Cycling holiday Mantua to Venice

Included

• 7 overnights on board
• 7x breakfast on board
• 6x self-made packed lunch
• 6x dinner on board, drinks included
• Welcome drink
• Coffee and tea and other hot drinks on board
• Sheets and towels
• Courtesy kit
• Mid-week cabin cleaning service and towel change
• Bike helmet (to reserve in advance)
• App including maps, roadbook,points of interest and GPS tracks

• English speaking tour leader within an international group
• Second tour leader with a minimum of 25 people (only aboard Ave Maria)
• Guided visit in Mantua
• Visit of a cheese factory with tasting of typical Grana Padano
• Visit of Museum of Amusement rides and Popular Entertainment
• Grappa and spirits tasting in a typical distillery
• Visit of a historic glass factory on Murano island
• Harbour charges
• Reservation costs
• Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund (Insolvency Protection)

To pay on the spot

• 1 dinner (on day 2)
• Bicycle rent
• Access Fee for the ancient city of Venice (5-10€/day per person; only on selected days and from 8.30am to 4.00pm.)
• Beverages on board
• Museums and extras in general
• Ticket for public transportation in Venice and lagoon (we advise ACTV 48hr. ticket  € 35,-)
• Personal insurance

Special details

• This tour is operated by our local partner.
• Please take good notice of our Terms & Conditions.
• The program is subject to change without notice.
• If you are vegetarian, gluten-intolerant or allergic to some specific ingredients/substances please indicate it at the moment of booking. A supplement applies for gluten-free, lactose-free, dairy-free or vegan diets (to be paid in advance). Once on board, make sure that the kitchen staff is aware of your allergies, in order to avoid unpleasant situations.
• Tour programme variations: The programme has been planned to feature navigation along the Fissero/ Bianco canal, which runs parallel to the Po river and connects Mantua to the Adriatic Sea. Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday. Issues with high and low water, as well as logistic obstacles such as officially ordered – previously not announced – repair work on locks or bridges can modify some of the daily stretches or overnight stays and may even request a transfer by bus. These decisions are only taken by the barge's captain.

Info

Saturday is the day of arrival on board and you will start cycling the following day. On the day of arrival you can leave the luggage on board anytime during the day but cabins will be available from 4.30 p.m. At 6.30 p.m. a meeting with the tour guide and the crew is scheduled. The departing harbour in Mantua is located in Porto Catena. 

Airport

Mantua is connected with the following airports: Verona: 45 km, Venice: 120 km, Treviso: 130 km, Bergamo: 150 km, Milan: 180 km.  VERONA VILLAFRANCA CATULLO (VRN) - www.aeroportoverona.it
Connection shuttle bus + train: from airport to Verona train station: every day the Aerobus shuttle service leaves MILANO MALPENSA (MXP) - www.milanomalpensa-airport.com
Connection by shuttle bus/train + train: - from airport to Milano Centrale train station: the Malpensa Express train leaves every 30 minutes from 5:43 a.m. to 09:43 p.m. and at 10:43 p.m. (transfer: ca. 50
min; ticket: 13 €). There is also the Malpensa shuttle bus, which leaves from the airport about every 20 minutes, from 5 a.m. to 1.20 a.m. (transfer: ca. 60/70 minutes; ticket: 10 €); - from Milano Centrale train station to Mantua: direct connections or with change in Verona Porta Nuova (transfer approx. 120/150 min, ticket about 11-35 € depending on the type of train).

Train

For further information on timetables and prices you can consult the following website: www.trenitalia.com.

Car

The city of Mantua is located near the Brennero highway A22. You can park your car in Mantua in several parkings. From these parkings you can walk to the harbour (about 20 min. from the farthest parking) or you can take a taxi.

