ITALY - FIRST TIME

Video of Ave Maria Barge on PO RIVER Italy

BIKE AND BARGE ITALY!

Never before has there been an Italy bike tour like this! You can relax on board the boat every evening instead of shuffling from hotel to hotel, and enjoy leisure sails while cycling through gorgeous Italian countrysides and villages during the day. Since 2009 this Mantova to Venice bike and boat tour has been one of our most popular tours. 

The tour starts in Mantova (Mantua) – beautifully surrounded by lakes. Its centro historico is not to be missed – dozens of fascinating piazzas, churches, monuments and courtyards! You will visit Castelguglielmo and via small villages and hamlets, you’ll make your way to Ferrara, known as the City of the Renaissance and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Other highlights include Adria, once an Etruscan city, and Porto Levante, a great port town with incredible seafood and fantastic views. You will enjoy the great wildlife of the Po Delta National Park and the coastal town of Chioggia, Venice in miniature with great medieval architecture and a famous fish market. Your cycling adventure ends in the great city-on-water, Venice. This city is a delight of lavish pallazi, elaborate bridges, quaint piazzas and magnificent churches all crammed into a maze of narrow streets and canals.  

*This tour is also available from Venice to Mantova.

Don't forget to check out our other Venice tours, Dolomites to Venice, Venetian Highlights, Venice to Poreč, and Bolzano - Mantova - Venice!

tour dates

2014

Departures from Mantova
Ave Maria: August 16, August 30, September 13, September 27, and October 11
Vita Pugna: August 9, August 23, September 6, September 20, October 4, and October 18

Departures from Venice
Ave Maria: August 9, August 23, September 6, September 20, October 4, October 18,and October 25 (only available as a charter)
Vita Pugna: August 16, August 30, September 13, September 27, and October 11,October 25 (only available as a charter)

2015

Departures from Mantova
Ave Maria: April 4, April 18, May 2, May 16, May 30, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, August 22, September 5, September 19, October 3, and October 17, 2015
Vita Pugna: April 11, April 25, May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20, July 4, July 18, August 1, August 15, August 29, September 12, September 26, and October 10, 2015

Departures from Venice
Ave Maria: April 11, April 25, May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20, July 4, July 18, August 1, August 15, August 29, September 12, September 26, and October 10, 2015
Vita Pugna: April 18, May 2, May 16, May 30, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, August 22, September 5, September 19, October 3, and October 17, 2015

skill level

Easy, guided bike tour in Italy with daily distances from 17 to 34 miles. The tour is entirely on level ground. Much of the pedaling is along rivers and canals on tarmac bicycle paths or roads with a low volume of car traffic. It is anticipated that the boat will sail some of the way during breakfast or evening meal to make getting out of the towns easier or to shorten the stages. During the weeks in which departures are from Venice to Mantova, the daily program needs to be read in reverse order.

where you’ll stay

On board the VITA PUGNA, a Comfort class ship or the brand new AVE MARIA, a Comfort Plus ship.

what’s included

• 7 nights accommodations on board
• Breakfasts, self-made packed lunches, and dinners
• Aboard the Ave Maria, 3 course dinners
• Detailed route descriptions & maps
• Bus transfer: Ferrara-Zelo/Ferrara-Adria
• Mid-week service of cabin cleaning and towel changes
• Guided visits in Venice and Mantova
• Visit of cheese factory + tasting of typical Grana Padano
• Visit of Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum
• Information pack
• Tour guide (One guide per departure)
• 27-speed hybrid bicycle
• Harbor charges

what’s not included

• Beverages
• Museum entrance fees
• Ferry Ticket transportation in Pellestrina (approx. €9)
• Bicycle protection
• Trip insurance

Book This Trip

tour	Bike + Boat
type	Guided
skill	Easy
length	8 days
from	€890 Rates
	Print Tour

tour boats

• Ave Maria
• Vita Pugna

day-to-day itinerary

DAY 1: Individual arrival in Mantova
DAY 2: Mantova,  25 mi. (40 km).
DAY 3: Mantova - Governolo - Zelo, 32 mi. (50 km)
DAY 4: Zelo - Ferrara - Adria, 31 mi. by bike + 38 mi. by bus (50 + 60 km).
DAY 5: Adria - Porto Viro - Chioggia,  25 mi. (40 km).
DAY 6: Chioggia - Venice, 19 mi. (30 km).
DAY 7: Venice, free day
DAY 8: Venice, departure following breakfast.

