MEETING POINT
Italy - Venice - Lido - Villa Laguna Hotel at 5pm

THE 6 PASSENGER LA DOLCE VITA ....
La Dolce Vita is a charming 6 passenger vessel with a crew of three, and she is the only hotel barge cruising our unique route. The lagoon surrounding Venice, the Venice Lido beach, Hemingway's influence, the faboulous Villas on the River Brenta all compliment the attractions of Venice itself where one could spend at least 6 months enjoying the amazing Renaissance architecture before venturing inside some of the buildings to discover the works of Canaletto, Tintoretto, and many other Italian masters. Weeks of research into our itinerary promise a fantastic cruise aboard Italy's first hotel barge.

La Dolce Vita has three comfortable cabins, two with doubles and one a twin. All are en-suite, the vessel is airconditioned and there is a good sized sundeck for outside dining or just watching all that fantastic italian architecture floating past.

Click here for more Barge Facts and Informations

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A crew of 3 - captain, chef and hostess - will be at the service of the 6 guests during the entire
cruise, making La Dolce Vita a unique and more fulfilling experience of Venetian lifestyle.

ITINERARY

Venice, the Islands of the Lagoon, the Brenta River, Padua.
Venice - Padua

Sunday Lido – Forte di Sant’Andrea
Guests are met at 5 PM at Hotel Villa Goetzen in Dolo, just 20 minutes by taxi from Venice and Marco Polo Airport. After a welcome drink of Prosecco, La Dolce Vita cruises to the Fort of Sant’Andrea, the ancient Venetian artillery defence base, where we moor for the night and enjoy a superb fish dinner on board.

Monday Torcello – Burano
In the morning La Dolce Vita hugs the coast of Sant’Erasmo with its orchards and vegetable gardens and arrives in Torcello, the first island of the lagoon to be colonised 2000 years ago. We see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a beautiful example of Veneto-Byzantine style. We have lunch while cruising on the Siloncello canal and in the afternoon we visit Burano, a picturesque fishermen’s island in the northern lagoon. We walk through the colourful streets of Burano and visit the Lace Museum. We moor for the night on the calm waters of Burano. Dinner on board.

Tuesday Burano – San Francesco – San Lazzaro – Murano
We start our cruise passing by San Francesco del Deserto Island, where we can moor and visit the monastery. We then proceed to San Lazzaro degli Armeni where we visit one of the most interesting libraries of Venice with 150,000 volumes and more than 4,000 Armenian manuscripts, some nearly 1,300 years old. The monks of the San Lazzaro monastery have welcomed visitors for more than two centuries. In 1816, Lord Byron visited the island twice a week for six months, studying Armenian and envying the monks' comfortable academic lifestyle. A plaque quotes Byron as saying, "The visitor will be convinced that there are other and better things even in this life”. We end the day with a short cruise around Venice to reach Murano and moor for the night on the Grand Canal of the island of glass. Dinner on board.

Wednesday Murano – Venice - San Giorgio
We visit a glass-blowing workshop in Murano. Then we move on for a tour of the Grand Canal in Venice aboard a water taxi and reach San Giorgio Island for our lunch facing Saint Mark. In the afternoon we take you on a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark in Venice. Later you have some free time to visit Venice. We moor for dinner on San Giorgio Island.

Thursday San Giorgio - Brenta River to Dolo
This morning we cruise up River Brenta to Mira, passing by Villa Foscari in Malcontenta, a masterpiece of the Renaissance architect Palladio. We visit Villa Widmann, a typical Venetian luxurious villa with wonderful frescos. In the afternoon we move on for 2 more hours to Dolo, where we moor for the night. For those who like cycling, it is possible to follow the barge on a bicycle today. Before dinner we take you for a glass of wine at the old water mill of Dolo.

Friday Dolo - Stra - Padova
Further ascent of river Brenta to Stra, where we visit Villa Pisani, an 18th century masterpiece of Venetian architecture with frescos from Tiepolo. Whilst we cruise you can follow the barge by bicycle along the river and by the afternoon our cruise brings us in Padua, where we moor at Portello gate, one of the best preserved parts of the ancient city walls. We then visit Giotto’s Chapel and then we walk into the centre, which is as full of history as Venice herself. The Farewell Dinner will be at a restaurant in the centre of Padua.

Saturday Padua - Venice
After breakfast at 9 am you are transferred to Hotel Villa Goetzen in Dolo, Marco Polo. If you have an early flight or if you are staying at a hotel in Venice, we can make custom arrangements for you at your expense

This itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks

Venice, the Islands of the Lagoon, the Brenta River, Padua.
Padua - Venice

Sunday Padua and the Piovego Canal
Guests are met at 5 PM at Hotel Villa Goetzen in Dolo, just 20 minutes by taxi from Venice and Marco Polo Airport. We transfer you to Padua by car, where the crew is eager to welcome you on board with a Prosecco drink. We have dinner in Padua at Portello gate, one of the best preserved gates of the ancient city walls.

