From Venice to Mantua

You’ll board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Enjoy a free evening to explore the city on your own.

In the morning,

FOR ALL: Guided tour of Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Square. You’ll discover Saint Mark’s Square and its famous basilica (exteriors) and visit inside Doge’s Palace.

This afternoon,

NON-HIKERS: Join us for an excursion to the Venetian Lagoon and its islands. Discover the famous glassworks on Murano and the multi-colored homes on Burano.

HIKERS: Set out on a trek across the islands of Lazzaretto Nuovo and Torcello. The first stop will be long-abandoned Lazzaretto Nuovo, which now harbors an archeological site and outdoor museum. We’ll then visit Torcello and its basilica with priceless mosaics. This is an approximate 5-hour tour with 2.5 hours hiking for 2.7 miles (4.5 km) and no elevation gain.

Enjoy a free evening to explore Venice on your own.

We’ll cruise to Chioggia, the starting point for our excursions.

NON-HIKERS: Guided tour of Padua.

HIKERS: Hike the Euganean Hills. With your guide, you’ll first hike to Mount Calbarina to take in the magnificent view of the Lago della Costa. Your hike will continue through the forest to Mount Piccolo and then Arqua Petrarca.

This is an approximate 6-hour tour with 2.5 hours hiking for 4.3 miles (7 km) and an elevation gain of 919 feet (280 m).

As you enjoy your tour and hike, the ship will cruise to Porto Viro.(1) For those who decided not to join us on the excursion, you will be transferred from Chioggia to Porto Viro. Enjoy some free time in Chioggia.

We’ll return on board in Porto Viro and spend the afternoon cruising towards Rovigo.

We’ll spend the morning cruising to Ostiglia.

This afternoon,

FOR ALL: We’ll head to Verona, the City of Love made famous by Shakespeare’s legendary tragedy Romeo and Juliet. We’ll also visit the amphitheater or the Giusti Gardens.

After our tour, we’ll return on board in Mantua.

NON-HIKERS: Join us for an excursion to Cremona (including lunch), with a visit to a violin-maker's workshop. Next stop will be Polesine Parmense and some time at the Fratelli Spigaroli,  where we'll enjoy a tasting of Italian cheese and cold cuts.(2) We'll return to the ship in Mantua. Enjoy some free time on your own this afternoon.

HIKERS: Set out on a full-day hike through Lessinia Regional Nature Park. The overlooks provide amazing views of the lake and its surroundings. We’ll have lunch in a local mountain refuge.

This is an approximate 9-hour tour with 5.5 hours hiking for 6.2 miles (10 km), and an elevation gain of 1,148 feet (350 m).

NON-HIKERS: Join us for a guided tour of Mantua, where the House of Gonzaga ruled for almost 400 years. We'll visit the Ducal Palace and the Bridal Chamber.

You’re free to do as you please in the afternoon.

Or enjoy an optional tour of the Ferrari Museum in Modena (price not included in packages).

HIKERS: Day-long hike around Lake Garda (picnic lunch included). Discover the romantic scenery along the banks of Lake Garda, from Toscolano-Maderno to Gargnano.

This is an approximate 8.5-hour tour with 5 hours hiking for 7.5 miles (12 km) and an elevation gain of 1,148 feet (350 m).

Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Coach transfer from Mantua to Venice. End of our services.