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

DAY 1: Arrival in Mantova.
Your cabins will be available from 4:30 p.m. The boat is moored at Porto Catena, just a short walk from the city-center. The meeting with the tour guide and the crew is scheduled at dinner-time, approximately 7 p.m.
Mantova is one of the most beautiful towns in Northern Italy as many worldwide know artists have left their masterpieces for us to enjoy, thanks to the famous Gonzaga family!

DAY 2: Mantova -round trip tour-25 mi. (40 km)
This entire day is dedicated to the discovery of this wonderful city and its surroundings, dominated by the wealth and influences left by the Gonzaga family, who owned the city for over 400 years.  Mantova was considered one of the most important cultural cities in the Renaissance and it still maintains a lot of the landscapes and the building that made it famous during that period. 

 DAY 3: Mantova - Governolo - Zelo, 32 mi. (50 km)
The boat will take you to Governolo from where you will start the daily ride into the maze of the Po Delta, an uncontaminated paradise between marshes and lagoons of the Po, pedaling in the heart of nature. The destination is the village of Ostiglia and the ruins of the medieval fortress.  Subsequently, you will visit the Carousel and Folk Show Museum in Bergantino and enjoy a tasting session at a cheese factory. Final destination is Zelo, a village on Canal Bianco.

DAY 4: Zelo - Ferrara - Adria, 31 mi. by bike + 38 mi. by bus (50 + 60 km) 
Following breakfast you will start cycling towards Ferrara. Once you have reached the town, which earned the name of "city of bicycles", you will be enchanted by the historical centre, still surrounded by the old city walls. You will enjoy a guided town tour. From Ferrara, a short bus transfer will bring you to Adria, an ancient Greek port, famous for trading amber coming from the Baltic.

DAY 5: Adria - Porto Viro - Chioggia,  25 mi. (40 km)
Upon arrival by boat to PortoViro, the cycle route begins.  You will be suspended between water and land, pedaling between the Po Delta and the mouth of the Adige River. Following the Po-Brondolo waterway, which links the river to the Venetia lagoon, the route ends in Chioggia, famous as "the little Venice". A visit to the fish market at dawn is an absolute must.

DAY 6: Chioggia - Venice, 19 mi. (30 km).
Today the ship will bring you to the Oasis of Ca’ Roman, a sandy islet surrounded by pine-woods. Pedaling along the lagoon, you will reach Pellestrina and from here, ride on the new bicycle path as far as the ferry landing stage. A short boat ride takes you back up the Lido Island, along the ‘Murazzi’, with a stop in Malamocco, the ancient harbor. Overnight is at the Island of Giudecca, not far from St. Mark's square, with an amazing view of the lagoon.

DAY 7: Venice, free day.
Free day in Venice at your disposal. After a wonderful awakening with a view of the lagoon, you have the whole day to your liking, to discover the magnificent historical center of the capital of the 'Republica Serenissima', or its wonderful islands. You will want to obtain an ACTV ticket to take advantage of exploring this intriguing city.

DAY 8: Venice
After breakfast and the customary goodbyes, free time for individual visits of Venice before returning home.

