Connoisseur opera cruise along the Venetian Lagoon and the Po Valley LA BELLA VITA

2024 Programme for Opera Experience and Barging Cruise between Venice and Mantua including Oper in ARENA DI VERONA

7 days / 6 nights

07 July to 13 July, 2024 AIDA

LA BELLA VITA is a stylish 20 passenger vessel with a typically modern Italian interior. There is an inviting bar area in which to enjoy a glass of Prosecco and a spacious dining room with louvre doors that open to give a perfect view as you are served delicious Italian specialities and wines. All rooms are air-conditioned and with en suite facilities, while above there is a huge sun deck with a large canopy and comfortable loungers to relax on and watch the world drift by.

Itinerary * (2023):

Day 1 - Sunday
Arrival to Venice, Verona - Welcome on la Bella Vita

Guests are met at the designated meeting point in Venice and transferred to La Bella Vita for a Prosecco Welcome. Our late afternoon cruise takes us along the Giudecca Canal past some of Venice’s most famous monuments: the Chiesa del Redentore, the impressive Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and the Punta della Dogana to our mooring outside the Naval Museum. We then take a spectacular tour of the famous Doge’s Palace before a delightful first dinner courtesy of Chef Andrea. Perhaps an evening stroll in St Mark’s square before your first night on board.

Day 2 - Monday
Venice to San Pietro in Volta

After breakfast we visit the magnificent Teatro La Fenice, where the premières of operas by composers such as Rossini and Verdi were performed, it was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1996, but after a complete refurbishment of its spectacular interior, the opera house re-opened in 2004. After lunch on board we cruise to Pellestrina where we have the chance to take a sunset stroll or cycle along the 18th century Istrian sea wall. Dinner on board.

Day 3 - Tuesday
San Pietro in Volta to Taglio di Po

This morning we cruise to Chioggia, where we visit the picturesque town centre and colourful fish market, as well as taking a stroll through the beautiful Piazzetta Vigo and admiring the beautiful cathedral. Lunch on board is followed by a gorgeous afternoon cruise through a nature reserve where guests may spot the likes of flamingos, heron, snipe and other wildfowl. Our dinner this evening is hosted by a Countess at the beautiful 17th century Villa Ca’Zen, a private stately home where Lord Byron courted the Countess Giuccioli and wrote some of his best poetry.

Day 4 - Wednesday
Taglio di Po to Zelo
This morning we drive to the Bagnoli Estate where we tour the Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of the 17th century Villa Widmann Borletti, for a private tasting of their renowned estate grown vintages. This winery has been supplying Venetian society for centuries. After the tasting we return to the barge and cruise downstream, entering the Po River and mooring at Levante. Dinner on board

Day 5 - Thursday
Zelo to Governolo

Our morning cruise to Zelo takes us past some delightful villages, farmsteads and quintessential Italian countryside. After lunch on board we take a guided tour of the Renaissance city of Ferrara, including the 14thC Estense Castle with its moat, drawbridges & marble balconies and the Palazzo Municipale where we can see the very pretty Camerino delle Duchesse. Yet another highlight is our visit to Teatro Comunale, a distinct opera house, opened in 1798 that is now a cultural hub for the present-day Ferrara.
Then we head to Verona for a delicious al fresco dinner at a local restaurant, followed by an amazing Opera performance at the Roman amphitheatre Verona - best seats in the house.

Day 6 - Friday
Governolo to Mantua

Our final cruise has a dramatic approach to Mantua, a Renaissance city with a captivating lakeside setting and home to Verdi’s opera Rigoletto. Mantua displays extraordinary neo-classical and baroque architecture, portrayed in the 14th century Ducal Palace housing some 15 gardens and courtyards, a museum, basilica, intricate frescoes, the Gallery of Mirrors and the exquisite Rivers Room. We explore the city further, finding “Rigoletto’s House” near the cathedral, then finally, we visit the intimate Teatro Bibiena, a delightful baroque theatre with a bell-shaped interior that opened with a concert by a 13-year-old Mozart in 1770. A wonderful finale to our Italian opera adventure. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Day 7 - Saturday
Mantua, Venice
After breakfast, disembark La Bella Vita and transfer to your drop-off point in Mestre or Venice.

* This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change/ on alternate weeks the cruise is in reverse direction.

Rates per week 2023:
from 4,790 EUR per person in state room + theme cruise supplement for opera package 575 EUR per person
from 67,000 EUR for the full charter of the barge (+ opera supplement of 575 EUR per person)

• Please contact us at +49 (0)89 / 833084 for Opera Charter Cruise (whole barge) pricing for a private group for La Bella Vita.


Prices include:

• Opera tickets for best seats
• Local transfers to and from the hotel barge
• A luxury 6 night cruise
• All gourmet meals on board catered by the on board Master Chef
• All wines/beverages served throughout the cruise
• An open bar 24/7 with a large range of drinks
• Inspiring excursions and entrance fees as per the itinerary
• The attentive services of crew members

We will be pleased to provide more details through your TRAVEL INQUIRY.      
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