LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY Easy, guided bike tour in Italy with daily distances from 19 to 38 miles. The tour is entirely on level ground. Much of the pedaling is along rivers and canals on tarmac bicycle paths or roads with a low volume of car traffic.

TOUR TYPE Bike and Barge tour

CONTACT US

MAILING ADDRESS

Pack & Pedal Europe, Inc.

5091 St. Route 29

Springville PA, 18844

TELEPHONE

USA/Canada Toll Free: 1.800.951.4384

Phone: +1 570.965.2064

info@tripsite.com

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 8:00 pm EST

After office hours, in case of emergency: +1 570 396 2079 OR +1 415 596 6764

We always recommend that for any problems during your cycling vacation that you contact our local agent directly. Your problem will be solved in a more timely manner.

LOCAL OPERATOR EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

GIROLIBERO
Office (Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM) : +39 0444 1278430

EMERGENCY NUMBER OF THE BOATS

Ave Maria: +39 377 1686753

Vita Pugna: +39 338 8562512

BEFORE YOU GO

Your trip is fast approaching! The information in this tour package all pertains to your specific trip. There may be general questions that arise as you prepare, and we hope to have answered many of those questions over our pre-tour information page. Click the image below to read more!

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Due to the political measures and developments surrounding the war in Ukraine, the prices for fuel have risen extremely and unexpectedly since our pricing was originally set more than a year ago. Therefore, the shipping companies are forced to charge part of this as a fuel surcharge to the passengers. The fuel surcharge of €30 must be paid in cash on arrival on board the ship. Currently, the surcharge is in effect for the following tour dates. We will continue to update you if additional tour dates are affected:

Ave Maria: April 30th, 2022

Ave Maria: May 7th, 2022

Ave Maria: May 14th 2022

Vita Pugna: April 30th, 2022

Vita Pugna: May 7th, 2022

Vita Pugna: May 14th, 2022

We regret having to make this announcement. We hope you understand it is a last resort but unfortunately the economic impact is too drastic and it is the only way the ships can afford to sail the tours. In our 20+ years in business, a fuel surcharge has always been part of our Terms and Conditions; however this is the first time we've ever had to enforce it. The last few years have certainly forced us to deal with a lot of unexpected and new challenges. We appreciate your continued patronage during these difficult times.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, travel regulations are continually changing for individual countries. Therefore please pay attention to the current travel and safety information!

Please note, this is a helpful tool and is updated often. References are listed at the bottom of the report, however, it is important to refer often to the country's government website(s) to validate this information.

Please be sure to check entry requirements for both the country/countries you’re traveling to and your home country! Protocols and regulations change often and without warning. It is each traveler's responsibility to stay informed.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE INFORMATION

TOUR START IN MANTOVA

⚓The docking location in Mantova for both the Ave Maria and the Vita Pugna is the Porto Catena, about 2 km from the Mantova train station. It is best to take a taxi from the train station to the docking location. We recommend Radio Taxi Mantova: +39 0376 368844.

You will find a map of the barge locationhere:http://goo.gl/maps/y9WdQ.

Boarding time begins at 4:30 pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage on board at any point during the day. At 6:30 pm there is a welcome briefing on board.

If you have difficulties finding your boat or you are delayed in your travels, please contact the boat using the numbers below.

EMERGENCY NUMBER OF THE BOATS:

Ave Maria: +39 340 7809356

Vita Pugna: +39 375 5469982

GETTING TO MANTOVA

VENEZIA MARCO POLO (VCE) - www.veniceairport.it
Connection city bus + train from Mestre:
- Take the Fly-Bus shuttle service going to Venezia Mestre train station. The shuttle line 15 leaves every 30 minutes. The shuttle takes about 20/25 minutes and a ticket costs approximately €8. Visit www.atvo.it for details.

-From Venezia Mestre train station to Mantua: there are several train connections to Mantua with a change in Verona Porta Nuova (transfer: approx. 2,5 hours; ticket: about 15-40 € depending on the type of train).

TREVISO CANOVA (TSF) - www.trevisoairport.it
Connection city bus + train from Mestre:
- from airport to Venezia Mestre train station: the bus service ATVO offers every day a connection between the airport and the station of Venezia Mestre based on the arrivals and departures of the low-cost flights (transfer: 60 min; ticket: 12 €; www.atvo.it);

- from Venezia Mestre train station to Mantua: train connections with a change in Verona Porta Nuova (transfer: approx. 2,5 hours, ticket about 15-40 € depending on the type of train).

