Day 1 - Welcome to Italy!

Guests are met at the designated meeting point in Venice on Sunday and transferred to La Bella Vita, moored in Porto Catena in Mantua. A Prosecco Welcome gives you a chance to meet the crew followed by the visit to the 14th century Ducal Palace, set in 15 gardens and courtyards, a museum, basilica, and theatre. The palace has intricate frescoes, a Gallery of Mirrors and an exquisite Rivers Room and houses an impressive 12,000 paintings and sculptures. Dinner on board.

Day 2 - Governolo

After breakfast, our local guide will take us to explore Mantua city center. Those opera lovers amongst you will, of course, be familiar with the story of the Duke of Mantua from Rigoletto. The Palazzi, fine architecture and squares reflect the wealth of the Dukes of Gonzaga Family. The town is also famous as the birthplace of Virgil, and of artists Mantegna and Donatello. We re-join the boat for lunch and a cruise to Governolo before leaving for the beautiful medieval town of Soave, famous for its dry, still wines. What this tasting will show is that the Garganega grape, often with some help from a bit of Chardonnay or some new French oak, can make profound white wines packed full of flavor and interest. Dinner on board. 

Day 3 - Zelo

Morning cruise along the Bianco Canal past villages and farmsteads. This afternoon we transfer for a guided tour of the Renaissance 2 city of Ferrara, including the 14thC Estense Castle with its moat, drawbridges, marble balconies and sumptuous apartments, and the Schifanoia Palace with its fabulous 15thC frescoes. We also see the cathedral façade with its sculpted images described as an Illustrated Bible. We return to the barge for dinner on board while enjoying a tasting of Serego Alighieri wines.

Day 4 - Taglio di Po

 In the morning we visit the magnificent Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of the 17th century Villa Widmann Borletti. For over 1000 years of wine, balsamic vinegar, organic Carnaroli rice, grape seed oil, and truffles have been produced on the Dominio di Bagnoli estate, which has also been famed for its exclusive D.O.C. Friularo vintages since the 17th century. Concerts, opera, and art exhibitions are regular features in this magnificent property. We enjoy a private wine tasting before returning to La Bella Vita in Adria and afternoon cruise through the Bianco Canal before entering the River Po and reaching our peaceful mooring place at Taglio di Po. Here we have a dinner ashore nearby at the beautiful 17th century Villa Ca’ Zen, a private river-side stately home where we are hosted by the longstanding family owners. It was here that Lord Byron courted the Countess Guccioli and. Whilst a guest at the Villa wrote some of his most moving poetry.

Day 5 - San Pietro in Volta

This morning we cruise along the canal through a nature reserve where we should see colorful flamingos and other wildlife. Transfer to Chioggia that is home to one of the most important fish markets in Italy. The lively, colorful market building houses around 30 fish stalls. Here you’ll see fishmongers selling the locally caught catches, of sea cicadas (a delicious crustacean), sole, sea-bass, black sea bass, scallops, anchovies, and sardines, which are believed to be particularly healthy due to the local shallow waters. Our chef will make his choice for our dinner and give us a shopping list. After lunch aboard, we cruise through the lagoon past rustic fishing huts on stilts and the island of Pellestrina to San Pietro in Volta. Here there is the opportunity to stroll or cycle along the 18th-century Istrian seawall, with the Adriatic on one side and the lagoon to the other. Aperitif at a local “bacaro” and dinner on board.

Day 6 - Venice

This morning we cruise to Venice passing lagoon islands such as the poetical Poveglia, Santo Spirito, San Clemente, and San Servolo, once a hospital for the Crusaders, to Sant’Ersasmo Island to visit the superb wine estate of Orto. In the afternoon we move to our mooring on the waterfront outside the Naval Museum in order to walk to St. Mark’s Square and visit the Doge’s Palace and have an aperitif at local bacaro “I Corazzieri”. This evening we will enjoy more wonderful food and wines this evening at the “Captain’s Farewell Dinner”. 

Day 7 - Venice

After breakfast passengers disembark for the transfers to P.le Roma or to the airport.