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BOATING HOLIDAYS IN - NO LICENSE REQUIRED Dear friend, This Cruise Companion has been created to help you better organ- ise your houseboat holiday. Sailing a houseboat in and Friuli Venezia Giulia is a fantas- tic experience, discovering wonderful hidden places that are very different from each other. A holiday in Italy guarantees a perfect combination of breath-taking views and tranquil lagoons, lush green rivers and sunny beaches, traditional Italian restaurants in the open air and peaceful picnics on unknown islands with a fas- cinating history. You’ll never sail in a monotonous, unchanging landscape; every day the landscape will be completely different, and your holiday will be memorable. Within this manual you will find some useful information relating to the area you have chosen, the departure and arrival bases, and the most important destinations you will encounter during the cruise. We apologize in advance if there are slight differences with respect to what you actually find, but we are certain that this will not cause you any problems. There are 3 watchwords for your holiday: Relax - placid nights in the lagoon, steaming coffee as you watch the sunrise, walks on the beach Dynamism - every moment of your holiday will be characterized by so much to do and so much to see; if you wish, your stay can in- volve multiple activities; bike trips, land excursions, museum visits, and shopping Adventure – there’s nothing more exciting than driving your own boat; choosing your own path, discovering your skills, becoming captains... with our help of course; you’ll never be left alone If you need more information, don’t hesitate to contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at +39 0426 666 025; we will be happy to help you at any time, before, during, and after your holiday.

Sales Office e-mail: [email protected] Tel +39 0426 666 025 2 HOUSEBOATING IN ITALY WITHOUT A BOAT LICENCE

A river cruise in Italy with our houseboats without a licence is the perfect way to combine the pleasure of sailing in unspoilt nature with cultural interests. Italy offers a large river park in the regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. Splendid emerges in the middle of the lagoon: visit St. Mark’s and the countless churches and works of art, walk down tra- ditional Venetian streets, or take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. The smaller islands of the Venice Lagoon are unique jewels and UNESCO World Heritage sites: moor in and be enchanted by its colourful houses; visit Murano and its master glassmakers. The Riviera del Brenta offers numerous public moorings in front of its majestic Palladian villas. After a succession of Venetian villas and pretty village squares you’ll reach Padua: Giotto’s Scrovegni Chapel is just one of the many artistic jewels in the city. During the day, relax on Italy’s most renowned golden beaches in- cluding , Lignano, Bibione and Caorle, and at night enjoy the lively promenade with its bars and nightclubs. A few km away, the ancient river port of Concordia Sagittaria will excite you thanks to its ruins dating back to the Roman Empire, and the city of Portogru- aro, reachable by bike in a few minutes, will welcome you to its open-air squares and historic mills, which alternate with bars and restaurants where you can taste traditional dishes. If you prefer unspoilt natural environments, the lagoon and rivers of Friuli Venezia Giulia are ideal: surprises like finding traditional houses among the reeds, restaurants set up on small lagoon is- lands accessible only by boat, and delightful seaside villages such as Grado and Marano. Here you will also find thousand-year-old Aquileia and its ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every itinerary we propose is very varied; from the lush green river to the open lagoon, from the monumental cities to semi-unknown islands, from free or equipped beaches to wineries. You’ll under- stood that once you leave the moorings, fun is guaranteed on any of our itineraries Houseboat.it offers 4 different itineraries, with multiple variations to meet everyone’s needs. Each itinerary is designed to be covered in 7 or 14 days. However, it is possible to book 4-day mini-cruises covering only part of the itinerary and returning to the departure point. All the itineraries proposed by Houseboat.it leave and return from 2 different bases: and Precenicco. It is not possible to start or finish the holiday outside these bases. 3 ITINERARY 1 ITINERARY 2 VENICE LAGOON EASTERN VENETO, Flag CASALE SUL SILE THE NORTHERN LAGOONS exchange-alt ROUND TRIP & FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA The best known and most classic of the Italian cruising ar- eas, world famous for over 30 years. The trip includes the Flag CASALE SUL SILE / PRECENICCO natural park of the Sile river and the Venice lagoon, includ- exchange-alt ONE WAY ONLY, OUTBOUND OR RETURN ing many little-known and wonderful islands, where you can enjoy the wonderful tranquillity of silence. Surely you won’t This itinerary is perfect for those who want to experience the miss out on a day in dreamy and chaotic Venice, followed boat and the outdoors, with numerous choices for a different by long walks on the beaches of the Adriatic coast and a beach to sunbathe or swim at every day. Far from formal Ven- dip in the sea. A perfect combination of nature, culture and ice, this one-way cruise will take you between fishing villag- history, along with a view that’s been taking people’s breath es and lagoons on an easy-to-navigate cruise route on quiet away for over 500 years. canals. It is also possible to make a quick stop in the Venice Other lagoon islands little touched by mass tourism, such lagoon for a maximum of one or two nights, if you really don’t as Sant’Erasmo, Pellestrina, Vignole, San Francesco del De- want to miss the opportunity to see Venice, at the beginning serto, and others, should really not be missed; these are is- (if you start from Casale sul Sile) or the end (if you depart lands where you can still breathe the true Venetian culture. from Precenicco) of your holiday. This itinerary requires a minimum of 7 days to spend sailing To see this itinerary go to page 6 peacefully through the Venetian countryside.