VERONA VILLAFRANCA CATULLO (VRN) - www.aeroportoverona.it
Connection shuttle bus + train:
- from airport to Verona train station: every day the Aerobus shuttle service leaves for the station of Verona Porta Nuova, first departures at 5.35, 6.30, then every 20 minutes until 20:30, then every 40 minutes until 23.10 (transfer: 15 min; ticket: 6 €);

- from Verona Porta Nuova train station to Mantua: train connections (transfer: approx. 45 min; ticket: 4-6 € depending on the type of train).

Connection by taxi:
- from airport to Mantua: taxi to Mantua about 80 €.

BERGAMO ORIO AL SERIO (BGY) - www.sacbo.it
Connection shuttle bus + train from Brescia:
- from airport to Brescia railway station: the shuttle service Autostradale leaves every 90 minutes (transfer: 60 min; ticket: 12 €; www.autostradale.it);
- from Brescia train station to Mantua: train connections with change in Verona Porta Nuova (transfer: approx. 2 hours; ticket: about 9 € depending on the type of train).

MILANO MALPENSA (MXP) - www.milanomalpensa-airport.com
Connection by shuttle bus/train + train:
- from airport to Milano Centrale train station: the Malpensa Express train leaves every 30 minutes from 5:43 a.m. to 09:43 p.m. and at 10:43 p.m. (transfer: ca. 50 min; ticket: 13 €). There is also the Malpensa shuttle bus, which leaves from the airport about every 20 minutes, from 5 a.m. to 1.20 a.m. (transfer: ca. 60/70 minutes; ticket: 10 €);

- from Milano Centrale train station to Mantua: direct connections or with change in Verona Porta Nuova (transfer approx. 120/150 min, ticket about 11-35 € depending on the type of train).

For further information on timetables and prices, please visit:http://www.trenitalia.com

END OF TOUR

Your tour will end 8 days later following breakfast at 9 AM. The boats dock in Venice at Giudecca Island - Fondamenta S.Giacomo 212/C. Please refer to this google map for the location of the boats: https://goo.gl/yWGpQ7.

From Giudecca Island to the Venice train station to Giudecca Island, you can take a vaporetto (water bus). You will catch the vaporetto at stop, REDENTORE. This is just a short walk from the boat. The crew will be happy to direct you.

If you are returning to Mantova, Venice and Mantova are well connected by train. There are about 15 trains per day between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. There are no direct connections, you always have to change in Verona Porta Nuova or Monselice. The transfer takes approx. 2.5 hours and costs about €30-50 per person depending on the type of train.

TOUR START IN VENICE

⚓The docking location in Venice for both the Ave Maria and the Vita Pugna is the is located in Giudecca Island - Fondamenta S.Giacomo 212/C.

Please refer to this google map for the location of the boats: https://goo.gl/yWGpQ7.

Boarding time begins at 4:30 pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage on board at any point during the day. At 6:30 pm there is a welcome briefing on board.

If you have difficulties finding your boat or you are delayed in your travels, please contact the boat using the numbers below.

EMERGENCY NUMBER OF THE BOATS

Ave Maria: +39 340 7809356

Vita Pugna: +39 375 5469982

FROM VENICE AIRPORT TO GIUDECCA ISLAND

Arrival by water bus:

- Red Line Alilaguna (www.alilaguna.it) with stop at "Giudecca Zitelle" (transfer approx. 80 minutes, ticket 15 €).

- Blue Line Alilaguna: if you arrive later, you can take the Blue Line that runs until 3:30 AM(transfer approx. 100 minutes, ticket about 15 €). Stop: "Zattere". From here you have to take the vaporetto Line 2, and get off at "Redentore".

Arrival by shared taxi:

- from Venice Marco Polo airport you can take a motorboat as collective service that will bring you directly to the island of Giudecca (at the moment of the booking you have to communicate that you want to stop in Giudecca Island). The price starts from 25 € per person and it takes about 40 minutes. The service is available every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can book the tickets for min. 2 people on the website: www.venicelink.com

Taxi boat in Vence:

From Venice airport, from the railway station of Venice or from Piazzale Roma to Giudecca island a transfer by taxi boat costs about 120 € for a maximum of 5 passengers.

