Barge Cruise: La Bella Vita
Cruise in Italy on the Venetian Lagoons, Po River, and Bianco Canal on the First Class Hotel-Barge LA BELLA VITA
BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 20-passenger La Bella Vita was transformed into a hotel barge in 2010 and features a cheerful, intimate salon with comfortable sofas and bar area and a large dining room, all with Juliet balconies for viewing the scenery. The huge top sun deck has tables, chairs, comfortable sun loungers and a spa pool. There are two junior suites on the main deck and eight smaller cabins on the lower deck, all with an ensuite bathroom with shower. We have enjoyed cruising on La Bella Vita and think its cruise route through the Venetian lagoons and on the Bianco Canal as well as its daily excursions provides a unique perpective of Venice and the surrounding area that few visitors ever see.
La Bella Vita cruises through the Venetian lagoons, touring historical Venice, and then cruising on to the Bianco Canal and Po River. Other excursions include a tour of Chioggia with its Roman, Etruscan and Byzantine history, a private visit to the gardens and wine cellars of Villa Widmann-Borletti, and a visit to the Ducal Palace in Mantua. Those who wish to explore the area further can take advantage of the bikes available on board and an expert tour guide to recommend the best routes to take. Delicious regional cuisine, fine Italian wines and the services of an attentive crew of five to eight crew will make this an unforgettable cruise.
Features
- Size of barge: 140 ft.
- Number of Passengers: 20
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 10
- Crew: 10
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
- Salon: Salon with sofas, piano, bar area and separate dining room.
- Bar: Open Bar
- Deck: Large sundeck with tables, chairs and comfortable sun loungers.
- Spa Tub: Yes
- Cabin Features: Two junior suites on upper deck 135 sq ft with queen bed or twins including ensuite bathroom with shower and 8 cabins on lower deck 103 sq ft with double bed or twins including ensuite bathroom with shower.
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned coach
- Accessibility: Two cabins on main deck with no steps, eight cabins with steps from salon. Stairs to upper level sundeck.
- Bicycles: 10 city bikes
- Wi-Fi: Yes - limited in some areas
La Bella Vita's Deck Plan
Cabin Names:Main Deck Junior Suites:
1-Leonardo, 2-Michelangelo.
Lower Deck Cabins:
3-Tiziano, 4-Canaletto, 5-Mantegna, 6-Boldini, 7-Tintoretto, 8-Veronese, 9-Caravaggio, 10-Tiepolo.
| LA BELLA VITA 2021 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VALUE Mar 28 thru Apr 17 Jul 18 thru Aug 28 Oct 10 thru Oct 30 |
REGULAR Apr 18 thru Jul 17 Aug 29 thru Oct 9 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,050 |
$4,550 |
| Junior Suite (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,890 |
$5,450 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,550 |
$1,800 |
| Charter for 10 |
$64,500 |
$72,000 |
| Charter for 12 |
$66,700 |
$74,600 |
| Charter for 14 |
$68,900 |
$77,200 |
| Charter for 16 |
$71,100 |
$79,800 |
| Charter for 18 |
$73,300 |
$82,400 |
| Charter for 20 |
$75,500 |
$85,000 |
| Opera Cruise Supplement (per person) |
$1,050 |
$1,050 |
| LA BELLA VITA 2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VALUE Mar 27 thru Apr 30 Jul 17 thru Aug 27 Oct 9 thru Oct 29 |
REGULAR May 1 thru Jul 16 Aug 28 thru Oct 8 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,290 |
$4,790 |
| Junior Suite (per person, double occupancy) |
$5,190 |
$5,790 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,650 |
$1,900 |
| Charter for 10 |
$67,500 |
$75,500 |
| Charter for 12 |
$69,800 |
$78,200 |
| Charter for 14 |
$72,100 |
$80,900 |
| Charter for 16 |
$74,400 |
$83,600 |
| Charter for 18 |
$76,700 |
$86,300 |
| Charter for 20 |
$79,000 |
$89,000 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge, all cabins with private bath
- transfers from Mestre or Venice to the barge and return
- all meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday,
including one
dinner at a local restaurant
- all wines with lunches and dinners
- open bar
- all escorted side-excursions
- use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- overseas air transportation to Venice and return
- suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew, to be paid in equivalent Euros to the
captain
- Trip cancellation insurance
|
La Bella Vita 2021 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Mar 28 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Apr 4 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
| Apr 11 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Apr 18 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Apr 25 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| May 2 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| May 9 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| May 16 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| May 23 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| May 30 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Jun 6 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Jun 13 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Jun 20 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Jun 27 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Jul 4 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Jul 11 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Jul 18 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Jul 25 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
| Aug 1 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Aug 8 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
| Aug 15 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Aug 22 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