To see this itinerary go to page 10

ITINERARY 3 ITINERARY 4 FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA RIVIERA DEL BRENTA AND LAGUNA OF CAORLE Flag CASALE SUL SILE exchange-alt ROUND TRIP Flag PRECENICCO exchange-alt ROUND TRIP A passion for Venetian history and Renaissance architecture leads you to choose to visit the Riviera del Brenta, an ancient The perfect route for the summer, sailing between seaside sixteenth-century canal along which noble Venetian families resorts and quiet lagoons where you can jump into the water built their luxurious summer residences, obviously overlook- and eat in fishermen’s huts. An itinerary that doesn’t require ing the water. Retracing the navigable route that has carried a shirt and jacket, just a t-shirt. Visit some of Italy’s most fa- boats from Venice to Padua for over 5 centuries, it is possible mous beaches, with services for everyone, from adults to kids. to see these ancient dwellings. Navigation is easy and the lagoon is quiet; very different from You must remember that the Riviera del Brenta has numerous the Venice lagoon. This is an itinerary for discovering original basins and mobile bridges and therefore a lot of patience is Italian flavours and traditions. An itinerary that includes, in ad- required to cover it all the way to Padua, where it is possible dition to the hidden islands, UNESCO archaeological heritage to moor near the historic centre and then visit the city by bike. sites that attract tourists from all over the world. Padua is among the most important cities in Italy, with an This itinerary requires a minimum of 7 days and, it is impor- ancient university, paintings by the artist Giotto, the Basilica tant to note that those who choose to start from Precenicco of Sant’Antonio, and marvellous squares and palaces. won’t reach Venice because it is too far away. To see this itinerary go to page 18 To see this itinerary go to page 14

4 DEPARTURE BRIEFING At check-in you will be invited to attend a pre-holiday briefing, during which the on-board documents and the navigation card will be delivered and your travel plan will be discussed with the departure base manager; at this point you will have all the information to set sail and to choose the stages of your cruise. Next, together with the base staff, you can try the boat, manoeuvring, unmooring, docking, knots, and how to use the ropes. But above all you’ll learn how to be a crew, because to manoeuvre the boat you need everyone’s help, not just the captain. Finally, you will learn how to live on a boat and use all the accessories on board. This process will last about 2 hours and is essential for everyone.

BOAT LICENCE A licence is not required for any route in Italy. Remember that with our boats you can’t sail on the open sea or after 6 pm.

NAVIGATION TIMES AND DISTANCES In the navigation plans you will find the distance in hours between the nearest cities, so you can easily understand the journey times; these may vary due to numerous events, includ- ing the crossing of locks and mobile bridges, adverse weather conditions, etc.

5 ITINERARY 1 VENICE LAGOON Flag CASALE SUL SILE exchange-alt ROUND TRIP CLOCK20-25 HOURS OF NAVIGATION life-ring 2 LOCKS - 3 MOBILE BRIDGES

