Exciting Boat and Bike Tour of Venice to Mantua
Venice, Italy, one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in the world is even more enchanting when you experience the port by sailing ship! On today’s podcast, we will do an exciting 8 day boat and bike tour from Mantua to Venice (or reverse, depending on which week you sail).
We will not only explore Venice, but also the UNESCO Po River watershed region down to Mantua. This region is one of Europe’s most important migratory corridors for birds traveling to and from Africa to their European breeding grounds. And it’s beautiful!
Because you are traveling by boat, you only need to unpack once, saving precious vacation time. Each day, you cycle to explore the next stop along this stunning Italian region. Or, you may chose to just ride along with the ship some days. [NOTE: boat and bike tours are perfect for couples with different mobilities or interests because you don’t have to bike each (or any) day and e-Bikes are available.]
Almost all of your meals are included, making this an easy to budget for AND budget-friendly European holiday – you don’t see those four words in combonation very often!
Learn more about this exciting active adventure by listening to the podcast below, checking out the info and pics below, and getting the FREE Venice – Mantua Boat and Bike Travel Planner (along with access to ALL of the ATA travel planners, checklists and packing lists).
Who Can Do This Venice – Mantua Boat and Bike Adventure
This is a perfect holiday if you are looking to explore someplace cool in Europe but want to be more active and see less touristed places (of course in Venice and Mantua, you’ll be around crowds).
This region of Italy is fairly level so if you are reasonably fit (especially if you train on a bike a bit), YOU can do it! The difficulty rating is a 1 out of 5, and if you still aren’t sure, just upgrade to an e-Bike to relieve the worry.
And on any day you don’t feel like cycling, you can relax and simply sail along with the ship.
This adventure travel trip is suitable for couples, friends and solo travelers. The ship has a 21 passenger capacity. Our guests today rented the entire ship with a group of friends!
I recommend going with my affiliate BoatBikeTours.com. They do a terrific job and as an ATA affiliate, offer my listeners a 50 euro discount. Email me for the BoatBikeTours.com promo code.
BoatBikeTours.com attracts active adults from around the world, so you are likely to make new friends from across the globe.
When to do a Boat and Bike Tour of Venice – Mantua
During the sailing season, May through October, the ship goes back and for each week, sailing from either Venice or Mantua.
I prefer the shoulder season to avoid summer heat (although the temperatures aren’t too bad at the height of summer) and the summer tourists at the major ports. July and August are the busiest months.
SAVE!!!
Email me for an exclusive ATA 50 Euro discount off of ANY European BoatBikeTours.com tour!
What Will I See on my Venice – Mantua Cycling Tour
Not only will be sailing the famous Venice lagoon, you will also sail along the Po and Minicio rivers. So you’ll see the fabulous architecture of Venice, and the charming villages and countryside of Italy. You’ll visit the colorful small city of Chioggia, often called ‘Little Venice’. It’s darling!
You’ll see fisherman’s hut hidden among the reeds in wetlands untouched by man, as well as the reclaimed marshes that make up the canal system, now framed in green pinewoods.
You’ll no doubt see hundreds of flamingos, who call the preserve home, and depending on the time of year, you are liable to see some of the hundreds of species of birds who fly along this important wildlife corridor as they migrate to and from Africa to wherever in Europe is home during the breeding season.
How Long Will I Bike Each Day
In general, you will spend about half of the day on your bike. You head out after a hearty breakfast and either return to the ship for lunch, or pack a lunch from the breakfast offerings for a picnic later, as your guide advises.
You will usually cycle 20 – 30 miles/35 – 50 km each day. And you will cycle at a relaxing and enjoyable pace – it’s not a race!
In between, you will stop for breaks, to grab a cappuchino, or to check out an interesting local or historical attraction. Your knowlegable guide knows the area’s history and the culture and will be a font of information to enhance your experience.
One of the most exciting stops is to a parmesan cheese factory (see the photo with what looks like loaves of bread).
How is the Food on a Boat and Bike Tour
You are in Italy – there is NO bad food!!! So having delicious food shouldn’t surprise you. But what will surprise you is that your on-board chef is able to conjure up such delicacies from the relatively small galley! Everything is fresh and delicious.
If you have special dietary needs, be sure to let them know at booking.
I promise you won’t go hungry and you will return home with fantasies about some of the dishes you’re going to eat!
Wine is delicious and affordable. Beer, wine and alcohol is available on your ship at additional, but reasonable cost (not like some naughty crusie ships).
Since you are excercising, ENJOY and Bon Appetito!!!
Can I Explore on My Own?
While in port and after dinner, you are free to relax on board or take a walk around your port village, as you see fit. Each day, your guide will advise about the day’s plan, so you can decide what you feel like doing.
Your Sailing Ship
Your private cabin will have a double or two twin beds (our guests today, who have gone on many boat and bike tours, prefer the two twin bed set up, fyi). You will also have a private bath with shower. While naturally small since you are on a ship, both are types of rooms are comfortable and there is storage space for your luggage and belongings so you aren’t cramped.
There is an indoor sitting area and an outside sun deck. Some ships have outdoor covered sitting areas as well.
Why I love Boat and Bike Adventure Tours
I’ve gone on two BoatBikeTours.com adventures so far, Croatia and Greece.
On both tours, I rented the e-Bike even though I trained – those tours were much hillier than this tour. [FYI, I always recommend training before any adventure so you don’t have to worry about your fitness or being exhausted at the end of the day.]
What I love about a boat and bike tour is that you are doing my favorite thing : slow travel, but with a bike, you get to see more. You get to mix more with the locals and you get to see places most tourists don’t go to. I love how one guest once told me that cycle tours are as if you are inside the fishbowl with the locals instead of outside looking in.
And since you are cycling half a day, you can eat all you want of the delicious local food and wine and not gain any weight:) This is especially important in a foodie country like Italy!
And also important to me is that I only unpack once, so I am not frazzled or wasting time trying to check in and out of different places. The company takes care of all the logistics so all I have to do is have fun. My kind of vacation!
I also love knowing how much my vacation is going to cost since these tours are almost all inclusive. And, like I mentioned, I find them super affordable and a great value!
On each of my adventures, I have made new lifelong friends that I now meet up with around the world.
It doesn’t get any better ; GO!!!
Other Boat and Bike Tours covered on ATA
Less Touristed Islands in Greece
Danube River : Passau – Vienna
Don’t forget to EMAIL ME for an exclusive BoatBikeTours.com Promo Discount code! I won’t add you to the newsletter list unless you tell me you want me to, ok? Kit
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