BIKE PATHS, ROUTES, TRAVEL TIPS Bike and Barge in Italy and France
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Girolibero original Bike and barge tours
100% created, organised and managed by our team.
These are the most loved itineraries: from Mantua to Venice (and vice versa) on our cozy barges Ave Maria and Vita Pugna, and Provence and Camargue from Aigues-Mortes to Avignon (and vice versa) aboard the barges Caprice and L’Estello.
Bike and barge: how it works
Holidays along rivers, canals and coastal routes, with cycling by day and overnight stays in a floating hotel that follows cyclists stage by stage. The cabin will be yours for the whole week, and breakfasts and dinners are served on board, where you’ll be welcomed by the captain and crew. You can also enjoy leisure time on the boat in the salon or on the sun deck, and if one day you don’t feel like cycling, you can relax on the boat all day.
2025 ready to book
The 2025 departures for our bike and barge tours in Italy and France are now online: check them out, calculate your quote online and start planning your holiday for next year. See tour details here Italy, The waterways of Venice, and France, Provence and Camargue
Bike and barge in Italy (1 tour)
The only itinerary in Italy that combines easy cycling with overnight stays aboard a riverboat.
Our Ave Maria and Vita Pugna boats navigate along the waterways of the north: from the Mantova Lakes and Mincio River they glide slowly on the waterway to the Venetian Lagoon.
From April to October, these boats offer an itinerary with bike stages from Mantua to Venice (and vice versa). In the winter months they are available to private groups for tailor-made programs.
Bike and barge in France (1 tour)
Nearly 8,000 km of waterways link villages, castles and beautiful towns in a landscape that invites slow travel by boat, but also by bike, thanks to the many bike paths that flank rivers and canals.
The perfect way to combine the two experiences is a bike and barge trip: you sleep in the cabin of a riverboat at night, and in the morning you disembark with your bike for a day on the pedals. On board, you’ll meet the captain, crew and other passengers, fellow travelers with whom to share the journey.
Flat-bottomed boats, in many cases started as river transport barges, later converted into cozy vessels with cabins and common areas. On the outside deck space to park bikes and enjoy sailing; inside, cabins, dining room, crew quarters. Different size and comfort depending on the boat.
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
- 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)
An elegant river boat with a modern design, it sails between Mantua and Venice, following the Mincio River, the Po River and its canals to the Venetian Lagoon. It is an “environmentally sustainable” boat due to energy conservation on board, purification of dark water, and navigation that does not damage the shores. View more details
Bike and barge tours
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Cabins
- 4 upper deck dbl/twin cabins 11 sq.m (D)
- 10 lower deck dbl/twin cabins 11 sq.m (B,C)
- 3 lower deck single cabins 7.5 sq.m (A)
- the two single beds can become a double bed and most of the double beds can be separated into two single beds
- possible additional bunk beds in some cabins
Features
- Comfortable low beds (2.00 m x 0.80 m)
- En-suite facilities
- Large windows
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Safe deposit box
- Under the beds there is an empty space for luggage storage: H36cm x W112cm x D80cm
Common areas
- Cozy and bright restaurant hall with large panoramic windows
- Lounge area for relaxation with a wide selection of board games, books and travel guides, a 55” multimedia screen, and free WiFi
- Sundeck to enjoy sailing and outdoor dining
Vita Pugna
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- sundeck
- WiFi available in common areas
- 10 cabins
- 21 guests in low beds
Vita Pugna
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- sundeck
- WiFi available in common areas
- 10 cabins
- 21 guests in low beds
After many years as cargo boat Vita Pugna has been totally renewed in the beginning of the 1990s in order to start her new life as floating hotel along the Dutch canals. After a famous long journey from Holland to Italy, this charming Dutch lady has been sailing with great success between Venice and Mantova since 2008. Why get on board? For the cozy atmosphere, small size and charm of sleeping on a historic Dutch barge. View more details
Bike and barge tours
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Cabins
Cozy and typical wooden furniture design.
