The fascination of Venice
Venice is world famous for its many canals, for gondolas and bridges such as the Rialto Bridge and the Sighs Bridge, as well as for the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square. Since 1987, the lagoon city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it is by no means only the fascinating sights that make up its charm.
Away from them, a quieter but no less attractive Venice presents itself, which is sometimes almost to itself. Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque: All of them have left their mark here and have partly developed their own forms of expression
Mantua – UNESCO World Heritage in Lombardy
Many travellers visiting Mantua for the first time feel like they are on an island in some places. But the city is not completely surrounded by water. On three sides it is framed by the lakes Lago Inferiore, Lago di Mezzo, Lago Paiolo and Lago Superiore. The lakes fed by the Mincio River give the impression of being an island. Mantua is less well known than Venice or Naples, but – like Venice and Naples' Old Town – it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and no less beautiful.
Many interesting churches and palaces adorn the city centre of Mantua. These include the large Palazzo Ducale with its 450 rooms, Palazzo Te, the five-aisled Romanesque Cathedral and the Basilica of Sant’Andrea. Mantua is considered an art metropolis and was the Italian Capital of Culture in 2016.
Nice are also the smaller places
The journey by bike and boat from Venice to Mantua in Italy is also an experience between the two outstanding cities. For example, the ship sails to the island of Pellestrina, a relatively quiet island with picturesque fishermen’s houses in the Venetian lagoon. One route leads to the town of Chioggia, which, like Venice, was built on stilts and is called Little Venice, and another to Ferrara with the Gothic Cathedral of San Giorgio.
Fire, volcanoes. Wine:
Travelling fun off the coast of Sicily.
The Lipari Islands, also known as the Aeolian Islands, are a group of islands off the coast of Sicily that have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Seven of these islands, which are the result of volcanic activity, are inhabited. There are also a number of others on which no people live. Romans and Greeks once colonised the larger places. Their traces can still be found today.
Our journey by bike and boat to Sicily begins in Catania, the second largest city in Sicily. As a baroque city, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cathedral of Sant'Agata and the Palazzo Bascari are well worth a visit. The journey to the Aeolian Islands then begins via the ferry harbour in Milazzo.
Stromboli and Vulcano
To this day, volcanism plays a not insignificant role in the archipelago. This includes the active volcano Stromboli. You will get to know this volcano on the cycle and boat tour. With a bit of luck, you will experience the so-called fire slide (Sciara del Fuoco). Lava regularly flows from Stromboli into the sea: an impressive spectacle. In addition to Stromboli, Vulcano is an Aeolian island with active volcanic activity. Sulphur springs and natural mud baths await you here. It's a bit like returning to the origin of the world.
Look forward to beautiful ships as your accommodation
On the cycle and boat tours through Italy presented here, you will spend the night on cosy ships whose friendly crew will give you a warm welcome on board. The ships include the MS Caprice and MS L'Estello.
The MS Ave Maria is on the route from Venice to Mantua. The ship Vita Pugna also travels this route with you and is designed for a maximum of 20 guests. This creates a particularly cosy atmosphere.
The crew offers its guests many excellent dishes: Pasta, meat and seafood, prepared with fragrant Mediterranean herbs. This is also part of a wonderful holiday in Italy. Savour it.
