Name: Venice - Mantua: MS Ave Maria Portegrandi
Brand: Velociped
Price: 1330.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

MS Ave Maria Portegrandi

The Ave Maria Portegrandi was built specifically for cruising on quiet waterways and offers 12 double/twin cabins (11 m²). Four of the cabins can be converted into cabins with bunk beds. All cabins feature large windows, comfortable low beds (2.00 x 0.80 m), en-suite facilities, air conditioning and a safe. Breakfast and dinner are served in the air-conditioned panoramic lounge. In addition, a coffee machine is available for your use in the relaxation area throughout the day.

Here, you can also borrow books, board games or travel guides, or make use of the free Wi-Fi. After your bike rides, enjoy the view from the sun deck. The MS Ave Maria Portegrandi is powered almost entirely by its 36 kWp photovoltaic modules and 340 kWh batteries, making the use of a diesel generator almost unnecessary. This means you can enjoy a quiet, low-emission cruise.

Three-deck layout of MS Ave Maria Portegrandi showing upper deck, main deck with dining area, and lower deck with cabins marked B and C.

Tour

Boarding is available from 5.00 pm onwards, following your own arrival. Before dinner, at 6.30 pm, the crew will give you a warm welcome on board during an introductory meeting.

After a guided walk with your tour guide, you will have some free time to explore and enjoy the city at your own pace. Venice – also known as the ‘Serenissima’ – played a defining role in much of the Mediterranean region and beyond for many centuries. As well as its military significance, the city was, above all, an important cultural centre.

The day begins with a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop on the island of Murano, where you’ll learn about this centuries-old craft during a demonstration. Afterwards, a particularly varied stage awaits you along the two long, narrow islands that separate the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. From Lido di Venezia, famous for its long sandy beach and as the venue for the Venice International Film Festival, you cycle south towards Malamocco, once considered the first seat of government for the Doges. A short boat trip takes you on to the island of Pellestrina with its characteristic fishermen’s cottages. At the end of the stage, you’ll reach your ship near Chioggia, a lively fishing village that marks the end of this eventful day.

You’ll pass the island of Pellestrina and then cycle south to Chioggia. From there, the route continues along the Po-Brondolo and across the mouth of the Adige. As you continue, you’ll pass through the unspoilt landscape of the Po Delta with its diverse flora and fauna, before finally reaching Adria, a town that originated as an ancient Greek port.

In the morning, you’ll start with a short boat trip before continuing by bike through the countryside towards Ferrara. Thanks to its extensive network of cycle paths and high level of cycling, the city is known as the ‘City of Cyclists’. Once there, you’ll find a historic centre well worth exploring, surrounded by well-preserved city walls. In the afternoon, there is a short transfer by coach to Zelo, where your boat will already be waiting for you.

After a short stretch, you will reach Bergantino, where you will visit the Carousel and Folk Theatre Museum and enjoy a tasting session at a cheese dairy. You will then follow the course of the River Po to Ostiglia, a small town with the ruins of a medieval castle. The route continues to Governolo. From there, you will leave the River Po and finally reach Mantova by boat, the final destination of your journey.

Today you will explore the three distinctive “lakes” around Mantova. A local guide will take you on a tour of the city in the late afternoon. The tour begins in Piazza Sordello with the cathedral and the Palazzo Ducale. The route then leads through the old town to Piazza delle Erbe. There you will see, amongst other things, the bell tower, the Rotonda di San Lorenzo – the city’s oldest church – and the Basilica di Sant’Andrea, a significant Renaissance building.

Disembarkation and individual return journey after breakfast.

Please note: Unfortunately, it is not possible to bring your own bicycles on this trip.

Itinerary and programme changes:

The planned route is always subject to possible changes due to nautical, meteorological or organisational reasons. If, for example, a route cannot be travelled due to low water, high water, bad weather or construction work, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety. This is not a legally valid reason for cancelling the trip free of charge. The same applies in the event of officially ordered lock or bridge repairs or in the event of engine or propulsion damage to the ship through no fault of the captain.
As your ship usually sails to the next harbour on the same day, your time frame for your own activities and sightseeing is limited. On some bridges, the clearance height is so low that the sun deck is closed for your safety.

