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Hotel Barge La Dolce Vita

Cruise the Venice lagoon and the River Brenta

Seven Days / Six Nights

Our cruise around the Venetian lagoon and along the Brenta river is as unique as Venice herself. Our itinerary combines 4 very different landscapes: from that of the picturesque islands of the northern lagoon to the charm of romantic Venice, from the beaches of Lido and Pellestrina to the spledid architecture of the countryside villas along the Brenta.

La Dolce Vita is a charming 6 passenger vessel with a crew of three, and she is the only hotel barge cruising our unique route. The lagoon surrounding Venice, the Venice Lido beach, Hemingway's influence, the faboulous Villas on the River Brenta all compliment the attractions of Venice itself where one could spend at least 6 months enjoying the amazing Renaissance architecture before venturing inside some of the buildings to discover the works of Canaletto, Tintoretto, and many other Italian masters. Weeks of research into our itinerary promise a fantastic cruise aboard Italy's first hotel barge.

La Dolce Vita has three comfortable cabins, two with doubles and one a twin. All are en-suite, the vessel is airconditioned and there is a good sized sundeck for outside dining or just watching all that fantastic italian architecture floating past.

Venice of course is a jewel in the crown of the Venetian lagoon and our route is a mixture of canal and river following the ancient trade routes used by the Romans and the early Mediterranean settlers before them. As well as the incredible delights of Venice itself, where the history goes back over 2000 years with some architecural features dating back even to the Byzantenial era, the additional opportunity afforded by hotel barge travel becomes obvious as we create our own schedule oblivious to the hustle and bustle of other visitors to Venice.

The crew on La Dolce Vita are led by Massimiliano who is our skipper and your host, this tall charming Venetian comes from a family of mariners and will really look after you. He is assisted by a chef and housekeeper and guided tours are taken along the way.


Meeting Point

Sunday 4.00 pm
Best Western Hotel Villa Mabapa
Riviera S. Nicolò 16 - Lido, Venezia,

 

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Itinerary
DAY 1
Sunday
Lido–Burano From Venice to the Fishermen’s Island
Guests are met at 5 PM at Villa Laguna Hotel in Venice Lido, where the barge is moored and the crew is ready to serve you a welcome drink of Prosecco. Sailing past the Fort of Sant’Andrea, the ancient Venetian artillery defence base, La Dolce Vita hugs the coast of Sant’Erasmo, Venice orchard and vegetable garden and then arrives in Burano, a fishermen’s island in the northern lagoon, where we moor for a superb fish dinner.
DAY 2
Monday
Torcello–Burano–San Francesco The Still Waters of the Smaller Islands
In the morning we walk through the colourful streets of Burano and visit the Lace Museum. We have lunch while cruising on Siloncello canal and in the afternoon we visit Torcello, the first island of the lagoon to be colonised 2000 years ago. We see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a beautiful example of Veneto-Byzantine style. We finally cruise to Murano passing by San Fransesco Monastery island. We moor on the Grand Canal of the island of glass. Dinner aboard.
DAY 3 Tuesday
Murano -Venice – Lido
Cruising the Grand Canal and

walking in Venice
We visit a glass-blowing workship in Murano. Then we move on for a tour of the Grand Canal in Venice aboard a water taxi and reach San Giorgio island for our lunch facing Saint Mark. In the afternoon you have some free time to visit Venice. We moor for dinner on Lido island at Villa Laguna Hotel.
DAY 4 Wednesday
Venice-Valle Zappa. Venetian architectural masterpieces
This morning we take you on a guided tour of the Doge's Palace and Saint Mark in Venice. In the afternoon we have a relaxed and flexible program according to the preferences of our guests. We can spend a couple of hours in Venice, then ride a bicycle or navigate along Lido island to reach our evening mooring at Alberoni or Pellestrina. Dinner aboard.
DAY 5 Thursday
Brenta River to Dolo. Barging past the Venetian villas.
This morning we cruise up the river Brenta to Mira, passing by Villa Foscari in Malcontenta, a masterpiece of the Renaissance architect Palladio. Shortly after lunch we visit Villa Widmann, a typical Venetian luxurious villa with wonderful frescos. Before dinner we move on for 2 more hours to Dolo, where we moor for the night. For those who like cycling, it is possible to follow the barge on a bicycle. Before dinner we take you for a glass of wine at the old water mill of Dolo. Dinner aboard.
DAY 6 Friday
Dolo– Stra- Mira
Frescoes from Tiepolo

Further ascent of the river Brenta to Stra, to the Villa Pisani, an 18th century masterpiece of Venetian architecture with frescos from Tiepolo. During most of the day it is possible to follow the barge by bicycle along the river. A short afternoon cruise brings us to Dolo for the Farewell Dinner at Villa Goetzen restaurant.
DAY 7 Saturday
Dolo – Venice
After breakfast you are transferred to Venice or to Marco Polo airport.
NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks, cruise will be reverse direction.

 
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