You can book directly with:

- Radio Taxi Venezia: tel. +39 041 716767

- Trasbagagli: phone +39 041 713719 - www.trasbagagli.it.

- Venice Transfer: phone: +39 041 5317219 - www.venice-transfer-company.it

FROM TRAIN STATION SANTA LUCIA OR PIAZZALE ROMA (BUS STATION) IN VENICE

Arrival by vaporetto (water bus):

The vaporetto stop is REDENTORE.
- ACTV vaporetto Line 2, 5 times per hour, at :00, at :12, at :24, at :36 and at :48 past the hour from 6.48 a.m. until 11.46 p.m. (Transfer: approx. 35 minutes)

- ACTV vaporetto Line 4.1, 3 times per hour, at :14, at :34 and at :54 past the hour from 7.14 a.m. until 8.14 p.m. (Transfer: approx. 20 minutes)

If you arrive later:

- ACTV vaporetto Line N (nighttime): 3 times per hour, every 10/20 min., from 00.07 a.m. until 04.47 a.m. (Transfer: approx. 30 minutes)

At the vaporetto stop "Redentore" walk to the right along the Fondamenta S. Giacomo, until the "Consorzio Cantieristica Minore Veneziana". Pass through the gate and enter the dock of the Consorzio, go straight until the pier, where you’ll see the barge.. The gate is open every day from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. If you arrive later, please ring the bell or contact your barge.

We suggest you buy a 72 hour ticket at your arrival in Venice which allows an unlimited number of transfers and is valid on all almost all kinds of transport on water (except lines Alilaguna, Clodia, Fusina) and urban lines on land in Venice (bus Lido and urban lines in Mestre). You can buy the ticket in the ticket offices Hellovenezia and other official points of sale.

END OF TOUR

It is asked that you depart no later than 9:00 AM. At checkout you must return the keys of the cabin to the crew and pay your bar tab. To return to Venice, the easiest and cheapest way is to take the train. The towns of Mantua and Venice/Mestre are well connected by train. There are about 15 trains per day between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM. There are no direct connections so you will need to change in Verona Porta Nuova or Monselice. The transfer takes approximately 2.5 hours and costs about €13-25 per person depending on the type of train. The crew on board is more than happy to assist you with directions. For further information on times and costs please consult the website www.trenitalia.com.

DAY TO DAY

MANTOVA TO VENICE

DAY 1: Arrival in Mantova
Your cabins will be available from 4:30 p.m. The boat is moored at Porto Catena, just a short walk from the city-center. The meeting with the tour guide and the crew is scheduled at dinner-time, approximately 6:30 p.m.

Mantova is one of the most beautiful towns in Northern Italy as many worldwide know artists have left their masterpieces for us to enjoy, thanks to the famous Gonzaga family! Benvenuti a Mantova!

DAY 2: Mantova - round trip tour - 21 mi. (35km)
This entire day is dedicated to the discovery of this wonderful city and its surroundings, dominated by the wealth and influences left by the Gonzaga family, who owned the city for over 400 years. Mantova was considered one of the most important cultural cities in the Renaissance and it still maintains a lot of the landscapes and the building that made it famous during that period. In the late afternoon, a local guide will lead you through the most known highlights of the town.

DAY 3: Mantova - Governolo - Zelo, 32 mi. (50 km)
After breakfast, on board, you navigate from the "lakes" of Mantova and cruise through the lush wetlands that lead to Governolo Lock, where Mantova's Mincio River flows into the Po. From here, by bike, you follow the broad sweeps of the levee towards Ostiglia, renowned for its medieval fortress and fierce fighting in 1945, as the Allies drove Hitler's forces back.

Next: Bergantino, home of the distinctive Museum of Fairground Rides and its collection of street organs, all expertly restored (and thunderous!). This village is also in the heartland of Grana Padano, the arch-rival of Parmesan. A visit to the local cheese factory, sampling some well seasoned Grana, is a must do. You meet the barge in Zelo, a sleepy village on the Canal Bianco, the waterway which runs parallel to the Po.

DAY 4: Zelo - Ferrara - Adria, 31 mi. by bike + 37 mi. by bus (50 + 60 km by bus)
Following breakfast you will start cycling towards Ferrara. Once you have reached the town, which earned the name of "city of bicycles", you will be enchanted by the historical center, still surrounded by the old city walls. You will enjoy a guided town tour. From Ferrara, a short bus transfer will bring you to Adria, an ancient Greek port, famous for trading amber coming from the Baltic. Its remarkable museum also bears witness to its Etruscan, Roman, and Venetian Heritage.

