First Hotel Barging Exploration of Venice, Italy Region

In 2005 Go Barging - European Waterways, the operator of Europe's largest fleet of hotel barges, added something unique to its highly-praised menu of routes. Go Barging's completely refurbished La Dolce Vita offers a delightful Venetian experience that combines river, canal and lagoon cruising with daily excursions to the area's most historic sites. Many are accessible only by water and thus less frequently visited.

The six-passenger La Dolce Vita began life in 1897 as a sailing cargo vessel in Holland. After a long and varied career in coastal Europe and the Mediterranean, she underwent a complete refit in 2004, transforming her into a charming hotel barge whose decor is a mixture of Venetian-style covers and drapes with a traditional African hardwood ship's interior.

A bedroom aboard the refitted hotel barge showcases
the ship's African hardwood interior.

Go Barging's six-night/seven-day Venetian Lagoon itinerary provides a perfect balance between undisturbed countryside and vibrant city encounters where none of the city's highlights are missed. The air-conditioned staterooms and suites range from $2,550 to $3,600 per person, including accommodation, champagne welcome, three gourmet meals a day with wine, shore excursions, admittance fees, use of bicycles and much more.

No barges allowed on the city canals, but the cruise includes a water taxi exploration of Venice's Grand Canal.

Celebrating 33 years of operation in 2007, Go Barging - European Waterways is a pioneer in the vacation barging business, currently offering luxury cruise holidays on 17 barges in eight European countries, while utilizing a variety of canals, rivers, lakes and lochs. Browse the theme cruise guide listing theme vacations from fishing, wine and antiques cruises to walking, family and garden cruises. www.Gobarging.com.
Images courtesy of Go Barging - European Waterways.