Vita Pugna boat/barge tour reviews — 1 to 30 of 49
Jerline (and Alan) S.
3 weeks ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Excellent food; schedule done as advertised; crew was upbeat, helpful; guide in great shape. I suggest on the middle days to check out some of the small nearby towns to break up the long distances. Very good bike also.
Lynn C.
3 weeks ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Bolzano - Mantova - Venice
Italy
Of course the boat & bike trip was equally memorable, especially the food -- a gourmet meal every night, prepared by a chef, who excitedly announced the meal, it's relation to the region and the perfect wine to pair. Bike tour guide was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and caring to all. Aboard the Vita Pugna, we were 18 total bikers, a perfect number! We became attached to all! The majority had booked through Tripsite for this and many other previous trips. Nice to hear they were very much pleased with Read More the service, commenting on the excellent website, to find the the most details that enabled them to choose the perfect tour. Loved the side trips on the bike too! Museums, cheese factory, coffee stops, historical tours with local guides! This trip had it all!
GAIL B.
1 month ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The crew of the Vita Pugna was first class. Sylvia prepared delicious meals using fresh local items. She gave us a book of the recipes used. Hugo was a fantastic tour guide providing us with a wealth of information and lots of laughs. He woke up early to see our group of three get underway to the airport in Venice safely. Good thing he did because when we got to the marina gate it was LOCKED! Promptly he called the night security guard to unlock the gate and we were on our way once again. Hugo videoed highlights of each day and provided everyone with the link. This was a really special surprise and a wonderful keepsake of the trip.
Andrew D.
1 month ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Staff was wonderful. Hugo was great. Food was delicious. Very enjoyable experience. Would’ve liked to spend a few more hours in Ferrara, that was my only suggestion. Most memorable was the the small things Hugo went out of his way to show us like the nighttime cemetery and the cat house along one of the trails. He was a pleasure to be around. All the staff was. Francisco was a doll. Very nice experience indeed.
Melissa L.
1 month ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
This was my fourth bike and barge trip. Vita Pugna and it’s team (Samuele, Silvia, Francesco and Hugo) have ruined all future bike and barge rips! Our tour guide, Hugo, went above and beyond everyday and the food was amazing.
Charlotte S.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Being in Venice, great dinners, excellent staff, incredibly good background material and maps (wish we got this before the trip so we could have been better prepared). We would have appreciated “corners” and a “sweep” when biking.
Gail S.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The staff of the Vita Pugna, Michela, Esther, Danilo & Sam were superb!! They ensured our experience was a great one from the fabulous food to the wonderful guiding while cycling.
The weather cooperated for the most part as it was in the latter part of October, but I would suggest if possible to go earlier in the season.
Jeanne H.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
My most memorable part of the trip for me was seeing the beautiful
countryside as we bicycled
along the Poe River. Another highlight was the delicious food prepared by our chef.
Gillian C.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The whole 7 day bike/barge trip exceeded expectations in EVERY way! Very professional, helpful and friendly crew; great bikes and accommodation plus simply incredible food. A truly fantastic experience
Gill and Martin C.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
My wife and I travelled around the world from New Zealand to participate in this bike/barge trip - and that long journey was well worth it! EVERYTHING about the experience was first class and could not be faulted; the tour leader and cooking staff, the on board catering, the accommodation on the Vita Pugna, the e-bikes and the scenery were fabulous - and the two extra aspects to the trip (the weather and our fellow guests!) were also the best!
As a result of the comments above, we will be thoroughly recommending this trip, through Tripsite, to anyone interested in this type of holiday......
Rita W.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The warm companionship of the trip leader and staff on the boat was outstanding as well as the fabulous meals taken from local/seasonal sources. Bikes were kept in top working condition, the trails and tours followed scenic and cultural experiences, and the leader's interaction with the local people made for a most genuine and memorable trip.
Matthew B.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The Crew on the boat (Captain Eduardo, Sylvia, & Barb) and our biking guide Antonella were all PHENOMENAL. The service and the food are first class.
Kimberly N.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
I really enjoyed the staff, Sylvia and Barbara and the delicious dinners! They were so cute and fun. Loved the cheese factory, and Antonella was a wonderful tour guide.
Sandra B.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Our guide, Hein, was knowledgeable, friendly, and personable. The staff was wonderful and the dinners were amazing! At each port, they shopped daily for fresh foods and wine, and served us the local specialties of the area. Each night before serving, they described the menu, explained how it was prepared, and paired it with a local wine recommendation.