6 Sailing in the Venice lagoon is an incredible and unique experience. Venice seen from the water is absolutely enchanting and you’ll avoid the crowds and chaos of the city streets and alleyways. But the lagoon offers much more than Venice and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: incredible natural scenery is your sailing companion and the smaller islands around Venice are without doubt wonderful stops during your trip. Most of them are not very well known to tourists. The most famous are Burano and Murano, but you can also reach the small islands of , Sant’Erasmo, San Francesco del Deserto, Vignole, and Pell- estrina with your boat. During your holiday you can also visit oth- er enchanting areas: the natural park of the Sile river, the Venetian Villas along the Riviera del Brenta, and the beaches of the Adriatic. The Sile Natural Park is one of the most beautiful landscapes you will encounter along the navigable waterways of Italy. Setting off from our base in Casale sul Sile, you are immersed in nature. While sailing you are in the midst of a completely natural environment, with plants and trees on both sides of the river. On one side there is a cy- cle path, and you can decide to stay on the boat or take a bike ride. During the summer season it is possible to make many stops at Adriatic beaches to go for a swim or to spend some time on the beach. In this case, the itinerary to Jesolo, which is one of the most important tourist destinations in the North-East, is what you are looking for.

7 Base Houseboat.it SLOVENIJA FRIULI V.G. Precenicco Portogruaro Marano Lagunare Aquileia Concordia Stella Sagittaria Marano & Grado Lagoon

VENETO Lemene Aprilia 1 Marittima Porto map-markerTreviso ITINERARY 1 Buso Caorle Valleys Lignano Grado Sabbiadoro San Donà VENICE LAGOON Base Houseboat.it Flag di Piave Bibione Trieste Casale sul Sile Caorle Sile Caposile Piave To navigate in the Venice lagoon, you have to follow the rows of Quarto d’Altino Sile poles called “bricole” along the route, identifying the low-lying and Portegrandi Jesolo navigable areas. It is important to follow the instructions well dur- VENETO Venice Cortellazzo ADRIATIC SEA Lagoon ing the briefing and to use the navigation cards properly. map-marker5 The area is occasionally hit by strong northerly winds (“Bora”). On 2 Torcello Buranomap-marker Lido di Jesolo those days, sailing is to be considered prohibited. 4 Cavallino During the week you can visit the following main locations: Muranomap-marker map-marker7 Treporti Mira 3 Dolo map-marker Padova Stra Venezia Riviera del Brenta

Malamocco HRVATSKA

Venice ADRIATIC SEA Lagoon

Pellestrina

map-marker6 Chioggia

8 1 map-marker Just 15 minutes by bicycle from the small port of Casier, along the cycle path of the Sile Park, through the natural museum suspended over the water of Burci (ancient Venetian boats), you will reach this spectacular medieval city, whose historic centre is completely surrounded by ancient walls. It’s a real jewel made up of squares, historical monuments, markets, river canals, taverns, restaurants, and exclusive shops: an inevitable stop on the first or last day of the cruise. An afternoon spent discovering sights that will stick in your memory, and an evening immersed in the nightlife of the fully pedestrianised historical centre, cannot be missed.

2 BURANO map-marker A small island that seems to be straight out of a fairy tale; the bright colours of ancient “buranella” tradition make this island one of the most photographed places in the world. The ancient tradition of handmade lace making is alive and well, as demonstrated by the numerous shops where you can buy precious artworks created by the hands of the women of the town. The restaurants are delicious and specialize in fish-based Venetian cuisine. The last, sweet, mention is for the exquisite biscuits of the island, the famous “S” of Bura- no, made with butter; don’t leave without having tried them; it’s really worth it.

3 VENICE map-marker It’s easy to describe the countless attractions to visit in Venice, from St. Mark’s Square to the Basilica, from the Palazzo Ducale to the Rialto Bridge ... and we could keep going forever. Since it is not possible to enter Venice by boat due to local laws, let alone reach where you want to moor (the staff at the start will give you detailed information), in order to wander around the city centre you will still need to use local public transport. We suggest buying a daily ticket for unlimited trips on the “Vaporetti” (water buses) to avoid spending a fortune on single tickets. In this way you can move easily and cheaply covering a large area.

4 MURANO map-marker Famous for the art of the master glassmakers who create incredible sculptures before your eyes, welcoming visitors for free to the numerous furnaces scattered throughout the island. Basilicas and churches are widespread, as in Venice, and worth a visit, as is the glass museum. Mooring isn’t easy in the centre of the island, so we’ve provided a conven- ient stopping point near the island, reachable in 5 minutes with public transport.