Fuel surcharge:

A fuel surcharge, which may apply due to the sharp rise in fuel prices, is not included in the cruise price and must be paid in cash on arrival on board the ship. We will inform you of the amount of the surcharge, if any, approx. 4 weeks before arrival.

Map

Map showing cycling route from Mantua to Venice with MS Ave Maria ship connections through Veneto region, featuring cities like Ferrara, Adria.

Prices / Dates

Prices per person in EUR

You can also start this tour in Mantova

Ferrara Cathedral facade featuring three-tiered Romanesque architecture with ornate arched galleries, circular rose windows, and carved stone details.

Mantua - Venice: MS Ave Maria Portegrandi

8 Days

Services / Info

Services

7 overnight stays with breakfast
6 lunch packages
6 x dinner on board (drinks are not inclusive)
Coffee and tea on board
Still and sparkling water dispensers
Ice dispenser
Towels and bed linen
Courtesy set with solid eco-soaps (hand soap, body soap and shampoo)
Cabin cleaning and towel change once midweek
English speaking tour guide
Tour information and detailed maps
Bus transfer Ferrara - Zalo
Guided city tour in Mantua
Visit to the cheese dairy with tasting
Visit to a historic glass factory on the island of Murano
Visit to the Museum of the Carousel and the Popular Theater in Bergantino
Tasting of grappa and spirits in a typical distillery
Some short city tours
Bicycle helmet
Port fees

Info

Worth knowing about your trip with the Ave Maria Portegrandi from Venice to Mantova

Below please find more information about your bike trip with the Ave Maria Italia from Venice to Mantova. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us by phone: +49 (0)6421-886890.

Arrival by train
Venice can be reached by train from Germany. From the main station Venezia Santa Lucia, you can easily reach the landing stage by vaporetto water bus.

Current timetable information and price information can be found very practically at www.bahn.de or www.trenitalia.it

Arrival by plane
Venice is well connected to the following airports: Venice (VCE), Verona (VRN), Treviso (TSF).

Parking facilities in Venice

We recommend parking your vehicle in Mestre at the guarded, paid car park at the train station. There are regular trains to Venice Santa Lucia from Mestre train station. From there, take a vaporetto to the pier.

You will receive detailed information about the parking facilities with the detailed travel documents two weeks before the start of your journey.

Guided or individual itinerary
On this tour you can decide spontaneously on board whether you want to cycle in a group or explore the region individually. The group (international audience) is led by a trained, English speaking tour guide. If you choose an individual cycling day, you will receive a very detailed route description on board.

Condition of cycle paths
The tour leads through flat land, daily distances between 30 and 55 km. Most of the bike route runs along canals and rivers on paved bike paths or roads with little traffic. In order to make the trips out of the cities more comfortable, sections are covered in the morning or in the evening by ship.

Available rental bikes
You can choose between 27-speed unisex bikes with derailleur and 9-speed electric bikes. The bikes are equipped with one-sided pannier, bike lock, water bottle and a bike helmet (reservation necessary). You simply specify your wishes at time of booking.

Own Bikes
It is not possible to bring your own bikes to this tour.

Cycling in Italy
In Italy, warning vests are mandatory outside closed areas at night and at dusk.

Extra costs which are not included in the price
1x dinner (Day 2), drinks on board, a ticket for public transport in Venice and the lagoon (ACTV 48-hour ticket approx. €35.00 per person (2026)), the ferry crossing to Pellestrina (approx. €9.00 per person (2026)) and the Venice city entry fee (approx. €5.00 - 10.00 per day per person (2026), only on selected days and from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm) are not included in the tour price.

7 day hotline service
In case of chain breakdown, flooding or other bad surprises that makes a continuation of your tour impossible: no problem, we also work during weekends and you can reach us 7 days a week in case of emergency.

Passport and visa requirements
For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Travel insurance
The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Minimum number of participants: 12 persons

Velociped can withdraw from the tour twenty-one days before the starting date of the tour, at the latest, in case the minimum number of participants stated under the tour description is not attained. You will duly be informed without any delay in case of a withdrawal. Velociped will of course refund the paid tour price immediately. Please note our General Terms and Conditions.

Your travel expert for this tour