La Dolce Vita       Padova - Venezia
Venice, the Islands of the Lagoon, the Brenta River, Padua

Sunday            Padua and the Piovego Canal

Guests are met at 5 PM at Hotel Villa Goetzen in Dolo, just 20 minutes by road taxi from Venice. We transfer you to Padua by car, where the crew is eager to welcome you on board with a Prosecco drink. We have dinner in Padua along the Piovego canal facing directly the well preserved, ancient city walls.  Dinner on board.

Monday            Padua - Noventa

In Padova we take a walking or bicycle tour passing by Saint Anthony’s Cathedral and the Prato della Valle. We visit the Botanical Garden, the oldest in the world. A walk in the city centre completes the visit of Padova with a quick look at the Old University, the historical Caffé Pedroccchi and the marketplace. Our late afternoon cruise brings us to Noventa along river Brenta, where we moor for dinner on board.

Tuesday            Noventa – Stra – Dolo

Further descent of river Brenta to Stra, where we visit Villa Pisani, an 18th century masterpiece of Venetian architecture with frescos from Tiepolo and a marvellous garden. In the afternoon we cruise to Dolo, where we moor for the night. For those who like cycling, it is possible to follow the barge on a bicycle. Before our superb fish dinner at Villa Goetzen restaurant, we take you for a glass of wine at the old water mill of Dolo, a picturesque 1500’s building on the canal.  Dinner on board

Wednesday       Dolo – Malcontenta - Venice - Murano

This morning we cruise down river Brenta into the lagoon, passing by Villa Foscari in Malcontenta, a masterpiece of the Renaissance architect Palladio. In the afternoon we take you on a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark in Venice. In the early evening we cruise all around Venice to Murano, where La Dolce Vita is moored for the night.  Dinner on board

Thursday           Murano – Torcello - Burano

We visit a glass-blowing workshop in Murano. Should you be interested in learning more about the history of glass blowing we can offer the visit to the Glass Museum later in the morning. Our cruise then takes us to Torcello, the first island of the lagoon to be colonised 2000 years ago. We have lunch while cruising on Siloncello canal and in the afternoon we can see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a beautiful example of Veneto-Byzantine style in Torcello. Later we move to Burano, a picturesque fishermen’s island in the northern lagoon. You’ll discover the island’s colourful streets and lace making workshops. We stay on the calm waters of Burano for the night and enjoy dinner on board.

Friday             Burano – San Francesco – Venezia – San Giorgio

We start our cruise passing by San Francesco del Deserto island, where we can moor and visit the monastery. We then proceed to San Giorgio to have lunch on this island facing the Doge’s Palace of Venice. In the afternoon you have free time in Venice, where you can shop or visit the Clock Tour or the Correr Museum of Venetian Art and History. If you feel like we suggest walking to Rialto Bridge to see the Grand Canal. For the evening and night we stay moored in San Giorgio for the captain’s farewell dinner.

Saturday        Farewell and Transfer to Venice Airport

After breakfast we cruise from San Giorgio to Fusina, where we arrive at 11am. You are then transferred to Villa Goetzen Hotel in Dolo or to Marco Polo airport. If you have an early flight or if you are staying at a hotel in Venice, we can make custom arrangements like booking a water taxi to your destination at your expense.

The above is our standard itinerary. It is subject to changes due to weather conditions, navigation regulations, etc. On alternate weeks, cruise will be in reverse with minor changes

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more about our Italy luxury barge cruise vacation on La Dolce Vita....