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From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua
Preferred
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- Unique itinerary: cruise through the heart of the Italian regions
- Coach transfer from Mantua to Venice on day 7 FREE OF CHARGE
- EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
- The region of Veneto, its treasures, arts and traditions
- Venice, an abundance of history
- Padua, the home of Saint Anthony
- Verona, the City of Love
- The region of Lombardy, its breathtaking and varied panoramas
- Mantua, romantic city surrounded by lakes
- Cremona, Claudio Monteverdi’s and Stradivarius’s birthplace
- The region of Emilia-Romagna and its traditional cuisine
- Visit Fratelli Spigaroli(2)
- Enjoy a tasting of Culatello ham and authentic Parmesan cheese
Short Description
Exceptional event!
Discover Italy through Opera with a unique evening at the Arena of Verona.
LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS
Depending on your departure date, attend one of the operas in the 2023 program:
07/08: The Barber of Seville - 07/24 and 08/05: Tosca
From Venice to Mantua, enjoy a unique cruise The region of Veneto opens its doors and invites you to discover Venice, famous Saint Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace, the official residence of Venetian dukes. Lombardy welcomes you next with its breathtaking and varied panoramas. You’ll visit unique cities such as romantic Mantua and Cremona, Claudio Monteverdi’s and Stradivarius’s birthplace.
Itinerary
Day 1 VENICE(3)
You’ll board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Enjoy a free evening to explore the city on your own.
Day 2 VENICE
This morning, we offer two excursions:- CLASSIC: Guided tour of Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Square. You’ll discover Saint Mark’s Square and its famous basilica (exteriors) and take a tour inside Doge’s Palace, the official residence of Venetian dukes and the seat of the government until 1797. The current palace dates back to the 14th century and is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world. A trek to the top of the Golden Staircase brings you to massive works by Tintoretto and Veronese and gives you access to the antechambers and a magnificent view from the balcony.- DISCOVERY package: Venice and the Dorsoduro district.This afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: The Venetian Lagoon and its islands. The Murano glassmakers retreated to the island of Murano to help keep their production techniques a secret. Burano instills a feeling of quiet and meditation as you walk along its docks lined with colorful homes. One of the most sought-out items on the island is handwoven lace that dates back to before the exploration of the New World.Enjoy a free evening to explore Venice on your own.
Day 2 VENICE
This morning, we offer two excursions:- CLASSIC: Guided tour of Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Square.- DISCOVERY package: Venice and the Dorsoduro district.This afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: The Venetian Lagoon and its islands, Murano and Burano. Enjoy a free evening to explore Venice on your own.
Day 3 VENICE - CHIOGGIA - Padua - PORTO VIRO - CANDA
We'll cruise to Chioggia, the departure point for an excursion for both packages: A guided tour of Padua, the home of Saint Anthony. The city surrounds its medieval center with charming squares and palaces. Il Santo, the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, sits among these and contains the remains of the city's patron saint. As you enjoy your tour, the ship will cruise to Porto Viro.(1) For those who decide not to join us on the excursion, you will be transferred from Chioggia to Porto Viro. Enjoy some free time in Chioggia beforehand. We'll return on board in Porto Viro and spend the afternoon cruising towards Canda.
Day 3 VENICE - CHIOGGIA - Padua - PORTO VIRO - CANDA
Cruise to Chioggia, the departure point for an excursion for both packages: A guided tour of Padua. As you enjoy your tour, the ship will cruise to Porto Viro.(1) For those who decide not to join us on the excursion, you will be transferred from Chioggia to Porto Viro. Enjoy some free time in Chioggia beforehand. We'll return on board in Porto Viro and spend the afternoon cruising towards Canda.