Monday Padua - Noventa
In the morning we take a tour of the Botanical Garden, the oldest in the world. In the afternoon we visit Giotto’s Chapel and we walk into the centre, which is as full of history as Venice herself. Our afternoon cruise brings us to Noventa along river Brenta, where we moor for dinner on board.

Tuesday Noventa – Stra – Dolo
Further descent of River Brenta to Stra, where we visit Villa Pisani, an 18th century masterpiece of Venetian architecture with frescos from Tiepolo. In the afternoon we move on for 2 more hours to Dolo, where we moor for the night. For those who enjoy cycling, it is possible to follow the barge on a bicycle. Before our superb fish dinner at Villa Goetzen restaurant, we take you for a glass of wine at the old water mill of Dolo.

Wednesday Dolo – Malcontenta - Venice - Murano
This morning we cruise down River Brenta into the lagoon, passing by Villa Foscari in Malcontenta, a masterpiece of the Renaissance architect Palladio. In the afternoon we have a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark in Venice. A water taxi will then take you through the Grand Canal to Murano, where La Dolce Vita is moored for the night. Dinner on board

Thursday San Giorgio - Brenta River to Dolo
We visit a glass-blowing workshop in Murano. Our cruise then takes us to Torcello, the first island of the lagoon to be colonised 2000 years ago. We see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a beautiful example of Veneto-Byzantine style. We have lunch while cruising on Siloncello Canal and in the afternoon we visit Burano, a picturesque fishermen’s island in the northern lagoon. We walk through the colourful streets of Burano and visit the Lace Museum. We moor for the night on the calm waters of Burano and enjoy dinner on board.

Friday Burano – San Francesco – Venezia – San Giorgio
We start our cruise today by passing by San Francesco del Deserto Island, where we can moor and visit the monastery. We then proceed to San Lazzaro degli Armeni where we visit one of the most interesting libraries of Venice with 150,000 volumes and more than 4,000 Armenian manuscripts, some nearly 1,300 years old. The monks of the San Lazzaro monastery have welcomed visitors for more than two centuries. In 1816, Lord Byron visited the island twice a week for six months, studying Armenian and envying the monks' comfortable academic lifestyle. A plaque quotes Byron as saying, "The visitor will be convinced that there are other and better things even in this life.”
In the late afternoon we moor in San Giorgio, just in front of Saint Mark, from where you can reach Venice in 5 minutes by boat and spend some more free time in the city until the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday San Giorgio - Fusina
After breakfast we cruise to Fusina, where we arrive at 11 am. You are then transferred to Hotel Villa Goetzen in Dolo or Marco Polo airport. If you have an early flight or if you are staying at a hotel in Venice, we can make custom arrangement at your expense.

This itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks

LA DOCE VITA BARGE INFORMATIONS

THE BARGE HERSELF

FORMER PURPOSE: Cargo barge in Holland
YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION: 1897
DIMENSIONS: Length 21 metres; width 4.9 metres
YEAR CONVERTED INTO A HOTEL BARGE: 2004
LAST REFIT: Spring 2006
GENERATORS: 2
MAIN ENGINE: Deutz, 6000 cc 150 Hp
MAXIMUM SPEED: 5 knots
WATER AND FUEL CAPACITY: 6,000 litres water; 3,000 litres fuel

PERSONNEL
CREW : 3: Captain, Chef, Tour guide/deck-hand Our crew are generally Italian with one crew-member who speaks English.

ACCOMMODATION:
CAPACITY FOR ACCOMMODATION: Up to 6 passengers
NUMBER AND TYPES OF CABINS: 1 double-bedded Suite at the bow, 1 twin Stateroom (beds in L shape) and one twin/double-bedded Stateroom. Equipped with en-suite facilities, mirror, drawer, closet space and reading lights.

SIZES OF THE CABINS
Pisani Suite: 2.60 metres x 4.60 metres + bathroom about 1.90 metres x 1.00 metres
Foscari Stateroom: 2.80 x 1.90 metres + bathroom about 1.90 metres x1.00 metres
Val Marana Stateroom: 2.70 metres x 1.90 metres + bathroom about 1.90 metres x 1.00 metres

Note: The measurements above are approximate

BATHROOMS:
All cabins have showers, WC and hand basin. Tiled floors
Supplied with: hand soap and towels

CLOSET SPACE: Yes
HAIRDRYERS: Yes
SIZE OF THE BEDS: 190 cms x 75 cms

CLIMATE CONTROL & ELECTRICITY
AIR CONDITIONING: Yes (individual units in all cabins)
CENTRAL HEATING: Yes (individual units in all cabins)
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY: All our barges are wired for 220 volts. We suggest you bring an adapter for your particular appliance, which corresponds to the standard Italian 220 volt two pin plugs. If you wish to use an electrical appliance on board, please ask one of the crew when you arrive on board to ensure that it is suitable to the barge’s electrical system. European Waterways cannot be held responsible for unforeseen voltage fluctuations which sometimes occur when swapping from one voltage system to another.

