Venice waterways and Lagoon

One-week river cruises

Small, slow, up close

Feels like home

Come with us to explore canals, rivers, and the Venice Lagoon on an intimate one-week cruise for 24-30 guests. Along the way, you will visit the must-see landmarks, as well as charming hidden towns and enjoy authentic cultural experiences. Guided by the locals, you will visit places that most tourists never get to see.

Charter the barge
for your group

Get a quote

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.

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

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)

Ave Maria Trieste (coming soon)

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

E-bikes on request

If you love cycling, our e-bikes are available on request. Pedal-assist bikes provide the right support for those who want a more leisurely cycling experience.

Our E-bikes

Bike and barge holidays

We organize an 8-day Bike and Barge holiday from Mantua to Venice. You’ll enjoy a week of easy and enjoyable bike rides, excellent cuisine, and relaxation aboard our comfortable barges.

Bike and barge tour