS Michelangelo to discover the Po river in Italy. Explore Venice and its Lagoon, including the famous islands Burano and Murano.
European Waterways - have specialized in creating luxury barge holidays on some of the most beautiful waterways in Europe for over 40 years. It offers Po River cruises on the 20-guest La Bella Vita from Venice to Mantua.

TrustScore 4.8 | 380 reviews

TrustScore 4.8 of 5

Based on 380 reviews on

6 hours ago

Very responsive to questions. Helpful with all arrangements

Roz

1 day ago

The ship company they sent us on was perfect in every detail

lisa wegener

2 days ago

I’m so glad we found AdventureLife. Jess, our planner, was such a pleasure to work with. She readily shared her extensive knowledge about Panama, she offered good suggestions and creative ideas, kept everything organized and handled the details each step of the way.

Tim King

3 days ago

Jessica was wonderful! She made every effort to ensure our trip was just what we wanted.

Celine Krafft

3 days ago

Erin was easy to work with and very helpful. She was patient and helped us figure out the adventure tour we were hoping for in Belize. Can’t wait to go on this trip!

Sam Wedll

Po River Cruises