DAY 5: Adria - Po Delta Nature Reserve - Pellestrina Island, 25 mi. (40 km)
After a short ride on board, you cycle into the delta of the life-giving Po. This unique wetland is the prime reserve in Europe for herons and home to a sizable colony of flamingos. Weather permitting, as you continue towards Chioggia, you can also enjoy a stop at a beach and a dip in the Adriatic – not forgetting a hot savory piadina! Chioggia is also known as "Little Venice", a colorful fishing hub. The overnight takes place on the island of Pellestrina, just in front of Chioggia.

DAY 6: Pellestrina Island - Venice, 19 mi. (30 km)
Venice beckons, but first another world altogether: Pellestrina, the first of two islands you traverse today – a humble and tranquil fishing backwater, picturesque as ever with its cottages, boats and nets. A short island-hop by ferry transfers to Lido. Fashionable in high society ever since the Belle Époque, the Lido di Venezia is now home to the International Venice Film Festival and its galaxy of stars. After rejoining the barge, you will enjoy a leisure cruise in front of St Mark’s square to the final destination. After dinner you can savor Venice at night, now free of the crowds and at her most romantic: Benvenuti a Venezia!

DAY 7: Venice, guided walking tour and free time
A guided walking tour of Venice begins around 11am and lasts approximately 1.5 hours. It begins in St. Mark square and continues towards the bigger "sestiere" of the city, Castello. You will visit Campo Santa Maria Formosa where you can experience a characteristic market and then a city hospital and large gothic church in Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Afterwards, you will go to Campo Santa Marina and to the Rialto Bridge. During this tour, the guide will explain these sites from the outside, no entrances are planned. However, the guide may decide to adjust the schedule and sites depending on weather and requests from the group.

DAY 8: Venice
After breakfast and the customary goodbyes, free time for individual visits of Venice before returning home.

**Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the tour. Issues with high and low water, as well as logistic obstacles such as officially ordered - previously not announced - repair work on locks or bridges can modify some of the daily stretches or overnight stays and may even require a transfer by bus. These decisions are at the sole discretion of boat captain or tour guide.

VENICE TO MANTOVA

DAY 1: Venice
You are welcomed aboard your sailing home for the week beginning at 4:30 p.m. There is an introductory briefing at 6:30 with your tour leader, skipper and crew, along with a first refreshing aperitivo. After dinner you can savor Venice at night, now free of the crowds and at her most romantic: Benvenuti a Venezia

DAY 2: Venice
After breakfast, and perhaps following a bit of exploring off the beaten track with your tour leader, you will meet up with your Venetian guide for a tour through the historic center. Christened La Serenissima ("The Most Serene"), the Venetian Republic held sway over much of the Mediterranean (and beyond) for centuries – both as a military power and a beacon of culture, her explorers reaching as far as China and Newfoundland. After your guided tour, you have the afternoon free to enjoy the city at your own pace.

DAY 3: Venice - Pellestrina Island, 19 mi. (30 km)
Leaving Venice behind after a leisurely cruise in front of St Mark’s square, your cycling adventure starts on the Lido, the first of two islands that you will traverse today. Fashionable in high society ever since the Belle Époque, the Lido di Venezia is now home to the International Venice Film Festival and its galaxy of stars. A short island-hop by ferry leads into another world: Pellestrina, where you ride past the picturesque cottages and boats of this humble fishing backwater. You rejoin the barge just in front of Chioggia – a bustling and colorful fishing hub known as "Little Venice".

DAY 4: Pellestrina island – Po Delta Nature Reserve – Adria, 25 mi. (40 km)
You begin your day with a morning stroll through Chioggia, followed perhaps by a visit up the millennial clock tower – the oldest in the world – for some breathtaking views. Weather permitting, you can also bask in the sun at a fine-sand beach nearby and enjoy a dip in the Adriatic, topped off with a hot savory piadina.

Then it is onwards into the delta of the life-giving Po. This unique wetland is the prime reserve in Europe for herons and home to a colony of flamingos. You moor for the night in Adria, a key Roman port, once washed by the waters of the sea which bears its name. Adria is also renowned for its Etruscan and Greek heritage. An after-dinner passeggiata into town for a well-earned grappa or gelato is in order.