10 cabins
- 9 lower deck twin cabins 7-8 sq.m (B)
- 1 lower deck twin/triple cabin 7-8 sq.m (C)
- one cabin can accommodate 3 people (3 low beds)
Features
- Comfortable low beds (1.90/2.00 m x 0.75/0.80 m)
- En-suite facilities
- Opening portholes
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Safe deposit box
- Under at least one of the two beds there is an empty space for luggage storage: H40cm x W150cm x D75cm
Common areas
- Spacious air-conditioned restaurant and lounge bar area with free WiFi
- Sundeck to enjoy sailing
Caprice
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi available in common areas
- 11 cabins
- 21 guests
Caprice
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi available in common areas
- 11 cabins
- 21 guests
Small, cozy river boat, sails through the heart of Provence and Camargue. Custom-designed furnishings, excellent on-board cuisine, and well-kept cabins and common areas make guests feel at home. View more details
Bike and barge tours
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Cabins
- 8 lower deck twin cabins 7-8 sq.m (B)
- 2 lower deck double cabins 7-8 sq.m (C)
- 1 lower deck single cabin 7-8 sq.m (A)
Features
- Comfortable low beds (single: 1.90 m x 0.80 m | double: 1.90 m x 1.40 m)
- En-suite facilities
- Fixed portholes (forced ventilation)
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Safe deposit box
- Ample closet space in the cabin for storing luggage
Common areas
- cozy and bright restaurant hall with large panoramic windows
- sundeck with tables and chairs to enjoy sailing
L'Estello
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi available in common areas
- 10 cabins
- 20 guests
L'Estello
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi available in common areas
- 10 cabins
- 20 guests
L’Estello sails between Avignon and Aigues Mortes, with the Provençal landscape and the protected wilderness of the Camargue providing the backdrop.
This river boat is the ideal accommodation to spend a pleasant bike and boat vacation in nature and relaxation.
Bike and barge tours
See all tours
Cabins
- 9 lower deck twin cabins 7-8 sq.m (B)
- 1 lower deck double cabin 7-8 sq.m (C)
Features
- Comfortable low beds (single: 1.90 m x 0.80 m | double: 1.90 m x 1.40 m)
- En-suite facilities
- Fixed portholes (forced ventilation)
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Safe deposit box
- Ample closet space in the cabin for storing luggage
Common areas
- cozy and bright restaurant hall with large panoramic windows
- sundeck with tables and chairs to enjoy sailing
Assembled and serviced by our mechanics, Girolibero bikes are reliable and easy to ride. You can choose between touring bikes or e-bikes, just perfect if you don’t feel trained enough to spend multiple days on the saddle. Find out more about Girolibero bikes.
The renting of Girolibero bikes includes insurance against theft and irreparable damage.
Bosch unisex e-bike
- 28” wheel
- 9 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Bosch unisex e-bike
- 28” wheel
- 9 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Our e-bike is the right choice if you do not feel trained enough to spend more days on a saddle. You can easily adjust the assistance of the electric motor: from a mild pedaling support, to a more intense boost, which is especially useful on starts and uphill climbs. The battery charge covers an entire cycling stage, or even more if you don’t use it at full power all the time, and you can recharge it at the end of the day at the hotel .
Standard components
- bike bell
- side kickstand
- cycle computer
- frame lock
- front/rear lights
- front/rear mudguards
- bottle holder
- rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb rear side pannier (12,5 l)
- handlebar bag (1 per room)
- battery charger
- battery key
- repair kit
- lock
On guided tours, the handlebar bag and repair kit are only provided to those who ride individually.
Unisex touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
- the only one suitable with children’s accessories
Unisex touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
- the only one suitable with children’s accessories
Specifically assembled by our mechanics, our touring bikes feature components and accessories that make it reliable and easy to ride, a perfect companion for your bike tour. Furthermore, thanks to the step-through frame, getting on and off your bike is easier.
Standard components
- bike bell
- side kickstand
- cycle computer
- front/rear lights
- front/rear mudguards
- bottle holder
- rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb rear side pannier (12,5 l)
- repair kit (1 per room)
- handlebar bag (1 per room)
- lock
On guided tours, the handlebar bag and repair kit are only provided to those who ride individually.
Sara Visentin
Filippo Bonafè
Riccardo Tamani
Alberto Reghellin
The tour leader, captain and crew lead the way and is ready to solve any mishaps, but you will also have our office number, which is available 7 days a week.
You will receive briefing materials with all the practical information, details on how to reach the meeting point, and answers to any questions you may have before you leave.
About Girolibero
What’s behind our cycling holidays? Attention to detail, all the expertise of cycling holiday designers and especially consolidated team work. We coordinate every step of the way directly from our headquarters in Vicenza and the seasonal sites in Europe.
Meet our team
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