VENICE TO MANTOVA:

1. Venice
2. Venice, free day.
3. Venice - Chioggia, 19 mi. (30 km)
4. Chioggia - Porto Viro - Adria, 25 mi. (40 km)
5. Adria - Ferrara - Zelo, 22 mi. by bike + 22 mi. by bus (35 km + 35 km)
6. Zelo - Mantova, 31 mi. (50 km)
7. Mantova, round trip tour, 25 mi. (40 km)
8. Mantova, departure

Hiking Wildcat

Thank You Washington & Old Dominion

The Washington & Old Dominion was a train that ran in Northern Virginia  - from DC to the Blue Ridge Mountains - from 1858 to 1968. The tracks are now a paved trail, well maintained with a center line, mileage markers, and wonderful signage. I have been biking it from Shenstone Circle to Purcellville and back with Anne Horgan. She is in Bermuda for a week so I decided to ride alone from Leesburg towards Dulles.

http://www.wodfriends.org/maps/MainMap.html

On the trail I phoned Jim who was driving home from Arlington. I asked him to pick me up on the trail on his way home. That way I could spend most of my time riding towards Washington and exploring new territory. He agreed and I biked to the Hyatt Hotel at Reston Town Center, less than 20 miles. Perfect day for a ride with clear skies, low humidity, and below 80 degrees!

The bike trail goes through the old towns of Ashburn and Reston where the train stopped so you feel like you can visualize Northern Virginia before the sprawl. My bike is fabulous and the ride was so
pleasurable.  The best part was meeting Marie, a biker my age originally from Brooklyn.

For some reason she thought I was an experienced and fast biker, which I am not.

On the trail I thought of my last bike ride along the Turnagain Arm Trail. (one of four rides in year!) In this photo of Hope on Hope Point she is looking towards the trail along the far side of the Arm. The scenery is breathtaking and very different than the W & OD!

Nulls Revisit . . . .

 

My great grandmother's name is recorded in the family Bible.

She married Frank Null after his first wife died.  His descendants have been reuniting almost every year since 1948.

Our 3rd Reunion this summer (4th if I want to call Melissa and Bryan's wedding a reunion). The nice part about living on Rt. 15 in Virginia is that we can drive north or south to family . . And what a beautiful drive it is. This weekend we traveled to one of my favorite places - Lititz. Linda (cousin) and Steve Gentino moved there from College Park, MD in 1997 and we have planned to retire to Lititz ever since.  . . . Until Jim got a call to Church of Our Saviour at Oatlands and Linda and Steve are called to Columbia, SC to help David  (son) and Julia in their ministry with Columbia Presbyterian Church. So I guess you could say God had other plans.

Linda introduced us in 1974 and lived with us when we first got married.

General Sutter's home in Lititz

  Website for Lititz

Lititz Moravian Church

 I still love Lititz, but less, now that Linda and Steve are not there.

Linda with her new favorite color

New Permaculture Garden

2014 Null Reunion at Freedom Memorial Park, Millersville

My slip of paper is chosen to win the Geraniums

Grave marker of Frank Null with first wife Maud 

Clymers Revisit 1914

My great great grandfather's youngest brother 

hosted the 1914 Clymer Reunion. 

Abe Clymer was a widower with one daughter,  

19 year old Minerva.

According to the minutes 73 people gathered in the parlors for an enjoyable program,  including the recitation of "Betty and The Bear" by 12 year old Harold Worth.

BETTY AND THE BEAR

In a pioneer's cabin out West, so they say, 

Some untimely intruder gain'd access, one day, 

And made such a racket, he 'woke from his sleep 

The lord of the mansion, who ventured to peep, 

Thro' a crack, in the kitchen, to see what was there, 

When he found, to his grief, 't was a grizzly bear! 

"My gracious !" he yell'd to his slumb'ring frow, 

"Tlaar's a bar in the kitching as big as a caow!" 

"A what?" "Why, a bar!" "Well, murder 'm 

  — quick!" 

"Yes, Betty, I will, ef you'll git me a stick." 

So Betty popt out and the poker she seized, 

While her man shut the door, and against it he 

    squeez'd! 

As Betty belabor'd the beast with her blows, — 

Now on his forehead and now on his nose, — 

Her man thro' the keyhole kept shouting within, 

"Well done, my brave Betty! now hit 'm agin! 

