La Bella Vita

In the afternoon, you will be met by a crew member of La Bella Vita at the designated meeting point in Venice. From here, relax as you are chauffeured to the barge. Enjoy a traditional Prosecco welcome and introduction to the crew. La Bella Vita then embarks on a cruise to the heart of Venice for a private tour of the Doges Palace. Representing the splendor of the Venetian Republic, its magnificent throne rooms and gorgeous gilded frescoes await. Return to the barge for cocktail hour and dinner.

This morning, your Tour Guide introduces the city’s authentic streets, neighborhoods, and gardens. Local culture beckons at Palladio’s Church of San Pietro, as well as at the Naval Museum's collection of antique gondolas. An afternoon cruise to the tranquil island of Pellestrina floats past traditional islands in the Venetian lagoon and their ancient monasteries, fishing boats, and tiny churches. Once at Pellestrina, take a stroll or cycle to the 18th century seawall. Meanwhile, Chef is preparing another gourmet dinner – Mangia!

Cruise this morning to the fishing port of Chioggia. Visit the 18th century Church of San Domenico, then board a traditional boat for a tour of Chioggia’s canals. Back onboard La Bella Vita, the afternoon’s cruise glides through a nature reserve to tonight's mooring of Taglio di Po. Dinner this evening is hosted by the owners of the restored 17th century Villa Ca’Zen, a private stately home where Lord Byron stayed and there wrote some of his best poetry. Family heirlooms, literary history, and local lifestyles converge at Villa Ca’Zen.

This morning, the boat arrives at the Bianco Canal and moors at Adria, an ancient Etruscan town with an Archaeological Museum. This afternoon, your Tour Guide drives you to the Bagnoli Estate, complete with delightful Renaissance gardens. The Villa Widmann Borletti on the estate boasts wine cellars dating from the 17th century, and, from that time, it has been supplying wine to Venetian society. Enjoy a tasting of these estate-grown vintages. Afterwards, rejoin La Bella Vita now moored at Zelo. Drinks and dinner onboard.

The vibrant culture of the Italian Renaissance stars today in Ferarra at Palazzo Schifanoia, built as a pleasure palace by the Este family, and now renowned for twelve captivating frescoes in the Room of the Months. The 15th century images and colors seem as fresh today as when they were painted. Other period buildings in Ferrara include Estense Castle, as well as the magnificent cathedral with its façade of sculpted images described as an illustrated Bible. Return to the La Bella Vita for an afternoon cruise to Governolo and dinner onboard.

Our final cruise features a dramatic approach to Mantua in its captivating lakeside setting. Happily, Mantua's classic architecture and elegant ambiance remains undiscovered by tourist crowds. La Bella Vita guests will tour the 14th century Palazzo Ducale, the second largest residence in Italy after the Vatican. Most of its 500 rooms are closed, but 15 gardens, the Gallery of Mirrors, and a priceless collection of artworks can be seen. Then it's back to the barge, moored in the shadow of this fascinating destination, for the gala Captain’s Dinner.

Bid “arrivederci” to La Bella Vita. After breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the designated drop off point in Venice.