La Bella Vita

Venetian Lagoon, Canal and Po Valley

Passengers: 20
Size: 140 feet long, 3 decks
Rating: First Class, A/C, Central Heating

2011 rates

Whole Boat Charter for 12 - $57,000
Whole Boat Charter for 14 - $59,000
Whole Boat Charter for 16 - $61,000
Whole Boat Charter for 18 - $63,000
Whole Boat Charter for 20 - $65,000
Individual Cabin - $3,490 per person double occupancy
Individual Suite - $4,190 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement - $1,350

2011 dates

April 3 - 9	May 29 - June 4	July 24 - 30	September 18 - 24
April 10 - 16	June 5 - 11	July 31 - Aug 6	Sept 25 - October 1
April 17 - 23	June 12 - 18	August 7 - 13	October 2 - 8
April 24 - 30	June 19 - 25	August 14 - 20	October 9 - 15
May 1 - 7	June 26 - July 2	August 21 - 27	October 16 - 22
May 8 - 14	July 3 - 9	August 28 - Sept 3	October 23 - 29
May 15 - 21	July 10 - 16	September 4 - 10
May 22 - 28	July 17 - 23	September 11 - 17

The 20-passenger La Bella Vita fills a longtime need for a quality barge in Italy – one which offers a wide-ranging sightseeing program in and around Venice and then moving to the countryside on smaller waterways. Itinerary is the main strength of this program. Of course, the very fact of cruising in Italy allows our lucky guests to experience this well-known region in an entirely new way!

La Bella Vita debuted in fall, 2010. A guest on this maiden voyage reports:
‘We started off with an evening cruise through Venice and then landed in a quiet residential area. We recommend that passengers see the main sights such as St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace BEFORE they board! The barge will moor in rarely-visited neighborhoods and concentrate on unusual sights. We walked in pretty squares, toured the Naval Museum and experienced uncrowded churches with incredible paintings and frescos. Leaving Venice, we were surprised by the quality of the cruising. There is great scenery, bird life, locks, bridges and lively villages. And so many opportunities to meet the locals in truly authentic surroundings! In Chioggia, a fishing village, we went to market with the Chef. Later we had dinner off the barge at a private villa complete with its own chapel and tasted wine in a family-owned vineyard with stunning gardens.

Moving on to the River Po, we encountered the Renaissance towns of Ferrara and Mantua . Largely unknown outside of the Italy ’s main tourist trail, they offer an immersion into ambiance without the crowds. Ferrara is perfectly preserved and divided by a boulevard into two quarters, medieval and Renaissance. Mantua boasts the 14th century Ducal Palace, an amazing and enormous property of 500 rooms, 15 gardens and hundreds of gorgeous frescos.

Crew on board was top quality. The Pilot, Horatio, had captained with River Cloud while
Guide Klaudia was a qualified guide for Venice. We loved her excellent English commentary delivered with a lovely Italian “lilt!” The barge will operate with a total of eight in crew, including a private chef.

La Bella Vita has extremely spacious public areas, including salon, dining room and deck running the length of the barge. Guests can relax in comfort while the intriguing sights float by and enjoy wonderful al fresco meals. The interior has been renovated, particularly in the two suites, but the entire vessel has been upgraded.”

Ellen says: “We are very interested in this barge and this itinerary. I visited Venice (separately from the cruise described above), also in Fall, 2010. Venice is an INCREDIBLE place; we felt we were walking into a live operetta with gorgeous canals, gondoliers singing, adorable bridges, and pastel-colored houses. The La Bella Vita cruise is the perfect add- on to a night or two in Venice. It is planned as a progression which begins in the less-touristy areas of central Venice – then to adorable, authentic islands in the Veneto Lagoon – finally inland on the River Po to Renaissance towns largely undiscovered by tourists. Personalized experiences, such as going to market with the chef and meeting a vintner, are of the kind found on barges in France and elsewhere. Guests who have already barged will find much that is both familiar in spirit, yet different in content. This is a cruise which should appeal to both repeat ‘bargers’ AND travelers looking to experience Italy in an entirely new way!”

La Bella Vita

Classic Italy Cruise Itinerary

Venice to Mantua
Via the canals and lagoons of Venice
And the Po River Valley

Sunday: Board in Venice
And Begin to Cruise in this Fantastic City
Guests are met at the Hotel Laguna Palace in Venice on Sunday at 2.30pm and transferred to La Bella Vita. A Prosecco welcome gives you a chance to meet the crew, followed by a late afternoon cruise along the Giudecca Canal were we admire some of the most famous monuments of Venice: the Stucky Mill, Chiesa del Redentore, the impressive Basilica della Madonna della Salute, the Punta della Dogana dividing the Giudecca Canal from the Grand Canal and the ancient Benedictine monastery of San Giorgio. Dinner aboard, followed perhaps by an evening stroll to the magnificent St Mark’s square. We moor overnight in the Riva Sette Martiri, pictured below, by the Naval Museum.

