Upon arrival in Mantova you can either take the short 10-minute walk to Porto Catena where your boat is waiting for you or jump in a taxi. Your cabins will be available from 5.00pm and the tour leader will host a welcome meeting at 6.30pm. After dinner we suggest a stroll through the atmospheric old town, stopping perhaps to enjoy a refreshment at one of the street cafes and drinking in the beautiful Renaissance architecture.

Today is an easy cycling day as you get to know your bikes on a relaxing ride around Mantova, its lakes, and the surrounding countryside. A local guide will lead you through the old town pointing out the main highlights. You will get used to hearing the name ‘Gonzaga’ as this family ruled Mantova for nearly four centuries and are responsible for some of its most stunning examples of renaissance architecture. The bustling centre of this ancient city is a wonderful place to lose yourself, wandering the many lanes and alleyways. The galley is closed this evening but the staff will be happy to recommend restaurants in town.

Today we cruise across the lakes of Mantova and through the lush wetlands to the medieval town of Governolo where the Mincio river flows into the mighty Po River. The route leads us along a quiet lane that flirts with the Po River, passing through small villages and towns such as Libiola, Ostiglia and Bergantino. This is Grana Padano country - the arch rival of Parmesan - and a fascinating visit to a local cheese factory will give you the opportunity to taste this delicious cheese. At the end of a very relaxing day’s ride we arrive in the small town of Zelo on the ‘Canal Bianco’. Weather permitting, this is the perfect spot to enjoy an al-fresco meal on deck in beautifully serene surroundings before turning in for the night.

Today we cycle through open countryside past small villages, farms and country estates to the medieval city of Ferrara. Cobbled streets and numerous beautiful palaces and castles dating from the 14th and 15th centuries have earned the city its ranking as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The jewel in Ferrara’s crown has to be the fascinating Castello Estense, a medieval castle complete with moat and drawbridge that is well worth a visit.

From Ferrara we board a bus for a 60 kms journey to the ancient port of Adria, so named because it was once a port town with direct access to the Adriatic Sea. The Venetian style is very much in evidence here, a sign that Venice herself is not far away. After dinner an evening stroll for a grappa or gelato has become something of a tradition.

This morning the boat cruises to Porto Viro where we disembark for a very unique experience, cycling through the wild landscape of the Po River delta to the mouth of the River Adige bringing melt water from high in the Dolomites. In this protected area you can expect to see a wide variety of wild fowl including herons and flamingos. At the River Adige we re-board our boat for a relaxing cruise along the Po-Brondolo waterway, which links the river to the Venetian lagoon. We are overnighting on the Island Pellestrina. It is just in front of Chioggia, also known as “little Venice”.

A short and highly enjoyable ride leads us towards our final destination – Venice. The route follows the thin strips of land separating Venice Lagoon from the Adriatic. Pellestrina is mostly inhabited by fishermen but it also accommodates a wide variety of bird species. We then hop across to Venice Lido for a very enjoyable ride along the island which was made famous in Thomas Mann’s book ‘Death in Venice’. We then re-board our boat for a triumphant entrance to Venice herself. Have your camera primed and ready as arriving in Venice from the seaward side offers fabulous views of St Mark’s square and the Venetian skyline.

Spend the day getting to know Europe’s most unique city. A local guide will show you the main sites such as St Mark’s Square the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs, Afterwards the rest of the day is yours to wonder where you will in this truly unique and iconic city. Our top tip is to also explore after dark when the day tourists have left and a more serene and romantic atmosphere pervades the city.

After breakfast it’s time to disembark, by 9am, and head for home or your next adventure.