Day 4 CANDA - OSTIGLIA - Verona - MANTUA
We’ll spend the morning cruising to Ostiglia.In the afternoon, we offer two excursions:- CLASSIC: Visit Verona and its amphitheater or the Giusti Gardens. We’ll leave by coach from Torretta and head to Verona, the “City of Love” made famous by Shakespeare’s legendary tragedy Romeo and Juliet. We’ll get to see the outside of Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) and the balcony where she stood when Romeo declared his love. Verona encapsulates 2,000 years of history from an architectural, urban, and artistic point of view. The amphitheater, the historic symbol of the city, is a fantastic example of its longevity and influence. (If the amphitheater is closed and in July and August, we’ll visit the magnificent Giusti Gardens.)- DISCOVERY: Verona through its gastronomy.You’ll be transfered by coach from Torretta to Verona, where numerous possibilities to explore the city await you. Often overshadowed by neighboring Venice, Verona possesses an impressive artistic heritage and many cultural diversions. What better way to explore the city than on two wheels? Glide along its streets and lanes lined with unique houses and romantic hideaways. You’ll then visit the Giusti Gardens, one of the city’s marvels. This magnificent Italian garden contains age-old trees, gargoyles, fountains, and grottoes with ancient inscriptions. After our tour, we’ll return on board in Mantua.
Day 4 CANDA - OSTIGLIA - Verona - MANTUA
We’ll spend the morning cruising to Torretta. In the afternoon, we offer two excursions:- CLASSIC: Visit Verona and its amphitheater or the Giusti Gardens.- DISCOVERY: Verona through its gastronomy.After our tour, we’ll return on board in Mantua.
Day 5 MANTUA - Cremona
Join us for a full-day excursion to Cremona (including lunch). A stroll through the historical center of Cremona reveals its hidden artistic and architectural treasures. Within the superb medieval square, we'll take in the immensity of the duomo, bell tower, and cathedral. We'll also visit a violin-maker's workshop during our tour. Next stop will be Polesine Parmense and some time at the Fratelli Spigaroli to visit the cellars where they cure the famous Culatello ham and Parmigiana cheese.(2) We'll return to the ship in Mantua.
Day 5 MANTUA - Cremona
Join us for a full-day excursion to Cremona (including lunch), with a visit to a violin-maker's workshop. Next stop will be Polesine Parmense and some time at the Fratelli Spigaroli, where we'll enjoy a tasting of Italian cheese and cold cuts.(2) We'll return to the ship in Mantua.
Day 6 MANTUA
Join us on an excursion for both packages: A guided tour of Mantua, where the House of Gonzaga ruled for almost 400 years. Although Mantua is not well known, it is one of the most artistically rich and romantic cities in northern Italy. We’ll visit the Palazzo Ducale di Mantova (Ducal Palace - closed on Mondays) which overlooks the city center. Built between the 14th and the 17th centuries by the noble House of Gonzaga, the property comprises many buildings such as the Castel di San Giorgio which was designed as a defensive structure aimed at protecting the heart of the town, and subsequently converted into the main residence of the Gonzaga family. We’ll also visit the Camera degli Sposi (“bridal chamber”), known for its frescoes executed by Andrea Mantegna as a celebration of the Gonzaga family. We’ll then reach the historic center of the city where you’ll visit the Rotonda di San Lorenzo and the Basilica of Sant’Andrea.You’re free to do as you please in the afternoon.Or enjoy an optional tour of the Ferrari Museum in Modena (not included in packages). Car lovers will not want to miss this chance! The museum focuses on the life and work of Enzo Ferrari, founder of the Ferrari sports car brand. Their website says it best: “The Museo Enzo Ferrari is more than just a museum. It is a spectacular immersive experience that combines a dizzying mix of unique ingredients. Visitors not only get to admire the stunning cars displayed in the futuristic 2,500 square metre main pavilion but are also treated to a spectacular audio-visual show to tell the magical story of Enzo Ferrari’s 90 years.”Tonight is our festive gala evening.