A jab in the stummick! —a dab on the snout! — 

Now poke with the poker and poke his eyes out! 

Don't be a bit scart of'm, Betty, my dear; 

Don't be a bit scart—fur, ye know, I am here!" 

  So with poking and jabbing, poor Betty alone 

At last laid Sir Bruin as dead as a stone. 

Then when the old man saw the bear was no more, 

He ventured to poke his own nose out the door, 

And there was the grizzly stretch'd on the floor. 

'T was only a cub; but no matter for that: 

He pull'd on his boots and he clapt on his hat, 

And off to the neighbors he hasten'd, to tell 

All the wonderful things that that morning befell; 

And he publish'd the marvellous story afar, — 

How "ME an' my betty jes' slaughter'd a bar! 

Oh yes! Come an' see ! all the neighbors hev sid it; 

Jes' see what We did, ME an' betty —We did it!" 

But, alas, all the neighbors were perfectly knowing 

That she did the business and he did the blowing. In a pioneer's cabin out West, so they say, 

Some untimely intruder gain'd access, one day, 

And made such a racket, he 'woke from his sleep 

The lord of the mansion, who ventured to peep, 

Thro' a crack, in the kitchen, to see what was there, 

When he found, to his grief, 't was a grizzly bear! 

"My gracious !" he yell'd to his slumb'ring frow, 

"Tlaar's a bar in the kitching as big as a caow!" 

"A what?" "Why, a bar!" "Well, murder 'm 

  — quick!" 

"Yes, Betty, I will, ef you'll git me a stick." 

So Betty popt out and the poker she seized, 

While her man shut the door, and against it he 

    squeez'd! 

As Betty belabor'd the beast with her blows, — 

Now on his forehead and now on his nose, — 

Her man thro' the keyhole kept shouting within, 

"Well done, my brave Betty! now hit 'm agin! 

A jab in the stummick! —a dab on the snout! — 

Now poke with the poker and poke his eyes out! 

Don't be a bit scart of'm, Betty, my dear; 

Don't be a bit scart—fur, ye know, I am here!" 

  So with poking and jabbing, poor Betty alone 

At last laid Sir Bruin as dead as a stone. 

Then when the old man saw the bear was no more, 

He ventured to poke his own nose out the door, 

And there was the grizzly stretch'd on the floor. 

'T was only a cub; but no matter for that: 

He pull'd on his boots and he clapt on his hat, 

And off to the neighbors he hasten'd, to tell 

All the wonderful things that that morning befell; 

And he publish'd the marvellous story afar, — 

How "ME an' my betty jes' slaughter'd a bar! 

Oh yes! Come an' see ! all the neighbors hev sid it; 

Jes' see what We did, ME an' betty —We did it!" 

But, alas, all the neighbors were perfectly knowing 

That she did the business and he did the blowing. 

For the 2014 Clymer Reunion this weekend we gathered in the same parlor

and read the 1914 minutes and recited the poem. Ken Miller now owns the 

house and was kind enough to invite us to visit.

Lunch and Noonday and Morven

Hope is an Ambassador for Noonday Jewelry.

Friends were kind enough to learn about Noonday and have lunch at the 

Cottage Rectory after a hike at Morven Park.

PJ CLICK'S CHICKEN CHUTNEY SALAD

Mix one shredded rotisserie chicken (or leftover turkey) meat with

1 cup of sliced celery

two scallions (green onions) sliced with some of the green

1 can of sliced water chestnuts

For the dressing...mix

3/4  c  mayonnaise

1/2  c  chopped mango chutney (I use more)

1/4  c  fresh lime juice (about 3 or 4 limes)

2      t  freshly zested lime peel (zest the limes before you juice them...it’s easier)

2  T  Goeking Honey

1  t  curry powder

1/2   t  salt

Serve on sliced croissants or on a bed of spinach or lettuce, 

topped with sliced avocados