Monday: Venice to San Pietro
Floating to Colorful Islands
Guided tour to the centre of Venice, experiencing the unique atmosphere of this magical city and perhaps discovering some hidden parts of it: the gardens of the Biennale Exhibition of Modern Arts, the Church of San Pietro in Castello planned by Palladio, the impressive surrounding walls of the Arsenal with its magnificent Renaissance main gate, pictured below, and the Naval Museum hosting a model of the Bucintoro (Doge’s Boat) and the Pavilion of Gondolas housing Peggy Guggenheim’s own vessel. After lunch, relax on board as we cruise first to Pellestrino, which separates the Venice Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea; then continuing on the Canal of the Orphans passing several lagoon islands: San Sevolo, once a hospital for the Crusaders, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, an early 18th century Armenian monastery, San Clemente, a luxury hotel and poetical Poveglia. These islands sport brightly coloured houses, painted fishing boats and tiny churches. We moor in San Pietro on Volta for a Venetian aperitif in a typically local bacaro. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday: San Pietro to Adria
Go to market with the chef in enchanting Chioggia
Morning chance to stroll or cycle along the 18th century Istrian sea wall looking out over the mighty Adriatic or back to the Venetian lagoon. We cruise past wild beach dunes and pinewoods and may spot Kingfishers, Cuckoos, Little Terns and Kentish Plovers. Entering the fishing port of Chioggia, see below, we visit the Piazzatta Vigo, Vigo bridge and 12th century Vigo column. At the Chiesa di San Domenico, set on its own island, we see Carpaccio’s St Paul, his last recorded painting together with works of art by Tintoretto and Bassano. Chioggia’s cathedral beckons with works by Tiepolo, Giovane, Piazzetta and Diziani. A visit to the colorful fresh fish market with your own Chef choosing tonight’s seafood delights, completes the picture. After lunch we enter the Bianca Canal which follows the Po River and cruise the Po Delta towards Adria where we moor for the night. Dinner aboard.


Wednesday: Adria to Bussari
Taste local wines at a 17th century villa
Our day opens with a short walk to Adria’s Archaeological Museum. The Greeks, Etruscans, Gauls and Romans left a precious historical insight, with earlier artefacts dating back to the Iron Age. We stroll through ancient Adria and see the 6th century Basilica Santa Maria Assunta, the Opera House and Cathedral of Saints Pietro and Paolo. Afternoon cruise to Bussari and superb visit to the Manor House gardens and wine cellars of 17th century Villa Widmann-Borletti. For over 1000 years wine, balsamic vinegar, organic Carnaroli rice, grape seed oil and truffles have been farmed in the Dominio di Bagnoli estate, see above. Concerts, opera and art exhibitions are regular features in this magnificent property. Dinner aboard

Thursday: Bussari to Trevenzuolo
Tour Italy’s sophisticated secret, the town of Ferrara
Morning cruise to Canda. We offer a guided tour of Ferrara’s 14th century castle of the d'Este family. This ancient building is half-palace with elegant marble balconies and sumptuous apartment and half fortress surrounded by a moat. We see the Cathedral façade with its sculpted images, described as an Illustrated Bible. Ferrara has a lively commercial centre in what was originally the medieval Jewish Ghetto,see at left, and over the centuries has absorbed a rich cultural life, with renowned artists, writers, musicians, scientists and intellectuals all leaving their mark We enjoy delicious local dishes during lunch ashore. Rejoin La Bella Vita and our evening dinner cruise to Trevenzuolo to the accompaniment of live piano music. Dinner aboard.


Friday: Trevenzuolo to Mantua
Incredible frescos and gardens in the Ducal Palace!
Our final cruise takes us to Mantua with its captivating lakeside setting. Dramatically approached by water, this imposing city was home to the poet Virgil, artists Mantegna and Donatello and is the capital of Lombardy. Mantua has early Etruscan origins but today demonstrates extraordinary neo-classical and baroque architecture, perhaps best portrayed in the 14th century Ducal Palace housing some 15 gardens, see below. The sight of precious wooden ceilings, intricate frescoes, see at right, the Gallery of Mirrors and exquisite Rivers Room, create an extraordinary Grand Finale to our Italian adventure. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday: Mantua to Venice
A Sad Farewell
We’ll depart La Bella Vita at 9:00am and return you to the pickup hotel in Venice. Estimate arrival time is 11:00am. Upon request, charter parties can be chauffeured to Marco Polo Airport. Estimate arrival time at the airport is between 11:00am and noon. Please make all onward travel plans the day of departure strictly on the basis of this timing. Breakfast is your last on-board meal.



Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging in Germany. Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

La Bella Vita Floor Plan

140 Feet long
- Two Upper Deck Suites
   with newly re-built bathrooms/showers
- Eight Lower Deck Staterooms
  with refreshed bathrooms/showers
- Each cabin can be configured
  one Queen bed or two Twin beds
- Large sundeck –
   perfect for lounging and dining
- Spacious salon
-  Separate dining room
-  Large picture windows throughout
- Covered wheelhouse – watch the captain navigate!
- Computer available for guest’s use
- Ten bicycles on board