5 Star Ave Maria boat/barge tour reviews — 91 to 120 of 144

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

Montova was a really lovely spot and I liked the cycling around there. It might be easier in the towns if the cyclists all had either jerseys or pennies to identify the group so locals see we are all together which would prevent us from getting cut off or unable to pass.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

Most memorable part? All of it! Fantastic! Most memorable: Hein! And Marco! The whole staff! Loved every minute. Loved the e-bike too.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

I was so impressed with the level of service and detail on this trip. Completely exceeded all expectations from the guides and the rides to the food and the lodging. So much fun! It didn’t hurt that we had perfect weather. Hoping to do it again!

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

Every day was a new adventure, loved it all!

  Ave Maria Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
Italy

Superb scenery, boat, bikes and guides. Delightful in every way.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

Most Memorable Part: Biking with Hans as a guide and the side trips we made.

  Ave Maria Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
Italy

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Piano player and entertainer was a highlight.....food was fabulous.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

My most memorable part of these trips are always at the halfway mark when I realize they are almost over and I want them to go on and on forever. Italy is so beautiful and the ride to Montava is an extension of that beauty.

My suggestion is simple: Do it. Don't wait. Go on a big cruise ship when you are too old to walk, but as for now, if you're able to bike, you're able to bike tour. Touring is different than racing. Its relaxing and invigorating, spiritual and memorizing. Seeing Italy at ground level and at 11 mph is the only way to experience it, in my book.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

Our guide, Hein, was the absolute best. Knew everything about history, culture, architecture, food... Had a great sense of humor. Best guide in 10 bike/barge trips.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

Everyday was fabulous. So difficult to pick any one memorable part when you experience Venice, Grana Padana tour and tasting, the oldest clock in the world, a lotus flower lake and charming friendly people and staff.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

Friendly knowledgeable staff, delicious food, great bikes! It truly was the vacation of a lifetime, and we can't wait for the next one!

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

Excellent dinners after cycling along some wonderful and varied routes. The tour guides were excellent and kept a great pace for all cyclists. Different activities and surprises along the routes almost every day. Highly recommend this trip. If you plan to travel in July, be prepared for hot weather.

  Ave Maria Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
Italy

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

The most memorable part was stopping for lunch in a vineyard!

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

The most memorable part was the chef and guides!!

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

I returned May 9, 2017 from Italy from the best trip of my life. It started out from a conversation with a retired flight attendant a year ago and became a reality on April 29, 2017 when I had the great pleasure of boarding The Ave Maria from Mantua Italy to Venice Italy. From start to finish it was perfection. The boat was quite accommodating with our 3 bunk cabin, lovely dining room and sun deck to visit with our group of sixteen from Michigan, Nevada, Florida and Texas. The crew of 4 were fantastic and the food was superb. Everyday something different and delicious. The bike riding and touring through the countryside was phenomenal all because our guides Hein and Alain were exceptional. At age 64 I have enjoyed a lot of different destinations, but this trip by far exceeded every expectation I had and I would attribute it all to the fabulous crew and guides. Thank you so very much!

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

The most memorable part was the guides and crew of the ship - the customer service was OUTSTANDING!!!!!

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

I would absolutely recommend this trip. We felt we were very lucky to have Hein as our guide. His insight was wonderful.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

The scenery on this trip,while biking, was not memorable or especially unusual which was to be expected given the flatland of our itinerary. I was hoping it would be more dramatic but not surprised that it wasn't. Still I loved being there and next time will consider a more challenging terrain which ought to improve the views. ( ps lunch stop venues need more thought- in general unattractive.)
Memorable: the towns of Mantova and Ferrara were lovely and I enjoyed having time to spend in them , instead of merely riding through. The food was glorious and I felt the staff went the extra mile for us with a few perks and personal attention if needed. Clearly they like their jobs and it showed.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

The entire staff was impeccable. They aimed to please and all had wonderful personalities. My only regret was wifi being shut down at 11pm. This was the best time for me to talk to loved ones. Other than that, it was great. Feedback from my group was positive.

  Ave Maria Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
Italy

The scenery on the self guided from Bolzano to Mantua.
The expert guide (Hein ), the food and the staff on the boat.
They all went out of their way to make it a very pleasant experience.
We could not have asked for a better crew.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

Everything was memorable from the wonderful cabin to the great gourmet food to the wonderful leader Hein and fabulous staff. The route is scenic and we made stops at interesting places like the Rides Museum, Grano Padana, and the non-bird sanctuary! Loved it and have highly recommended it to friends.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

The staff on the Ave Maria was fantastic. They made sure we got everything we needed. I liked the way even the captain of the boat helped serve and clean up. They really worked as a team and worked very hard! The food was awesome and I really enjoyed the stops we made and the tours we had.
Great trip!

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

Bike guides (Michaela & Ronnie) and boat staff ( Erica, Juliano, Enrico and Luciano) were all exceptional. Their care, expertise and concern throughout the trip was what made it exceptional.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

The Tour Leader Hein was amazing and showed us a wonderful experience. The cycling was spectacular and the food so exciting and very innovative. The bikes were heavier than I am used to but they were appropriate for the terrain. Everyone was helpful -- fabulous staff. I've already recommended it to my friends. I would do it again, but only if Hein were the Leader.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

It was a wonderful trip! I liked that we got to be on the barge when it moved (one time at the end of the day and another in the morning). The food was outstanding and I liked that the chefs described dinner and suggested wine pairings. The barge was very comfortable - even with 3 in a cabin.

Our son (22 years old) was outnumbered by the over 50 crowd but Hein made him feel welcome. Only suggestion - mirrors on the bikes (although I realize that makes them difficult to store and move) and a brief intro on riding in groups.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

The crew were AMAZing! Every single one of them. Tami is an amazing guide - super friendly and helpful. All of the crew helpful and a delight. I would definitely go on this type of trip again because of my experience on this trip.

  Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy

This was my first bike & barge. The bar has been set very high!