Sample Menu of La Bella Vita

Regional Specialities
Fegato alla Veneziana, Baccala Mantecato,
La Polenta, Sarde in Saor, Risotto al Prezzemolo, Lagoon Seafood
§
Wine Cellar
Barolo, Chianti, Castel del Monte,
Soave, Valpolicella, Prosecco
§
Cheese Board
Gorgonzola, Mozzarella de Bufala,
Pecorino, Taleggio, Provolone

Highlights of a
Week on LA BELLA VITA
from Venice to Mantua

• Tour of historical Venice, including hidden gardens, The Naval Museum and the Pavilion of Gondolas
• Cruise on the Canal of the Orphans past picturesque lagoon islands
• Tour of Chioggia with its Roman, Etruscan and Byzantine history. Wonder at works of art by Carpaccio, Tintoretto, Tiepolo and Bassano
• Visit Chioggia’s colourful fish market with your chef
• Dinner ashore at the 17thC stately home Villa Ca’Zen
• Private visit to the gardens and wine cellars of Villa Widmann-Borletti
• Tour of the 14thC Estense Castle in Ferrara
• Visit to the Ducal Palace and gardens in Mantua
  

Cruising on LA BELLA VITA
Venetian Lagoons, Canal and Po River Valley
Venice to Mantua

Sunday - Venice
Guests are met at the Hotel Laguna Palace near Venice on Sunday afternoon and transferred to La Bella Vita for a Prosecco welcome by the crew. Then a late afternoon cruise along the Giudecca Canal past some of Venice’s most famous monuments: the Chiesa del Redentore, the impressive Basilica della Madonna della Salute and the Punta della Dogana, dividing the Giudecca Canal from the Grand Canal. Dinner aboard, followed perhaps by an evening stroll to St Mark’s Square.

Monday - Venice to Pellestrina/San Pietro in Volta
Guided tour to the centre of Venice to experience its unique atmosphere and discover some hidden gems: gardens of the Biennale Exhibition of Modern Arts, Palladio’s Church of San Pietro in Castello, the Naval Museum with a model of the Bucintoro (Doge’s Boat) and the Pavilion of Gondolas housing Peggy Guggenheim’s own vessel. Late afternoon cruise to Pellestrina which separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea, then on the Canal of the Orphans passing lagoon islands such as San Sevolo, San Clemente and Poveglia. These islands sport brightly coloured houses, painted fishing boats and tiny churches. We moor in San Pietro in Volta for a Venetian aperitif in a typical local ‘bacaro’. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday - Pellestrina/Chioggia/Adria
After a stroll or cycle along the 18thC Istrian sea wall overlooking the Adriatic, we cruise past wild dunes and pine woods and may spot Kingfishers, Cuckoos or Little Terns. Entering Chioggia, city of Goldoni’s plays, we visit the Piazzetta Vigo, Vigo bridge and 12thC Vigo column. At the Chiesa di San Domenico, we see Carpaccio’s St. Paul, his last recorded painting and works by Tintoretto and Bassano. Then Chioggia’s cathedral beckons with works by, among others, Tiepolo. After a visit to the colourful fish market with your Chef to choose tonight’s seafood delights, we enter the Bianca Canal which follows the Po River and cruise to Adria. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday - Adria to Bussari
Our day opens with a short walk to Adria’s Archaeological Museum. The Greeks, Etruscans, Gauls and Romans left a precious historical insight, with earlier artefacts dating back to the Iron Age. We stroll through ancient Adria and see the 6thC Basilica Santa Maria Assunta, the Opera House and Cathedral of Saints Pietro and Paolo. Afternoon cruise to Bussari and visit to the gardens and wine cellars of 17thC Villa Widmann-Borletti. For over 1,000 years, wine, balsamic vinegar and truffles have been farmed in the Dominio di Bagnoli estate, famed for its exclusive D.O.C. Friularo vintages. Dinner aboard.

Thursday - Bussari to Canda/Trevenzuolo
Morning cruise to Canda, then a guided tour of Ferrara’s 14thC Estense Castle and Renaissance surroundings. This ancient ducal fortress with moat, drawbridges and unusual battlements, houses marble balconies and sumptuous apartments. We see the Cathedral façade with its sculpted images, described as an Illustrated Bible. Ferrara has a rich cultural heritage, with renowned artists, writers, musicians and scientists all leaving their mark. We enjoy a delicious lunch ashore and further time to wander Ferrara’s Renaissance-inspired setting, before our evening dinner cruise to Trevenzuolo, to the accompaniment of live piano music. Dinner aboard.

Friday - Trevenzuolo to Mantua
Our final cruise is a dramatic approach to the imposing capital of Lombardy, Mantua, home to the poet Virgil, artists Mantegna and Donatello and with its captivating lakeside setting. Mantua has early Etruscan origins but today displays extraordinary neo-classical and baroque architecture, perhaps best portrayed in the 14thC Ducal Palace housing some 15 gardens and courtyards, a museum, basilica, theatre and over 500 rooms. The intricate frescoes, the Gallery of Mirrors and exquisite Rivers Room, some 12,000 paintings and sculptures all create a wonderful Grand Finale to our Italian adventure. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday - Transfer to Venice
After breakfast, passengers disembark for transfers back to the Hotel Laguna Palace near Venice arriving about 11:00 am. Note charter groups have more selection of dropoff locations.

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