Boating holidays in Italy

Coming to the end of the Tartaro-Canalbianco-Po di Levante River, you will notice the waterways open up into large artificial lakes surrounding the city of Mantua. Mantua is a fantastic place to finish your riverboat exploration of northeast Italy. Named the Italian Capital of Culture, Mantua is a city brimming with history, culture and gastronomical prowess, making it an unmissable stop when exploring this area. Top of the to-do list when you’re in Mantua has to be its Palazzo Ducale, a huge castle complex made up of numerous buildings, courtyards and gardens. This impressive building is more than up to the standards of any royal palace and is a must-see when in the city. Another jaw-dropping building that is not to be missed is the Palazzo Te in Mantua, a grand manor house with impressive architectural design. It was actually designed by Giulio Romano, a top student of Raphael. One of the most famous high-renaissance frescos adorns the ceiling of the Palazzo Te in Mantua, depicting the fall of the giants. More examples of Mantua’s stunning architecture proves why the city has been granted its UNESCO status, and Rotonda di San Lorenzo is a perfect example of this. The oldest church in Mantua, the Rotonda di San Lorenzo was built-in in the late 11th century, in a location where a temple dedicated to Venus once stood. As soon as you’ve had your fill of ancient architecture, why not kick back and relax with an espresso in the Piazza Sordello, a square in the heart of the city.

Aside from the longer islands and the main city of Venice, this lagoon is also home to a number of must-see smaller islands and towns on the northeastern coast of Italy. The island of Torcello, north of Venice, is one such island that makes for the perfect exploration location north of Venice. One of the oldest inhabited islands in the area, Torcello is an island of ancient history. The island’s 7th-century church, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a window on the Torcellos religious past. A little closer to the city of Venice is the island of Murano, another island that draws in thousands of visitors every year. Murano is known as the glass island, having carved out a glass-blowing industry over the past few hundred years. You can get a real sense of this glass-blowing culture at the Murano Glass Museum, where live glass-blowing workshops and demonstrations are carried out. Last of the smaller Venice islands is the island of Burano, known for another major historic export, lace. The lace of Burano was sold across the globe and has made this island famous. You can get to know its historic association with this craft at the island’s Burano Lace Museum. Alongside the historic connection is Burano untenable beauty; more like a series of islands connected by bridges, exploring Burano by foot and by boat offers its own unique angle of the Venetian island.

Arguably the star of the show, the main city of Venice is the perfect place to explore from the comfort of your canal boat. Much like when you rent a boat in Amsterdam, exploring Venice via its waterways gives you a different perspective on the city and is often much easier than doing so on foot. A city full of wonders and attractions, Venice is a place that can be returned to again and again, with a whole new itinerary every time. Here are a few highlights from the city itself. The Doge’s Palace is one of the city’s most famous and popular sights, and it is easy to see why. A huge complex that was once the home of Venice’s leaders, known as doges. The Venetian Gothic styled palace was constructed in the late fourteenth century and stood the test of time, becoming one of the most lavish palaces in all of Europe. A short walk, or sail, from the Doge’s Palace is another of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Bridge of Sighs. This bridge once crossed the canal from an old interrogation room to the prison in the Doge’s Palace, and legend has it that the view was the last thing the prisoners would see before being taken down to the cells. Walking across the bridge will allow you to visit the many stalls that have been set up on the stone but boating underneath offers some of the best views of the bridge.