One-week river cruises

Feels like home

Small, slow, up-close boutique cruising hotels

Come with us to explore the Venice Lagoon and hidden Veneto–Friuli Canals on intimate one-week cruises.

Ave Maria Italia and Ave Maria Portegrandi are boutique cruising hotels on the Venice Lagoon – small, elegant barges with 12 to 17 cabins, built to slip through canals and shallow waters no large vessel can reach.

Daytime cruising and enchanting night moorings

Each week follows the same gentle rhythm: daytime cruising through the lagoon and countryside, and enchanting night moorings in the historic heart of towns like Ferrara, Chioggia and Mantua.

Guided by the locals, you will visit places that most tourists never get to see, like the artichoke fields of Sant’Erasmo, the Roman quays of Adria, the reed-hut fishing village of Marano Lagunare; and enjoy authentic cultural experiences.

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Food

Onboard kitchen

While you are out and about, our chefs are carefully curating your next meal with fresh and local ingredients. We’ve got traditional Italian recipes to thank for this culinary experience. Can’t get enough? We’ve collected some of our travelers’ favorite dishes and turned them into a cookbook by popular demand! Browse through a preview of our cookbook here.

Itinerary

Inland towns, Po Delta and Venice Lagoon

Sail along inland waterways, canals and rivers between Mantua, Venice, Grado, and the natural wonders of the Po Delta. Thanks to their petite size, our barges can easily navigate between various moorings, on narrow waterways, calm waters and shallow depths that would otherwise be inaccessible to larger cruise ships. On top of that, our boats dock close to the towns and destinations you’ll be visiting thanks to their small size.

Venice Lagoon & hidden Veneto–Friuli Canals

A one-week-long route follows the Litoranea Veneta — a 130km waterway built by the Venetians in the 1400s — from Venice into the hidden lagoons of Veneto and Friuli. By day, guests cycle beside the barge through Sant’Erasmo’s market gardens, Burano’s lace-making streets, Murano’s glassworks, and the Roman ruins of Aquileia; by night, the barge moors in Caorle’s fishing harbour, the reed-hut village of Marano Lagunare, and finally Grado, gateway to Trieste.

Events

Venues and festivities

Experience unmissable events in Venice from up close, ranging from the world-famous carnival in February to the lesser known ‘Festa del Redentore’ in July.

Business and private events

Whether you’re traveling for a team building, a meeting, a convention, or a corporate incentive activity, our barges are the perfect accommodation for pre-established groups. You can count on the same organizational ease when traveling for personal reasons such as a family reunion, a wedding, or an anniversary.

CREW

Local staff

The captain, chefs, and stewards will be awaiting you on board. Think of them as a well-oiled machine that feels like family. Our crew of local and well-trained travel professionals are the first ones up and the last ones to go to bed, always making sure your daily activities run smoothly. They’ll be happy to share a relaxing moment with you as well. Above all, they love to spoil their guests on board.

Alberto Reghellin

Chef

Through philosophy, theatre and fishing boats I learnt how to restore my body and mind.

 

Riccardo Tamani

Captain

Ship captain, motorist, and diver. I love a good glass of Mantova doc, paired with the delicious salami I make with my father.

 

Sara Visentin

Chef

I love cooking, but more so eating dessert. My specialty is pannacotta with lemon and basil.

 

Silvia Campesato

Chef

Francesco Barletta

Tour leader, Logistic

Cycling, walking or sailing, that is the question!

 

Video

Take a look at what you can expect in a week aboard one of our small river cruises in Venice and the surrounding area.

One-week river cruise

00:15 sec.

OUR BARGES

Our barges boast innovative solutions in their construction, with carefully chosen materials and shapes to create an inviting, relaxing environment. We’ve also equipped them with sophisticated, modern amenities. Needless to say, our ships adhere to strict safety and eco-friendly regulations.

Ave Maria Italia

• comfort Gold
• en-suite bathroom and shower
• air conditioning in the whole barge
• WiFi available in common areas
• 17 cabins 
• 31 guests in low beds plus additional guests in bunk beds (on request)

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Ave Maria Portegrandi

• comfort Gold
• en-suite bathroom and shower
• air conditioning in the whole barge
• WiFi available in common areas
• 12 cabins
• 24 guests in low beds

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