A week’s holiday by bike and ship from Mantua to Venice. By bike you can discover the Italian Po-Plain and get to know the unique cultural cities of northern Italy such as Venice, Ferrara and Mantua. Experience the untouched nature of the Po Delta and the islands in the Venetian lagoon. You will spend the nights on a comfortable ship. A perfect holiday trip for families and groups.
per person
from €960
Select a date
Cycling Trip in Northern Italy – A Week by Ship and Bike
During your cycling holiday in Italy you discover the Italian Po Plain by bike and at the same time get to know the unique cultural cities of northern Italy. You will visit Venice, Ferrara and Mantua and experience the untouched nature of the Po Delta and the islands in the lagoon. You will spend the nights on a comfortable ship. A perfect trip for families and groups.
Enjoy Cycling and Culture between Venice and Mantua
During your cycling holiday, combine light physical activity with the cultural treasures and culinary delights of northern Italy. You cycle along the banks of the Po River and enjoy the beautiful views over the river landscape and the small villages from the bike path.
Get to know Venice and Mantua on a guided tour and visit a cheese factory, where you’ll be introduced to the secrets of the famous Grana Padano, which you’ll taste on site.
A special highlight is the Venetian lagoon, where you will find untouched nature with many animal species in the labyrinth of the Po Delta.
From Chioggia, little Venice, a boat will take you to the island of Palestrina in the lagoon and on to the island of Murano, where you will visit the millennia-old glassblowing guild of Italy and the production of its fragile works of art.
The cycling trip is planned for 8 days / 7 nights, connecting nights at the point of arrival (Venice or Mantua) are possible. The total distance is about 200 km through the lowlands. The daily route is 25-55 km on paved cycle paths and roads with little traffic.
And if you don’t want to cycle, you can also cover stages or parts of it by boat. The cycling holiday is also suitable for children. You can bring your bike or rent bikes, also e-bikes. The ships are comfortably equipped and you can choose the type of cabin.
Cycling Holiday in Italy
Highlights ot the Cycling Holiday
On your cycling holiday in Italy you will visit wonderful cities with a thousand years of history. You come through medieval villages and untouched nature like the Nature reserve of the Po Delta.
This cycling trip offers the unique opportunity to discover Northern Italy by bike. You will cycling along the longest river in Italy, the Po, from Mantua to Venice or in reverse direction.
Highlights of the Cycling Holiday with Boat from Mantua to Venice
Venice as the most romantic city in the world Island Murano with the visit of a historic glass factory with a glassblowing demonstration by a master artisan Chioggia is called the little Venice, a fishing village with its picturesque alleys
The delta of the Po river, the Mississippi of Italy. This unique wetland is the prime reserve in Europe for herons and home to a sizeable colony of flamingos Mantua, the “Sleeping Beauty” of Italy in the Po-Plain, is a cultural jewel, surrounded by three picturesque lakes Ferrara with its beautiful center and its mighty city walls is known as the “city of cyclists” because of the numerous cycle paths Bergantino is the home of the distinctive Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum to visit Fairground Rides and the collection of street organs.
Visit of a cheese factory with tasting of typical Grana Padano
The above price is per adult in a two-bed cabin for 7 nights in the low season. You will receive half board on board and can prepare a packed lunch. City tours and tastings are included in the price. There are discounts for accompanying children or a third person per cabin.
Your tour leader for your cycling holiday is carefully selected. He is an experienced enthusiastic multi-lingual traveler and speaks at least English and German. He will be glad to share his passion and love of the outdoors, cultures, and local food.
Dates and Prices between Mantua and Venice
Prices per person in two-bed cabin for 7 nights. Select the date and the direction for your booking request. You will then receive an individual offer from us.
