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.
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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
On alternate
weeks, cruise will be in reverse
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.’