DAY 5: Adria – Ferrara – Zelo, 22 mi. (35 km by bike + 35 km by bus)
After a short cruise on board, you pedal following the Po through farmland and hamlets until Ferrara. Under its ruling family, the Este, this city state attracted architects, artists and scholars for centuries, pioneering town planning principles that have been emulated worldwide ever since. To this day, Ferrara University ranks among the best, and the town is dubbed the ''Cycling Capital of Italy". A private bus and trailer take us back to our floating hotel in Zelo, a sleepy village on the Canal Bianco, the waterway which runs parallel to the Po.

DAY 6: Zelo – Mantova, 31 mi. (50 km)
This morning you head for the village of Bergantino, home of the distinctive Museum of Fairground Rides and its collection of street organs, all expertly restored (and thunderous!). But first things first: you are in the heartland of Grana Padano – the arch-rival of Parmesan – and after visiting the local cheese factory, you enjoy a degustazione of sharp and seasoned Grana, washed down with a glass of Valpolicella.

After the customary picnic lunch, you leave Bergantino and follow the river to Ostiglia, famed for its medieval fortress and the fierce fighting that took place here in 1945, as the Allies and partisans drove Hitler's forces back. You ride on and rejoin the barge at Governolo Lock, where Mantua's River Mincio flows into the Po. Veering north, you cruise through the lush wetlands that finally emerge into the glorious "lakes" of Mantua.

DAY 7: Mantova round tour, 22 mi. (35 km)
A day dedicated to the discovery of this little visited cultural gem, its three picturesque "lakes" formed by the Mincio, and its surrounding countryside – once a City State ruled by the Gonzaga family and now considered by many as Italy’s "Sleeping Beauty".

This afternoon you meet our Mantuan guide for a walking tour of the historic center, and enjoy the rest of the day in town, at our own leisure.

DAY 8: Mantova
Departure after breakfast.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

Your floating hotel for the week will be either the Ave Maria or the Vita Pugna.

THE TEAM

The barge crew consists of a team with the captain and the tour leader as your primary contacts. Any questions or concerns can be brought to them. The team also consists of a chef as well as kitchen, service, housekeeping and nautical staff. Typically there are between 3 and 4 crewmembers plus your tour guide. Every evening after dinner the guide will present you the cycling program of

the following day. This tour offers the chance to choose if pedaling alone or with the whole group, following the tour leader. When booking the tour you need to specify which option you prefer. If you want to cycle independently, you are free to do it by following the detailed roadbook and maps you have been given. In case of an emergency you can contact the tour leader over the phone. If you change your mind during the week and you want to join the guided tour, please inform the tour leader the evening before. If you choose the guided option, the tour leader will be always present during breakfast and dinner and will cycle every day with you. The tour leaders are carefully selected and rigorously trained. They are all multi-lingual, and speak at least English and German. They are experienced enthusiastic travelers who have a true passion for sharing their love of the outdoors, peoples, cultures and local food. Thanks to their knowledge of the territory, they can give you useful hints and help you appreciate the place you are visiting. Of course they love cycling and will be happy to give you some advice on how to correctly use the bicycle gears and whenever necessary they can fix a flat tire.

LUGGAGE

When you prepare your luggage, please remember that the space on the boat is limited. It is also strongly recommended to use bags instead of suitcases because it is easier to put them away. In case of early arrival, you can leave the luggage on board. Luggage transportation is never included in case of extra nights before or after the standard tour.

GRATUITIES

If you are satisfied with your service on board, the crew of the boat will be very grateful to be rewarded for their service. If you are not pleased, it is important to let the crew know. It is customary for each guest to give approximately €50. This is divided amongst the crew.

MEALS

Meals on board are substantial and healthy. Breakfast is served daily from 8AM to 9 AM as a buffet with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, various kinds of lunch meat, cheese, honey, marmalade, etc. During breakfast, you will be given what you need to prepare your own picnic lunch. Bread, cheese, sausage and meat, fruit and a beverage are all provided. Dinner is served at 7 PM and consists of traditional Italian cuisine. It is a three-course meal with an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Coffee is available all day. The water on board is drinkable and there is a water dispenser (fresh or sparkling) available for refilling water bottles. Other drinks, such as wine, beer and soft drinks are available for purchase on board. At the end of the week, you can settle your bar tab with cash or credit cards are also accepted.

Please inform us if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions in advance so that the chef can be properly prepared!