7 overnights
Full board (breakfast, dinner and a self-made packed lunch)
Coffee and tea and other hot drinks on board
Sheets and towels
Complimentary courtesy kit
Daily short cleaning and mid-week cabin cleaning service and towel change
Bike helmet
App including maps, points of interest and GPS tracks
Digital tour information
English speaking tour leader within an international group
Second tour leader with a minimum of 25 people (only aboard Ave Maria)
Guided visit in Venice and Mantua
Visit of a cheese factory with tasting of typical Grana Padano
Visit of Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum
Visit of a historic glass factory on Murano island
Harbour charges
Bus transfer Ferrara-Zelo / Ferrara-Adria
Additional Services
Rental bikes including insurance against theft and damage:
85 € Touring bike
220 € E-bike
Single or superior cabin
special diet (gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan diets)
Not included
Beverages on board
Museums, fees and extras in general
Ticket for public transportation in Venice and lagoon
Venice Municipality Access Fee: it is expected to enter into force on January 1st, 2022
Accommodation on the Ship
The ships have a capacity for 20 or 40 people. As a couple or family, you get a private cabin. The barge can also be booked in full by a group. Then the bike tour will take place exclusively for your group.
The boats are equipped with:
Double cabins (some of these can accommodate up to 4 persons)
All cabins have windows or portholes, comfortable low beds, en-suite facilities, air conditioning and safety box.
The common area is an air-conditioned area and divided into Restaurant and Lounge with screen for video.
You can stay on the sundeck and have any time at your disposal free hot drinks machine and free wi-fi in the common areas.
Dedicated bike storage
Bikes
For your cycling holiday in Italy you can use your own bike or rent a bike. Bikes are available in different sizes in unisex model:
– Touring bike 27-gear Shimano
– E-bike 9-gear Shimano
Features:
– aluminium frame
– mudguard
– rear rack
– comfort gel saddle www.selleroyal.com
– anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres
– ergonomic bicycle grips
– Speed Lifter system
Accessories
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
– 1 cycle computer
– 1 one-sided saddlebag
– 1 water bottle (0.75 l)
– 1 combination bike lock
– 1 helmet suitable for head circumferences from 54 to 61 cm. The helmets have a certification mark according to the DIN EN 1078 (CE)
Program of the Cycling Holiday in Italy
Bike and boat from Mantua to Venice
The tour also operates in reverse direction from Venice to Mantua
Day 1:
Arrival in Mantua
From 4:30 p.m. Welcome on board
6.30 p.m. introductory and with your tour leader, skipper and crew with a refreshing aperitivo
Dinner on board
Day 2:
Around Mantua (35km)
Morning: Mantua cycling round tour (35 km)
Afternoon: Guided city walking tour
Day 3:
Mantua – Governolo – Zelo (50km)
After breakfast, boat cruise through the lush wetlands that lead to Governolo Lock, where Mantua’s River Mincio flows into the Po
From here, you go by bicycle following the Po river to Ostiglia
Next stop Bergantino to visit the Museum of Fairground Rides and a local cheese factory to taste the Grana Padana cheese
You overnight on board the ship in Zelo, a picturesque sleepy village
Day 4:
Zelo – Ferrara – Adria (50 km)
After breakfast you cycle towards Ferrara, “City of Cyclists”
A short bus transfer will take you to Adria.
A private bus (60km) take you back to Adria, where your floating hotel is waiting
Discover the ancient Roman port of Adria famous for its Etruscan and Greek heritage.
Day 5:
Adria – Po Delta Nature Reserve – Pellestrina island (40 km)
Short cruise from Adriatic to the Po Delta nature reserve
Bike tour into the labyrinth of the Po Delta, an untouched wetland paradise and home to flamingos
When the weather is nice you cycle in the direction of Chioggia, the “Little Venice”
Overnight on board in front of the island of Pellestrina
Day 6: the most exciting day of the tour
Pellestrina island – Venice (30 km)
You cycle on the island of Pellestrina, which separates the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea
Boat trip to Lido and the ancient Malamocco port
Visit to a historic glass factory on Murano Island with a demonstration of the centuries-old art of glass blowing
Boat trip to Venice, where your ship docks opposite St. Mark’s Square for the night
After dinner you can enjoy most romantic city of the word: Venice by night
Day 7:
Guided walking tour in Venice
Breakfast on board
Meet your Venetian guide to visit the historic center from Piazza San Marco towards the Sestiere Castello, to Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo with its imposing Gothic church to the famous Rialto Bridge
Free afternoon to enjoy Venice on your own
Day 8:
Departure
Breakfast on board
It’s time to say goodbye
Departure or extension program Venice and Italy