Day 6 MANTUA
Our ship will begin to cruise early in the morning to Mantua.Join us on an excursion for both packages: A guided tour of Mantua, where the House of Gonzaga ruled for almost 400 years. You’re free to do as you please in the afternoon.Or enjoy an optional tour of the Ferrari Museum in Modena (not included in packages).Tonight is our festive gala evening.
Day 7 MANTUA - Venice(3)
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Coach transfer from Mantua to Venice. End of our services.
Availability
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128 CroisiEurope Travel Reviews & Ratings
From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua
Company Reviews
Great tours and food! Exceptional customer service
I am non-EU national, and very much enjoyed the international clientele .
My flight arrived later than the prescribed boarding time, the crew had my cabin ready, and held dinner. Both land side New York office and the onboard crew were very welcoming, and most attention to detail. Special recognition to Charina, my reservation agent, and Daniel the ship's purser.
The vessel's decor is very discreet, comfortable, and relaxing -- no neon, casino, etc. The elegance one would expect from a French company.
The land tours were very comprehensive, in comfortable coaches, with sufficient rest stops. Lunches ashore were included, as appropriate. As advertised, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were included. In-town shopping was available, but not forced.
In all, a delightful experience. I look forward to another voyage with CroisiEurope. The company offers so many unique intineraries, it may be difficult to select.
A memorable four nights on the Seine - Le Havre to Paris
The Seine scenery was gorgeous and the boat was extremely comfortable—we loved that we could stay in our cabin, relax on various decks, or attend onboard activities, including a lively dance performance by a Normandy folk troupe. Even though we were the only English speakers on the cruise, the bilingual staff were always on hand to help us, and the other passengers (mostly French with a few Belgians/Swiss) were friendly and tolerant of our basic French. After our final night sleeping aboard the boat on Quai de Grenelle in Paris, we were rather sad to depart the beautiful Renoir.
The food, tours and service on the Miguel Torga exceeded our expectations, and we felt very safe with the Covid precautions being taken on board.
We had such a wonderful time on our cruise and absolutely intend to travel with CroisiEurope again. I was especially pleased with the attention to detail regarding food preferences and requests. I have a shellfish allergy, and our kids didn’t always like what was on the menu. The chef and staff always made every effort to accommodate and please us.
Our guide Deborah on the excursions was so informative and made great suggestions for sightseeing and shopping. I liked the way the excursions were managed by touring in the morning with lunch and sailing in the afternoon. We were the only Americans on board with mostly French speakers, but everyone was friendly, and we had no communication issues with the crew. Entertainment was simple but fun with games or local talent coming aboard for flamenco or folk singing and dancing. There were only 62 passengers and no young children. Our kids were 12 & 17, and they were happy with the pool on board, which was small, but ideal for cooling off after a morning in port. They surprised our 17-year-old with a special dessert on her birthday.
We’ve been on several other riverboat cruises (Viking, Peter Dielmann, Vodohod), and they did not match the value and service provided by CroisiEurope.
This barge hotel cruise on and along the Marne river was absolutely fantastic!
The crew were very attentive and hospitable. One of the biggest, if not THE biggest, highlight of the trip was the food. Breakfast was a typical French style buffet with all the trimmings. Lunch and dinner were menus, in the French style, prepared by our Chef and paired with a variety of wines and cheeses from around France. Each meal was unique and full of variety culminating at the end of the week with our Gala Dinner.
One of the excursion highlights, and a major reason why we chose this particular cruise, was the falconry demonstration at Chateau Thierry. It was very well done and quite a moving presentation, which included an American Bald Eagle and, even more surprisingly, Storks.
If you are looking for a more intimate way to cruise, Passenger to Crew ratio was 17 - 6, consider barge hotel cruises. We are most definitely looking forward to our next barge hotel cruise experience.
It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting.
As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience about traveling on a barge in a canal. It was also time to overcome this lack.
