Ave Maria Portegrandi
The barge
About the barge
“Ave Maria Portegrandi” is an elegant, latest-generation electric river barge, built in Italy and designed to navigate the little-used waterways between Mantua, Venice, and Grado. It combines technological innovation with environmental awareness: its 36 kWp photovoltaic panels and 340 kWh batteries make the use of a diesel generator almost unnecessary, promoting silent, low-emission navigation.
- where: North-East Italy
- barge size: 36 m long and 6,30 m wide
- cabins: 12
- capacity: 24 guests in low beds plus additional guests in bunk beds
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi available in common areas
- panoramic saloon
- comfort Gold
Navigation guaranteed
“Ave Maria Portegrandi” has been specifically designed to sail along uncrowded waterways parallel to the Po river, not on the Po itself.
Dry spells happen more and more often in large rivers (Po, Rhine, Danube…). However, since 2011 we have never had a day’s stop due to drought: the “Fissero-Tartaro-Canalbianco” canal that runs parallel to the Po River is regulated by a system of 6+3 locks, which guarantees a constant level of water, thus enabling navigation all year round, all the time.
Cabins
Layout
The cabins are luminous, spacious, and functional, thanks to the carefully designed furnishings.
- 12 dbl/twin cabins 11 sq.m (B, C)
- the cabins can be arranged with either a double bed or two separate beds
- possible additional bunk beds in 4 cabins
Features
- Comfortable low beds (2.00 m x 0.80 m)
- Bathroom with shower, heated towel rail, and two sinks (one in the bathroom and one in the cabin)
- Large windows
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Safe deposit box
- Ample space under the beds for the luggage: H36cm x W112cm x D80cm
- Sheets and towels
- Hair dryer
- Courtesy kit with solid soap and shampoo, and shower cap
- Mid-week cabin cleaning service and towel change
- Schuko bipolar sockets (220V – 50Hz)
Common areas
Panoramic saloon
Breakfast and dinner are served in the cozy dining area with large panoramic windows offering a 270° view.
Next to the dining area is a relaxation area with a coffee, cappuccino, and hot chocolate machine available any time of the day, a wide selection of board games, books, and travel guides, an 80″ multimedia screen, and free WiFi.
The panoramic saloon is air-conditioned.
Sundeck
The sundeck with tables, chairs and deckchairs is the perfect spot to enjoy sailing, outdoor dining and chat with your new travel companions.
Bike storage
Bikes are stowed away on a compact, vertical rack with a secure locking mechanism and are available to passengers at all times. E-bikes can be recharged here.
Food and beverages
Onboard kitchen
Fresh and local ingredients and traditional recipes are prepared by the chefs with care and passion. Some of their dishes have made it into a cookbook by popular demand. Browse through a preview of the Ave Maria cookbook.
A wide selection of Italian wines is available to accompany the dish of the day.
And as well as the wine, the coffee is also carefully selected: a professional machine, available at all hours, serves guests a blend of artisanal coffee. Produced according to the ancient Neapolitan tradition, the blend is packaged by Cooperativa Lazzarelle, a women-only cooperative established in 2010 inside the largest women’s prison in Pozzuoli (Naples).
Breakfast
rich buffet
sweet and salty
coffee and hot drinks
juices
fresh fruit
Lunch
packed lunch prepared by you during breakfast with fresh ingredients
Afternoon snack
a yummy snack, like a slice of cake or fruit
coffee, cappuccino, chocolate or tea
Dinner
3 course
typical dishes of the traditional Italian cuisine
fresh ingredients
selection of Italian wines
If you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-intolerant or allergic to some specific ingredients/substances please indicate it at the moment of booking.
Non-contamination during the preparation of meals cannot be guaranteed.
Amenities
Included in the price
WiFi in common areas (the signal speed varies depending on 4G/5G coverage. We suggest buying one of these popular international weekly e-sim: Airalo, Holafly, Maya Mobile…)
Air conditioning in the whole barge
Welcome drink
Free coffee and hot drinks h24
Water on board is drinkable and filtered, and there is a still and sparkling water dispenser (room temperature or cold water) to fill the water bottles
Ice dispenser
Board games
Books and travel guides
An 80” multimedia screen
On request for groups or charters
Private transfers (by bus or water taxi)
Cooking classes
Wine tastings
Open bar
Events on board
Not included in the price
Drinks, such as wine, beer, and soft drinks are available for purchase on board (cash and credit card payments are accepted)
There is no laundry service on board, however in Mantua and Venice laundries are available at a short distance
Tours
Bike and barge
From March through October you can hop aboard for weeks by Bike and Boat from Mantua to Venice (or vice versa). Departures every Saturday with a tour leader and international group or with the option to cycle independently following our App that contains maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks. The itinerary combines easy cycling with overnight stays on the barge.
Tailor-made programs
Reserve this barge exclusively for your group and plan a special vacation for your club, association or family members. You can select a date from the tour calendar or request a personalized departure for greater flexibility. Please be aware that chartering a ship is contingent on availability, and we highly recommend booking in advance.
Discover more
In the daytime by bike...
in the evening on the boat! Holidays along rivers, canals and coastal routes, with cycling by day and overnight stays in a floating hotel that follows cyclists stage by stage
Bike and barge tours, how it works
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