Explore the magical and historical heritage that Italy posses by boarding to La Bella Vita for this 7-day cruise. Travel by Venice's famous monuments and visit the Naval Museum that houses important vessels such as ceremonial barges and warships. Visit Chioggia and enjoy touring the colorful fish market or the pretty canals. Partake in a wine tasting during your tour of Bagnoli Estate and visit the wine cellars of the 17th-century Villa Widmann Borletti where you can have a taste of their famous estate-grown vintage wines. You can also take a morning excursion to the Renaissance city of Ferrara before disembarking La Bella Vita and making your way back to Venice.
Highlights
Tour historic Venice, The Naval Museum and the Pavilion of Gondolas
Cruise on the Canal of the Orphans and pass by picturesque lagoon islands
Tour Chioggia with its Roman, Etruscan and Byzantine history
Enjoy dinner at the 17th Century home, Villa Ca’Zen
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
All guests will be picked in Venice and transferred by a private chauffeured minibus to the ship. You will be welcomed by the crew and a chilled Prosecco. The cruise will start by going through the Giudecca Canal and by some of the most famous monuments in Venice such as the Chiesa del Redentore, the impressive Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute and the Punta Della Dogana to our mooring outside the Naval Museum. Then you will have an opportunity to stroll and roam around St Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace. Dinner will be served on board.
You will have a guide while roaming around the Castello District. Explore the hidden beauty of Venice such as the gardens of the Biennale Exhibition of Modern Arts, Palladio’s Church of San Pietro in Castello, and the Venetian Ships Pavilion, an annex of the Naval History Museum Venice, housing vessels of historical importance including ceremonial barges and warships. By late afternoon, La Bella Vita will continue to cruise to Pellestrina and past the lagoon islands where you can find tiny churches, ancient monasteries, and painted fishing boats. If you want to explore more of this beautiful place, you will have the opportunity to walk and bike along the waterway. Dinner will be served on board.
Visit the 18th century Church of San Domenico to see Carpaccio's St. Paul and his last recorded painting. You can also see other works of art by Tintoretto and Bassano. You can shop at the fish market at the Piazetta Vigo and have the opportunity to enjoy a short tour in a locally-built boat to roam around Chiogga's amazing canals. Once back on board, La Bella Vita will continue sailing through a nature reserve where you find flamingos and occasional heron, snipe and other wildfowls. Then travel to Taglio di Po and enjoy dinner ashore, which will be hosted by the owners at the beautiful 17th Century Villa Ca’Zen.
Cruise to Adria along the Bianca canal, an ancient Etruscan town where we visit the Archaeological Museum. After lunch, the tour continues to Bagnoli Estate to explore the Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of the 17th Century Villa Widmann Borletti. Here you can enjoy a private tasting of their famous estate-grown vintages which has been in the Venetian market for centuries. After this tour, you will return to La Bella Vita moored at Zelo and have your dinner on board.
Today, enjoy a morning cruise and tour of the Renaissance city of Ferrara and Schifanoia Palace which is famous for its exceptional 15th Century frescoes. Discover the explicit exterior of the Estense Castle and visit the spectacular cathedral with its sculpted images in front that described as an illustrated Bible. You will then return to the hotel barge which will again cruise past villages and farmsteads to Governolo. Dinner will be served on board.
For your final day of cruising, approach the home of the poet Virgil and the artists like Mantegna and Donatello, Mantua. This city exhibits explicit neo-classical and baroque architecture, portrayed in the 14thC Ducal Palace housing some 15 gardens and courtyards, a museum, basilica, and theatre. The intricate frescoes, Gallery of Mirrors and exquisite Rivers Room and 12,000 paintings and sculptures all create a Grand Finale to our Italian Renaissance adventure. Tonight, enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 7: Mantua | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus back to Venice.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,4902-3 travelers
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
Stateroom
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
Notes
- All children under the age of 18 years accepted onboard qualify for a discount of $300 per child per week.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Credit card, check, and bank transfer. All final payments by credit card subject to a surcharge of 2.5% and maximum of $20,000 charge
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!
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.
