'La Bella Vita'

Meet in Mestre and transfer to ‘La Bella Vita’ for a Prosecco welcome. Your first cruise this afternoon passes the Chiesa del Redentore, Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and Punta della Dogana. Moor outside the Naval Museum, disembark, and visit St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace.

Take a guided walking tour of Venice’s Castello District, seeing the gardens at the Biennale Exhibition of Modern Arts; Palladio’s Church of San Pietro; and the Venetian Ships Pavilion. Cruise to Pellestrina, along the Canal of the Orphans.

Cruise to Chioggia to visit the colorful fish market and tour the canals in a traditional, locally built boat. Back on board ‘La Bella Vita,’ pass through a nature reserve with flamingos, herons and snipes. Continue upriver to Taglio di Po for a private dinner ashore at Villa Ca’Zen — the private riverside home where Lord Byron courted Countess Guiccioli.

Cruise to Adria and see the ancient relics at the Archaeological Museum. Drive to the Bagnoli Estate; tour the Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of Villa Widmann-Borletti, pausing for a private tasting. Rejoin the barge at Zelo, the overnight mooring.

Take a guided tour of Ferrara, visiting Schifanoia Palace and the magnificent cathedral. Admire Estense Castle with its medieval moat. Return to your vessel and cruise to Governolo.

Arrive in Mantua. Visit the 14th-century Ducal Palace with its intricate frescoes and Gallery of Mirrors. A gala Captain’s Farewell Dinner ends the cruise week.

After breakfast, transfer to Mestre, where your program ends.