From Mantua to Venice Bike and Barge in Italy
2 tours vedi tutti
Cycle during the day and sleep on a river barge at night
The perfect holiday in Italy, ideal to combine cultural highlights, natural wonders and amazing food. A whole week with easy cycling stages during the day and overnights on board Ave Maria or Vita Pugna, two floating hotels with comfortable cabins, chill out spaces, a welcoming and professional crew and an unforgettable Italian cuisine!
The itinerary
Our barges sail from the lakes surrounding Mantua up to the enchanting Venetian lagoon, along canals and waterways of Northern Italy. It is your chance to discover a still unspoiled landscape, picturesque hamlets and interesting little museums, without missing masterpieces of art and architecture in Mantua and in Venice.
A holiday organized by Girolibero from A to Z
We are the leading Italian tour operator specialized in cycling holidays, in Italy and in Europe. We love to design amazing bike tours: we handpick your accommodation, we transport your luggage from hotel to hotel, we prepare your travel documents so you don’t get lost along the cycling route, we rent bikes and e-bikes and we provide multilingual tour info and assistance seven days a week.
Art cities
Mantua, Ferrara and Venice are the most famous ones: our floating hotel is the perfect point to start discovering their treasures. Moreover, you have the chance to get to know hidden gems, such as Adria, an ancient Roman port on the Adriatic sea (don’t miss its archaeological museum!) and the vibrant fishing town Chioggia, also known as “little Venice” thanks to its fascinating city center, made up of small alleys and canals.
Mantua lakes and river Mincio park
The river Mincio literally embraces Mantua, forming three picturesque lakes which surround the city center and make it almost float on water. The beautiful river Mincio nature reserve stretches up to the southern shore of lake Garda.
Po delta and Venice lagoon
The river Po eventually flows into the Adriatic Sea through countless waterways, only interrupted by fishing nets, and sandbanks. On some clear (and lucky) days you may even spot the Dolomites in the distance.
An unexpected hinterland
Ave Maria and Vita Pugna cruise along the Po valley, nowadays a very productive area, rich in culture and history. You will learn about the typical Grana Padano in a local cheese factory and wonder at the unique Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum, featuring merry-go-rounds of the nineteenth century, while the inhabitants of Zelo will welcome you in their tiny village along the river shore.
Bike & Barge weeks
From April through October our barges accompany cyclists along the river Po, following their route amidst nature and culture. On board you will meet travelers coming from all over the world, while a knowledgeable Tour Guide leads the daily bike stages along cycling paths and low trafficked roads.
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Tailor-made cruises
From end March until beginning of November we can design tailor-made tours for private groups: on request it is possible to change the mooring places between Venice and Mantua, add other services on board, organize private transfers to art cities such as Verona, Vicenza or Padua or even up to the Dolomites! Contact us for further information
In 2008 our floating hotels Vita Pugna and Ave Maria introduced the bike & barge formula in Italy: since then they have been welcoming thousands of cyclists from all over the world.
Ave Maria
- Comfort: Gold
- En-suite facilities
- A/C in the whole barge
- 2 sundecks
- Free WiFi
- 31 guests, 17 cabins
Ave Maria
- Comfort: Gold
- En-suite facilities
- A/C in the whole barge
- 2 sundecks
- Free WiFi
- 31 guests, 17 cabins
Ave Maria is an elegant and modern river barge, which cruises between Mantua and Venice, following the rivers Mincio and Po, as well as its canals, up to the Venetian Lagoon. It is an eco-friendly barge, thanks to energy saving on board, wastewater treatment and respectful navigation, which doesn’t damage the riverbanks.
Su misura
Puoi prenotare l'intera barca per il tuo gruppo privato:
Cabine
- 4 superior twin cabins on the upper deck
- 8 standard twin cabins on the lower deck
- 2 standard double cabins on the lower deck
- 3 single cabins on the lower deck
All cabins feature big windows, comfortable low beds (2.00 x 0.80 mt), en-suite facilities, A/C and safe. In the twin cabins the two beds can be pushed together, thus forming a double bed. Cabins and furniture are designed so as to make the most of both comfort and available space on board.
Spazi comuni
- Bright and welcoming restaurant room, with big panoramic windows
- Lounge area to chill-out, with many board games, books and tourist guides, a 55” multimedia screen and free WiFi
- Two sundecks to enjoy navigation and outdoor dining
Vita Pugna
- Comfort: Silver
- En-suite facilities
- A/C in the whole barge
- 1 sundeck
- Free WiFi
- 20 guests, 10 cabins
Vita Pugna
- Comfort: Silver
- En-suite facilities
- A/C in the whole barge
- 1 sundeck
- Free WiFi
- 20 guests, 10 cabins
Originally from Amsterdam, since 2007 Vita Pugna has been cruising between Mantua and Venice, along the rivers Mincio and Po, as well as its canals. Our guests simply love the Vita Pugna because it features a welcoming and cozy atmosphere on a historic Dutch river barge.
Su misura
Puoi prenotare l'intera barca per il tuo gruppo privato:
Cabine
- 10 twin cabins
All cabins are equipped with separated low beds (1.90/2 mt x 0.75/0.80 mt), en-suite facilities, A/C and traditional portholes, which can be opened. One of the cabins can accommodate up to three guests thanks to a third bed. IN each cabin, at least under one of the beds there is an empty space (approx. 40 cm high) to store your luggage.
Spazi comuni
- Spacious restaurant room and lounge bar with A/C and free WiFi
- Sundeck to enjoy navigation
Girolibero bikes are assembled and serviced by our mechanics, down to the last bolt. This is why they are so reliable and easy to use! You can choose between touring bikes or e-bikes, which are the best option if you don’t feel in perfect shape for spending a whole week on the saddle. Find out more about Girolibero bikes
Unisex touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 7/27 gears
- Anti-puncture tires
- Comfort gel saddle
- Suitable with children accessories (when available)
Unisex touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 7/27 gears
- Anti-puncture tires
- Comfort gel saddle
- Suitable with children accessories (when available)
Reliable and easy to use, our touring bike is assembled directly by our mechanics, who make it the perfect travel companion for a week on the saddle. It features a low-entry frame, which makes it even easier to jump on and off.
Standard components
- Bike bell
- Kickstand
- Cycle computer
- Front and rear light
- Front and rear mudguard
- Water bottle holder
- Rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb side pannier (12.5 l)
- Water bottle
- Repair kit (1 per cabin)
- Map holder (1 per cabin)
- Bike lock
Unisex Bosch E-bike
- 28” wheel
- 9 gears
- Anti-puncture tires
- Comfort gel saddle
Unisex Bosch E-bike
- 28” wheel
- 9 gears
- Anti-puncture tires
- Comfort gel saddle
Our e-bike is the perfect choice if you don’t feel in perfect shape for spending a whole week on the saddle. You can easily adjust the motor’s power, which can give you a light or a strong assistance, useful above all uphill. The battery charge covers the whole cycling stage, or even more, if you don’t use your e-bike at the maximum power all the time.
Standard components
- Bike bell
- Kickstand
- Cycle computer
- Front and rear light
- Front and rear mudguard
- Water bottle holder
- Rear rack
Accessories included
- Front bag (7 l)
- Ortlieb side pannier (12.5 l)
- Water bottle
- Battery charger
- Battery key
- Repair kit
- Bike lock
Alberto Reghellin
Filippo Bonafè
Riccardo Tamani
Sara Visentin
Recipes on board
Fresh ingredients and local recipes are prepared on board every day: have a look at our recipe book! (Available in English also).
Browse a preview of the Ave Maria recipe book