PUBLIC ROOMS:
SALOON/DINING ROOM DIMENSIONS & DESCRIPTION: About 4.5 metres x 4.6 metres
Dining area: 1 table for 8 with bench for 3 and 5 chairs. The living area has 1 sofa for 3, 3 armchairs and 4 large windows. There are 2 steps to cabins without handrail and 7 steps to deck with handrail. There is a hardwood floor throughout and lights for reading and typical Venetian pictures on the walls
SUNDECK: Size –7 metres x 4.6 metres with handrail around. 2 wood reclining chairs, 1 wood table with 8 chairs and parasols.

GASTRONOMY
There is no assigned seating for meals and the dining room on board ‘La Dolce Vita’ accommodates all guests at a single sitting. Italian cuisine is featured.

BREAKFAST:
Continental style breakfast: cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurts, cheese, ham, freshly squeezed fruit juices, fresh bread and jams. Eggs can be cooked on request.

LUNCH:
Buffets of colourful salads, cold meats that may be accompanied by hot soup or entrée, delectable desserts and a different selection of regional cheeses and wines daily.

DINNER:
Always a gastronomic adventure by our talented chef. A taste of regional cuisine by candlelight. Harmonising food and good wines from the best vineyards. Followed by a selection of regional cheeses. Coffee and liqueurs served in the saloon.

CAPTAIN’S DINNER:
Captain’s dinner on the last night. Dress slightly formal.

SPECIAL FOOD REQUIREMENTS:
Special food requirements (such as vegetarian or allergies) are catered for if requested in advance. Please ensure our Reservations Manager has been notified at least 8 weeks prior to your cruise departure.

DRINKS WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE PRICE:
There is an open bar on board which you can help yourself from non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Regular or decaffeinated tea and coffee, whole or low fat milk, are offered with all meals. During lunch and dinner wine is offered and also available at other times.

TAP WATER
Tap water in and on board ‘La Dolce Vita’ is potable and bottled water is available on board.

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT
ON BOARD - Hi-fi system and compact discs. Guests are welcome to bring their favourite compact discs from home 6 touring bikes – these are not kept on board at all times, therefore please advise at least 3 weeks prior to departure if you would like the use of bikes. Children’s bikes and child bike seats can be arranged if required. Please let us know at least 8 weeks prior to departure. Chess, cards, backgammon A small library of books on the area Binoculars for watching the bird life

CYCLING
Passengers are welcome to walk or cycle using the on board bicycles on certain days. Your captain will keep you up to date about this.

CANAL, RIVER AND LAGOON CRUISING
25% of your cruise is on the River Brenta and Brenta Canal and 75% is on canal passages within the lagoon, cruising around Venice and cruising around the islands

EXCURSIONS AND TRANSFERS
Excursion transport is either water-taxi or vaporetto. An air-conditioned minibus is used for transfers to the airport.

EXCURSIONS FOR CHARTER GROUPS
If you are chartering, the itinerary can be adapted to suit your group’s particular needs. If the excursion is within a reasonable distance of the barge we will do everything we can to arrange it. Please advise our office in advance and the Captain can be informed.

CHARTER GROUPS FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
This cruise is great for families with children and the crew adapt the itinerary to make the cruise fun and interesting for all ages. In the summer time we suggest spending half a day at one of the lido’s beaches. Venice has some interesting museums for children including the Naval Museum. There are wonderful cycling opportunities along the Lido and the river Brenta and children’s bikes can be arranged to be on board.

FOR THOSE NOT WISHING TO ATTEND EXCURSIONS
You are welcome to stay behind on the barge, do a spot of independent sightseeing, walking or cycling.

THEMED CRUISES
At certain times of the year we offer itineraries based around opera performances and regattas. There are also opportunities during the week to play golf (green fees and transfer costs are payable in addition to the cruise cost) – please advise our Sales Manager in advance of your cruise if you wish to play golf.

PASSENGERS WITH MOBILITY RESTRICTIONS
La Dolce Vita has restricted facilities for passengers with mobility issues. If you would like more information on the barge layout, it is advisable to discuss the matter on the phone with our Sales Manager.

CLOTHES, LUGGAGE
There is a casual dress code on board and it is very much up to the individual what they bring to wear. The only evening you may want to dress up a little is the Captain’s Dinner but this is completely up to you. The weather in the lagoon is generally warm. June, July, August is usually the warmest with little rain so we suggest shorts and tee shirts with a thin rain mackintosh just in case of a light shower and some slightly warmer clothes for enjoying those drinks on the deck in the evening. Do not forget your sun hat for a relaxing time on deck with a glass of wine.

Once you have unpacked your cases will be safely stored elsewhere on the barge. Please try and fit everything for your cruise into one reasonably sized suitcase per person. Soft bags are preferable.

LAUNDRY FACILITIES
Laundry facilities are limited. It is advisable to bring sufficient clean clothing for your cruise.

SMOKING
Our barges have a strict non-smoking policy. We ask smokers not to smoke inside the barge as this may create an offence to your shipmates. We categorically do not permit smoking in the cabins for safety reasons. If you would like to smoke we request that you smoke outside on deck away from fellow passengers.

FACILITIES
Passenger telephones and internet access are not available aboard ‘La Dolce Vita.’