5 LIDO DI JESOLO map-marker Is a stopover for those who want to relax by the sea, in one of the most famous and popular destinations in Europe. To get there from the centre of the lagoon you cross a spectacular natural park, to be enjoyed slowly, observing the intense fauna present; herons, flamingos, swans, and numerous other species can be seen in these 2 hours of navigation; a paradise of silence and respect. On the contrary, Lido di Jesolo offers intense and constant nightlife and entertainment throughout the summer and for all ages, as well as Europe’s longest shopping street, and an innumerable range of services and restaurants.

6 CHIOGGIA map-marker The little Lion of St Mark’s who observes the frenetic via del Corso from the top of his column. So small that he’s nicknamed the “gato”, he keeps an eye on you while you visit the famous market filled with fresh fish, and the museums and churches in the historic centre, as well as while you enjoy an aperitif in an open-air tavern, before going to dinner in one of the restaurants (all excellent). A short excursion beyond the Ponte della Libertà are the well-equipped beaches of Sottomarina, perfect for a nice relaxing day enjoying the sea breeze.

7 SANT’ERASMO map-marker Is a large island that’s almost unknown to most people, ideal if you want to be a bit “se- cluded” and quiet. Here you can enjoy a fiery sunset over the lagoon and the friendliness of those who live here, in beautiful and spacious villas immersed in lush gardens. The island boasts the most beautiful cycle path of the lagoon islands, which extends for over 8 km to discover the meandering landscape of this green island. There is also a beach, some bars and restaurants, water supply and a supermarket. Many other very interesting small towns can be visited along the route and can be reached by boat, offering restaurants, shops and services of all kinds; more details during the de- parture briefing or on our river navigation cards, which can be purchased before departure 9 ITINERARY 2 EASTERN VENETO, THE NORTHERN LAGOONS & FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA Flag CASALE SUL SILE / PRECENICCO exchange-alt ONE WAY ONLY, OUTBOUND OR RETURN CLOCK20-25 HOURS OF NAVIGATION life-ring 4 LOCKS – 4 MOBILE BRIDGES

10 This is a very diverse area in terms of land- scapes and nature; constantly alternating between canals, lagoons and rivers. The landscape never remains the same: the scenery changes hourly. Navigation is easy, without water traffic, and with a good availability of moorings, even free ones. If you want an electricity connection in the ports, you should expect a mooring fee that varies between € 35 and € 50. The diamond of this itinerary is the town of Caorle, with its colourful pedestrian centre and long beaches, reachable by mooring near the centre and travelling by bike or on foot. The majestic fishing lagoons that surround the centre can be travelled by boat in ab- solute silence, and pushing yourself a little further inland, you’ll arrive at Concordia Sagittaria, an ancient Roman port with a monumental archaeological area that’s among the oldest in Italy. It’s entirely vis- itable, including the tunnels of the ancient church. The nearby Portogruaro is also worth a visit for the beauty of its historic centre and the frequent outdoor festivals that take place in the summer months. The panorama changes quickly from the canal to the fishing lagoon, and then from the lagoon to the sea. There are a few navi- gation basins and bridges, and they are of- ten totally open. Lignano and Jesolo are the two most fa- mous seaside resorts where you can moor, if you decide to spend a couple of nights en- joying the summer bustle, with clubs, music and shows; but the call of the small histori- cal centres will soon make you turn the bow towards Marano Lagunare, Cortellazzo, and San Donà di Piave. The best compromise is to alternate be- tween a quiet evening and one spent enjoy- ing the nightlife, so as to meet the needs of all crew members. 11 Base Houseboat.it SLOVENIJA Flag FRIULI V.G. Precenicco

Portogruaro Marano 1 3 Lagunaremap-marker Aquileia map-marker Stella Concordia Sagittaria Marano & Grado Lagoon

VENETO Lemene Aprilia Porto 8 Marittima 3 map-markerTreviso map-marker Buso Caorle Valleys Lignano Grado Casier Sabbiadoro map-marker5 San Donà Base Houseboat.it Flag di Piave 4 Bibione ADRIATIC SEA map-marker Trieste Casale sul Sile Caorle Sile Caposile Piave Quarto d’Altino Sile Portegrandi Jesolo VENETO Venice Cortellazzo ADRIATIC SEA Lagoon

6 Torcello Buranomap-marker Lido di Jesolo Cavallino Murano Treporti Mira Dolo Padova Stra Venezia map-marker7 Riviera del Brenta Lido di Venezia

Malamocco HRVATSKA

Venice ADRIATIC SEA ITINERARYLagoon 2 EASTERN VENETO, THE NORTHERNPellestrina LAGOONS & FRIULIChioggia VENEZIA GIULIA

This itinerary takes place mainly on rivers and canals and includes only brief and sporadic lagoon crossings. It is possible to imagine visiting the Venice lagoon for a day at the beginning of your holiday or at the end (obviously depending on the direction you are heading). During transit in lagoon areas you must follow the local signs and the wooden poles (“bricole”) to avoid areas of shallow water. During the week you can visit the following main locations.