A number of companies offer this kind of cruising on barge with 8 to 16 passengers, however very often at exorbitant prices. Luckily, we discovered that the company CroisiEurope offers one week cruise on various canals in Europe, at very decent price, especially considering that all is inclusive (full board, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all excursions) on modern barges with a maximum of 22 passengers.
We opted for the barge Ms Deborah, which cruises on the canal de la Loire, with the Briare to Nevers’ route. We were looking forward to this itinerary because the proposed excursions particularly suited us. Unfortunately, only a few days before departure, we were informed that due of a lack of water in the Loire canal the Ms Deborah was switched over to the Haute Seine and Yonne for a new itinerary from Paris to Sens. Despites the fact that this new itinerary didn’t really meet our desires, especially the excursions, we decided to accept the change.
Our group of 6 persons from Switzerland was very warmly greeted by all members of the crew when arriving on the quai de Grenelle in Paris where we see the MS DEBORAH for the first time, our floating home for the week. With its two dominating colours blue and white, it is difficult not to fall in love with this beautiful small ship.
We were invited immediately for the welcome cocktail during which we met officially the crew and the other six individual passengers originating from New Zealand, England and the USA. With less time than it needs to tell, the relation between us was created, so that everyone felt part of a bunch of friends knowing each other for long time.
There is no need to present here the MS Deborah itself, as this is already thoroughly done on the Cruise Critic page.
The crew of 6 persons is composed of a captain, a sailor, a cruise director, a chef, a waitress and a cabin hostess who put all their efforts to satisfy the passengers and offer them the best possible service. The captain as well as the sailor are always trying to make passengers at ease, answer questions or even bring a drink. The lady cruise director is omnipresent, taking care of the passengers better than a mother hen would do. The talented young French chef aims to produce dishes which please everybody. His outstanding sauces and excellent desserts should be particularly praised. However, referring to comments we made during a cruise on the Seine Princess two years ago, we cannot understand that why today it is not possible to offer the choice of a light buffet at lunch instead a three or even four course menu! The always smiling and friendly Hungarian waitress was very caring and attentive, without forgetting the cabin hostess doing a great job in the cabins, the public spaces and even the kitchen. It wouldn’t be fair to name a single person as all members of the crew, without any exception, do all they can to make the cruise unforgettable.
Our one-week cruise on the barge Ms Deborah enables us today to make the following comments:
~ a cruise on a barge cannot be compared to any other kind of cruise
~ despite all the comfort offered on modern barge, one must be very aware that life on board happens at a restraint space, requiring therefore much flexibility and understanding in all aspects from all passengers
~ in our case, being only 12 passengers, we had the opportunity to take our meals on the terrace. We also never had the feeling that the boat was overcrowded. This can be different when the ship is full, especially by bad weather
~ the state of mind between the passengers who are mostly of foreign nationalities, who don’t know each other and don’t speak French, must function well right from the beginning
~ if the interrelation works, it is difficult to find a more relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling
~ the success on a barge is mainly due on the quality of its crew. Ms Deborah’s crew members have quickly created a family spirit on board, showing also that they genuinely like what they do
~ excursions can play a major role in choosing an itinerary. Not speaking French or English can be a handicap
Do we recommend to do a cruise on a barge? Yes, definitively! It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting. In our case, this second try with CroisiEurope gives them a better note.
We are still waiting for a refund
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal transport included (including local flights)
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Additional Information
THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE
- All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
- Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
- Free Wi-Fi onboard
- Headsets are included for excursions
- Official welcome from the captain and crew
- Onboard activities
- Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
- All port fees included
Rules & Other Requirements
Valid passport required. Non-EU nationals are advised to consult their embassy or consulate.
Trip ID#:
croisieurope-VMA_AIPP
What's excluded
Drinks from our special lists or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers - optional excursion to the Ferrari Museum (to book and pay for on board or at travel agency) - transfers to/from departure/arrival points (including to/from airports) - cancellation and baggage insurance - personal expenses.
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