| Aug 29 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Sep 5 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Sep 12 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Sep 19 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Sep 26 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Oct 3 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Oct 10 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Oct 17 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
| Oct 24 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
|
La Bella Vita 2022 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Mar 27 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
| Apr 3 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Apr 10 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Apr 17 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Apr 24 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| May 1 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| May 8 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| May 15 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| May 22 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| May 29 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Jun 5 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Jun 12 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Jun 19 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Jun 26 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Jul 3 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Jul 10 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Jul 17 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
| Jul 24 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Jul 31 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
| Aug 7 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Aug 14 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
| Aug 21 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Aug 28 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Sep 4 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Sep 11 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Sep 18 | Mantua-Venice | Regular |
| Sep 25 | Venice-Mantua | Regular |
| Oct 2 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Oct 9 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
| Oct 16 | Mantua-Venice | Value |
| Oct 23 | Venice-Mantua | Value |
*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Italy: The Venetian Lagoon, the Po River and the Bianco Canal
Venice to Mantua 2023
Italy: The Venetian Lagoon, the Po River and the Bianco Canal
Venice to Mantua 2023
Venice Italy
Doge's Palace
Villa Ca'Zen
Ducal Palace in Mantua
Guests are met at the Hotel Bologna in Mestre or Piazzale Roma in Venice and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to La Bella Vita for a Prosecco welcome. An afternoon cruise takes us along the Giudecca Canal past some of Venice's most famous monuments: 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 time for a stroll to St Mark's Square and a guided tour of the Doge's Palace before dinner on board.
Monday - Venice to San Pietro in Volta
Guided walking tour to Castello District, perhaps discovering some hidden parts of the city of Venice: 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. Late afternoon cruise to Pellestrina which separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea, along the Canal of the Orphans passing lagoon islands with their ancient monasteries, painted fishing boats and tiny churches. Time perhaps for a walk or cycle ride along the 18th century Istrian sea wall. Dinner on board.
Tuesday - San Pietro in Volta to Taglio di Po
After breakfast, we cruise to Chioggia, city of Goldoni's plays. Here we visit the 18th century Church of San Domenico set on its own island, to see Carpaccio's St Paul, his last recorded painting and other works of art by Tintoretto and Bassano. We also admire the Piazzetta Vigo and visit the colorful fish market. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy a short tour of Chioggia's pretty canals in a traditional locally-built boat, before re-joining La Bella Vita. Passing through a nature reserve with flamingos and occasional heron, snipe and other wildfowl, we travel upriver to Taglio di Po for dinner ashore hosted by the owners at the beautiful 17th century Villa Ca'Zen, a private stately home by the river where Lord Byron courted the Countess Giuccioli and wrote some of his best poetry.
Wednesday - Taglio di Po to Zelo
This morning we join the Bianco canal and cruise to Adria, an ancient Etruscan town where we visit the Archaeological Museum. After lunch on board, we drive to the Bagnoli Estate to tour the Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of the 17th century Villa Widmann Borletti to enjoy a private tasting of their renowned estate-grown vintages. This winery has been supplying Venetian society for centuries. Afterwards, we rejoin La Bella Vita moored at Zelo. Dinner on board.
Thursday - Zelo to Governolo
Morning excursion with a guided tour of the Renaissance city of Ferrara, including the Schifanoia Palace, renowned for its fabulous 15th century frescoes. We also admire the exterior of the Estense Castle and its moat and visit the magnificent cathedral with its façade of sculpted images described as an illustrated Bible. Return to the hotel barge moored in Trevenzuolo for an afternoon canal cruise past villages and farmsteads to Governolo and dinner on board.
Friday - Governolo to Mantua
Our final cruise has a dramatic approach to Mantua, home of the poet Virgil, artists Mantegna and Donatello and a captivating lakeside setting. Mantua displays extraordinary neo-classical and baroque architecture, portrayed in the 14th century 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. Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday - Mantua
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the Hotel Bologna in Mestre or Piazzale Roma in Venice.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. Some cruises may be on the River Po, depending on the water level.