12 1 MARANO LAGUNARE map-marker A small centre, but with ancient, noble origins. Today it is known for its fishing fleet which supplies the local market and the restaurants of the pedestrian square with delicacies on a daily basis. A beautiful natural oasis protected by the WWF offers entertainment for adults and children, thanks to a footpath on canopies suspended over the surrounding lagoon, from which you can admire the local wildlife species.

2 LIGNANO map-marker A choice all about fun, the beach, and nightlife. Within your week you will enjoy a day at the beach, or at an amusement park, including water parks and zoos. There are countless clothing stores, bars, restaurants and clubs along the main pedestrian street.

3 CONCORDIA SAGITTARIA map-marker With its origins dating back 20 centuries ago, this small town has had a remarkable history, having been established as a Roman river port along the famous Via Annia, the consular road of the Roman Empire. Public moorings allow you to stop in this hospitable town where you can visit the vestiges of an ancient Roman church, accessible via underground tunnels. If you have bikes, you shouldn’t miss a visit to nearby Portogruaro, with its water mills, where you can enjoy the slow rhythm of the river sitting under the parasols of one of the many bars and restaurants scattered among the small streets in the centre.

4 CAORLE map-marker A gem, a jewel. The colourful pedestrian historical centre, further enhanced by a cylindrical tower and the small church “of the sea”, built on the beach in honour of the fishermen who are still numerous today in the ancient port, make every corner of the town charming. Pop- ular during the summer due to the magnificent and enormous beaches, it will convince you to spend at least a night and a day there. One of the stops with the highest approval rating for hospitality and for the quality of the services you will find.

5 SAN DONÀ DI PIAVE map-marker Sailing the Piave river is relaxing and peaceful, and takes you back to the times when this quiet stretch of water was decisive for the results of the First World War; so much so that a memorial museum (which can be visited) was set up in the town.. The mooring is com- fortable and quiet, and is located right in front of the city river park, which in addition to the various services in the historic centre represents a splendid opportunity for a picnic in the shade of the trees.

6 BURANO map-marker A small island that seems to be straight out of a fairy tale; the bright colours from an ancient “buranella” tradition make this island one of the most photographed places in the world. The ancient tradition of handmade lace making is alive and well, as demonstrated by the numerous shops where you can buy precious artworks created by the hands of the women of the town. The restaurants are delicious and specialize in fish-based Venetian cuisine. The last, sweet, mention is for the exquisite biscuits of the island, the famous “S” of Burano, made with butter; don’t leave without having tried them; it’s really worth it.

7 LIDO DI JESOLO map-marker Is a stopover for those who want to relax by the sea, in one of the most famous and popular destinations in Europe. To get there from the centre of the lagoon you cross a spectacular natural park, to be enjoyed slowly, observing the intense fauna present; herons, flamingos, swans, and numerous other species can be seen in these 2 hours of navigation, a paradise of silence and respect. On the contrary, Lido di Jesolo offers intense and constant nightlife and entertainment throughout the summer and for all ages, as well as Europe’s longest shopping street, and an innumerable range of services and restaurants.

8 TREVISO map-marker Just 15 minutes by bike from the small port of Casier, along the cycle path of the Sile Park, through the natural museum suspended over the water of the Burci (ancient Venetian boats), you will reach this spectacular medieval city, whose historic centre is completely surrounded by ancient walls. It’s a real jewel made up of squares, historical monuments, markets, river canals, taverns, restaurants, and exclusive shops: an inevitable stop on the first or last day of the cruise. An afternoon spent discovering sights that will stick in your memory, and an evening immersed in the nightlife of the fully pedestrianised historical centre, cannot be missed. 13 ITINERARY 3 FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA AND CAORLE LAGOON Flag PRECENICCO exchange-alt ROUND TRIP CLOCK20 HOURS OF NAVIGATION life-ring 2 BASINS - 2 MOBILE BRIDGES