End of the tour

You have to leave the boat after breakfast, no later than 9.00 a.m. At the check-out you must return the keys of the cabin to the crew and pay the extra drinks (cash or by credit card). Please remember also to return the books and/or brochures you used for consultation. At the end of the tour if you need to return to Mantua, the easiest and cheapest way is to take the train.The towns of Mantua and Venice/Mestre are well connected by train, there are about 15 trains per day between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. There are no directconnections, you always have to change in Verona Porta Nuova or Monselice.The transfer takes approx. 2.5/3.5 hours and costs about 20-35 € per person depending on the type of train. For further information on times and costs please consult the website www.trenitalia.com.Private transfer: it must be requested and paid at the booking time (quotations on request).
 

On this tour the following barges are scheduled

Rental bikes are available in different sizes in unisex model:
- Touring bike 27-gear Shimano Deore
- E-bike 9-gear Shimano

Own bicycles are not allowed on board.
Limited availability for E-bikes.

Features:

• aluminium frame
• mudguard
• rear rack
• comfort gel saddle www.selleroyal.com
• anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres
• ergonomic bicycle grips 
• Speed Lifter system (tool-free handlebar height adjustment)

Accessories
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:

• 1 cycle computer
• 1 Ortlieb one-sided saddlebag
• 1 combination bike lock
• 1 helmet suitable for head circumferences from 54 to 61 cm

Important notes

In order to cycle smoothly following our App, we recommend you to bring a holder for your mobile phone to be fixed on the handlebar, as well as a power bank (even if the App can be used offline, too).

By this tour you can rent the following bikes:

A barge as your hotel

Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink in the salon or admire the setting sun on deck. Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury.
Free WiFi is (limited) available in lounge and on deck.

What are the cabins like?

Most cabins are 2-person cabins (twin or double), but some barges also have single and triple cabins. All cabins have airconditioning; central heating and a porthole or window; they are provided with running water (hot and cold), private shower/toilet and 220 voltage. Hair-dryers are available on request. The cabins on the Ave Maria  also have a safety deposit box. There is limited storage space in the cabins. We recommend 1 suitcase per person. You can slide the suitcase under the bed.

The team, hospitality comes first

The captain/skipper, the chef and your tour guide all welcome you warmly. They are prepared specifically for these trips and will provide good and safe passage, good meals, and a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. They will, of course, also give you a great deal of interesting information during and after the cycling and sailing. The skipper is responsible for the smooth running of things on board; the cook is in charge of the catering. The tour leaders are experienced enthusiastic travelers who have a true passion for sharing their love of the outdoors, peoples, cultures and local food. Thanks to their knowledge of the territory, they can give you useful hints and help you appreciate the place you are visiting. Of course they love cycling and will be happy to give you some advice on how to correctly use the bicycle gears and whenever necessary they can fix a flat tyre. They are all multi-lingual, and speak at least English and German.

The meals

Your chef is used to cook delicious meals for hungry cyclists. Besides an extensive breakfast, you will also be offered a packed lunch for on the road. It consists of different types of bread and sandwich fillings, juice, a snack and a piece of fruit. Lunch package needs to be prepared by yourself after breakfast. Dinner is different every day. There is a first course, main course and dessert The meals on board are included in the price, as are coffee and tea. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks can be obtained at a reasonable charge. When you return on board after the day’s cycling, a cup of tea or coffee with a biscuit will be waiting for you.
If you have special meal requirements we ask you to mention this when booking, but at the latest until 21 days before arrival. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best  to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus.
In case of Celiac; gluten free, lactose free and vegan diets there is an additional charge.

You and the group,new friends from around the world!

One of the most attractive aspects of the Bike & Barge holidays is that you encounter an international company on board.  It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know various cultures at the same time! We have people of all ages, solo travelers, couples and also families with children (during the school holidays).

Travel documents

Before your arrival, you will receive an email from us with the digital information material. It contains:
1. Link to download the App including maps, points of interest and GPS tracks (you can use the App offline, too)
2. Link to download the tour information material in Pdf:

• Tour notes
• Final tour details
• Travel guide with valuable information about the history, artistic heritage, landscapes and places of interest of the areas you pass through during your tour. Plus: local events, fun facts, suggestions on how to make the best of an extended break along the route, and tips on local wining and dining.