ELECTRICITY

The Italian electrical net is 220V - 50Hz and you will find the same on the barges when the current generator is on. The sockets are Schuko bipolar.

LANGUAGE

The official language is Italian. In this region therefore road signs, as well as place names, for example, appear in Italian.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR STAY ON BOARD

Please be mindful of your water usage while on board. Please do not throw anything in the toilet apart from the toilet paper provided on board. Any other type of paper (and also Kleenex, dental floss or makeup remover cotton) does not dissolve and so ruins the depuration system and will cause a pollution effect on the water. Housekeeping does a daily short cabin cleaning, as well as a thorough cleaning of the cabins and fresh towels in the middle of the week. If you need another change of towels, please ask the staff. Please do not take the towels off the boat.

DESTINATION DETAILS

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN VENICE

Here is a list of public transport links which can be useful for this tour:

- www.trenitalia.com: Italian railway system

- www.actv.it: public transportation in the Venice area. The 24-hour tickets are the cheapest solution for those who want to move around with the public transport ACTV in Venice and its surroundings. They allow an unlimited number of transfers and are valid on all kinds of transport on water (except lines Alilaguna, Clodia, Fusina) and urban lines on land in Venice (bus Lido and urban lines in Mestre). You can buy the tickets in the ticket offices Hellovenezia and other official points of sale. Price list: 20 € for 24 hours; 30 € for 48 hours; 40 € for 72 hours. The cost of a single 75-minute ticket is instead 7.50 €. The bicycle transportation is permitted only on board the ferry-boats and not on regular vaporettos (water busses). The price of bike transportation is 1 € per bike per stretch and must be paid directly on board.

CLIMATE

✪ www.weatherbase.com
This is a great resource for checking temperatures and precipitation levels.

CYCLING IN ITALY

Below are some points to be observed by Italian legislation concerning cyclists:

It is recommended to wear helmets, which is not compulsory but advisable for your own safety.
Always proceed on a single line, especially when you are outside city centers
Have free use of arms and a clear view to promptly perform maneuvers
Walk the bicycle in case there might be danger to pedestrians
Cycle on the lanes reserved to cyclists
Wear a reflective vest outside city centers from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise and in tunnels

Make sure your BAC (blood alcohol concentration) is below 0.5 g / l.

LOCAL TAXES

Some cities charge a tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, on the season and the number of days of stay. It is usually between 1 and 5 € per person per night.

At the beginning of 2022, the following local taxes (per person per night) were valid, but during the season some variations may occur:

Mantua: 3* hotels 2 €, 4* hotels 2.50 €

Mestre: 3* hotels 2.45 €, 4* hotels 3.15 €

Venice: 3* hotels 3.50 €, 4* hotels 4.50 €

WHAT TO EXPECT

ABOUT BIKE AND BARGE TOURS

The barge is your floating hotel and the bike is your means to pedal the backroads of countries and cultures. Providing comfortable accommodations, excellent food and drink, and an active vacation in a small group setting, our bike and boat tours are a cycling experience you will never forget.

INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR PACKAGE

Accommodation for 7 nights in selected cabin/boat
Breakfasts, self-made packed lunches, and 3-course dinners
Coffee, tea, and other hot drinks on board
Detailed route descriptions and maps
Bus transfer: Ferrara-Zelo/Ferrara-Adria
Mid-week cabin cleaning and towel change
Guided visits in Venice and Mantova
Visit of cheese factory with tasting of typical Grana Padano
Visit of Carousel and Street Entertainment Museum
Tour guide (s) second tour leader will be added on the Ave Maria only with minimum of 25 people
27-speed unisex touring bicycle featuring aluminum frame, mudguard, rear rack, comfort gel saddle, and puncture resistant tires
Bike accessories: cycle computer, one rear pannier, water bottle, combination bike lock, helmet (if riding self-guided, you are also provided with handlebar bag or map holder and one repair kit per booking)
Harbor charges

NOT INCLUDED

Beverages
Museum entrance fees
Ticket for public transportation in Venice and lagoon
Gratuities for crew
Bicycle Protection
Travel Insurance

BICYCLE RENTAL

On your first day of cycling your rental bicycles will be distributed and adjusted. The bikes are 27-gear hybrid Shimano Deore bicycles. Racing, electric, and tandem bikes are also available but will need to be requested at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival. Accessories

All adult bikes are equipped with:

1 cycle computer
1 Ortlieb one-sided saddlebag
1 water bottle (0.75 l)
1 combination bike lock
1 helmet suitable for head circumferences from 54 to 61

Also included for those doing the self-guided option:

1 front bar bag or 1 map holder
1 repair kit per cabin: 1 spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, 2 allen keys and tire levers

If you have purchased BICYCLE PROTECTION then this should be stated on your tour voucher. The bicycle protection covers any costs if you were to get into an accident while riding the bike, or if the bike was stolen while locked. The bicycle always needs to be locked when unattended. The protection does not cover the theft of the bicycle while it was unlocked.