14 If I think of a summer boat vacation, I imme- diately think of a swimsuit, dinner outdoors, sunbathing, and swimming. In no European location is a houseboat vacation as free and informal as in this special part of Italy. Friuli Venezia Giulia is a summer paradise. Far from the formality and etiquette restric- tions imposed by Venice, on this itinerary you can really relax; the Marano and Grado lagoon is easy to navigate and has some special qualities. We know some fishermen friends who open their homes for us, fish- ing and grilling fresh fish in company and drinking good wine in an atmosphere of absolute cordiality. Since you can’t sail the boat at night and after drinking, you’ll sleep moored at the fishermen’s huts. Bucolic… The Roman city of Aquileia, already a UNE- SCO World Heritage site, is truly amazing. It’s an archaeological pearl that is worth a visit, as is the ancient village of Marano, today home to a colourful fleet of fishing boats and a renowned market. The cities of Lignano and Grado, at the two ends of the lagoon, are perfect for spending a day immersed in the summer bustle, with shops, restaurants, clubs, nightlife, beach- es and attractions perfect for children and teenagers of all ages. There are several free beaches which it is possible access without navigating on the open sea, and which are definitely worth a stop. The itinerary includes a visit to the splendid Caorle, a fishing village now renovated and welcoming, characterized by characteris- tic traditional, colourful architecture, with a large pedestrian area, modern facilities, and beautiful beaches. And to get there you have to go through the beautiful fishing lagoons, home to flocks of birds and other wildlife. If you want to sail a little further, going up the Lemene river up to Concordia Sagitta- ria and Portogruaro, you will discover very important Roman archaeological finds ex- cavated inside an underground tunnel, and a town with a busy evening life, especially midweek, with a large local market and summer music evenings in the squares. On this cruise, reaching the Venice Lagoon is not foreseen, since it is too far. 15 Base Houseboat.it SLOVENIJA ITINERARY 3 Flag FRIULI V.G. map-marker1 Precenicco FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA Portogruaro Marano 2 map-marker6 map-marker4 Lagunaremap-marker Aquileia Concordia Stella AND CAORLE LAGOON Sagittaria Marano & Grado Lagoon To navigate in the Venice lagoon, you have to follow the rows of poles VENETO Lemene Aprilia called “bricole” along the route, identifying the low-lying and navigable Marittima map-marker3 Porto Treviso Buso map-marker7 areas. It is important to follow the instructions well during the briefing Caorle Lignano Valleys Grado and to use the navigation cards properly. Casier Sabbiadoro San Donà The area is occasionally hit by strong northerly winds (“Bora”). On those Base Houseboat.it di Piave 5 Bibione ADRIATIC SEA map-marker days, sailing is to be consideredTrieste prohibited. Casale sul Sile Remaining exclusively inside the Marano and Grado lagoon, you will not Sile Piave Caorle Caposile encounter locks or mobile bridges. Quarto d’Altino Sile During the week you can visit the following main locations. Portegrandi Jesolo VENETO Venice Cortellazzo ADRIATIC SEA Lagoon

Torcello Burano Lido di Jesolo Cavallino Murano Treporti Mira Dolo Padova Stra Venezia Riviera del Brenta Lido di Venezia

Malamocco HRVATSKA

Venice ADRIATIC SEA Lagoon

Pellestrina

Chioggia

16 1 PRECENICCO map-marker This small town has a river port near the main square, with a bar and restaurant just a few metres away. The Stella river is magnificent to sail, with rich vegetation, and you can some- times see roe deer from the woods swimming across. Fishermen friends are available to welcome you at the mooring of their characteristic house and join you for a barbeque.

2 MARANO LAGUNARE map-marker A small centre, but with ancient, noble origins. Today it is known for its fishing fleet which supplies the local market and the restaurants of the pedestrian square with delicacies on a daily basis. A beautiful natural oasis protected by the WWF offers entertainment for adults and children, thanks to a footpath on canopies suspended over the surrounding lagoon, from which you can admire the local wildlife species.

3 LIGNANO map-marker A choice all about fun, the beach, and night life. Within your week you will enjoy a day at the beach, or at an amusement park, including water parks and zoos. There are countless cloth- ing stores, bars, restaurants and clubs along the main pedestrian street.