The cozy, comfortable barge accommodates 20 guests. Even though we represented 6 different countries, there were no differences at all. Everyone was enthusiastic, energetic, fun, friendly and helpful.
The bikes were exceptional and made the rides smooth and comfortable. I usually struggle to keep up, but didn't have any problems this time. The bikes contributed to my ease, and the Read More pace was ideal!
The routes were well planned, the scenery was lovely, the designated stops were interesting, informative and great fun!
Since the boats and owners, countries, food, scenery, cultures and customs are all different, we don't compare trips. We just embrace the differences and look forward to our next (5th) adventure with Tripsite. They're so great to work with and have always made every effort to accommodate their guests.
Donna • 3 years ago
Thank you for this very helpful review. We have only done one tripsite vacation which was fabulous.
Were you using an ebike.
Catherine P.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The entire trip was great. Have highly recommended it to others!
Berry B.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Our guide (Sylvia) embellished every part of the day, the staff was very friendly, cooperative, accommodating and full of fun...great trip, thanks
Susan J.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Just finished the Venice to Mantova about the Vita Pugna. This trip was amazing and exactly as advertised with easy cycling on flat roads. Normally I would have liked more miles but with a record breaking heat wave (topping at 44C one day) that week, the distances worked out well. The chefs Sylvia and Irene are hugely talented and every meal was a delight. I really can't praise the food enough! Fabio did an excellent job as guide and is extremely knowledgeable about the area and gave excellent advice. Eduardo the captain was also very personable and friendly, overall a super crew who obviously enjoyed working together. Our international group had a great time cycling together despite the heat. I hope to do this trip again someday.
Sue F.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Sue H.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Bolzano - Mantova - Venice
Italy
Couldn't ask for more. We absolutely loved our bike/barge tour in Italy from Bolzano to Mantova to Venice in August on the Vita Pugna. The staff were fantastic and our guide Michela was amazing. We had a lot of fun, met some great people and visited some very beautiful places. The biking was not difficult. The food on the Barge was first class and plenty of it. Would absolutely recommend this trip. Can't think of the most memorable part of the trip it was all amazing. The first three days was challenging following the instructions, but we got there in the end. Was sorry to say goodbye to everyone.
Wendy S.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The most memorable part of our Mantova to Venice trip was visiting chioggia, the carnival museum and the cheese factory.
Lynn Y.
3 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Best part? The wonderful food served everyday
Nancy B.
4 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Bolzano - Mantova - Venice
Italy
Most Memorable Part? Riding our bikes back to the barge in Venice in a rainstorm. The laughter and camaraderie was priceless.
Kim F.
4 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Mantova to Venice was wonderful. Very pretty scenery with lots of unique places to stop.
Art W.
4 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The food on the barge was terrific--as was our guide Fabio.
Come prepared for 5 serious days of biking as well as bringing the right/complete biking clothes.
April S.
4 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Had an absolute great time on this Tour. Venice was amazing and Mantova as well. Our cook was Erica who is wonderful chef. Every meal was impressive— creative and delicious. This was my fifth bike/barge tour and she is definitely the best cook. Really enjoyed my fellow Travelers, as well.
Vita Pugna
Jill McGowan • 4 years ago
You mentioned that you had been on 5 boat/barge trips. Which was your overall favorite?
April • 4 years ago
That’s a hard question. They all were special in different ways. But if I had to pick a fav it would be the Paris-Bruges trip.
Robert V.
4 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Every aspect of the trip was as expected or better.
Joanne B.
4 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The best parts of the trip were the staff, the food and the camaraderie. The bike rides, the scenery and the towns visited could not have been better. It was an all around outstanding vacation!!!
Rita L.
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Most Memorable Part: Being part of a bike family for a week with wonderful people from several countries! And our tour guide, Helmut ... Capt. Giovanni ... Crew/Chefs Sylvia and Samule, who made the week even more special! Riding through the small towns was fun!! Ready to go again!!!
Susan E.
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The trip was amazing: excellent food prepared by our 2 chefs; our guide was well-prepared, thoughtful, good-natured; the route was beautifully planned and educational, the bikes were more comfortable than my own, the weather was fortunately perfect, and we had a great group to bike with. The experience went way beyond my expectations . Can’t wait to plan the next biking adventure.
Laurie P.
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Most Memorable Part: The beautiful scenery of Italy and the connections we made with the other guests!!!
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