VITA PUGNA

Casual Barge Biking Cruise in Italy

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 framed 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 & bike cruise

Departures from Venice:
Mar 27, Apr 10, Apr 24, May 8, May 22, Jun 5, Jun 19, Jul 3, Jul 17, Jul 31, Aug 14, Aug 28, Sep 11, Sep 25, Oct 9

Departures from Mantova:
Apr 3, Apr 17, May 1, May 15, May 29, Jun 12, Jun 26, Jul 10, Jul 24, Aug 7, Aug 21, Sep 4, Sep 18, Oct 2, Oct 16

Individual Booking - $1490 per person

For 3 night independent hotel + 7 night barge cruise
Dates: Mar 31; Apr 14, 28; May 12, 26; June 9, 23; Jul 7, 21; Aug 4, 18; Sep 1, 15, 29; Oct 13

Individual Booking - $2040 per person

Rate includes:  8 days, breakfast, lunch package, dinner, bed linen, bike rental, tour guide.

You can book this trip as a bike & barge trip or as a cruise. If you book a bike & 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 Mantova.
Individual arrival in Mantova, where you board the Vita Pugna.

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 Vita Pugna,  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 40 km).
Vita Pugna 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 30 km).
Vita Pugna 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.

This variation of the classic tour Bolzano–Venice combines the tour “bike & hotel” with the new “bike & boat” one, on board the Vita Pugna. Independent, three nights in hotels and seven nights on board the Vita Pugna 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
Dates: Mar 31; Apr 14, 28; May 12, 26; June 9, 23; Jul 7, 21; Aug 4, 18; Sep 1, 15, 29; Oct 13

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 Vita Pugna.

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 Vita Pugna,  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 40 km).
Vita Pugna 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 30 km).
Vita Pugna 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.