Dining Aboard La Bella Vita:
SAMPLE MENUS
BREAKFASTContinental breakfast with freshly baked Italian pastries and breads, cereals, fresh fruits and yoghurts. Eggs cooked on request. Fresh fruit juices, coffee and a selection of teas
LUNCH
During the week several lunches are served as light buffets. Typical dishes:
- Parma Ham with Melon
- Spaghetti Vongole (with Clams)
- Torta de Limone
- Sundried tomatoes with Basil Chutney on Crostini (Toast)
- Grilled marinated Swordfish
- Gelati (Ice Cream) with Amoretto Biscuits
- Antipasto misto all'Italiana (Selection of Italian cured meats with grilled vegetables)
- Spaghetti con Granchio (with crab, chilli, lemon and fennel seeds)
- Strudel
- Mozzarella di Bufala e San Daniele (Buffalo Cheese & Prosciutto with Fennel Salad)
- Pan-Fried Fillet of Sea Bream with crushed Potato, Black Olives & Salsa Verde
- Pere cotte in Di Puglia di Aleatico (Poached Pears in Wine) with Caramel Ice Cream
DINNER
- Polenta, Cheese and Mushrooms
- Pumpkin Tortelli
- Duck Breast alla Modenese
- Sbrisolona cake with Marsala Cream
- Minipiadine with Parma Ham
- Risotto with girolle mushrooms, parsley, garlic and parmesan
- Chargrilled Leg of Spring Lamb with Herb Salsa & Violetta Artichokes
- Smoked Swordfish and Rucola Salad
- Gnocchi with Spinach & Gorgonzola
- Turbot with Pachino Tomatoes
- Scallops and Scampi au Gratin
- Crespelle Speck and Radiccio
- Medallions of Beef with Brandy, Green Peppercorns on Cannelloni Beans
DESSERTS
- Chocolate and Amaretti Bonet
- Meringue with Peaches
- Pannacotta with Raspberries and Grappa
- Seasonal Fresh Fruits
SAMPLE CHEESE BOARD
Toma del Macagno, Pecorino Tinaio Moresc, Monte Veronese, Basajo served with Specialty Italian breads such as Grissini, Ciabatta, Focaccia and served with Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil
SAMPLE WINES
Bardolino Chiaretto, Greco di Tufo, Nobile Montepulciano, San Lorenzo Dom. Bagnoli, Lagrain Rosè, Barbera d'Asti, Muller Thurgau, Morellino Scansano, Ribolla Gialla and Nero d'Avola
Passenger Comments:
A lovely way to spend a week in the slow lane. Acommodations, crew and service were wonderful. The daily menus featuring the local foods and cuisine and the wines that changed with every location were everything we had expected. Kudos to this crew and company.H.F., MA, USA
Those that hadn't been on the canals of France seemed to be enamored of the whole thing. Those of us who have cruised on the canals were aware that it is a completely different experience. We loved the barge, the fantastic crew, the food and wine, the cabins, Mantua and Venice. The excursions were good, too, with Paola as our guide and the local guides that showed us through the winery, Ferrara and especially Mantua. All in all, it's a good cruise especially for people who have not been to Venice. The crew was truly fantastic. Rudy, the captain; Aurelio the waiter/bartender and Paola the guide. The others were great, too, and the hostesses very sweet and great with the cabins. Four of us had a cooking demonstration in the galley which was great fun and the lasagne the chef prepared was outstanding.
-- Travel Agent
The food and wines were spectacular. We enjoyed the more personal excursions where we connected with people and where they live, such as the family at Villa Ca'Zen. Aurelio was a wonderful host and the wines he served complemented the meals perfectly. Tour guide Isabella was fun, knowledgeable and helpful and went out of her way to help each of us have the best experience possible.
-- TG, California, USA
My wife and I have been on approximately 30 cruises over the years. The crew of the La Bella Vita were without doubt the best crew we have experienced on any vessel. Everyone from the Captain to the youngest member was willing to do anything necessary to make the cruise a wonderful experience.
-- SF, Texas, USA
The meals were absolutely incredible. The quality and variety were outstanding. Silvia is fabulous. The entire crew made our trip the best experience we have ever had and we have cruised with Holland America, Viking, Uniworld and Royal Caribbean. Aurelio provided the most outstanding service we have ever had.
-- JV, Florida, USA
LINKS to La Bella Vita Information
This page last updated December 25, 2023