La Bella Vita is a beautiful 20-passenger hotel barge sailing between iconic Venice and the captivating Renaissance city of Mantua. A cruise aboard this stylish passenger vessel is ideal for travelers who want to witness the beauty of Italian waterways away from the rush of crowds.
This elegant 140-foot ship boasts a long history on the waterways of Italy. Constructed in 1960, La Bella Vita spent 50 years as a cargo barge before European Waterways got a hold of her in 2010 and transformed her into a luxury hotel barge fit for cruises on Venetian Lagoon, River Po, and Canal Bianco. The vessel features comfortable common areas, air-conditioning, and modern Italian interiors.
Travel to authentic Italian villages and iconic monuments, stately palaces and Renaissance masterpieces, idyllic lagoons and lush gardens—a journey where you’ll discover why the boat is named La Bella Vita or “the beautiful life.”
105 sq. ft. twin/double stateroom including en suite facilities. Private bathroom, shower, wardrobe, small tables, desk and a chair. Located at the Lower Deck
Junior Suite
110 sq. ft. twin/double junior suites including en suite facilities. Private bathroom, shower, wardrobe, small tables, single couch, desk and a chair. Located at the Upper Deck
Deckplan
Staterooms & Suites
The fully air-conditioned accommodations aboard the hotel barge La Bella Vita are comfortable and well-appointed. Guests can take their pick between two Junior Suites on the Upper Deck and eight Staterooms on the Lower Deck.
While the suites offer a little more space than the staterooms, all feature ensuite facilities, a closet, and a hairdryer. Staterooms are fitted with windows, while suites have double doors opening to a charming French balcony.
Amenities
Public spaces aboard La Bella Vita barge are brightly colored and spacious, with plush furniture that keeps passengers hanging out for hours at a time.
Lounge Bar: Head to the warmly designed and inviting bar, the perfect spot for mingling with fellow passengers and enjoying a glass of wine.
Dining Room: Savor well-prepared meals at the spacious dining area featuring comfy chairs and an expansive table. The room is lovely for enjoying the regional cuisine and fine Italian wines served aboard the canal barge. Louver doors open to spectacular views of the Italian waterways outside.
Sun Deck: Travelers who want to spend time outside beyond the shore excursions can chill out on the sun deck. With a large canopy, comfortable loungers, and a table for alfresco meals, it’s a laidback spot to watch the delightful Italian scenery drift by.
Navigating delightful waterways in Italy, La Bella Vita travels the Venice to Mantua route to pass by the region’s most beautiful landscapes and historic cities. Private charters of the La Bella Vita barge are also available.
Enjoy cruising through stunning waters on the way to the Po Valley, passing by idyllic lagoon islands. Fantastic tours are included in the itinerary, as La Bella Vita docks at Ferrara, Chioggia, and Mantua. Guests can also indulge in wine tasting, local cuisine, and sightseeing, or take one of the bicycles on board for a quick ride on picturesque towns.
Ship Specifications
Year built: 1960
Class: Hotel barge
Length: 140 feet
Speed: 10 kn
Decks: 2
Passengers: 20
Crew: 7
About European Waterways
Based in England, the European Waterways tour company has been creating hotel barge cruises for over 35 years. The company builds luxury cruise ships out of old cruise liners, developing an impressive fleet that consists of gems like Anjodi, L’Impressionniste, La Nouvelle Etoile, Renaissance, and Shannon Princess. Each one is built to accommodate only six to 20 passengers, promising a relaxing and intimate cruise experience on Europe’s most spectacular waterways.
European Waterways’ smaller ships favor sailing narrow channels and shallower docks, giving passengers a chance to delight in small yet scenic areas. Cruise destinations include Bordeaux, Luxembourg, and Scotland.
Reach out to our Adventure Life travel experts for an upcoming La Bella Vita Italy cruise or for comparisons to other European barges that ply the waterways of Italy.
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