4 CONCORDIA SAGITTARIA map-marker With its origins dating back 20 centuries ago, this small town has had a remarkable history, having been established as a Roman river port along the famous Via Annia, the consular road of the Roman Empire. Public moorings allow you to stop in this hospitable town where you can visit the vestiges of an ancient Roman church, accessible via underground tunnels. If you have bikes, you shouldn’t miss a visit to nearby Portogruaro, with its water mills, where you can enjoy the slow rhythm of the river sitting under the parasols of one of the many bars and restaurants scattered among the small streets in the centre.

5 CAORLE map-marker A gem, a jewel. The colourful pedestrian historical centre, further enhanced by a cylindrical tower and the small church “of the sea”, built on the beach in honour of the fishermen still numerous today in the ancient port, make every corner of the town charming. Popular during the summer due to the magnificent and enormous beaches, it will convince you to spend at least a night and a day there. One of the stops with the highest approval rating for hospitality and for the quality of the services you will find.

6 AQUILEIA map-marker Considered a real open-air museum, due to the many monuments found there. The Ancient Roman inner harbour, gloriously the most important of the upper Adriatic more than 2000 years ago, is today an unmissable UNESCO heritage site. The rural culture, the food and wine tradition (we’re not far from the prestigious Collio area), and the connection with the sea create a combination of history, culture, traditions and cuisine that will surprise you.

7 GRADO map-marker A seaport, configured like a real island in the centre of its lagoon. A land of navigators, sailors and fishermen, and certainly the place with the greatest marine passion. The historic cen- tre has been finely restored, and its churches and historic squares are a magnificent place to spend a day. The air you breathe is sparkling and very vivid, especially during the sum- mer, when movement is assured, in a seaside setting. Not far away, an area for fishing huts with free mooring guarantees an alternative, almost timeless stopping point, where you can spend a day or an evening based on grilled fish, good wine, friends, and a fabulous panoramic sunset, all in the name of silence and privacy.

Many other very interesting small towns can be visited along the route and can be reached by boat, offering restaurants, shops and services of all kinds; more details during the departure briefing or on our river navigation cards, which can be purchased before departure.

17 ITINERARY 4 RIVIERA DEL BRENTA Flag CASALE SUL SILE exchange-alt ROUND TRIP CLOCK20-25 HOURS OF NAVIGATION life-ring 10 BASINS - 18 MOBILE BRIDGES

18 A passion for Venetian history and Renais- sance architecture leads you to choose to visit the Riviera del Brenta, an ancient sixteenth-century canal along which no- ble Venetian families built their luxurious summer residences, obviously overlooking the water. Retracing the navigable route that for over 5 centuries had been carrying boats from Venice to Padua, it is possible to see these ancient dwellings. You must remember that the Riviera del Brenta has numerous basins and mobile bridges and therefore a lot of patience is required to cover it all the way to Padua, where it is possible to moor near the histor- ic centre and then visit the city by bicycle. Padua is among the most important cities in Italy, with an ancient university, paintings by the artist Giotto, the Basilica of Sant’An- tonio, and marvellous squares and palaces.

The famous “Venetian Villas”, some of which were designed by the founding archi- tect of this tradition, Andrea Palladio, can be visited as museums. Others are private and are only visible from the outside. Nor- mally we visit 5 villas, all distributed in the municipalities of Mira, Dolo, and Stra. The most important is definitely Villa Pisani, known as “La Nazionale”, due to its his- torical significance during the Kingdom of Italy. This immense dwelling, adorned with swimming pools and stables, a hedge maze immersed in the park, and rooms with frescos by important artists of the time, is a UNESCO heritage site, and therefore un- missable. Having bicycles in this navigable area represents immense added value. Since the starting point closest to the Rivi- era del Brenta is Casale sul Sile, and the Riviera is not navigable on Monday, it is necessary to consider organising the week as follows: the first 2 days sailing in the Sile River Park and in the Venice Lagoon, stop- ping in various islets, then 3 days in the Rivi- era del Brenta, with the last 2 days needed to return to the starting point. In essence, the stay in the Riviera del Brenta itself will be 3 days of a 7-day cruise. 19 Base Houseboat.it SLOVENIJA FRIULI V.G. Precenicco Portogruaro Marano Lagunare Aquileia Concordia Stella Sagittaria Marano & Grado Lagoon

