Brenta river cruise: enjoy Palladian villas on a river cruise!

The Palladian Villas of the Brenta canal in the Veneto region are well worth a day visit, either you are staying in Venice or in Padua, or along the Venice Riviera itself. One of the best ways to see them is with a Brenta river cruise, one of many great things to do in venice.

Brenta canals tours in Italy

 The Riviera del Brenta offers one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, where water, sky, nature and architecture create a harmonious balance of rare beauty. With this river cruise of the Venetian villas you’ll be able to visit three of the most famous villas, Villa Foscari in Malcontenta, Villa Widmann in Mira and the famous Villa Pisani in Stra, whose frescoes and gardens will enchant you. During the day and for the visits you will be accompanied by a friendly guide.

Your cruise can start in Padua during the weekend for this 2021 season. Mid-day cruises are possible as well!

River boat cruise from Padua to Venice (every wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday )

If you are staying in Venice, do not worry. You can easily take a train in the morning (around 7 am) in order to be on time for departure in Padova. The departure is not far away from the strain station (20 minutes walking or 5 minutes by taxi).  The program is the following:

• 08.00: boarding in Padua from Portello pier, the city’s ancient river port.
• navigation along the original river route of the ancient Venetian burchielli passing in front of the superb Villa Giovanelli in Noventa Padovana; crossing the Noventa Padovana Lock and the Stra Lock;
• 09.20: arrival in Stra and guided tour of Villa Pisani. You will visit the great Park, one of the most beautiful in Italy, with its impressive swimming pool, the magnificent stables and the elegant eighteenth-century Coffee House – only for those who have booked it, guided tour of the interior of the Villa.
• Embarkation and navigation towards Dolo with illustration during the navigation of the various villas seen from the river
• Continuation of navigation towards Mira, among Villas, coastal villages and swing bridges with illustration of the various Venetian Villas seen from the river;
• Stop at Villa Widmann or Villa Barchessa Valmarana for a guided tour of the interiors
• Boarding and navigation towards Oriago
• Arrival in Oriago for lunch break at the “Il Burchiello” restaurant;
• Continuation of navigation towards Malcontenta, among villas, coastal villages and swing bridges
• Arrival in Malcontenta and stop at Villa Foscari, known as La Malcontenta, for a guided tour of the interiors;
• 4.30 p.m.: continuation of navigation towards Moranzani; arrival and crossing of the Chiusa with arrival in San Marco, Riva degli Schiavoni – San Zaccaria scheduled for about 5.30 pm.

Cruise from Venice to Padua ( every  Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday )

• 8.50 am: meeting with the guide in Venice in Riva degli Schiavoni, at ACTV“Pietà” stop, in front of the Pietà Church and Metropole Hotel.
• 9.00: boarding and sail towards the Brenta Riviera. Explanations about the villas that are visible along the way.
• 10.30: stop in Malcontenta and guided tour of Villa Foscari called “La Malcontenta”
• Navigation on the Brenta river among charming riparian villages, always with explanations from the guide.
• Stop for lunch for about 1 hour in Oriago di Mira at the restaurant “Il Burchiello”. Special menus can be booked together  with the cruise; lunch can be free as well.
• Boarding and navigation to Villa Widmann or Villa Barchessa Valmarana of Mira, with guided tour.
• Arrival in Stra and guided tour of stunning Villa Pisani Reale – guided tour of the park with swimming pool, stables and Coffee House included – guided tour of the interior of the villa for those who have booked it at the moment of the reservation.
  
• 5.30 pm: the trip continues along the historical itinerary of the ancient Venetian “burchielli”; arrival in Padua at Portello, an ancient river port in the historic center of Padua, that has the original 16th century staircase of the Burchiello.

Where to embark: You can embark in Venice or in Malcontenta; in this latter case the appointment is at 10.30 at the gate of Villa Foscari Malcontenta; here the guide will wait for you for a guided tour of the Villa.

Half-day brenta cruise options

You can take a half-day tour of the Venetian villas, by opting for one of the following routes:

• Venice – Oriago di Mira: includes a visit to Villa Foscari called La Malcontenta and ends at 12.15 in oriago di Mira.
• Oriago di Mira – Padua: scheduled for 13.15 from Oriago di Mira and includes a visit to Villa Widmann (or Villa Barchessa Valmarana of Mira) and Villa Pisani in Stra.
• Padua – Oriago di Mira: includes a visit to Villa Pisani and Villa Widmann (or Villa Barchessa Valmarana of Mira) and ends at 13.15 in oriago di Mira.
• Oriago di Mira – Venice: expected to depart at 14.15 from Oriago di Mira and includes a visit to Villa Foscari called La Malcontenta.

Palladian villas of the Brenta canal – Return with public transport:

To return to Padua or Venice we recommend regional trains, the fastest takes about 27 minutes. Oriago di Mira is served by bus line ACTV 53E line, that connects Padua to Venice and is very convenient for the return in both directions. Solutions for private transfers are available on request. Don’t hesitate to contact us!

Lunch cruise in restaurant (not on board)

You can book a great lunch menu at our partner restaurant on the Riviera.

Here are the available menus:

• Goldoni fish menu € 30.00

Appetizer of smoked fish carpaccio with croutons; linguine with seafood; mixed grilled fish (salmon, sea bream royal shrimp); seasonal vegetable side dish; fresh fruit salad with ice cream; 1/4 of wine, 1/2 mineral water.

• Goldoni meat menu € 30.00

Appetizer of bresaola, rocket salad and parmesan; tagliatelle with speck and courgettes; cut of beef with rosemary; seasonal vegetable side dish; fresh fruit salad with ice cream;

1/4 of wine, 1/2 mineral water.

• Vegetarian Goldoni menu € 30.00

Antipasto of mixed cheese with jam; tagliolini with courgettes and cherry tomatoes; omelette; side dish of grilled vegetables; fresh fruit salad with ice cream;

1/4 of wine, 1/2 mineral water.

• Casanova fish menu € 23.00

Appetizer of smoked fish carpaccio with croutons; mixed grill of salmon, sea bream fillet and king prawn; seasonal vegetable side dish; fresh fruit salad with ice cream; 1/4 of wine, 1/2 mineral water.