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS

If you are riding unaccompanied, it is wise to know at least how to repair or change an inner tube before setting off on your bike. For this reason we provide you with a repair kit per cabin. We remind you that we offer no assistance in the case of a flat tire.

In case of mechanical problems please:

1. Call the tour leader phone number (contact person also for self-guided)

2. Communicate your name

3. Tell your position (total distance of the stage) based on the description of the

roadbook

4. Give your mobile phone number

Based on the damage and the location, the emergency van will try to reach you as soon as possible.

ROUTE INFORMATION

Upon arrival on board ship, you will be provided with route descriptions and tour information. Although the tour guide will cycle every day, the route descriptions and maps are designed to allow you to be able to cycle on your own if you wish. Your on board tour guide will give you helpful advice on how to cycle easily self-guided. Please be sure to take with you the cell phone numbers of the boat and the guide.

GPS TRACKS

If at any point during the tour, you wish to cycle self-guided, a GPS program is being offered to all guests. Ride with GPS (RWGPS) is a special app for your mobile phone, a bike route mapping tool for cyclists. To be able to use the app during your tour, you have to download the tracks in advance! Be sure you have downloaded the app on your phone and that you have downloaded the maps for offline use on your smartphone. Our tour leaders only have limited time to help you during the tour and downloading the app via the ships’ network can take a long time. Download the Ride with GPS app on your phone. Open the app and choose ‘enter shortcut’. GPS tracks can be accessed using the following codes:

Mantova to Venice: ASVHE

Venice to Mantova: 8UTDD

Using Ride with GPS on your tour allows you to access turn by turn voice navigation, detailed maps, and daily itinerary information entirely offline.

STEP ONE: Downloading app and tour package

1. Go to the Google Play or App Store and download the Ride with GPS app.

2. Tap the Open Shortcut button in the lower left corner.

3. Enter the code provided and tap Submit.

4. Tap Download to save your tour package to your phone (this download can take up to a minute or more).

STEP TWO: Accessing your content

1. Once you have downloaded your content, you will be taken to your tour home page where you can access all your routes and itinerary information.

2. To access your guide content, from the home page scroll to the bottom and tap the day you’d like to view information for.

3. To start navigation, tap on the route thumbnail within the daily guide section then tap the Navigate button.

STEP THREE: Finishing Navigation

1. When finished riding and you want to end navigation, press and hold the pause button

2. Tap Finish Navigation

3. This will drop you back on your tour homepage ready to start the next day.

Tips:

CONSERVING BATTERY & DATA

- Use Airplane Mode if possible

- Keep your screen off as much as possible

- Turn down the screen brightness

- Ride with GPS uses no data when all content is made available for offline use and you are in airplane mode

OFF COURSE - Off-course chimes repeat every 2 minutes and stops when you are back on the route. - RWGPS strictly follows the cue sheet and

will NOT reroute you like a car GPS.

- The off-course banner will tell you the direction to head to get back on course.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

If problems arise at some point during the tour, please let our local tour operator/guide know immediately and give him or her the chance to help you. Never take action that may require compensation or which involves repairs to the bicycle without consulting the tour director first. With this type of bike tour you are never far from help. We suggest leaving a copy of your itinerary and important phone numbers with family and friends.

LOCAL OPERATOR EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

GIROLIBERO
Office (Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM) : +39 0444 1278430

EMERGENCY NUMBER OF THE BOATS

Ave Maria: +39 340 7809356

Vita Pugna: +39 375 5469982

Side note/Disclaimer: Pack & Pedal Europe, Inc. does not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, Pack & Pedal Europe, Inc. is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier or of any other third party over whom Pack & Pedal Europe, Inc. has no control.

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Photos: courtesy by Girolibero

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Italy travel document.