VENETO Lemene Aprilia 1 Marittima Porto map-markerTreviso Buso Caorle Valleys Lignano Grado Casier Sabbiadoro San Donà Base Houseboat.it Flag di Piave Bibione ADRIATIC SEA Trieste Casale sul Sile Caorle Sile Caposile Piave Quarto d’Altino Sile Portegrandi Jesolo VENETO Venice Cortellazzo ADRIATIC SEA Lagoon

2 Torcello Buranomap-marker Lido di Jesolo Cavallino map-marker4 Murano Treporti map-marker5 Mira map-marker3 map-marker7 map-marker6 Dolo Padova Stra Venezia Riviera del Brenta Lido di Venezia

Malamocco HRVATSKA

Venice ADRIATIC SEA Lagoon

Pellestrina

ITINERARY 4 Chioggia RIVIERA DEL BRENTA

This itinerary can be considered as an extension of the Venice La- goon itinerary. If you decide to visit this canal, you will only have 2 days to visit the Venice lagoon. It is an itinerary that resembles a classic canal trip with locks and mobile bridges. It can be very busy at certain times of the year. It is an itinerary that passes through the inhabited centres, and is therefore not very naturalistic, but ex- tremely monumental. During the week you can visit the following main locations.

20 1 TREVISO map-marker Just 15 minutes by bike from the small port of Casier, along the cycle path of the Sile Park, through the natural museum suspended over the water of Burci (ancient Venetian boats), you will reach this spectacular medieval city, whose historic centre is completely surrounded by ancient walls. It’s a real jewel made up of squares, historical monuments, markets, river canals, taverns, restaurants, and exclusive shops: an inevitable stop on the first or last day of the cruise. An afternoon spent discovering sights that will stick in your memory, and an evening immersed in the nightlife of the fully pedestrianised historical centre, cannot be missed.

2 BURANO map-marker A small island that seems to be straight out of a fairy tale; the bright colours from an ancient “buranella” tradition make this island one of the most photographed places in the world. The ancient tradition of handmade lace making is alive and well, as demonstrated by the numerous shops where you can buy precious artworks created by the hands of the women of the town. The restaurants are delicious and specialize in fish-based Venetian cuisine. The last, sweet, mention is for the exquisite biscuits of the island, the famous “S” of Burano, made with butter; don’t leave without having tried them; it’s really worth it.

3 VENICE map-marker It’s easy to describe the countless attractions to visit in Venice, from St. Mark’s Square, to the Basilica, from the Palazzo Ducale to the Rialto Bridge ... and we could keep going forever. Since it is not possible to enter Venice by boat due to local laws, let alone reach where you want to moor (the staff at the start will give you detailed information), in order to wander around the city centre you will still need to use local public transport. We suggest buying a daily ticket for unlimited trips on the “Vaporetti” (water buses) to avoid spending a fortune on single tickets. In this way you can move easily and cheaply covering a large area.

4 MIRA map-marker Free mooring in Mira near the historic centre gives you the opportunity to see the largest number of Venetian Villas, all within 5 km of the mooring, and all of which can be visited with a single ticket available for purchase at Villa Widmann, site of the local tourism pro- motion consortium. We believe that having bikes on board so you can move on land is almost essential.

5 DOLO map-marker This village is delightful, with the old mill area now restored and full of bars and restau- rants. Free moorings are located near the pedestrian area. However, in this village there are no Venetian Villas open to the public.

6 STRA map-marker A short distance from the public mooring sits the majestic jewel of the Riviera del Brenta, Villa Pisani “Nazionale”, an example of majestic and regal architecture that deserves a visit of a few hours. Other museum villas can be visited nearby, as well as bars and restaurants.

7 PADUA map-marker The largest and oldest city in the Veneto region, home to a renowned university, spectac- ular monuments, and inhabited over the centuries by artists such as Giotto and Galileo Galilei, who have left the legacy of their artistic and professional life in works that are now UNESCO heritage sites. The Basilica of Sant’Antonio, the Prato delle Valle, and the central squares are alive by day and by night, offering extensive services, restaurants, and wine bars. Describing it in depth is like describing Venice... simply impossible in such little space.

Many other very interesting small towns can be visited along the route and can be reached by boat, offering restaurants, shops and services of all kinds; more details during the departure briefing or on our river navigation cards, which can be purchased before departure.

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via C. Colombo, 36/A 45014 Porto Viro Rovigo - Italia Tel: +39 0426 666025 Email: [email protected] www.houseboat.it

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